bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“A True Account”
Authors: Evans Steve
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the varied concerns of delegates at an international accounting conference.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology takes the form of a prose article and accompanying fictional poem.

Findings

Accounting conferences gather many different voices and points of view, but with a degree of commonality in themes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper encourages the use of creative expression to represent areas of research and enquiry.

Originality/value

A review of some of the proceedings of a major conference is structured in a novel manner, combining the use of the cento (a composite, “found” poem) with prose.
Measuring the three process segments of a customer's service experience for an out‐patient surgery center
Authors: Wicks Angela M. , Chin Wynne W.
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop an alternative method of measuring out‐patient satisfaction where satisfaction is the central construct. The Gap Model operationalized by SERVQUAL is widely used to measure service quality. However, the SERVQUAL instrument only measures expectations (resulting from the pre‐process segment of the service experience) and perceptions (resulting from the post‐process segment). All three segments should be measured. The lack of proper segmentation and methodological criticisms in the literature motivated this study.

Design/methodology/approach

A partial least squares (PLS) approach, a form of structural equation modeling, is used to develop a framework to evaluate patient satisfaction in three service process segments: pre‐process, process, and post‐process service experiences.

Findings

Results indicate that each process stage mediates subsequent stages, that the process segment is the most important to the patient and that the antecedents have differing impacts on patient satisfaction depending where in the process the antecedent is evaluated.

Research limitations/implications

Only one out‐patient surgery center was evaluated. Patient satisfaction criteria specific to hospital selection are not included in this study.

Practical implications

Results indicate what is important to patients in each service process segment that focus where ambulatory surgery centers should allocate resources.

Originality/value

This study is the first to evaluate patient satisfaction with all three process segments.
Pessimism and hostility scores as predictors of patient satisfaction ratings by medical out‐patients
Authors: Costello Brian A. , McLeod Thomas G. , Locke G. Richard , Dierkhising Ross A. , Offord Kenneth P. , Colligan Robert C.
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to determine whether a pessimistic or hostile personality style adversely affects satisfaction with out‐patient medical visits. Many patient and health care provider demographic characteristics have been related to patient satisfaction with a health care encounter, but little has been written about the association between patients' personality characteristics and their satisfaction ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

An eight‐item patient satisfaction survey was completed by 11,636 randomly selected medical out‐patients two to three months after their episode of care. Of these, 1,259 had previously completed a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The association of pessimism and hostility scores with patient satisfaction ratings was assessed.

Findings

Among patients who scored high on the pessimism scale, 59 percent rated overall care by their physicians as excellent, while 72 percent with scores in the optimistic range rated it as excellent (p=0.003). Among the hostile patients, 57 percent rated their overall care by physicians as excellent, while 66 percent of the least hostile patients rated it as excellent (p=0.002).

Originality/value

Pessimistic or hostile patients were significantly less likely to rate their overall care as excellent than optimistic or non‐hostile patients.
The role of understanding customer expectations in aged care
Authors: Leventhal Leib
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that understanding and exceeding customer expectations in the aged care services is more complex than other health services and general services because of the multiple stakeholders and additional intimacies that exist.

Design/method/approach

The author first explores expectation theory and how it links to customer behaviour and then discusses confirmation/disconfirmation theory.

Findings

The author builds an argument that aged care service providers must understand consumer needs and expectations so that customer satisfaction is generated.

Originality/value

Exploring patient and relative expectation and satisfaction in different theoretical contexts.
Patient claims and complaints data for improving patient safety
Authors: Jonsson Pia Maria , Øvretveit John
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe patient complaints and claims data from Swedish databases and assess their value for scientific research and practical health care improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The article first describes previous research into patient claims and similar schemes. It then presents three types of data on patient claims and complaints in Sweden: data generated by the Patient Insurance Fund, the Medical Responsibility Board and the Patients' Advisory Committees and considers methodological issues in using the data.

Findings

The databases' value is problems related to spontaneous reporting, which makes it difficult to know how much the data correspond to general injury rates and health care patterns. Another issue is the balance between the size of study materials and the timeliness, e.g. when diagnosis‐specific analysis requires data pooling over several years in order to reach adequate case numbers. Adjustment for confounders not present in the databases, e.g. data on hospital case‐mix, may add to difficulties using the data in comparative analyses of safety performance

Research limitations/implications

The databases' safety analysis and quality improvement value depends on understanding their function, data collection method and their limitations as a source of data about the true incidence and prevalence of injuries and safety problems.

Originality/value

This is the first thorough review of the possibilities and limitations associated with the use of claims and complaints data in health care research and improvement.
Evaluating hospital service quality from a physician viewpoint
Authors: Hensen Peter , Schiller Meinhard , Metze Dieter , Luger Thomas
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that referring physicians play a strategic role in health care management. This study aims to evaluate the perception of hospital services by referring physicians and clinicians for quality improvement.

Design/method/approach

Referring physicians in private practice and hospital clinicians at a large dermatology academic department providing inpatient and outpatient services at secondary and tertiary care levels were surveyed to determine their perceptions of service quality. A comparative questionnaire survey was established to identify improvement areas and factors that drive referral rates using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Referring physicians' (n=53) and clinicians' (n=22) survey results concordantly revealed that timely and significant information about hospital stay as well as accessibility to hospital staff are major points for improvement. Significant differences between both samples were found with respect to inpatient services and patient commendation. Clinicians tended to rate their services and offerings higher than referring physicians (p=0.019). Geographic range was correlated with the frequency of patient commendation (p=0.005) and the perception of friendliness (p=0.039). The number of referred patients was correlated with medical reports' informational value (p=0.042).

Research limitations/implications

Although the study has a limited sample size it appears that surveying physicians' perspectives is an essential tool for gathering information about how provided health care services are perceived.

Originality/value

Survey results should be useful for continuous quality improvement by regular measuring and reporting to executive boards. Hospitals should pay careful attention to their communication tools, particularly medical reports.
Want to, need to, ought to: employee commitment to organizational change
Authors: Turner Parish Janet , Cadwallader Susan , Busch Paul
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the role of employee commitment in the success of organizational change initiatives. The authors seek to propose and test a model that delineates antecedents and consequences of affective, normative, and continuance commitment to organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via online survey from employees working in a large not‐for‐profit organization. A total of 191 responses (32 per cent) were obtained. The hypothesized model relationships were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the antecedents: fit with vision, employee‐manager relationship quality, job motivation, and role autonomy all influence commitment to change (C2C). Notably, affective commitment, which in turn influences employee perceptions about improved performance, implementation success, and individual learning regarding the change, had the greatest impact.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations that could lead to future research include three primary issues. First, the data were collected from one organization. Second, data were collected at one point in time. Third, the proposed model is far from exhaustive. Other antecedents to C2C could include risk acceptance, organizational culture, and/or leadership style.

Practical implications

In addition, given affective commitment to change (AC2C) has the greatest influence on outcomes such as implementation success and improved performance, the antecedents of AC2C warrant management's attention. If managers can influence AC2C through such factors as those proposed here, outcomes such as individual learning, perceived implementation success, and perceived improved performance will be influenced.

Originality/value

The paper integrates two models evaluating employee reactions to change, an under researched area, to help uncover ways to improve the success of change initiatives.
Seeking regenerative work in the post‐bureaucratic transition
Authors: Kira Mari , Forslin Jan
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This aim of the paper is to explore regenerative work supporting employees' personal development and, thus, sustainable coping capacity in the post‐bureaucratic transition.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review was carried out to build a theoretical framework on regenerative work. Two case studies with an interpretative, action research approach provide empirical examples. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews and participative observations were carried out.

Findings

The case studies indicate that the regenerative potential of work is threatened by the unbalanced nature of the post‐bureaucratic transition. Confined bureaucratic work is changing into more complex and boundaryless post‐bureaucratic work. However, organizational practices are still founded on the bureaucratic mentality emphasizing impersonality, pre‐planning, and rigid top‐down use of power. Post‐bureaucratic work realities exist in bureaucratic work organizations; the clashes between the two mentalities lead to human resources consumption rather than their regeneration.

Research limitations/implications

As the paper is founded on only two case studies, further research should be carried out on the inconsistencies between the nature of work and organizational practices regulating work.

Practical implications

The paper outlines alternative post‐bureaucratic approaches to organizing; post‐bureaucratic organizational values and structures are depicted, employees' autonomy and interconnectedness are discussed as the elements of a post‐bureaucratic organization.

Originality/value

It is shown how the post‐bureaucratic transition proceeds in an unbalanced manner such that daily work activities are more influenced by the post‐bureaucratic approach while the solutions for organizing still rely on the bureaucratic mentality. The proposed theoretical model on regenerative work outlines the kind of work experiences leading to employees' sustainable well‐being.
The dark tower
Authors: Barner Robert
Published: February 2008

Purpose

To provide a descriptive case study showing how the construction of drawings as visual metaphors can help work groups “give voice” to their emotional reactions to organizational change events, and provide groups with a vehicle for interpreting and framing their experience of organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

A seven‐person focus was asked to construct a drawing that would serve as a visual metaphor for conveying the group's reaction to ongoing organizational changes within their company. Following this construction, the group engaged in a self‐interpretation of their metaphor.

Findings

The work group's feelings regarding organizational change were encapsulated in visual metaphor of “dark tower”; a metaphor of which revealed that team members shared several strong, negative emotions regarding the organizational change event. A review of how the group's changes in metaphor construction evolved over three successive drawings showed how certain elements of the metaphor came to play a central role in the team's emotional expression of organizational change events.

Research limitations/implications

This case study did not attempt to provide a comparative review of metaphor constructions across work groups, nor did it include the use of other research methods, such as structured interviews, to confirm these findings.

Practical implications

This study illustrates how the construction of visual metaphors can be used to help researchers gain a more in‐depth understanding of the subjective, felt experience of groups during organizational change events.

Originality/value

The group's reflections on how their successive drawings changed over the course of the construction of their metaphor sheds light on how “visual narratives” take form over time.
Individualism‐collectivism in horizontal and vertical directions as predictors of conflict management styles
Authors: Komarraju Meera , Dollinger Stephen J. , Lovell Jennifer L.
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of horizontal and vertical individualism‐collectivism in explaining conflict management styles.Design/methodology/approach– A total of 640 respondents completed the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory‐II (ROCI‐II, Form C) designed to assess five conflict management styles and the individualism‐collectivism (I‐C) scale designed to assess the vertical and horizontal aspects of individualism‐collectivism.Findings– Correlation and regression analyses provide support for a conceptual fit between cultural dimensions and conflict management styles. Horizontal and vertical aspects of individualism‐collectivism explained 5‐20 percent of the variance in the various conflict management styles. Specifically, individuals displaying an individualist orientation (horizontal and vertical) tended to give greater importance to satisfying personal needs and preferred a dominating style, rather than an obliging or avoiding style. In contrast, collectivists (horizontal and vertical) seemed more likely to sacrifice personal needs for the sake of the group and preferred an integrating style. Further, horizontal collectivists were more likely to prefer an obliging style and vertical collectivists an avoiding style of conflict management.Research limitations/implications– Generalization is limited to college student samples from the USA.Practical implications– Organizations could provide training programs to sensitize employees to their specific cultural orientations and their preferred conflict management styles. In addition, employees could learn to switch between styles depending on the situation, issue, or relationship within which the conflict is taking place.Originality/value– Highlights the importance of sensitizing employees to their cultural orientation and preferred conflict management style; raises the possibility of training them to develop alternate styles.
Multilevel effects of conflict management preferences on satisfaction with group processes
Authors: Sun Park Hee , Park Mijeang
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This research aims to examine the relationship between conflict management in the workplace and member satisfaction in work groups at both individual and group levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives were achieved by surveying 135 Korean teachers in 28 kindergartens, treating them as small work groups. A multilevel modeling technique was used to examine the impact of conflict management preferences on individual satisfaction with group processes.

Findings

For the cooperation style of conflict management, individual‐level preference and group‐level similarity in preference were related positively to individual satisfaction with group processes. Individual‐level preference and group‐level similarity in preference for the avoidance style, however, did not significantly influence individual satisfaction with group processes. It was also found that the positive relationship between individual preference for the cooperation style and satisfaction with group processes was stronger with less variation (i.e. greater similarity) in group‐level preference for the cooperation style and with greater variation (i.e. less similarity) in group‐level preference for the avoidance style. Research limitations/implications – No causality can be established between conflict management style preferences and satisfaction with group processes. Only two styles of conflict management were assessed with a small number of measurement items.

Originality/value

The study shows how useful a multilevel examination of conflict management style preferences and satisfaction with group processes can be for conflict research.
Dispute resolution patterns and organizational dispute states
Authors: Poitras Jean , Le Tareau Aurélia
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of conflict management on conflicts at work. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 148 post‐graduate students in management responded to a questionnaire online. Two cluster analyses were performed to identify dispute resolution patterns and organizational dispute states. Then, cross tabulation between the two clusters was performed (Pearson's chi‐square coefficient and Sommer's D statistic). Findings – Cluster analyses identified three styles of dispute resolution pattern – interest‐based, based on controlled power, and power‐based – and three different organizational dispute states: harmony, dissonance, and conflict. Finally, the influence of resolution patterns on dispute states was been confirmed by the cross tabulation. Research limitations/implications – Firstly, Ury et al.'s theoretical typology should be revised, especially for the rights‐based approach. Secondly, the results of our cluster analysis indicate that it might not be necessary to measure the emotional and behavioral dimension of conflict separately. Thirdly, our research confirms the impact of conflict management on conflicts at work. Practical implications – The results show that dispute resolution patterns have a non‐negligible influence on organizational conflict states. In order to increase the likelihood of a harmony state, an interest‐based dispute resolution pattern should be adopted. Originality/value – First, the statistical technique used – cluster analysis – is somewhat innovative. Secondly, this research shows that dispute resolution patterns may affect organizational dispute states.
Business perceptions of public relations in New Zealand
Authors: Sterne Graeme David
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This research aims to describe business perceptions of public relations (PR) in New Zealand. It also intends to provide insights which will assist the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) to achieve its mission “to promote PR as a reputable, dynamic profession”.

Design/methodology/approach

Senior management from 28 of New Zealand's top 200 companies completed a questionnaire and participated in a 45‐minute interview to explore definitions of PR and its place in their organisations. A symbolic interactionist methodology was utilised to analyse the findings.

Findings

The study finds that CEOs had a low opinion of public relations practitioners. They tended to see PR as an integral part of doing business. They also saw reputation management as best conducted by themselves rather than a consultancy – except in a crisis. A clear distinction was made between PR (consultancy based) and corporate communication (in‐house). None of the companies used the term PR in their in‐house communications titles. Communications managers distanced themselves from PR, claiming instead to offer integrity‐based, transparent communication. Marketers saw PR as serving marketing. CFOs and Legal Counsel saw PR as serving strategic objectives but were sceptical about the competence of communications practitioners to deliver strategic communication.

Research limitations/implications

Despite a very good response rate (66.7 per cent) the base was uneven in terms of geographic spread and category of organisation. Since this is a descriptive study links between observations and contributing factors can be suggested but do not establish causality. This study did not extend to the public sector that employs a number of PR practitioners in New Zealand especially in Wellington.

Practical implications

Larger businesses in New Zealand are wary of the term PR. Should the profession abandon the name or fight for a new definition? Communication is definitely part of senior management decision making in New Zealand but PR and communication practitioners need to demonstrate their value if they want to participate at this level. PRINZ can assist the promotion of PR by professionalising the practitioners and by influencing the training of the increasing number of PR graduates who are being introduced to the industry.

Originality/value

No such study has been completed in New Zealand so this study will provide a comparison with UK, US and European studies of perceptions of PR. This study aligns with the Murray and White study of CEO views of reputation management in that it gathers data from senior management.
Interpersonal communication skills that enhance organisational commitment
Authors: Bambacas Mary , Patrickson Margaret
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, to investigate the interpersonal communication skills that human resource (HR) managers expect managers in supervisory positions possess. Second, to identify which of these skills HR managers expect managers use to engender subordinate commitment to the organisation. Third, the paper aims to investigate what interpersonal communication skills that enhance employee commitment to the organisation are most lacking in managers in supervisory positions.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the study is a series of in‐depth interviews with 32 senior HR managers in organisations with over 100 staff.

Findings

The paper finds that senior HR managers expected managers to be effective in interpersonal communication focusing mainly on the clarity and frequency of the messages, their ability to actively listen and the ability to lead in a collaborative way. The way messages were sent, especially their clarity, and a leadership style that engendered trust, was of the highest importance when HR managers wanted to enhance employee commitment to the organisation. However, these skills were also the ones found most lacking.

Practical implications

HR practitioners need to consider more explicitly what behaviours are important to promote organisational commitment.

Originality/value

This paper highlights that the interpersonal communication skills that enhance organisational commitment and are most valued by organisations are those that are most lacking in managers. This paper also provides insight for practitioners to the interpersonal communication skills areas that managers need to develop so that their interaction with staff may enhance commitment to the organisation.
Modeling the standard compliant software processes in the university environment
Authors: Rozman Tomislav , Vajde Horvat Romana , Rozman Ivan
Published: February 2008

Purpose

One way to improve the quality of business and software processes is to make them compliant with standard. This paper seeks to explore the suitability of the BPMN and the teaching method for process modeling, which uses SEI CMMI‐SW standard as input and produces software process models as output.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach consists of two parts. First, the students' responses during practical lectures of process modeling were gathered and studied. Then, the teaching process was modified and students' responses were studied again. The second part involves the survey about students' attitude towards BPMN usability and ease of use.

Findings

There are two key findings of the study. First, using the SEI CMMI‐SW standard in early phases of software process modeling is not very effective, because it overloads the students with abstract requirements, which are included in the standard. The more effective way is to use the standard in later phases of process modeling, in the phase of assessment and improvement of the process model. The second key finding is that there is a positive attitude among students towards BPMN usage for process modeling.

Research limitations/implications

There is no evidence that this teaching approach can be generalized beyond the population of information science students and academic environment.

Practical implications

The improved teaching method for business and software process modeling can be used in similar environments (practical lectures of process modeling). Although there is no evidence, quality managers from organizations can also benefit from the lesson learned and avoid a less suitable process‐modeling approach.

Originality/value

The paper is useful to all roles in education and businesses, who deal with process models and standards (teachers, business and software analysts, quality managers, process designers).
Examining product and process effects on consumer preferences for online and offline channels
Authors: Zhang Aimao
Published: February 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to incorporate theories from commodity studies, functional studies, institutional studies, and transaction cost economics, to integrate product and process approaches and simultaneously examine the effects of product and process on consumer preferences for online and offline channels.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took a systemic approach. It reviewed the existing literature, proposed a theoretical framework, designed and administrated a measurement instrument, analyzed survey results, and provided implications and conclusions.

Findings

In addition to the type of product, the type of transaction process has a significant impact on consumer preferences for online and offline channels.

Research limitations/implications

The sample representation was limited to college students. The analysis also assumed the independency of repeated measures on the subjects.

Practical implications

This paper will facilitate managers in designing and choosing transaction channels based on product type and process function type.

Originality/value

This is the first study which examines the impact of both factors – transaction product and transaction process – on channel preference. The transaction process is systemically defined into four sub‐functions and measured accordingly. An instrument is developed and administer to measure consumer preferences for online and offline channels in response to different types of products and different types of process functions. It is the first instrument of this kind.
Self‐directed (distance) learning infectious disease control MPH program
Authors: Birnbaum David
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to confirm what program features potential students would view as incentives or disincentives toward enrolling in a unique self‐directed (distance) learning infectious disease control MPH (Master of Public Health) program currently being developed.

Design/methodology/approach

An internet discussion list announcement invited infection control professionals to participate in structured telephone interviews. This pilot study survey was conducted to confirm underlying assumptions about program features that might be viewed as incentives or disincentives by prospective students.

Findings

Responses were received from all regions of the USA except Alaska. Findings from 78 interviews confirm our underlying assumptions about delivery preferences, critical features, perceived value and reasonable cost for a self‐directed (distance) learning Infectious Disease Control MPH degree. Respondents clearly expressed a preference for distance education, but exhibited lack of familiarity with the various types and relative merits of different distance delivery modalities.

Originality/value

“Build it and they will come” has long been a widespread assumption in curriculum development. However, continuing education and advanced credentialing needs of health professionals can be better served by executive‐MBA‐style programs. One lesson from examining the experience of our academic MBA colleagues is to know your clients. This study uniquely confirms assumptions about the educational preferences of infection control professionals.
Guidelines for reviewers
Authors: Fielden Sandra L.
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide authors and reviewers with guidance for the development and review of manuscripts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets out the background to the journal and provides details of what is expected of manuscripts in terms of theoretical grounding and methodological accuracy.

Findings

The journal encourages diversity in thinking about gender in management and welcomes papers from all academic disciplines which can contribute to management knowledge about this area.

Originality/value

This sets out the criteria employed by the journal in assessing the suitability of submitted manuscripts.
Senior careers in retailing
Authors: Broadbridge Adelina
Published: February 2008

Purpose

Retailing as a sector employs many women and serves a female‐dominated customer base. It also employs proportionately more women in management positions than in other occupational sectors. However, at senior levels, the proportion of women to men diminishes. This paper aims to examine the perceived facilitators and problems of senior retail managers' career development in order to see if it offers any insights for others to achieve senior managerial positions.

Design/methodology/approach

The main research instrument was a quantitative questionnaire with 124 UK senior retail managers.

Findings

The findings revealed that apparently more similarities than differences were reported by the men and women senior retail managers. These findings need to be treated with some caution however given that retailing operates in a strong masculine culture. Therefore, to assume that men and women encounter similar facilitators and problems ignores that they are being compared against a norm of male characteristics and values.

Practical implications

The senior women may have achieved their positions by ignoring their feminine characteristics and putting their career before their personal lives; they may have adopted the male cultural norms and developed a style top management are more comfortable with, else they may have more characteristics that are closer to the male norms than the average woman. Men further down the hierarchy may also suffer and may not achieve senior positions because they too are not prepared to conform to idealised and outdated male cultural norms.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is its concentration on the views and experiences of retail managers in senior positions, as these are the ones who have seemingly broken through the glass ceiling.
The evaluation of male and female managers at a local municipality in Hungary
Authors: Nagy Beáta , Vicsek Lilla
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The study sets out to examine how male and female managers in general and male and female municipal executives in particular are evaluated by the members of the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presented used the methodology of focus group discussion.

Findings

The results show that employees clearly had different expectations regarding the characteristics of male and female executives. The most negative image of female executives emerged in the group of men. However, even female office managers tended to mention numerous negative features of women executives, and seemed to prefer men in executive positions.

Research limitations/implications

The research involved four focus group sessions at the municipality in the autumn of 2004, consequently the research results cannot be generalised.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited number of academic literature on female executives in Hungary, and explores the deep prejudices against women in leading positions.
Equal, but different?
Authors: Brandl Julia , Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Reichel Astrid
Published: February 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the status and functional responsibilities of female human resource (HR) directors vary cross‐nationally and how gender egalitarian cultural values affect role differences between female and male HR directors.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross‐country comparison of HR directors involving 22 countries based on the 2004 Cranet survey.

Findings

Consistent with the hypotheses, gender egalitarian values reduce sex‐role differences for strategic integration and for traditionally female‐stereotyped HR functions. However, there is no support for the notion that egalitarian values influence sex differences for male‐stereotyped HR functions. Since, the data indicate higher levels of involvement of female HR directors in male‐stereotyped HR functions in 12 out of 22 countries, unequal distribution of functional responsibility is interpreted as an indicator for sex differences in administrative workload.

Originality/value

Macro cultural factors matter for sex‐role differences in strategic integration and functional responsibilities of HR directors. The effects of gender egalitarian values have greater impact on reducing vertical differences than horizontal differences.
Matching the assembly robot to the factory
Authors: Del Gaudio I. , Di Maio F. , Lamonaca E.
Published: February 2008

The Olivetti SIGMA robot has been pioneering robot assembly for five years. In this article the experience gained and the problems that have occurred are discussed.
Intergrating parts inspection and functional control during automatic assembly
Authors: Camera A. , Migliardi G.F.
Published: February 2008

The DEA PRAGMA A3000 robot can be used to perform a quality control function which can be integrated into component manipulation and assembly functions. The authors discuss some of the advantages of performing these functions with the same computer arm and under the same computer supervision.
The flexible parts feeder which helps a robot assemble automatically
Authors: Suzuki T. , Kohno M.
Published: February 2008

A flexible part feeding systems has been developed in conjunction with a six‐axis robot and vision to assemble 13 components into a portable tape recorder.
Automatic assembly of transformers
Authors: Avetikov B.G. , Tsvetkov A.N. , Yurevich Ye. I.
Published: February 2008

Flexible assembly systems in any part of the world are still rare. From the USSR is a report of a machine that is working and saving money. Using industrial robots and an adaptive control system 39 operators have been replaced in 3 shift working. A variety of products can be assembled on the one machine with only a need to switch grippers and some auxiliaries on changeover.
Economic methods of justifying manufacturing projects
Authors: Ogden Harry
Published: February 2008

There are several acceptable financial appraisable criteria which now can be computerised. This gives more and better data to management for making less risky decisions but effort on technical evaluation must not be spared.
Inspection and control of a rotary table automatic assembly machine
Authors: Zsuppán I.
Published: February 2008

Study of rotary table assembly machines shows that most of the malfunctions occur as a result of substandard parts included in the parts to be assembled. A control system has been developed which can detect substandard items and defective operations; the system can take corrective action so the next cycle is fault free, allowing productivity to increase.
Using vision in electric motor assembly
Authors: Makhlin A.G.
Published: February 2008

The Automatic Programmable Assembly System (APAS) being developed by Westinghouse has reached an advanced stage. Vision plays an important role in the positioning, orienting and inspection of the component parts.
The cyclone feeder which turns parts on their heads
Authors: Yamafuji K. , Osada T.
Published: February 2008

A new type of pneumatic parts feeding systems has been developed comprising a drum hopper, a jet inducer and a cyclone. A key feature of the system is the cyclone which, by means of the circulating streams, can correctly orientate parts.
Successful application of automatic assembly in the German Federal Republic
Authors: Warnecke H.‐J. , Walther J.
Published: February 2008

West Germany is one of Europe's leading users of assembly automation techniques. This report classifies the types of systems now being installed and gives examples of some successful applications.
TV camera system inspects and sorts power transistor chips
Authors: Edamatsu Kunihiko , Kiuchi Tetsuo , Isono Yoshiaki , Naruse Shiro , Momose Akira
Published: February 2008

An automated power transistor chip sorting apparatus and position recognition algorithm have been developed at Fuji Electric. The apparatus inspects each chip on a wafer cassette, and picks out the good chips and arranges them on a chip tray cassette, at a recognition rate of 0.3 seconds per chip.
Flexible assembly module with vision — controlled robot
Authors: Heginbotham W.B. , Barnes D.F. , Purdue D.R. , Law D.J.
Published: February 2008

A prototype system has been developed at the Production Engineering Research Association to feed, inspect and assemble small parts. The machine can be adjusted to cope with different components, using a simple programming method, and is therefore suitable for automated batch assembly.
Programmable assembly with vision
Authors: VanderBrug Gordon J.
Published: February 2008

Cybervision system provides the basic building blocks of a programmable assembly system. The components of this system, Autovision, AID 600 Assembly Robot, A132 Controller and the RAIL software are described in detail.
Automatic manufacturing‐improvements through quality control
Authors: del Gaudio I. , Lambiase A.
Published: February 2008

Quality control with a large content of data processing, represents an important field of robot application because of the inherent objectivity and consistency which robots possess.
Car ‐ body construction and assembly
Authors: Muller S.
Published: February 2008

More than half of the industrial robots throughout the world are used in the automobile industry. The following deals with the most important application so far, spot welding in car‐body construction, and one with a promising future, namely, assembly.
Assembly robots coming into focus ‐ but not for every job
Authors: Hartley John
Published: February 2008

The role of robots in automatic assembly as viewed by industry in Japan, including some of the major robot makers, is reported by John Hartley.
Flexible assembly in Hungary ‐ planning and design
Authors: Gondocs B. , Kovacs T.
Published: February 2008

To improve the flexibility of its assembly methods the Bakony Works in Hungary took out a manufacturing licence with Bosch. Some examples of where the system has been used are described.
Automatic or manual assembly ‐ economic considerations
Authors: Elbracht Dietrich , Schaler Helmut
Published: February 2008

Investments that will be economically acceptable in the future for replacing human power by automatic production is considered. The problems of small batch assembly, the use of flexible assembly systems, training costs and use of mobile industrial robots are also discussed.
Machines that combine the manufacture of parts with assembly
Authors: Lotter Bruno
Published: February 2008

The system of on line manufacturing is described and an example is given to indicate the improved productivity and pay‐back period which can be achieved. The analysis required to determine the suitability of such a system for a given application is also presented.
Vision system aligns leads for automatic component insertion
Authors: Asano Toshio , Maeda Shunji , Murai Toshiaki
Published: February 2008

Two solid state cameras and a newly developed image processor have been used to measure the positional deviation of the two leads of a component and control adjustment of the X‐Y table. The system allows the insertion machine to operate without mechanical guides for the leads, allowing insertion of components with different lead pitches and at high density. Application results are reported in this article.
Testing — an integral part of automatic assembly
Authors: Seymour Lee J.
Published: February 2008

Planning an automatic assembly and testing system raises many questions, this paper aims to provide some of the answers, and suggests various approaches to the overall project.
Fanuc switches to robot assembly
Authors: Hartley John
Published: February 2008

Large number of robots used to assemble motors in new factory, while new systems are on show at Osaka.
Flexible assembly for the electronic industry
Authors: Mangin Charles‐Henri , D'Agostino Salvatore
Published: February 2008

The production environment confronting manufacturers of products containing circuit boards (PCBs), in many cases typified by a high mix of possible boards, is increasing the demand for a flexible approach to the assembly process.
A computer based design consultation system
Authors: Swift K.G.
Published: February 2008

This paper overviews work on a computer based consultation system, which uses artificial intelligence principles, and has been designed to aid the non‐specialist engineering designer or production engineer in the domain of design for assembly.
Planning flexible system structures
Authors: Eversheim W. , Kettner P. , Mertz K.P.
Published: February 2008

Construction of devices is not the most important element of flexible assembly systems; the true value lies in the realisation of systematic and need‐oriented planning.
Reflex puts its software capabilities to the test
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: February 2008

One of the most interesting demonstrations at the CIMAP networking event sponsored by the UK Department of Trade and Industry at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, last December was an automatic assembly cell using a high‐speed robot and a machine vision system for parts selection and inspection. The cell was linked over the main local area network system to a design station, where visitors to the demonstration could select the assemblies which they wanted carried out.
Philips gets SMT just‐in‐time
Authors: McClelland Stephen
Published: February 2008

High volume telecommunications equipment is expected to be one of the biggest users of surface mount technology over the next decade in Europe, so it was no surprise to find Philips Radio Communication Systems Ltd (PRCS), Cambridge, England headquarters is one of the largest SMT facilities. The size advantages offered by SMT are probably most clearly demonstrated by one of the products Philips makes here: pocket radio pagers. Together with modern custom analogue integrated circuits, SMT has enabled a pager to take up little more than the volume of a cigarette lighter. Just a few years ago, a fully transistorised version would have been the size of a hip flask and needed a substantially larger pocket. Nevertheless, the production of pocket pagers is not a simple application of such technology since the products themselves have special features. To begin with, they are necessarily customised according to the segment of the frequency band they work in, and consequently must be calibrated and tested as they are assembled. Philips has also adopted a full just‐in‐time philosophy for component and board make‐up (the first fully integrated one this writer has seen), and according to them some 28 different PCB‐sized products can be accommodated in the system from week to week.
Shimano designs robots for delicate assemblies
Authors: Hartley John
Published: February 2008

Low volume means different things to different companies; at Shimano Industrial, the world's largest maker of gears for bicycles, low volume involves production runs of up to 30,000 units/month. Medium volume involves 50,000–100,000 units/month, and to qualify as high volume, runs need to be over 200,000/month. In fact, the biggest run — a crank lever for a bicycle — involves 800,000 units monthly.
Automation and redesign — a recipe for successful assembly
Authors: Bouman Jan , Ramm Tony
Published: February 2008

METERFABRIEK‐Schlumberger in Dordrecht, Holland, embarked on a major automation project for the assembly of its range of domestic gas governors in early 1983. That project was successfully completed in 1986. The new facility consists of a fully automatic robot line for the assembly, test and packing of 15 different gas governors.
Bird's eye view of electronics manufacturing
Authors: McClelland Stephen
Published: February 2008

Study tours — of foreign companies and competitors — are a popular management training technique, but there have been few opportunities to study the situation in the UK, at least in the field of advanced electronics manufacturing strategy. Added to this there are few opportunities for informally getting together networks of engineers who could discuss basic manufacturing problems in the UK. The UK Department of Trade and Industry hopes that this situation will end as its Advanced Manufacturing in Electronics (AMIE) programme continues. A key part of this is allowing project engineers and managers to visit other companies to see what is actually being done, rather than what is merely equipment manufacturers' hype, or what is merely supposed by technical journals as being the case!
Robotic assembly: next link in MGZ's chain
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: February 2008

It has taken MGZ less than four years to become a major systems integrator for robotics. Having started in the field with no expertise other than traditional engineering skills, the company has developed component feeder systems, robot tooling, and systems software. It has supplied robot assembly cells to companies around Europe and recently began installing multiple robot lines. Today, it offers an integrated assembly and soldering solution and is fast moving towards a totally‐integrated manufacturing concept.