bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance With Routine Use of Gowns by Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and Non-HCW Visitors on Entry Into the Rooms of Patients Under Contact Precautions
Authors: Manian Farrin A. , Ponzillo John J.
Published: February 2007

Background.

Modified contact precautions (MCP), defined as routine donning of isolation gowns (along with routine gloving) on entry into the rooms of patients under contact precautions, regardless of the likelihood of direct exposure to the patient or their immediate environment, were instituted at our medical center to reduce nosocomial transmission of common hospital pathogens.

Objectives.

To study compliance with MCP policy regarding routine gowning in intensive care units (ICUs) and general wards and to determine the relationship between gown and glove use in the care of patients under MCP in ICUs.

Design.

Prospective observational study from February 20, 2004, through January 8, 2005, involving 2,110 persons (1,504 healthcare workers [HCWs] and 606 non-HCW visitors).

Setting.

A 900-bed tertiary care teaching community hospital.

Results.

Overall compliance with routine gown use was observed for 1,542 persons (73%), including 1,150 HCWs (76%) and 392 visitors (65%) (odds ratio [OR], 1.8 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.4-2.2]; P < .001). Visitors in the ICUs (186 [91%] of 204) were more likely than visitors in the general wards (202 [51%] of 398) to comply with gown use (OR, 10 [95% CI, 6.0-17.0]; P < .001). In logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of gown compliance among HCWs were female sex (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8-3.0]; P < .001) and ICU setting (OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.7-2.9]; P < .001). In the ICUs, gown use was highly predictive of glove use among HCWs (positive predictive value, 95%).

Conclusion.

Improvement in compliance with gown use at our medical center will require more-intensive educational efforts targeted at male HCWs and at HCWs and visitors on general wards. In the care of ICU patients under MCP, HCW compliance with gown use may be used as a proxy for their compliance with glove use.
Legislative Mandates for Use of Active Surveillance Cultures to Screen for Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusand Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Position Statement From the Joint SHEA and APIC Task Force
Authors: Weber Stephen G. , Huang Susan S. , Oriola Shannon , Huskins W. Charles , Noskin Gary A. , Harriman Kathleen , Olmsted Russell N. , Bonten Marc , Lundstrom Tammy , Climo Michael W. , Roghmann Mary-Claire , Murphy Cathryn L. , Karchmer Tobi B.
Published: February 2007

Legislation aimed at controlling antimicrobial-resistant pathogens through the use of active surveillance cultures to screen hospitalized patients has been introduced in at least 2 US states. In response to the proposed legislation, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) have developed this joint position statement. Both organizations are dedicated to combating healthcare-associated infections with a wide array of methods, including the use of active surveillance cultures in appropriate circumstances. This position statement reviews the proposed legislation and the rationale for use of active surveillance cultures, examines the scientific evidence supporting the use of this strategy, and discusses a number of unresolved issues surrounding legislation mandating use of active surveillance cultures. The following 5 consensus points are offered. (1) Although reducing the burden of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), is of preeminent importance, APIC and SHEA do not support legislation to mandate use of active surveillance cultures to screen for MRSA, VRE, or other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. (2) SHEA and APIC support the continued development, validation, and application of efficacious and cost-effective strategies for the prevention of infections caused by MRSA, VRE, and other antimicrobial-resistant and antimicrobial-susceptible pathogens. (3) APIC and SHEA welcome efforts by healthcare consumers, together with private, local, state, and federal policy makers, to focus attention on and formulate solutions for the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections. (4) SHEA and APIC support ongoing additional research to determine and optimize the appropriateness, utility, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of using active surveillance cultures to screen both lower-risk and high-risk populations. (5) APIC and SHEA support stronger collaboration between state and local public health authorities and institutional infection prevention and control experts.
Health information for the consumer: NHS vs the BBC
Authors: Huntington Paul , Nicholas David , Jamali Hamid R. , Russell Chris
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate of the results of a survey which asked people where they went online for their health information, why and what success they had. The prime purpose of the questionnaire was to obtain information on the audience for health information web sites and to obtain feedback as to what they used online health sites for. The focus was on two major publicly funded health internet sites: NHS Direct Online and the BBC web site.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was carried out with a population of internet users in the UK in the winter of 2004, yielding a sample of nearly 1,000 (923) people and a response rate of 4.4 per cent was achieved.

Findings

The survey identified that indeed both sites were well used although their users were very different in terms of how they arrived at each site and in terms of what they were looking for. Outcomes resulting from using the sites are discussed and compared. Though outcomes differed between NHS Direct Online and the BBC the data suggest that the national sites were not meeting the demanding information needs of some users.

Originality/value

It is the first time that two publicly funded national sites that aim to provide the UK population with health information are compared.
HACCP implementation in northern Greece
Authors: Semos Anastasios , Kontogeorgos Achilleas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the perceptions of costs and benefits of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) implementation, according to the level of HACCP implementation and operation, for the Greek food industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to identify the costs and benefits of HACCP implementation. Data were collected among 91 companies located in northern Greece. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS – Release 12.0.0, September 2003, for Windows) was used for the data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that the major difficulties encountered during HACCP implementation and operation were associated with two factors: staff training and motivation and production flexibility. The reported benefits derived from HACCP implementation operation were ascribed to three factors: clientele benefits, product improvements, and improvements in production procedures. In addition, the survey revealed that there was a significant variation in the cost of implementing and operating HACCP between individual companies. Moreover, in most cases, both HACCP implementation and operation cost were inaccurately estimated by previous budgeting.

Originality/value

It is certain that a good understanding of the costs and benefits associated with the HACCP implementation and operation can be helpful to food businesses. The motivation of food businesses to implement and operate an HACCP system will reflect upon prior expectations of the costs and benefits involved.
European food scares and their impact on EU food policy
Authors: Knowles Tim , Moody Richard , McEachern Morven G.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to chart the wide range of food scares reported throughout the EU over the period 1986‐2006 and explores their impact on EU policy.

Design/methodology/approach

There is much extant research that solely investigates the occurrences of specific food scares, however; little emphasis is given to the responses of policy makers. This research aims to narrow this gap in the literature by reviewing the major food scares, which have occurred throughout the EU and the subsequent policy responses.

Findings

A number of food scares have dominated media reports over the last two decades, but this study reveals the increasing emergence of rare serotypes of foodborne pathogens, as well as a rising trend of EU‐wide contaminant and animal disease‐related food scares. Simultaneously, there is evidence of evolution from a product‐focused food policy to a risk‐based policy, which has developed into a tentative EU consumer‐based food policy. Inevitably, in a market of 25 member‐states the concept of food quality varies between countries and therein justifies the need for responsive policy development, which embraces the single market philosophy.

Research limitations/implications

A typology of EU food scares is advanced and discussed in detail, with comments being made on their impact. In addition, the paper highlights the complexity of a EU consumer, which has led to a need for research into the maximisation of the satisfaction of purchasers by reinsuring their individual “right to choose”.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique insight into a wide range of European food scares (e.g. microbiological, contaminants, animal disease‐related) and EU policy makers' responses to such food scares.
Hydration properties of extruded fura from millet and legumes
Authors: Filli K.B. , Nkama I.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to describe the production of traditional fura and extruded fura blends from 100 per cent pearl millet flour and blends of pearl millet flour with three‐grain legume flour mixtures, i.e. cowpea, soybean, and groundnut at 20 and 30 per cent levels each and to evaluate the influence of extrusion process' on products hydration properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Traditional methods of flour preparation were adopted. Extrusion was performed in a single‐screw Brabender Extruder.

Findings

The bulk density of traditional fura significantly differed from those of the extrudates (P<0.05). Extrudates exhibited instantization tendency, i.e. ability of easy preparation before eating without the usual rigorous labour involved in the traditional method. Pearl millet: cowpea fura (80:20) had the highest puff ratio of 4.71 while the pearl millet: groundnut (70:30) fura had the least puff ratio, 2.90. Samples with high fat content appear to have lower puff ratio. There were no significant differences in the wettabilities of extruded fura samples (P<0.05) at 280C with the exception of millet: groundnut (70:30) indicating differences (P<0.05) in wettabilities at 50oC. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in swelling capacities of fura products at each level of water added. The hydration power of extrudates varied significantly (P<0.05) for products both at 28o and 50oC; and 100 per cent fura extrudate had the highest hydration power value 63.92 at 28oC, while traditional fura had the least value, 15.80.

Originality/value

Extrusion cooking revealed good potential opportunities for the manufacture of commercial instant fura and the potential of better storage as a result of low moisture content.
Pre‐departure training for international business managers
Authors: Hurn Brian J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effective use of pre‐departure training, the various types of such training available and the ensuing benefits to the company, the international managers themselves and their families. It highlights a number of future trends in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

The various types of pre‐departure training are considered with their advantages, and the need for sufficient time, analysis of training needs and appropriate training resources for such training to be effective. Areas covered include cross‐cultural awareness, communication skills, specific country/regional briefing, business procedures, international negotiating skills, building and sustaining multinational teams, language training, transfer of skills and knowledge and repatriation.

Findings

There is still a relative lack of pre‐departure training for international managers, although the benefits are now more widely accepted. Future trends indicate that the increase in globalisation will make such training all the more important in attempting to gain competitive advantage and retain key and experienced staff.

Originality/value

Pre‐departure training for international managers covering their destination country/region will assist them and their families to live and work more harmoniously and effectively in their new environment.
Motivating a multicultural workforce
Authors: Terry Jinsoo
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to show the value of a direct handling of multicultural issues and some of the details of how to go about motivating a multicultural workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

Completely empirical, all based on hard‐won experience in several companies although only one is shown here.

Findings

The potential gain from properly addressing multicultural issues is huge.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides an empirical, hands‐on, front line view of the multicultural situation, not an academic or theoretical view. The information has been tested and works.

Originality/value

This paper presents information not otherwise available due to the personal, hands‐on experience in this subject by this author.
Development of project management systems
Authors: Eve Anthony
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for organizations to synchronize the development of the complete project management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper concentrates on the three key areas of development for the project management system, “what we do”, “when we do it” and “how we do it”. The paper further looks at these key elements in conjunction with an organization's project management maturity, defines the typical components of the project management system and how organizations can measure improved project management effectiveness to their bottom line performance. The paper concludes with a high level prescription for developing a project management system.

Findings

The paper identifies the cost of not synchronizing efforts in developing the project management system. It demonstrates how large investments are not maximized when individual elements of the project management system are developed separately.

Practical implications

The is paper highlights the need to establish near, mid and long term change plans, or road maps, which under the control of senior management define the development of all aspects of the project management system.

Originality/value

This paper looks at the organization support required to develop successful project management systems and relates this with measuring project management maturity and the impact to bottom line performance. This paper has relevance to CEO's, CFO's, HR directors and senior executives who have responsibility for developing project management who need to transition their organizations project based.
Information creation and the notion of membership
Authors: Trace Ciaran B.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article aims to examine a particular sub‐set of human information behavior that has been largely overlooked in the library and information science (LIS) literature; how people are socialized to create and use information.

Design/methodology/approach

Naturalism and ethnomethodology were used as theoretical frameworks to examine what a group of fifth grade students were taught about documents, how this information was imparted to them, and how social factors were manifested in the construction and form of those documents. Two concepts are shown to be critical in the explication of students as document creators and users: the notion that there is a “stock of knowledge” that underlies human interaction (some of which relates to recorded information), and that this socialization process forms part of a school's “hidden curriculum.”

Findings

Students were socialized to be good (in the sense of being competent) creators and users of documents. Part of the role of “being a student” involved learning the underlying norms and values that existed in relation to document creation and use, as well as understanding other norms and values of the classroom that were captured or reflected by documents themselves. Understanding “document work” was shown to be a fundamental part of student affiliation; enabling students to move from precompetent to competent members of a school community.

Originality/value

This research demonstrated that people possess a particular stock of knowledge from which they draw when creating and using information. Competence in this aspect of human information behavior, while partly based on one's own experience, is shown to be largely derived or learned from interaction with others.
Information source preference for project work by primary school students
Authors: Majid Shaheen , Kanagasabai Danamalar
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To investigate the type of information sources used by primary school students for project work, their preferred information formats and the importance and reasons for using certain information sources.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire survey.

Findings

It was found that the Internet was the most preferred information source for project work, followed by public and school libraries. Similarly, digital information sources were preferred over print and audio‐visual materials. Among published information sources, the respondents considered the Internet and reference sources more important for their project work. Among human information sources, teachers, parents and siblings were considered more important than library staff and friends. The main reasons identified for using different information sources were “accessibility”, “ease of use” and “appropriateness” to project work. Certain attributes such as accuracy and currency of information were considered less important in the selection and use of information which was probably due to inadequate information literacy skills possessed by these students.

Practical implications

The study should be helpful for anyone involved in school librarianship or learning support for school children.

Originality/value

It is expected that this study would provide an insight into the use and non‐use of certain information resources at the school and public libraries and allow library managements to review their collections, services and information access policies. It will also help them determine the type of information literacy training required by these students.
Sweep or seep? Structure, culture, enterprise and universities
Authors: Kothari S. , Handscombe R.D.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

In this paper universities are considered to be central to a knowledge‐driven economy. UK employers value generic skills more highly in employees where disciplinary‐based understanding is assumed to be on a par. Enterprise education should, therefore, not only benefit students, but add greatly to wealth creation and national prosperity. In order to respond, universities need to formulate a coherent policy that will initiate a cultural change to foster enterprise and entrepreneurship. In order to address the question of whether and how such organisations can change, this paper aims to take a close look at influencing factors like culture and structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis in this paper utilises tools and techniques that help to identify those factors that shape an organisation's strategy and structure. This paper takes a close look at the organisational structure and culture at a leading research‐led UK university, with respect to enterprise education. An insight for strategic development is achieved by recognising the university as a professional bureaucracy, relying on the balance between the standardisation of skills and training, rather than through a more general analysis of a “large organisation”.

Findings

The paper finds that in this professional bureaucracy, the operating core comprises professionals with considerable autonomy, but close association with their clients (students). Coordination between professionals takes place through the standardisation of skills and knowledge and the provision of enterprise education requires an appropriate standardisation of skills. A strong culture pervades throughout, and complex organisational structures and models of governance exist. This paper suggests that sweeping, major reforms are inappropriate.

Originality/value

The paper shows that this university has chosen to embrace educational changes that lead to enterprising student attributes by a process of “seeping change” in the context of a professional bureaucracy attending to the challenge of standardising skills.
Strategy dynamics in the logistics industry: a transactional center perspective
Authors: Fulconis François , Saglietto Laurence , Paché Gilles
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to put forward a transactional center approach to the four‐party logistics (4PL) development. For about ten years, the European logistics industry has indeed been undergoing massive changes by which dematerialized logistics service providers, also called 4PL, have become more and more important. Special emphasis is placed on their role of intermediary between the supply chain members, on the basis of the implementation of inter‐organizational information systems (IOS).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper goes over the research literature on 4PL referring to the info‐mediation and intermediation processes. The accent is on the electronic brokerage application and on the main hindrances to 4PL development. Three propositions are put forward concerning a relevant research program.

Findings

The findings in this paper show that understanding 4PL's strategy dynamics requires going into the specific details of the role of transactional center. Thus, thanks to the effective management of IOS, some 4PL could become the hub firms of network organizations. To do that, they will have to acquire a thorough expertise on selecting network members and monitoring supply chain interfaces.

Originality/value

In this paper a preliminary framework provides elements of discussion to enable a better understanding of the transformation process of the logistics industry. The interest for managers and academics is to illustrate how 4PL are becoming the agents for strategic change, while an excessive importance is usually attached only to manufacturers and large retailers in the academic literature.
Becoming misrepresentations in strategy and time
Authors: Henderson Steven
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to review some ontological issues in the creation and representation of strategic management and strategic management processes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper Whittington's celebrated four school model is taken as a representation of the variety of strategic management theories. First, a philosophy of action perspective is taken to evaluate representations of actions required by a corporate strategy. Second, the decision‐making processes represented by each school are reviewed from the perspective of decision deparadoxification using deconstructions derived from Anderson. Third, the paper looks at the representations of time implied by the four schools by examining the transformation from individual to collective action derived from Heidegger.

Findings

The paper finds that what appears to be schools of strategic management thought are no more than the selective attention of scholars upon one contingency reducing approach. Support for any strategic action in each of the four schools will only ever be particle and contingent. None of the four are capable of accommodating Heidegger's authentic relationship of present to future.

Originality/value

The paper shows that, taken together, these ontological insights bring into question the general principles of strategy processes. That is to say that they undermine the notion that an organisation can somehow know about its own range of possible futures, and then make decisions and actions in the present to bring about the most desirable state.
Status of the preservation of digital resources in China: results of a survey
Authors: Jiazhen Liu , Daoling Yang
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To obtain first‐hand data on the main challenges in preserving digital resources in libraries, archives and information centres in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The data in this paper have been acquired by e‐mail questionnaire. The conclusions are based on feedback from 57 respondents, distributed in 14 provinces in China, who work in libraries, archives and information centres with rich digital collections and long‐term experience in preserving digital resources.

Findings

The authors consider that the long‐term preservation of digital resources in China faces two critical difficulties: firstly, the pressure on preserving digital resources has not been fully recognised and so the relevant training in the management and operation of digital preservation is absent; secondly, government departments attach little importance to this field and lack uniform guidelines. Therefore, the paper suggests that relevant international conferences or workshops should be held in China, and that a working group led by the National Development and Reform Commission of China should be set up to plan the construction, sharing and maintenance of Chinese digital resources.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to Chinese administration systems. Although the data in this paper are authentic and representative, nevertheless it is a small sample of the numerous document collection organisations in the country.

Practical implications

The data and analysis in this paper should greatly help international colleagues understand the status regarding the preservation of digital resources in China.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind undertaken in China and will provide a new vision for international peers and organisations involved in digital documentary heritage around the world.
Electronic thesis initiative: pilot project of McGill University, Montreal
Authors: Park Eun G. , Zou Qing , McKnight David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To set up a protocol for electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) submission for the electronic thesis initiative pilot project at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic thesis and dissertation submission protocol was implemented and tested. To test authoring tools, we had 50 students submit their theses or dissertations using one of four style sheets. Word‐processed files were converted to PDF and XML formats. The pilot project team evaluated DigiTool's effectiveness in digital conversion, capture of metadata and cataloguing, digital content harvesting, digital preservation, and integration with the student information system.

Findings

All theses experienced some degree of information loss during the conversion. DigiTool is still being tested for storage, cataloguing, and dissemination capability. For full implementation, three major issues need to be addressed further: conversion; metadata; and file formats.

Practical implications

Most of the issues that have arisen during the McGill pilot project will be mirrored at other academic institutions that are considering electronic thesis submission.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the procedures that will arise as institutions go through the process of introducing electronic thesis and dissertation submission.
Can dietary intervention alter prostate cancer progression?
Authors: Thomas Robert , Blades Mabel , Williams Madeleine
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Research has shown that dietary factors can mediate the transformation of latent prostate cancer into clinically apparent cancers. This paper aims to review the evidence from studies on nutrition and prostate cancer.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of studies on nutrition and cancer was undertaken.

Findings

The data showed that deficiencies in trace elements and vitamins may lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Originality/value

The paper shows that there appears to be a clear link with aspects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and prostate cancer and the area merits more work.
Contaminants in human foods
Authors: Anokwulu M.N.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to summarize the available literature on the effect of vitamin and mineral supplements, especially in doses exceeding recommended daily allowances.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive search and analysis of original, peer‐reviewed literature on supplementation studies was conducted.

Findings

High doses of vitamins and minerals can be harmful instead of beneficial. Supplementation of vitamins and minerals, in general, may be most beneficial, and perhaps only beneficial, to individuals with a nutrient‐deficient diet. Consumers thus need to be weary of the safety and efficacy of their supplements. While vitamins and minerals are vital to life, the optimal doses of each required nutrient are currently not known.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of standardization between studies makes it difficult to compare the results from different studies.Practical implications – Based on this review, a recommendation can be made to avoid high dose supplements and obtain vitamins from foods to the greatest extent possible.Originality/value – This review is unique in its comprehensive nature that allows the identification of common underlying problems with the supplementation of different groups of vitamins.
Considerations in organizational career advancement: what really matters
Authors: Carmeli Abraham , Shalom Revital , Weisberg Jacob
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This study attempts to expand the literature on organizational career advancement (career mobility and promotion prospects) by examining work factors (withdrawal behaviors, contextual performance and job performance) that managers consider when making decisions regarding their employees' career mobility and promotion prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

The research population consists of employees working in both service and non‐service organizations in Israel. Data were collected from three sources: employees, managers and organizational records. Regression analyses were used to assess the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that career mobility is significantly associated with withdrawal behaviors (lateness and absenteeism), overtime dedication and job performance. Interestingly, however, the results did not show a significant relationship between organizational career advancement and the two dimensions of contextual performance (altruism and compliance). We also found that job performance is the only major predictor of promotion prospects.

Research limitations/implications

This research is an effort to systematically examine the effects of various work behaviors and job performance as well as demographic data on two aspects of career advancement: career mobility and career prospects. The findings shed light on the criteria used in making decisions on career mobility and career prospects, the consistency and inconsistency of these criteria, and their relative importance with respect to each aspect of career advancement. However, future research should apply a longitudinal design to fully understand the dynamics of the career advancement process.

Practical implications

Individual employees and their managers may benefit from a close, systematic examination of the criteria that are important for the career advancement process. Employees may benefit from a better understanding of what managers consider when they make decisions regarding promotions within the organization; thereby, better directing their efforts to meet these expectations. Managers may learn that some inconsistencies exist between their employees' genuine prospects and their own actual decision to promote them. This may lead to exploring practices that might overcome these inconsistencies, as well as a developing ways to use this mechanism in order to advance specific values, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes that are of importance to the viability of the organization.

Originality/value

This study is part of a growing research interest on organizational career advancement, with a specific focus on promotion decisions and their underlying reasons. It contributes to a better understanding of what managers tend to consider when making promotion decisions and evaluating their employees' career prospects.
Human resource management in the North American automotive industry
Authors: Zacharatos Anthea , Sandy Hershcovis M. , Turner Nick , Barling Julian
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article aims to provide a quantitative review of the range and effects of human resource management (HRM) practices in the North American automotive industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 14 studies provided data for an employee‐level meta‐analysis of the relationships comprising high performance work systems in the automotive manufacturing sector. As an extension of research in this context, we hypothesized that three clusters of organizational practices (work systems, HR policies, and leadership) would be associated with two clusters of employee‐level psychosocial outcomes (person‐focused, organizational‐focused) which, in turn, would be related to employee performance.

Findings

It was found that work systems and HR policies related to both person‐focused (comprising individual job satisfaction, health, self‐esteem, and social support) and organization‐focused (comprising organizational commitment and perceptions of organizational justice) outcomes. The leadership cluster had a strong association with the person‐focused outcomes. Organizational – but not personal‐focused outcomes were associated with employee performance comprising employee effectiveness, self‐ratings of performance, turnover, and absenteeism.

Research limitations/implications

The results from this study provide support for the role of employee‐level psychosocial outcomes as mechanisms between HRM practices and employee performance, supporting an idea that is often discussed but rarely tested in the literature. These results need to tempered by the fact that this meta‐analysis was based on a relatively small number of studies in one industrial sector, thereby limiting the generalizability of the model.

Practical implications

These data suggest that managing with a high‐involvement orientation is associated with positive consequences for individuals and organizations within the automotive industry. The paper is not espousing the view that technologically‐focused systems are of little value in manufacturing industries, but rather that taking a more humanistic approach to how they are implemented may benefit all parties involved.

Originality/value

This paper provides an empirical review of HRM practices and outcomes in the automotive manufacturing context. The role of leadership in these systems is highlighted. The results offer guidance to researchers and practitioners interested in researching and managing the human side of automobile manufacturing.
A review of the time management literature
Authors: Claessens Brigitte J.C. , van Eerde Wendelien , Rutte Christel G. , Roe Robert A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview for those interested in the current state‐of‐the‐art in time management research.

Design/methodology/approach

This review includes 32 empirical studies on time management conducted between 1982 and 2004.

Findings

The review demonstrates that time management behaviours relate positively to perceived control of time, job satisfaction, and health, and negatively to stress. The relationship with work and academic performance is not clear. Time management training seems to enhance time management skills, but this does not automatically transfer to better performance.

Research limitations/implications

The reviewed research displays several limitations. First, time management has been defined and operationalised in a variety of ways. Some instruments were not reliable or valid, which could account for unstable findings. Second, many of the studies were based on cross‐sectional surveys and used self‐reports only. Third, very little attention was given to job and organizational factors. There is a need for more rigorous research into the mechanisms of time management and the factors that contribute to its effectiveness. The ways in which stable time management behaviours can be established also deserves further investigation.

Practical implications

This review makes clear which effects may be expected of time management, which aspects may be most useful for which individuals, and which work characteristics would enhance or hinder positive effects. Its outcomes may help to develop more effective time management practices.

Originality/value

This review is the first to offer an overview of empirical research on time management. Both practice and scientific research may benefit from the description of previous attempts to measure and test the popular notions of time management.
Company‐based determinants of training and the impact of training on company performance
Authors: Hansson Bo
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use an international dataset to examine what determines employee training from an organisational perspective, and to what extent training investments enhance company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 5,824 private‐sector organisations are used to examine determinants of training and the connection between training and profitability. OLS regressions and Probit estimates are used in the statistical analyses.

Findings

The results indicate that the provision of company training is largely determined by firm‐specific factors, such as human resource management (HRM) practices. The results further show that two widely used measures of training – incidence and intensity – are largely determined by different factors. Staff turnover (mobility) does not appear to be a decisive factor in explaining the provision of training on a national or company level, although it is associated with lower profitability to some extent. However, the single most important factor associated with profitability is how much is invested in training (intensity), suggesting that the economic benefits of training outweigh the cost of staff turnover.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing training literature by offering extensive access to internal measures of training, profitability, HRM practices, workforce characteristics and staff turnover for companies in 26 countries worldwide.
An existential‐phenomenological framework for understanding leadership development experiences
Authors: Olivares Orlando J. , Peterson Gerald , Hess Kathleen P.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for better understanding leadership development experiences by melding the existential‐phenomenological (E‐P) perspective with the leadership literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used questionnaires to elicit leadership development experiences. A sample of US Army officers provided 117 unique experiences. Various computational methods were used to empirically determine the essential elements and structure of these experiences.

Findings

The results provide support for the proposition that beneficial experiences were rated higher than non‐beneficial experiences on five elements: challenge, self‐efficacy, sociality, relevance, and reflectivity. Four of the five elements were represented by two components: an interpersonal component (sociality and relevance), and an intrapersonal component (self‐efficacy and challenge). A fifth element, reflectivity, was related to, but distinct from, both components. Reflectivity may bridge or connect the intrapersonal and the interpersonal components.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to a sample of US Army officers. Future research should seek to replicate the findings in larger and more diverse samples, for example, the private sector. These efforts are currently planned.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework and method for understanding experiences that facilitate leadership development can be used by any organization. The present framework and findings are consistent with other approaches to leadership development (e.g. the competency approach).

Originality/value

This study used a unique and tractable approach for understanding leadership development experiences. The elements and structure of beneficial experiences were empirically determined using a number of computational methods; heretofore, this has not been done.
Exploring the social capital grid: bonding, bridging, qualitative, quantitative
Authors: Patulny Roger V. , Lind Haase Svendsen Gunnar
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that numerous studies have advanced social capital research over the past decade. Most studies have accepted the theoretical distinction between bonding and bridging social capital networks. Many, however, tend to agglomerate empirical research under the one catch‐all social capital concept, rather than classifying it according to the bonding/bridging distinction. Furthermore, most studies make little distinction on the basis of methodology, between qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigating social capital. These omissions need to be addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews definitions and applications of bridging and bonding social capital, classifies empirical studies according to each network type, and produces a further breakdown according to methodological approach.

Findings

The result is a four‐part “grid” of social capital research, encompassing bonding and bridging, and quantitative and qualitative aspects. This paper finds that most qualitative research examines non‐excludable and excludable goods and is relevant to bonding social capital, whilst most quantitative analysis looks at civic networks and norms of trust, and relates to bridging social capital.

Research limitations/implications

Results advance the task of clarifying and measuring social capital.

Practical implications

Further development of the bridging/bonding social capital conceptual pair should allow for a more precise measurement of a community, or region.

Originality/value

No review paper to date captures the above empirical and methodological “grid” clearly.
The contribution of manufacturing strategy involvement and alignment to world‐class manufacturing performance
Authors: Brown Steve , Squire Brian , Blackmon Kate
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore links between the process of strategy formulation and subsequent performance in operations within firms.

Design/methodology/approach

An in‐depth literature review on resource‐based and operations strategy naturally led to three hypotheses. These are then tested using evidence from field‐based case studies of manufacturing/assembly plants in the computer industry.

Findings

The research suggests that world‐class plants incorporate both strategic operations content and strategic operations processes, whilst low‐performing plants do not.

Practical implications

It is argued that involving manufacturing/operations managers in the strategic planning process helps align manufacturing and business strategy, and this alignment is associated with higher manufacturing performance. This should be of interest to operations managers and strategists within firms.

Originality/value

By linking strategic alignment and the manufacturing strategy process to world‐class manufacturing practices and performance, this research adds a new dimension to the study of world‐class manufacturing and more generally to the best practices and practice‐performance debates.
Supply chain risk management and performance
Authors: Ritchie Bob , Brindley Clare
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the constructs underpinning risk management and explores its application in the supply chain context through the development of a framework. The constructs of performance and risk are matched together to provide new perspectives for researchers and practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual and empirical work in the supply chain management field and other related fields is employed to develop a conceptual framework of supply chain risk management (SCRM). Risk in the supply chain is explored in terms of risk/performance sources, drivers, consequences and management responses, including initial approaches to categorization within these. Two empirical cases are used to illustrate the application of the framework.

Findings

A new framework is presented that helps to integrate the dimensions of risk and performance in supply chains and provide a categorisation of risk drivers.

Research limitations/implications

SCRM is at an early stage of evolution. The paper provides a clarification of the dimensions and constructs within this field together with directions for future research and development.

Practical implications

The focus on performance in terms of efficiency and effectiveness linked to risk drivers and risk management responses provides insights to managing and measuring risk in supply chains.

Originality/value

The paper consolidates the work in an emerging strand of supply chain management. Two key challenges facing the research community are addressed, the ability to prescribe strategies to address particular risk drivers and the interaction of risk management and performance.
Institutional quality and endogenous economic growth
Authors: Kühl Teles Vladimir
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the relation among corruption, institutional quality and economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

It expands the Erlich and Lui (JPE) endogenous growth model. From this model, institutional aspects such as judicial corruption, bureaucracy, democracy and income inequality are introduced into the analysis in order to identify the institutional conditions that may inhibit corruption and stimulate economic growth.

Findings

It was demonstrated that the magnitude of the marginal effect of bureaucratic corruption on growth crucially depends on other institutional aspects of the economy and that judicial corruption amplifies the perverse effects of bureaucratic corruption.

Originality/value

The paper explains why some countries with a lot of corruption grow at high rates. In that sense if a country has only a lot of judicial or bureaucratic corruption it may grow at high rates but, when these two kinds of corruptions occur at the same time, then the economy will be at a low‐growth pitfall.