bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The business of collaboration and electronic collection development
Authors: Harper Tim , Norelli Barbara P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Strategic business partnerships inform business faculty‐librarian (BFL) collaborations. This paper seeks to address how the motivations for business partnerships and faculty‐librarian collaborations are similar. A conceptual model suggests that the depth of the BFL relationship significantly enhances electronic collection development outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature concerning strategic business alliances, faculty‐librarian collaborations, and collection development was examined to determine whether principles that are applied to strategic business alliances can also be applied to BFL collaborations. A case‐in‐point is included for illustration.

Findings

Specific principles of strategic business partnerships can be applied to BFL collaborations aimed at improving electronic collection development. In addition, driving forces such as assessment, communication, and technology influence the nature of alliances across the business and academic arenas.

Originality/value

The findings are significant because they demonstrate how BFL collaborations can be made more effective through the application of business principles. BFL collaborations can positively influence electronic collection development in a variety of ways. The paper offers a new and unique conceptual model that improves understanding of the nature and depth of BFL collaborations in the context of electronic collection development. This paper will be of interest to business faculty in particular and faculty in general, and librarians working in diverse library settings, especially librarians aligned with management and business departments. Librarians in management positions will likely find this information useful as a means to increase faculty‐librarian collaboration across all disciplines.
Medical and biological sensors: a technical and commercial review
Authors: Smith James P.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Describes the history and development of biosensors and their commercial application.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides background information on different forms of biosensors and how they can be brought to market. This review is edited from a very detailed market research report “Medical and Biological Sensor and Sensor Systems: markets, applications and competitors worldwide”.

Findings

Finds that the commercial potential for biosensors is very large and is expected to reach US$ 2.3 billion worldwide in 2005.

Originality/value

The full market research report provides a detailed insight into biosensors and how they are made and the various application areas, together with discussion regarding a large number of vendor and research companies.
Imaging developments benefit medical applications
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Reviews some of the improvements in image sensor technology that are yielding applications in the medical field.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses the characteristics and gives examples of cameras and imaging sensors used in endoscopy, microscopy, pharmaceutical label inspection and X‐radiography. Reviews some innovative camera‐based products for endoscopy, skin imaging and health monitoring.

Findings

Improvements in camera resolution, miniaturisation and interfacing are widening the applications in medical imaging and enabling the development of some exciting new products addressing the needs of patients and medical staff.

Originality/value

Identifies some suppliers of medical imaging devices and their applications.
Nanoparticle‐based assay set to revolutionise clinical diagnostics
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To describe a new high sensitivity, nanotechnology‐based technique for detecting DNA and disease‐related proteins.

Design/methodology/approach

Gold nanoparticles and magnetic microparticles are bound to single‐stranded DNA molecules that are complementary to segments of the target DNA. The nanoparticles also link to hundreds of strands of “barcode” DNA and in the presence of the target, each molecule binds to a gold nanoparticle and a magnetic microparticle. Applying a magnetic field enables the separation of the target molecules and their attachments. The DNA is removed from the molecules and detected by a chip‐based DNA procedure. As each nanoparticle links to a large number of strands of DNA, the method amplifies the signal from each target molecule. The technique can also detect proteins by replacing the complimentary DNA with antibodies.

Findings

This research shows that this technique can detect very low concentrations of DNA and proteins. Ten copies of anthrax DNA were detected in 30 μl of solution, a sensitivity comparable to polymerase chain reaction, and 18‐20 PSA molecules were detected in a 10 μl sample, a level of detection that is six orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional assays. Recent research has also shown that the assay can detect ADDLs, which are biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. The technologies are now being commercialised by Nanosphere, Inc.

Originality/value

These developments offer prospects in a wide range of clinical applications such as the rapid and simple diagnosis of a variety of diseases and single nucleotide polymorphisms tests for the detection of hypercoagulation disorders. Other potential applications include homeland security and environmental monitoring.
A review of medical microscopy techniques
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Examines some of the recent technical developments that are leading to a wider use of powerful methods in medical microscopy.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews some of the microscopic techniques relevant to medicine, then looks at hardware developments in microscopes, filters and cameras.

Findings

Highly sophisticated techniques such as time‐resolved fluorescence measurements are now incorporated in turnkey instruments, using picosecond diode lasers for accurate measurement of fluorescent lifetimes. Advances in optical fibre coating technology in the telecoms field have led to improved filters for fluorescence microscopy, and imaging allows the detection of non‐visible wavelengths and very low light levels. Many microscopes are modular, so that users can upgrade to further capabilities at will. Automatic medical diagnosis software is coming onto the market.

Originality/value

Highlights the hardware and software developments that are enabling powerful microscopic methodologies to enter into general use.
A vision system for patient positioning in radiation therapy
Authors: Shukla Salil , Bradley Colin , Beckham Wayne , Wells Derek
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper outlines a new approach for positioning a patient on the treatment table for radiation therapy sessions. The vision approach utilizes lasers and cameras for positioning and has several advantages over the conventional methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The positioning is accomplished by comparison of a set of computed tomography (CT) contours (acquired from the patient) with a set of corresponding contours acquired by a 3D vision system from the same region of the patient's body. The overall positioning error calculated by the iterative closest point algorithm is used to reorient the treatment table. Various issues related to the acquisition and generation of the 3D spatial data are discussed.

Findings

Positioning is accurate and can detect small movement in the patient's position.

Research limitations/implications

Testing was done on a cast of a human torso and additional testing is required on in a hospital environment to fully test the efficiency of the approach.

Practical implications

The method merges data readily available from standard CT imaging systems and 3D imaging systems. Therefore, the additional hardware requirements are minimal. The system integrates well with existing hardware, software and treatment practices.

Originality/value

The method introduces a new approach to patient positioning employing a combination of sensor technologies. The approach is accurate, reliable, consumes less time and most importantly prevents the use of X‐rays for patient positioning.
The Strategic Framework for Women's Enterprise: BME women at the margins
Authors: Forson Cynthia
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Until May 2003, there was no coherent national strategic approach to the development of women's enterprise in the UK although for decades researchers and support groups have been calling for a distinctive approach to supporting women business owners due to their different business ownership profiles such as different motivations for entering business ownership, reduced access to resources, particularly finance and longer incubation periods. Historically, a piecemeal approach has dominated the policy landscape with regard to small business development as well as female entrepreneurship. As part of the effort to provide a more coherent national strategic approach to women's enterprise policy, the government launched the Strategic Framework for Women's Enterprise (SFWE) in 2003, an umbrella document from which all initiatives to support female entrepreneurship acquire their momentum. The paper seeks to explore the SFWE.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking an intersectional approach, this paper explores the SFWE seeking to examine its provisions and how these relate to black and minority ethnic (BME) women in the light of the multiplicity of their experiences in terms of gender, ethnicity and class.

Findings

The paper concludes that the SFWE approaches the issue of BME women's entrepreneurship as a sub‐set of female entrepreneurship and therefore assumes that they will benefit from all gender‐based policies. The document treats women as a homogenous group and the acknowledgement of the diversity of female entrepreneurs, particularly BME women's experiences, is not reflected in the action priorities relating to business support provision, access to finance, childcare and caring responsibilities and transition from benefits to self‐employment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that there is a need for further research into the experiences of BME women in business in order to address their peculiar needs brought about by the intersectionality of ethnicity, “race”, gender and class in their lived experiences and to support this with policy provisions that are relevant to their needs. The recurrent problem is whether to concentrate on making mainstream business support provision and initiatives responsive to the needs of BME women or to define issues and develop independent initiatives that cater for these needs.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is its focus on a significant but under researched group of women business owners in the context of an evidence‐based policy approach to entrepreneurship support and highlights the need for a more focused approach to their specific needs if the entrepreneurial potential of all women is to be harnessed.
International and US citizen women
Authors: McGrath Cohoon J. , Wu Zhen , You Wenyi
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine a subset of survey data collected through the Computing Research Association's Graduate Cohort Program to see how well theoretical and empirical factors fit with the actual motivations of women graduate students from different cultural backgrounds.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses from international and US women participants in a support program for CSE graduate women in the USA are compared.

Findings

These analyses indicate that US and international women are similar in what drew them to graduate computing programs. It was chiefly their interest in and enjoyment of computing. They differ in the attraction of particular career features, influence of peers, and belief in the value of competition among graduate students.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by the extent to which these data permit thorough testing of theoretical models, and by lack of comparison with men in computing or women who chose not to enter a graduate computing program.

Practical implications

The similarities and differences between international and US women in CSE suggest ways to improve the gender balance in this field.

Originality/value

This study provides unique insight into an understudied population.
The glass‐cliff: women's career paths in the UK private IT sector
Authors: Wilson‐Kovacs Dana M. , Ryan Michelle , Haslam Alex
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Not enough is known about the challenges faced by women professionals who possess the credentials, skills and knowledge that would allow them to be considered, alongside their male counterparts, for top‐rank positions. While, statistically, figures show an increase in women's representation in the Science, Engineering and Technology domain, academic research is yet to explore in greater depth both the reasons for women's continuing under‐representation at senior levels and their work experiences. This paper sets out to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the concept of the glass cliff, which seeks to explain what happens to women as they advance to senior positions. The analysis is based on qualitative research on women managers in the SET domain in the UK. Using career mapping and in‐depth ethnographic interviews, it discusses two case studies of senior women based at a leading multinational IT company with a range of supportive diversity schemes.

Findings

The investigation illustrates some of the opportunities offered, barriers raised and ways in which those interviewed sought to overcome them.

Practical implications

While specific in its focus, the study demonstrates the importance of understanding how women make sense of their careers and use organisational initiatives. The article also highlights the need to inspect the effectiveness of such programmes in particular work‐settings in order to identify best practices, and to draw effective equal opportunities policies.

Originality/value

The article presents further evidence to support the idea that women's representation at top‐ranking levels is fraught with difficulties and calls for fine‐tuning of both policy design and implementation and academic research.
The problem of women's assimilation into UK engineering cultures: can critical mass work?
Authors: Powell Abigail , Bagilhole Barbara M. , Dainty Andrew R.J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

It has been suggested that organisations with a better balance, or critical mass, of women would be more tolerant of difference and foster the inclusion of other women. This paper seeks to investigate whether a strategy of critical mass can really work in the engineering sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are based on research funded by the ESRC, and problematise critical mass theory through semi‐structured qualitative interviews and focus groups with female students from a range of engineering disciplines.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that women engineering students accept gender discrimination, view the industry positively, value their “novelty” status, and are critical of other women.

Research limitations/implications

While these attitudes may be a result of women's assimilation into the existing engineering culture, they do little to further women's cause in engineering. Furthermore, it points to both the necessity, and difficulties, of transforming the engineering culture to ensure that the engineering professions are a place where women can not only survive but also thrive.

Originality/value

While previous research has addressed the critical mass of women in science, engineering and technology, this research critiques critical mass theory, not only because women continue to remain isolated within the sector, despite increasing numbers, but also because many women engineers reinforce the masculine culture within engineering.
Human capital as structural vulnerability of US poverty
Authors: Young P. Hong Philip , Pandey Shanta
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the individualistic and the structural nature of human capital and its relationship with poverty.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination was made of the individual and the interaction effects of three dimensions of human capital (education, training, and health), gender, race, and underemployment on poverty status, after controlling for the direct effect of these variables. The sample included working‐age individuals in the USA taken from the 1996 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Findings

The results show that among the human capital variables, postsecondary education is a particularly important factor associated with poverty among women and minorities. Job training, on the other hand, worsened the economic situation for non‐Whites. For individuals with less than post‐secondary education, the combined effect of training participation and health status significantly reduced the likelihood of being poor. Underemployment consistently moderated the effects of human capital, gender, and race on poverty status. Interestingly, underemployed women were less likely to be poor compared to those with more secure jobs. Women with training were more likely to be poor when they were underemployed compared to being in good jobs. This same relationship held true for minority groups with training having greater likelihood of being poor when they were underemployed.

Originality/value

This study provides an empirical validation of human capital as the structurally vulnerable attributes that are disproportionately distributed in the labor market for many American poor.
Equality and diversity actors: a challenge to traditional industrial relations?
Authors: Healy G. , Oikelome F.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore four types of equality and diversity actors at both the national and the local level and the extent to which such actors may be seen as either alternative sources of loyalty and as replacements in competition with trade unions or as complementary to existing union structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method is multi‐level and based on national level policy analysis and on two local NHS trust case studies. It relies on 30 interviews with policy advisers and key actors (i.e. officials of trade unions, Black networks, identity groups and community groups) and 66 case study interviews; in sum, a total of 96 participants were involved in the study. The paper also involves documentary analysis of Department of Health strategies on equalities and diversity, BMA reports and advisory documents, and policy and advisory documents of the two hospitals.

Findings

Findings indicate that the interrelationship between networks reflects both the complementarity and replacement theses, but recognises different networks may also operate in different spheres leading to little or no interrelationship.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory framework has drawn attention to the importance of equality actors in the field of industrial relations and employment. It is recognised that these findings are situated in a particular geographical and historical moment and that different replacement/complimentarity forms may emerge in different national, sectorial and historical context.

Practical implications

Reflecting insights from mobilisation theory, the paper identifies the importance of leaders and issues of injustice as important components of the formation and development of equality and diversity networks at different levels but demonstrates the complexity of the attribution concept.

Originality/value

This paper's originality lies in its exploratory framework of the interelationship between different equality actors and the replacement/complementarity debate in industrial relations.
Report of an international forum on managing diversity
Authors: Aoun Georges
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose is to report an International Forum on managing diversity organized by the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools (IAJBS).

Design/methodology/approach

The report is a summary of the papers presented for the Forum that was cancelled on the eve of the opening session due to the violence that erupted in July 2006 in the Middle East.

Findings

Diversity management is becoming a priority in most countries in both the workplace and higher education institutions.

Originality/value

Some of the papers revealed the role of diversity in enriching group work and identified the potential sources of misunderstanding and possible conflicts
Strategy means choice: also for today's business school!
Authors: Lorange Peter
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To share some key strategic paradigms for business schools with leading educators, academic administrators and executives.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is normative. The normative propositions and conclusions are drawn from the research done for the author's monograph New Vision for Management Education: Leadership Challenges. A number of case studies are reported, as well as an inductive study of IMD.

Findings

There is a need to focus on growth niches, such as executive education rather than MBA, undergraduate or PhD education.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the lack of a large‐scale database established from rigorously compiled survey data, and the lack of parametric/non‐parametric statistical analysis.

Practical implications

Leading business schools must be demand‐oriented, must listen to customers‐cum‐executives and corporations, should undertake research that points towards thought leadership, and should work with the business world through lifelong learning networks.

Originality/value

The article draws on IMD's strategy, implicitly and explicitly, and builds on experiences tried out there. IMD's strategy is unique. The paper also reports on unique, new thinking on strategy‐setting and key priorities for business schools and academic institutions.
Academic talent: Quo vadis? Recruitment and retention of faculty in European business schools
Authors: Verhaegen Paul
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide insight into the relevant factors for faculty recruitment and retention that can help leadership of business schools to design and implement a tailored policy to recruit and retain academic talent in a highly competitive and international market.

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys were sent out in parallel to deans/directors and faculty of 181 European business schools. A total of 42 important factors were selected and ranked in order of importance for both recruitment and retention of academic talent. In addition the faculty were asked to indicate to what extent they are satisfied with each of the factors in their current situation. Deans/directors were asked to indicate to what extent they felt able to influence each of the factors.

Findings

Factors of crucial importance for recruitment and retention were identified, both from the deans and from the faculty perspective. Perception gaps occurred between deans and faculty, as well as satisfaction gaps on important factors: this led to the identification of interesting policy problems and opportunities. Segmentation of the sample facilitated the demonstration of differences in perception between groups of faculty according to gender, age and rank, and between groups of schools according to legal structure, orientation, enrolment, and accreditation status.

Research limitations/implications

Deans/directors of 69 European schools and 350 faculty members in 12 countries completed the survey. The database could be further enlarged to make more detailed analysis possible. Expanding the research to include schools of other continents would enable one to analyse cross‐continent differences between business schools.

Practical implications

The developed framework and the data provide an excellent opportunity for business schools' leadership to analyze the effectiveness of its policy and benchmark the school against a selected peer group.

Originality/value

The survey and the developed framework for analysis are unique and, in this form, have never been done before. The value of the paper is that it presents unique evidence on important factors crucial to faculty management.
Understanding hospital employee job stress and turnover intentions in a practical setting
Authors: Chiu Chou‐Kang , Chien Chi‐Sheng , Lin Chieh‐Peng , Yun Hsiao Ching
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to fill a gap by investigating the moderating effects of LOC on each model path across internals and externals.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprised 242 professional staff across a wide range of departments of a large organization in metropolitan Taipei, Taiwan. Following data collection, structural equation modeling is applied to conduct data analysis for confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

Test results indicate that global job satisfaction influences turnover intentions and organizational commitment is more for internals than externals. Organizational commitment influences turnover intentions similarly for both internals and externals. Furthermore, the influence of perceived job stress on job satisfaction and organizational commitment is stronger for externals than internals. Finally, leadership support influences job satisfaction more for internals than externals.

Practical implications

Support for the proposed model provides encouragement for health care leaders interested in creating stable and low turnover environments that benefit both employees and organizations. Creating enhanced work environments that strengthen leadership support for employees acting on their own expert judgment and relieving job stress are essential for fostering job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Moreover, boosting job satisfaction and organizational commitment will ultimately lead to reduced turnover intentions.

Originality/value

This study suggests that employees differ in terms of their locus of control, and that the differences are manifested in perceptions of job stress and leadership support.
Desired competencies and job duties of non‐profit CEOs in relation to the current challenges
Authors: Ahmed Shamima
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to focus on non‐profit leadership and use information from advertised job announcements, in the USA, of non‐profit CEO positions to identify required competencies and job duties. The objective is to assess their relevancy and adequacy in dealing with the current challenges of the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses content analysis to analyze CEO job advertisements that were posted in The Nonprofit Times during the 1999‐2004‐time period.

Findings

Among those who list educational requirement, a predominant majority requires degree in academic areas related to the non‐profit sector. The bias to emulate the private sector's competencies, a source of the identity crisis of this sector, is not found in the educational requirement. Fundraising experience is the most common area of requirement under experiences. Fundraising is also listed as the major job duty.

Research limitations/implications

The sizes and life cycle stages of the non‐profit agencies are not incorporated. Future research could incorporate the above variables.

Practical implications

Design training using the findings to prepare future leaders. One of the findings suggests that non‐profits are not emphasizing the value of ethics in their search for executives. Considering the importance of this value in maintaining accountability, academicians could emphasize more of this as they design different non‐profit courses.

Originality/value

Assesses the adequacy of the currently emphasized competencies in leadership to deal with the current challenges of the sector (accountability, fiscal, competition, identity crisis etc.) and their implications.
Does Herzberg's motivation theory have staying power?
Authors: Bassett‐Jones Nigel , Lloyd Geoffrey C.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the issue of whether Herzberg's two‐factor motivation theory still resonates nearly 50 years after it was first posited. The objective is to assess whether or not Herzberg's contentious seminal studies on motivation at work still hold true today.

Design/methodology/approach

The arena in which the theory is investigated is work‐based suggestion schemes, and the question considered is “What motivates employees to contribute ideas?” The paper begins by revisiting the literatures that form the basis of motivation theory and, in particular, the furore surrounding the work of Fredrick Herzberg.

Findings

The results are derived from a survey providing over 3,200 responses. They suggest that money and recognition do not appear to be primary sources of motivation in stimulating employees to contribute ideas. In line with Herzberg's predictions, factors associated with intrinsic satisfaction play a more important part.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that, despite the criticism, Herzberg's two‐factor theory still has utility nearly 50 years after it was first developed.
Transparency guru: an interview with Tom McManus
Authors: Lazarus Hal , McManus Tom
Published: January 2007

Purpose

In this interview, Tom McManus and Dr Harold Lazarus explore transparency as both an approach and an outcome in the management of organizations, and the relation of transparency to corporate strategy. The interview aims to offer context and perspective on transparency.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing the format of an interview, the reader is introduced to transparency in general and as a management principle.

Findings

As the global economy continues to become a reality, as large corporations continue to get bigger and more multinational, as information technology continues to advance, there is going to be a lot of stakeholder dispute around issues related to transparency in the coming years. Stakeholders such as customers, shareholders, and voters are holding management accountable. Information matters, and stakeholders have access to an unprecedented quantity and quality of information. Practical application of transparency is not simple, and many qualified and interesting people are developing the field.

Originality/value

Transparency is often talked about as a remedy for corruption and criminality. This interview explores a component of transparency that has not received the same attention – transparency as a principle in management.
Transparency: panacea or Pandora's box
Authors: Welch Theodora C. , Rotberg Eugene H.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to share with executives, public policy makers, and securities analysts some key behavior constraints on transparency seldom addressed in the professional literature. Focus is on unexpected and perhaps counterintuitive issues of transparency and full disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent contributions from management research are presented to inform behavioral constraints on transparency and full disclosure. A number of studies are reported including research on the herd instinct in market volatility, the private information paradox in competitive strategy, insider trading in technology‐intensive companies, symbolic corporate governance reform, and attribution theory and corporate responsibility.

Findings

Executives, public policy makers, and securities analysts should focus on the latest research that impacts their duties.

Originality/value

The paper reports new research which questions “conventional wisdom” that there are few, if any, negative aspects to transparency and full disclosure.
Organization‐stakeholder relationships: exploring trust and transparency
Authors: Jahansoozi Julia
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the organization‐stakeholder relationship between oil and gas operators and community members involved in the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group (SPOG) in Alberta, Canada. After a crisis of trust, the SPOG was established to increase transparency, and attempt to rebuild trust and healthy community stakeholder relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper is a result of interviews with both SPOG industry and community members (n=18). A qualitative phenomenological orientation was adopted because of its focus on the individual experience of the relationship. Key relational elements such as trust and transparency were examined in relation to the importance for relationship building. The research is limited by the number of interviews that were obtained during the time allotted for data collection.

Findings

The results indicated that after a crisis, transparency is crucial for rebuilding trust and maintaining healthy community stakeholder relationships. An interesting finding in the research was the apparent influence ofThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleon the development and maintenance of shared values within the relationship. Further research is recommended into the impact of Covey's leadership and management style and on organization‐stakeholder relationships.

Originality/value

Shell provides an excellent example of an organization that experienced a loss of trust with key stakeholders and used transparency to begin to rebuild important stakeholder relationships.
Globalization, organizational opaqueness and conspiracy
Authors: Roukis George S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to ascertain how the forces of globalization affect current organizational designs, particularly the relationship between rapid technological change, global uncertainty, and careless organizational decision‐making.

Design/methodology/approach

This article examines the historical development of globalization, within the context of several pivotal interpretative perspectives including national security and the costs it entails for participants. The research design was predicated upon a comprehensive review of the literature that dealt with environmental uncertainty, technological change, and recent corporate criminal investigations.

Findings

The article points out that a careful analysis of the nexus between fast paced technologically driven globalization and dysfunctional organizations reveal that the uncertainties created by globalization produce societal conspiracy thinking and opaque organizational structures that facilitated the emergence of criminal and dissonant behavior.

Practical implications

Provides a foundation for more organizational specific empirical research and a practical admonishment to corporate executives to revisit the rationale and assumptions underlying their organizational structures and policies.

Originality/value

This is an original conceptual article based upon strong evidentiary findings that will prove useful to corporate managements.
Transparency in the age of AIDS: the reality and mythology of a disease
Authors: Hindus Leonard A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how the lack of transparency about the AIDS disease has affected the spread of this pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The catalyst for this article was an interview with Dr Everett Koop who was the US Surgeon General during the Reagan presidency.

Findings

In his interview, Dr Koop describes the problems that government officials in the Reagan administration had with the subject of AIDS. Through the study of the history of information flow and dialogue about AIDS/HIV, this paper demonstrates the importance of transparency to public reaction and response to a life‐threatening disease. It shows how our first impressions of a disease can create a mythology that is very difficult to change even when the true facts are discovered. This mythology has affected the development of this disease into a full‐blown pandemic and continues to deter the advances that medical research has developed to fight the disease.

Originality/value

Dr Koop was one of the first public health leaders who had the responsibility to describe AIDS/HIV to the public and to help form the US response to the disease. His observations are uniquely valuable.
An analysis of the environment and competitive dynamics of management education
Authors: Thomas Howard
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to identify the key environmental forces and competitive drivers influencing the strategic management of a business school, and to give guidance about strategic choices as the business school evolves in the new knowledge economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytic tools such as PEST analysis and competitive analysis are used to provide a model and framework for dialogue about strategic choice.

Findings

The influence of demographic, technological, entrepreneurship and globalisation drivers provides a series of implications for competitive action and strategic choice. In the current environment it offers a school strategy of a rigorous academic research profile informed and guided by practice. This is favoured over a more professional agenda.

Originality/value

The paper reviews and updates the literature on future strategies and scenarios for business schools from an analytic perspective.
AACSB International accreditation
Authors: Trapnell Jerry E.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to share a viewpoint on the benefits and value of AACSB International business accreditation and some perspectives on the evolution of business accreditation on a global basis.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a commentary/viewpoint paper.

Findings

AACSB accreditation is global brand delivering external validation of high‐quality business schools providing key stakeholders, students, faculty and employers, with a decision criterion for selecting institutions with which to be associated.

Originality/value

In an increasingly competitive, global market for leading business students and an ever‐increasing number of business programs that deliver management education, differentiation is critical. Earning AACSB International accreditation can provide an important external validation and statement that can be an important factor in identifying high‐quality business schools by prospective students, faculty, and employers.
EQUIS accreditation: value and benefits for international business schools
Authors: Urgel Julio
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the evolution and current status of the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), the European Foundation for Management Development's (EFMD) accreditation for high‐quality international business schools. The paper aims to analyse and describe the value of EQUIS, as well as other international accreditations, to the world of higher education in business administration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the viewpoint of the EFMD's Director of Quality Services on the value of international accreditation.

Findings

The value added by accreditation systems stems from three main, and often inter‐related, areas – assessment of the quality of the school based on several criteria; enhanced brand recognition from being granted a distinctive accreditation label; and contributions to the actual improvement of the school.

Practical implications

International accreditation does add value to business schools in a variety of ways. It is also suggested that some of the value added is specific and unique to having international accreditation and is therefore unobtainable by any other means.

Originality/value

The paper highlights both the similarities and differences between international accreditations available for business schools. This should facilitate the assessment of the benefits and feasibility of international accreditation by decision‐makers at international business schools around the world.
Towards innovative building maintenance
Authors: Wood Brian
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Building maintenance is not sexy – yet it is big business, arguably more than new‐build. It is under‐researched. Received wisdom from the 1960s and 1970s is that reactive maintenance is undesirable; planned preventive maintenance (PPM) is “the answer”. That paradigm fails to put people at the centre. Times have moved on. The thinking here challenges the public‐sector “think big’ command economy based approach, and aims to examine new ways ahead. The purpose of this paper is to summarise a range of new approaches and identify common threads. People are an organisation's greatest asset; the maintenance and enhancement of their working and living environments and their wellbeing deserve serious attention.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on semi‐structured interviews with maintenance and facility managers in organisations noted for their tendencies to innovate in their core business. The paper aims to assist maintenance and facility managers to review their building maintenance priorities in relation to user wants and needs.

Findings

While the study is insufficient at this stage to support wholesale change in practice to any one new approach, a professional approach to the expenditure of considerable sums on building maintenance suggests that appropriate time should be spent in developing and evaluating alternative approaches.

Originality/value

Calls for a complete re‐think on the approach taken to maintenance.
A not so clean slate
Authors: Hunt Barry
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This is an initial attempt to classify natural roofing slate quality using the new European Standard BS EN 12326 and suggest how such classification may be employed to predict in‐service performance and identify potentially problematic materials.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide range of natural roofing slates has been subjected to the new standard testing regime and additional tests carried out. Experience of known in‐service performance and previous test results have also been taken into consideration.

Findings

An initial classification of natural roofing slate quality has been proposed with the flexural strength, water absorption, potential for oxidation and carbonate content considered to be the key components.

Research limitations/implications

There is considerable scope for refinement of the proposed classification by investigating the performance of the wide range of other natural roofing slates available and taking the results into consideration. Predicted in‐service performance is based on practical experience and can be considered only a general guide.

Practical implications

By classifying natural roofing slate quality users will be able to make better informed purchasing decisions based on cost versus quality. Slate producers, especially those with higher quality slates, will also be able to market their materials accordingly with less chance of losing out to lower quality, potentially problematic materials that still conform to the new standard.

Originality/value

The concept of a quality classification for natural roofing slate is not new, but this has been omitted during the creation of the new standard. The proposed classification is broader and probably better defined than those in existence elsewhere or previously used within the European Union member states.
Does the price impact of flooding fade away?
Authors: Lamond Jessica , Proverbs David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Climate change will present many new challenges for professionals in the built environment. Observers have speculated that the increase in damage to property caused by more frequent and severe flood events may result in loss of property value. However a consistent link between flood risk and value has not been proven in the UK to date. This paper aims to investigate the impact of flooding on property value in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of an ongoing study into the impact of flooding on property value in the UK, the available international evidence has been examined and general lessons drawn. A case study is presented of an example site, flooded in 2000, using actual transaction data.

Findings

This research demonstrates that, in general, there is a tendency for people to forget about the risk of flood damage with time. However, various manifestations of floodplain designation or regulation including mandatory insurance purchase can maintain awareness in the longer term. For the case study the impact of the flood on house prices is seen to be temporary, lasting less than three years.

Research limitations/implications

Both the case study and the previous international research indicate that studies of the price impact of flood events should consider temporal aspects. Tentative conclusions from a single case study suggest that taking the long view of likely future recovery could promote price stability for flooded communities.

Originality/value

The discounting of flood‐prone property is naturally of concern to property stakeholders including the valuation profession and property owners. This research is unique in using transaction data to measure flood impacts in the UK.
The employers' perspective of the impact of RICS education reform on building surveying
Authors: Hoxley Mike , Wilkinson Sara
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present the second part of research funded by the RICS Education Trust to investigate the impact of the 2001 education reforms on Building Surveying. The first part of the research involved the collection of data from university course leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

This research involved the collection of data from large national, mainly London‐based, employers of building surveyors at a focus group meeting.

Findings

The paper finds that issues of concern to these employers include the extent of construction technology knowledge of graduates, the delivery of contract administration, the placement year, post‐graduate conversion courses and the high referral rate for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Recommendations include advice to universities on the design of building surveying undergraduate and conversion courses, a call for further research on the high APC referral rate, and greater liaison between industry and universities.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the research is that the employers from whom data were collected were mainly large, national firms. Further research would be required to elicit the views of smaller regional organisations.

Practical implications

Both parts of this RICS Education Trust funded research provides a foundation for the Building Surveying Faculty of the RICS to complete their review of the education and training of building surveyors.

Originality/value

The research provides useful data on the impact of RICS education reform on building surveying, but mainly large, national firms.