bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning routines and disruptive technological change
Authors: Lyytinen Kalle , Rose Gregory , Yoo Youngjin
Published: May 2010

Purpose

During hyper‐competition, disruptive technological innovations germinate causing significant changes in software development organizations' (SDOs) knowledge. The scope and flexibility of the SDO's knowledge base increases; its volatility and the demand for efficiency grows. This creates germane needs to translate abstract knowledge into workable knowledge fast while delivering solutions. The aim of this article is to examine SDOs' responses to such learning challenges through an inductive, theory‐generating study which addresses the question: how did some SDOs successfully learn under these circumstances?

Design/methodology/approach

The article takes the form of an exploratory, theory‐building case study investigating seven SDOs' web‐development activities and associated changes in their learning routines during the dot‐com boom.

Findings

The SDOs increased their ability to learn broadly, deeply, and quickly – a learning contingency referred as “hyper‐learning” – by inventing, selecting and configuring learning routines. Two sets of learning routines enabled broad and flexible exploratory‐knowledge identification and exploratory‐knowledge assimilation: distributed gate‐keeping; and brokering of external knowledge. Likewise, two sets of learning routines enabled fast and efficient exploitative‐knowledge transformation and exploitation: simple design rules; and peer networks. The authors further observed that SDOs created systemic connections between these routines allowing for fast switching and dynamic interlacing concurrently within the same organizational sub‐units. The authors refer to this previously unidentified form of organizational learning as parallel ambidexterity.

Originality/value

The study contributes to organizational learning theories as applied to SDOs by recognizing a condition where knowledge scope, flexibility, efficiency and volatility increase. It also argues a new form of ambidexterity, parallel ambidexterity, was created and implemented in response to this set of requirements. Parallel ambidexterity differs from traditional exploitative forms where SDOs focus on improving and formalizing their operational knowledge and improving efficiency. It also differs from traditional explorative forms where SDOs focus on identifying and grafting and distributing external abstract knowledge by expanding knowledge scope, flexibility. Most importantly, parallel ambidexterity differs from the widely recognized forms of sequential and structural ambidexterity because exploration and exploitation take place at the same time within the same unit in holographic ways to address volatility. Here learning outcome are applied directly and fast to the tasks for which the learning was initiated.
Empowering employees through instant messaging
Authors: Ou Carol X.J. , Davison Robert M. , Zhong Xuepan , Liang Yi
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a research model that explains how instant messaging (IM) technologies enable employees to be empowered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses survey of 253 Chinese work professionals with respect to their use of IM tools at work.

Findings

IM does empower work teams via shaping the social networks and facilitating knowledge sharing in the workplace, resulting in heightened team performance.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was conducted in China so generalization to other national contexts is tentative. It focuses on the bright side of IM, but neglects the dark side, e.g. security concerns and work interruptions.

Practical implications

IM is not only a social tool, it also has the potential to contribute to work teams. However, IM cannot achieve better work performance alone. Its contribution to strengthen the social networks at work is also critical. These social networks at work can enable employees to overcome psychological barriers to knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

Studies of IM in the workplace have not previously considered social network perspectives, nor the value of such IM‐facilitated social networks for work performance. This large scale survey of work professionals across four locations in China provides evidence for the considerable positive impacts of IM on work.
Third‐party logistics provider customer orientation and customer firm logistics improvement in China
Authors: Tian Yu , Ellinger Alexander E. , Chen Haozhe
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Based on customer value theory, this paper aims to propose and test a conceptual model of the relationship between third‐party logistics (3PL) provider customer orientation and customer firm logistics improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The 3PL provider customer orientation is conceptualized as a higher, second‐order construct made up of four key logistics‐driven first‐order indicators: service variety, information availability, timeliness, and continuous improvement. A survey‐based approach is utilized to collect data from managers at 124 manufacturing customer firms in the People's Republic of China; structural equation modeling is performed to assess measures and test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Chinese 3PL provider customer orientation significantly influences customer firm logistics improvement.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are based on single source perceptual data from customer firm key respondents. Tests indicate that common method bias is not a problem.

Practical implications

At a time when market pressure is compelling Mainland Chinese 3PL providers to upgrade and expand service offerings, 3PLs with a strong customer orientation create significant value for customers through superior execution on key elements of logistics service.

Originality/value

The paper responds to calls for additional theoretically driven assessment of market orientation in logistics service provider firms by identifying explicit behavioral manifestations of 3PL customer orientation that enhance customer firm logistics performance.
Supply chain information and relational alignments: mediators of EDI on firm performance
Authors: Choon Tan Keah , Kannan Vijay R. , Hsu Chin‐Chun , Keong Leong G.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of inter‐organization information exchange on supply chain information and relational alignment. Drawing on literature on information systems, supply chain management, and logistics, the paper aims to present a multidimensional framework for considering electronic data interchange (EDI) adoption in supplier management and its effect on information and relational alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

Theories drawn from resource‐dependent and transaction cost economics, and the resource‐based view of the firm were used to establish hypotheses. Structural equation modeling using survey data of manufacturing firms was used to test the hypotheses and research model.

Findings

Results support the central premise that firms must consider EDI adoption in supplier management to improve information and relational alignment between supply chain partners. It is through this alignment that firms achieve superior performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study used a single respondent from each firm due to cost considerations, and hence might have affected the inter‐rater reliability of the survey data.

Practical implications

Results show that firms should consider EDI adoption in supplier management because of its positive effect on information and relational alignment, which in turn impacts firm performance. However, EDI does not affect performance directly.

Originality/value

The role of EDI adoption in supplier management was examined and shown to indirectly affect firm performance via improved information and relational alignment. Moreover, supply chain information alignment was found to enhance relational alignment among supply chain partners.
Developing a decision‐making framework for levels of logistics outsourcing in food supply chain networks
Authors: Hsiao H.I. , van der Vorst J.G.A.J. , Kemp R.G.M. , Omta S.W.F. (Onno)
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a decision‐making framework for outsourcing levels of logistics activities. These are: execution level of basic activities (such as transportation, warehousing); value‐added activities; planning and control level of activities (such as transportation and inventory management); and strategic decision‐making level of activities (distribution network design).

Design/methodology/approach

The research design comprises three stages. Literature review was undertaken to study outsourcing theories. Successively, case studies on three food manufacturers were conducted resulting in a framework for make‐or‐buy decision. Finally, an exploratory survey was undertaken to examine the determinant factors for outsourcing the different activities.

Findings

Results indicate that logistics activities at different levels are outsourced for different reasons. Three main determinant factors are identified: asset specificity, core closeness and supply chain complexity. This implies that the evaluation of outsourcing different activities requires insights of three theories, namely transaction cost, resource‐based and supply chain management theory.

Research limitations/implications

The research and resulting framework are based on three small cases. Furthermore, there are few companies that outsource higher levels of activities, which limits the statistical assessment of the survey results.

Practical implications

The framework can support the decision‐making process for outsourcing different logistics activities in food industry.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is that it creates a comprehensive framework for outsourcing of both basic and advanced logistics activities specifically for the food industry.
Physical distribution service quality in online retailing
Authors: Xing Yuan , Grant David B. , McKinnon Alan C. , Fernie John
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Many traditional retailers use the internet as a complementary business channel while “pure player” retailers only sell products via the internet. The question of who is better at offering electronic physical distribution service quality (e‐PDSQ) is open to debate. But, despite e‐PDSQ's importance there are few empirical studies and most have focused on general service quality of internet shopping or web site design. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and empirically test a conceptual framework for e‐PDSQ from the consumer's perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows a two‐stage paradigm for scale and construct development, which is presented in a framework based on the concept of order fulfilment as a key driver in e‐PDSQ. Consumer postal surveys were conducted in Edinburgh, UK.

Findings

The consumer survey confirmed the appropriateness of the adopted e‐PDSQ framework. The finding that price is the most important online purchasing criteria is in accordance with Verdict which suggests that price is the principle motivator in the home delivery market as the retailing market is getting more price‐transparent and consumers are becoming more price‐sensitive.

Originality/value

Earlier work has provided insight into how e‐PDSQ, represented by availability, timeliness and reliability. This paper extends this work and empirically tests and confirms an e‐PDSQ framework to investigate differences between multi‐channel and pure player retailers, and provides a parsimonious set of e‐PDSQ variables and constructs for retailers to use to design and operate their online offerings.
Corporate social responsibility
Authors: Menassa Elie
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to identify the type and quality of social information disclosed by Lebanese commercial banks and to report on the extent of these disclosures and their relationship with size, financial performance, and other chosen variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Deductive in nature, this paper uses content analysis of annual report social disclosures of 24 Lebanese commercial banks to test six hypotheses related to the nature of social disclosures and their association with selected variables.

Findings

The findings provide evidence of the widespread use of this phenomenon by these banks as a means to communicate with their stakeholders. Moreover, results reveal that these banks attribute a greater importance to human resource and product and customers disclosures, whereas the availability and extent of environmental disclosure is still weak. In addition, a strong association is found between these disclosures and size and financial performance variables, whereas the relationship with the bank age is found to be a weak one. Finally, findings suggest no difference in social disclosure behavior between listed banks and banks with an overseas presence, and non‐listed banks and those operating only in Lebanon.

Research limitations/implications

Further longitudinal and causal analyzes would shed more light on the importance and determinants of this phenomenon in small and developing economies. One obstacle to overcome in this endeavor is the non‐availability of social and environmental databases similar to the ones used by researchers in developed countries. On the research front, this paper adds to the relatively small number of studies addressing issues related to corporate social disclosure practices by banks.

Practical implications

At the practical level, the paper attempts to inform corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and practices of Lebanese banks which would result in more socially and ethically oriented banking activities in Lebanon.

Originality/value

Studies of CSR have generally been conducted in relatively large economies with active financial and stock markets. This paper tests and applies relevant accounting theories to a developing small economy and shows that even small family‐owned banks with high public visibility can exhibit strong social and ethical awareness.
Reliance on multiple performance measures and manager performance
Authors: Sholihin Mahfud , Pike Richard , Mangena Musa
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The performance measurement literature suggests that companies should consider increasing the diversity of their performance measures to embrace both financial and non‐financial measures. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the use of multiple performance measures which includes both financial and non‐financial measures in evaluating subordinates' performance (reliance on multiple performance measures (RMPM)) affects their performance, or whether the effect is contingent on the specificity and difficulty of the goals contained in the measures.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey to various functional managers within a single organization supported by interviews.

Findings

The effect of RMPM on subordinate managers' performance is contingent on goal specificity. However, the paper does not find the same results for goal difficulty. These findings are discussed within the context of the organization studied.

Research limitations/implications

The samples are from a single organization. Further work would be needed to examine whether the results are generalizable into other organizations and/or settings.

Practical implications

The paper provides insight on how performance measures used to evaluate managers should be designed.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on supervisory evaluative style, performance measure diversity and goal‐setting theory.
The effect of privatisation on performance of state‐owned‐enterprises in Indonesia
Authors: Astami Emita W. , Tower Greg , Rusmin Rusmin , Neilson John
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether partially privatised state‐owned‐enterprises (SOEs) perform significantly better than fully SOEs in the developing country of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a data set of 157 SOEs in Indonesia for the year 2006 to examine the issue of ownership structure and its performance.

Findings

Statistical analysis supports the hypothesis that SOEs with private sector ownership have higher levels of performance than those fully owned by the government. There are also significant differences in financial leverage, firm size, assets‐in‐place, financial statement reliability, and industry variances between fully privatised and partially privatised SOEs.

Originality/value

These findings support the Indonesian Government move towards further privatisation in that SOEs with at least some private sector ownership have greater performance levels.
The vocational skill priorities of Malaysian and UK students
Authors: Hassall Trevor , Joyce John , Luis Arquero Montaño José , María González González José
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify, prioritise, and contrast the needs in terms of the development of vocational skills in final year undergraduate accounting students from two distinct countries. The study aims to survey and analyse the views of Malaysian and UK students.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to gather the data. Quantitative analysis was then used as the basis of a comparative study. The data for this study were collected via questionnaires completed by Malaysian exchange students on their arrival at UK university and the students of that UK university.

Findings

The results indicate that both sets of students accept the need to develop vocational skills in order to perform competently as an accountant. There is however clear differences in the views of the Malaysian and UK students concerning the specific skills that they perceive as being priorities to be developed. The students also hold differing views of the major barriers to the development of vocational skills in higher education.

Originality/value

Previous studies have established the need to prioritise vocational skills development. Studies have also established the views of employers and students. This study contrasts the views of students from two contrasting contexts. The study establishes that students from differing countries perceive differing priorities in terms of vocational skills not only between students but also between students and the currently stated views of employers and professional bodies internationally.
Attitudes towards the accounting profession: an Australian perspective
Authors: McDowall Tracey , Jackling Beverley
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine undergraduate students' attitudes towards the accounting profession, including accounting as a career, as a discipline, as a profession and perceptions of the work activities of accountants.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set used in this paper was collected via questionnaires. The present study compares several aspects of a prior study of Marriott and Marriott using the Accounting Attitude Scale developed by Nelson.

Findings

Overall, the paper supports the view that exposure to accounting at university does not enhance positive attitudes about accounting as a discipline, but reinforces rule‐memorisation, and lack of involvement with conceptual skills or judgement.

Research limitations/implications

The paper only examines students' attitudes at one point in time and does not attempt to identify whether students' attitudes change over the period of their study. The paper can only speculate as to why there is a difference between local and international students' attitude towards the accounting profession. Third, the questionnaire is only administered at one institution. There is a scope to extend this study across institutions as well as conduct a longitudinal study. In order to validate the findings, further research via in‐depth interviews with students may help determine the factors that influence students' attitudes.

Originality/value

The results from this paper are expected to contribute to the body of research by providing accounting educators with insights into how the curriculum may influence students' attitudes towards the profession, together with implications as to how the profession should be promoted to undergraduate students.
Corporate governance and earnings forecasts accuracy
Authors: Ahmad‐Zaluki Nurwati A. , Nordin Wan‐Hussin Wan
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to extend the research on the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) management earnings forecasts by examining the impact of corporate governance mechanisms and earnings forecasts accuracy. It seeks to investigate whether effective corporate governance is a credible signal of improving the quality of financial information.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 235 IPO companies that went public during the period 1999‐2006 was used. Absolute forecast error was used to proxy for earnings forecast accuracy and to represent financial disclosure quality.

Findings

Companies with a higher percentage of non‐executive directors in the audit committees and larger audit committee size exhibit greater forecast accuracy. The accuracy of IPO earnings forecast is also positively influenced by the use of brand‐name auditor.

Practical implications

The results suggest that effective corporate governance is a credible signal of improving the quality of financial information. The role of audit committee as financial monitors as suggested by the agency theory supports this paper.

Originality/value

The results are consistent with the belief that effective corporate governance is associated with higher financial disclosure quality. The results also support the decisions made by Malaysian regulators such as the Securities Commission to enhance the quality of financial disclosure by revising the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance to encourage public companies to implement good governance practices such as audit committee independence.
Crowd psychology, public order police training and the policing of football crowds
Authors: Hoggett James , Stott Clifford
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This study seeks to examine what theory of crowd psychology is being applied within public order police training in England and Wales and what accounts of crowds, police strategies and tactics subsequently emerge among officers who undertake this training.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a multi‐method approach including observations of public order training courses, interviews with students and instructors, and the dissemination of questionnaires.

Findings

The analysis suggests that a form of crowd theory associated with the work of Gustave Le Bon has become institutionalised within police training. This in turn is leading to a potentially counter‐productive reliance on the undifferentiated use of force when policing crowds.

Practical implications

The study illustrates that such training outcomes not only are counter to the recent developments in evidence, theory and policy but also undermine the police's ability to develop more efficient and effective approaches to policing crowds.

Originality/value

The study provides a systematic review of public order training which demonstrates how crowd theory is used as a rationale and justification for the use of tactics based on undifferentiated force. It makes suggestions for improving police training so that updates in policy and theory can be translated into operational practice.
The social ecology of police attitudes
Authors: Sobol James J.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use Klinger's theory of negotiated order to examine whether district crime and deviance levels exert influence on levels of police cynicism towards district residents. A secondary purpose is to discuss the policy implications for the proposed relationship between district crime and police cynicism.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews from the Project on Policing Neighborhood (POPN) and patrol district crime data were used to study whether crime and deviance levels exert influence on police cynicism of district residents (n=574). It was hypothesized that officers would be more cynical of citizens in districts with higher rates of violent crime compared with their colleagues assigned to districts with lower rates of violent crime.

Findings

The results of OLS regression analyses indicate that district violent crime rate was related to police cynicism and in the direction hypothesized, controlling for both individual and occupational covariates. Officers with more experience were also found to have lower levels of cynicism.

Research limitations/implications

Items used to construct the measure of police cynicism were adapted from the POPN survey data set which asked general questions about officer perceptions of district residents. Further research and better measures are necessary in order to examine the determinants of police cynicism with implications for explaining behavior. Findings from the study might be used by policymakers in terms of police assignment and deployment to high crime areas.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical attempt at examining Klinger's theory of social ecology. The study incorporates a policy argument based on the theoretical precepts and the results from the data analysis.
Wilson's theory of local political culture revisited in today's police organizations
Authors: Zhao Jihong , Ren Ling , Lovrich Nicholas
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Over the course of the past 40 years Wilson's theory of local political culture has influenced many students of policing. Wilson argued that variation in structural arrangements in police organizations can be explained largely by the form of municipal government structure in place. For example, police departments using a strict law enforcement style of policing tend to work within a more bureaucratic structure (e.g. hierarchically differentiated) than their counterparts employing a watchman style of policing. The purpose of this study is to test the application of Wilson's theory of local political culture in today's police organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal agency survey data for 280 police departments collected through the 1990s were analyzed using a random‐effects panel technique.

Findings

The findings observed suggest that there was only a very limited relationship between local political culture and the five principal dimensions of organizational structure — formalization, centralization, functional differentiation, specialization differentiation, and occupational differentiation derived from Peter Blau's measures among these police agencies during the 1990s.

Research limitations/implications

The theory of local political culture may have limited utility in the analysis of the structural arrangements in contemporary police organizations. At the same time, a longer period of time is required in the study of local political culture.

Practical implications

The identification of key determinants of structural arrangements in police organizations is an important issue because there is a lack of consensus on the role of local political culture. The research used two approaches and found that organizational structure in police agencies is largely determined by socioeconomic factors.

Originality/value

The study represented an original study of police organization, using panel data collected by the authors during the 1990s.
Detecting deception in field settings
Authors: King William R. , Dunn Thomas M.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically compare the textbook‐based criminal justice and psychological literatures on detecting deception in field settings to determine the accuracy of the criminal justice literature in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 18 criminal justice textbooks covering detecting deception were systematically reviewed and coded. The alleged indicators of deception were then compared with the psychological literature on the valid indicators of deception.

Findings

Many criminal justice textbooks on interviewing, interrogation, and criminal investigation claim that there are numerous accurate indicators of deception which can be readily used in field settings. The comparison of these claims with the research in psychology indicates that a great deal of the information found in criminal justice textbooks is erroneous. Further review indicates that in controlled studies criminal justice practitioners rarely detect deception at levels greater than chance or comparison groups of non‐practitioners. It is exceedingly difficult to detect deception in field settings without the help of technology or complicated instruments or aids.

Practical implications

Much of the information in criminal justice textbooks on detecting deception is erroneous and may have negatively affected practitioners to the extent that they are unable to detect deception effectively. Textbooks on interviewing, interrogation, and criminal investigation should be circumspect regarding an individual's ability to detect deception in field settings. Texts should refrain from presenting deception detection as a simple and accurate science. Practitioners should be cautious when attempting to detect deception in field settings.

Originality/value

The criminal justice and psychological literatures on detecting deception have not been synthesized before. This information will be useful to criminal justice practitioners who seek to detect deception.
Journey to crime of “itinerant crime groups”
Authors: Van Daele Stijn , Vander Beken Tom
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Most researchers have found that property crimes have a local focus: offenders tend to operate in the vicinity of their residence. This has led the police to organise themselves to concentrate their resources in highly populated, urban areas. Over the last decade mobile property offenders have been found in various Western European countries that differ from this norm. These groups of mainly Eastern European multiple offenders engaging in property crime tend to travel further than other offenders. As such, their operations differ from most criminals, challenging the way the police are organised and undermining criminological theories on journey to crime. The aim of this paper is to look at the specificity of mobility patterns of these groups, to examine the precise interpretation of their mobility and to consider the implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the Belgian police database containing all serious property crimes in Belgium for the period 2002‐2006. Some basic offender characteristics have been identified and for these offenders journey‐to‐crime patterns have been established.

Findings

Eastern European multiple offending groups tend to commit their crimes in rural areas. Although they start their journey in regions considered “crime importing”, they carry out their crimes in “crime exporting” areas. As such, they are atypical, challenging traditional theories on journey‐to‐crime and the way in which police forces are organised.

Research limitations/implications

Observing a special group is one thing, but explaining these differences is another. Further research is needed, in particular with regard to the motivational aspects for these offenders.

Originality/value

Whereas most researchers have found crime (including property crime) to be mainly local, the present research focuses on more mobile offenders. The challenges that these groups create for law enforcement authorities make it important for them and their patterns of activity to be understood.
Police officers' views of specialized intimate partner violence training
Authors: Blaney Elizabeth
Published: May 2010

Purpose

A variety of strategies have been developed with the goal of improving justice responses to intimate partner violence. Among these are increasing demands for specialized training of justice professionals. This paper sets out to describe the development of a specialized training program for police officers, drawing attention to the role played by a strong partnership and collaborative approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups were held in the winter of 2008 with 30 police officers employed by a municipal police agency who had participated in specialized training on intimate partner violence.

Findings

As part of a follow‐up to the delivery of training, focus groups examined the impact of specialized training on the preparedness of officers and drew attention to existing challenges in policing intimate partner violence from their perspective. Drawing on earlier studies, the paper makes an important contribution to the law enforcement training literature, illustrating that key to successful development and delivery of specialized police training are extensive partnership and collaborative approaches throughout the initiative.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by the missing voices of victims and whether or not they perceive a difference in officer response to intimate partner violence as a result of specialized training. In addition, the sample size is relatively small and thus the findings may not be generalizable to a larger sampling. Further, this paper is based on follow‐up only one year after training was implemented at the pilot stage. The work does not tell whether specialized training makes a difference over time or whether training is more effective when continuous. Therefore, the analysis must also be extended to police files, highlighting police responses to such calls.

Practical implications

Policing services have had to make intimate partner violence a priority. Given the number of calls to police for intervention and the risk of danger, more attention has been placed on specialized training, collaboration across academic and community sectors, as well as changes to legislation. This training is meant to complement existing police training initiatives and enhance awareness about some of the complex issues involved in police intervention.

Originality/value

With its focus on the voices and experiences of police officers responding to intimate partner violence calls, the paper addresses a gap in the literature.
Mandatory retirement in the police service: the case of the London MPS
Authors: Flynn Matt
Published: May 2010

Purpose

It is common for police services to set mandatory retirement ages at relatively young ages. This paper seeks to discuss the reasons for, and workforce planning implications of, mandatory retirement within the context of the London Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were carried out with seven senior human resource managers and two trade union representatives in the MPS.

Findings

Workforce planning issues shaped managers' perceptions on the need for a mandatory retirement age of 60 for police constables. On the one hand, they were under pressure to increase the number of constables, and the possibility of extending working life was seen as one means to that end. On the other, it was feared that the retention of older police officers would lead to career blockages for younger police constables rising through the ranks.

Practical implications

Owing to labour and skills shortages, MPS managers were looking for ways to encourage older police officers to delay retirement. Innovative practices, such as offering flexible working hours, mentoring roles and pension incentives as alternatives to retirement were identified.

Originality/value

The qualitative data put the discussion of mandatory retirement in police services within the context of workforce planning rather than capability. For police authorities that maintain mandatory retirement policies, raising or abolishing retirement age would change the workforce planning paradigm in which police officers are recruited from, and retire at, young ages.
Can companies profit from greener manufacturing?
Authors: Menzel Vanessa , Smagin Jan , David Felix
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trend and effect of environmentally friendly manufacturing on the financial performance of companies in the European automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Specific attention was given to resource utilization.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of research was a survey of annual and sustainability reports published by companies and recording the change in resource usage as well as the financial performance of the companies.

Findings

The study showed no significant relationship between greener manufacturing and corporate performance, however a trend in decreasing resources, specifically electricity, was found. Furthermore, a trend in reducing CO2 was found.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of available data was a significant obstacle in finding a trend and a meaningful relationship. Furthermore, the data that was published was restated in following reports to account for divestments or acquisitions. For further research, case studies on solely the production process of a company should be conducted and specific costs and benefits relevant to the production process need to be found.

Originality/value

This paper aims to quantify the growing trend of environmentally conscious production in European companies.
Effects of institutional reform on corporate image and value in a developing country context
Authors: Mohd Kassim Norizan , Najdawi Mohamad , Al Azmeh Zeina , Sadiq Hissa
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the importance of organizational change involving an implementation of a reform project in a higher learning institution in Qatar. The project was aimed at enhancing the institution's corporate image and value in its effort to be an institution of choice in the country.

Design/methodological/approach

Based on the results of two separate focus group sessions, a survey questionnaire was developed and was then sent to 8,000 respondents. Data from 866 usable questionnaires were analyzed using a rating scale to identify the degree of agreement among the respondents with respect to a number of statements posed to them as well as using an independent‐sample t‐test to determine whether differences exist between male and female students with regards to the statements.

Findings

Results showed that the respondents agreed with all of the statements pertaining to image, value, academic levels, campus life and the reform project carried out by the higher educational institution under study. Academic levels appeared to be extremely important because it is an essential element in building and enriching both the image and the value of the institution and is of particular importance to attract new students. With the enhanced image resulting from the reform project, the institution is moving in the right direction towards becoming an excellent institution which will be sought after by both Qatari and international students.

Practical implications

The implications of this study suggest that the top management needs to consider the identified variables in their effort to boost the image and value of the institution. They should also focus on individual needs in order to implement the changes successfully.

Originality/value

The findings from this study reveal the nature of professional practice in a higher education institution, demonstrates the impact of this work context on practices, and provides concrete strategies for managing organizational change in building and enriching its image and value.
Development of index for measuring leanness: study of an Indian auto component industry
Authors: Singh Bhim , Garg S.K. , Sharma S.K.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The extant literature fails to provide an efficient method to measure leanness of any manufacturing firm. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of leanness and to provide an efficient measurement method for measuring leanness.

Design/methodology/approach

Measurement method is based on the judgment and evaluation given by leanness measurement team (LMT) on various leanness parameters such as supplier's issues, investment priorities, Lean practices, and various waste addressed by lean and customers' issues. Further fuzzy set theory is introduced to remove the bias of human judgment and finally defuzzification is done and results are presented in the form of leanness index.

Findings

Leanness indices have been developed and presented separately on 100 points scale for all parameters of leanness i.e. LISuppliers = 47.98, LIInvestment = 50.66, LIpractices = 58.38, LIWaste = 60.01, LICustomers = 47.1.

Research limitations/implications

This leanness measurement method used the views of experts and may contain human judgment error.

Practical implications

It will be helpful to both academician and practitioners as an assessment tool for evaluation of lean status of any industry utilized.

Originality/value

Leanness measurement method based on judgment of experts is used first time for evaluation of leanness.
Analyzing the technical and scale efficiency of small industries in India: state‐wise cluster study
Authors: Sharma Seema , Sharma Milind
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative production efficiency of state‐wise clusters in the registered small‐scale sector in India.

Design/methodology/approach

For this, data envelopment analysis under the assumption of variable returns to scale is used. Using BCC model, technical and scale efficiencies for 23 states and three union territories are estimated.

Findings

Seven states namely, Delhi, Meghalaya, Uttranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar and Tamilnadu are found to be technically efficient whereas Delhi and Meghalaya came out to be the only scale efficient states. Most of the states are found to be operating at decreasing returns to scale, which signifies the scope for investment and further employment generation.

Practical implications

Since the results indicate massive scope for expansion and employment generation in small industries in India, therefore, policy makers can use it as a tool to achieve the goal of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Originality/value

Originality lies in providing, for the first time, an inter state technical and scale efficiency analysis for small scale industries in India which in turn reflects the performance efficiency of the state level policies for the small scale industries.
Evaluating and selecting key performance indicators: an ANP‐based model
Authors: Carlucci Daniela
Published: May 2010

Purpose

Selecting the most meaningful performance indicators, i.e. key performance indicators (KPIs), represents one of the major challenges that companies have to face for developing an effective performance measurement system (PMS). Selecting KPIs can be interpreted as a multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) problem, involving a number of factors and related interdependencies. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model, based on the analytic network process (ANP), for driving managers in the selection of KIPs. The model draws upon the consideration that KPIs can be evaluated and selected on the basis of a set of criteria, theoretically founded, and the feedback dependencies between the criteria and performance indicators as well as among indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of management literature regarding the information quality required by performance measures, the paper identifies a set of criteria for selecting KIPs. The criteria form the building blocks of the proposed ANP model. The feasibility of the model is proved through its application to a real case.

Findings

The paper proposes and illustrates the practical application of an ANP‐based model for selecting KPIs. The use of the ANP makes it possible to extracts weights for setting the priorities among indicators, by taking account of mutual dependencies among indicators and criteria. This enhances the quality of the selection process.

Originality/value

Often managers choose KPIs without an accurate approach. The paper offers a novel model for driving managers towards the choice of KPIs through a rigorous approach, based on the ANP method. The model draws on a solid theoretical foundation and has been proven in practice.
The performance impact of strategic corporate real estate in franchise organizations
Authors: Park Abraham , Glascock John L.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of corporate real estate (CRE) asset ownership on the performances of franchise organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data on all available US public franchise companies, the paper measured the effect of CRE ownership on the risk and return characteristics of franchise firms.

Findings

Unlike previous findings that show negative performance effects of CRE ownership in general, the paper shows positive effects for franchise organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper includes all available public franchises in the sample, the sample size is still limited.

Practical implications

The results show how CRE ownership can impact the long‐term performances of franchise organizations.

Originality/value

While most of the CRE literature focuses on theory, the paper offers positive empirical evidence of the importance of CRE ownership.
Corporate real estate performance
Authors: Stadlhofer Georg
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and quantify the impact of corporate real estate (CRE) performance on shareholder value and its contribution to core business competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected approach intended first to identify CRE performance in global industrial corporations by using a questionnaire, focussing on pharmaceutical companies. The results then were evaluated to classify the participating companies into CRE outperformers and CRE underperformers. Finally, the participants were compared based on three selected financial measures: share price performance, expense ratio and asset intensity.

Findings

Summarising the findings, no evidence could be found that companies outperforming in corporate real estate management (CREM) perform better in terms of share price performance. The same holds true for asset intensity where no difference is identified when comparing asset intensity between both groups. Looking at the expense ration per EUR sales, CRE outperformers perform better, indicating that CREM is able to manage and optimise cost.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is the introduction of a questionnaire producing a single indicator to rate companies according to their CRE performance. Furthermore, it aims to quantify the impact of CRE performance on the firm combining qualitative and quantitative measures. Finally, it provides insight into CRE practices in global pharmaceutical companies.
Evaluating corporate real estate management decision support software solutions
Authors: Gibler Karen M. , Gibler Robert R. , Anderson Derek
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enable real estate managers to identify and evaluate appropriate information technology (IT) solutions from the array of options available.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explain the main components of IT solutions and provide a systematic approach for evaluating, selecting, and maintaining a cost‐effective IT solution, empowering corporate real estate managers to make informed IT decisions.

Findings

Corporate real estate managers can use a systematic approach to evaluating hardware and software options to select a solution that better serves business needs.

Practical implications

Corporate real estate managers can use the models in this paper to change how they approach the selection of IT solutions for their business.

Originality/value

The paper fills a void by providing IT assistance specifically for corporate real estate managers using business rather than technical language.