bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing trajectories of information security awareness
Authors: Tsohou Aggeliki , Karyda Maria , Kokolakis Spyros , Kiountouzis Evangelos
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Recent global security surveys indicate that security training and awareness programs are not working as well as they could be and that investments made by organizations are inadequate. The purpose of the paper is to increase understanding of this phenomenon and illuminate the problems that organizations face when trying to establish an information security awareness program.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an interpretive approach the authors apply a case study method and employ actor network theory (ANT) and the due process for analyzing findings.

Findings

The paper contributes to both understanding and managing security awareness programs in organizations, by providing a framework that enables the analysis of awareness activities and interactions with the various organizational processes and events.

Practical implications

The application of ANT still remains a challenge for researchers since no practical method or guide exists. In this paper the application of ANT through the due process model extension is enhanced and practically presented. This exploration highlights the fact that information security awareness initiatives involve different stakeholders, with often conflicting interests. Practitioners must acquire, additionally to technical skills, communication, negotiation and management skills in order to address the related organizational and managerial issues. Moreover, the results of this inquiry reveal that the role of artifacts used within the awareness process is not neutral but can actively affect it.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine information security awareness as a managerial and socio‐technical process within an organizational context.
Dynamic weights approach for off‐line sequencing of supplier selection over a finite planning horizon
Authors: Herbon Avi , Moalem Shalom , Shnaiderman Haim , Templeman Joseph
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a user‐oriented decision‐supporting applicable tool for selection of a single supplier out of a group of potential suppliers in a dynamic business environment over a finite planning horizon.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative and quantitative description of the impact of a change in one or several business environment parameters on current and future supplier choice; the methodology is accompanied by a visual representation of those impacts for the decision maker. The paper presents extended simulation experiments to test the proposed methodology.

Findings

A strategy of replacing suppliers over a definite planning horizon based on a forecast of the business environment is significantly (2‐9 per cent) more efficient than a strategy of relying on a single leading supplier throughout the planning horizon. This efficiency gain is greater the more the business environment is dynamic.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology is applicable to a broad range of service and manufacturing organizations that operate in dynamic business environments and rely on complex purchasing systems. Thanks to its simplicity, it can be applied to very large systems with a broad range of selection and/or environmental parameters.

Originality/value

Although the supplier selection process has been extensively studied, the literature still lacks appropriate reference to the effects of a dynamic business environment on this process.
3PL factories or lernstatts? Value‐creation models for 3PL service providers
Authors: Prockl Günter , Pflaum Alexander , Kotzab Herbert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and systematically discuss generic forms of contract logistics services and their distinct underlying approaches for fulfilling their respective value propositions. A general frame of reference is developed that addresses the value proposition, as well as the value creation architecture that leads to generic business model configurations for contract logistics services. The framework is built upon the basic notions of service theory, competence research and the resource based view.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines service theory with work of organizational theory and develops an analytical framework based on conceptual considerations. First empirical results are additionally used to support and illustrate the key outcomes.

Findings

Combining the dimensions of integration power and intangible knowledge creation, the authors are able to specify generic types of contract logistics services. Thereby the authors deducted for every type the distinct requirements for service fulfilment and present this in a specific frame of reference.

Research limitations/implications

The illustrated empirical results are still limited due to a limited sample size for the interviews. Additional empirical work on the whole third party logistics (3PL) market is suggested.

Practical implications

The paper provides generic types of 3PL services and a characterization of properties and architectures of respective business models. Combined with first empirical results, the paper's results offer insights for practitioners to rethink their value propositions and potentially redesign their service architectures.

Originality/value

The paper delivers a set of distinct business models for 3PL services reflecting the customer's, as well as the service provider's point of view. It addresses specific aspects of the generation/production of required services that are so far mostly neglected.
Perceived variance and preference for sequences of outcomes
Authors: Dolansky Eric , Vandenbosch Mark
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new explanation for the well‐documented preference among individuals for sequences of increasing utility. It is put forward here that while there may be a preference for ascending‐utility sequences, this relationship is mediated by perceptions of variance. Specifically, there is reason to believe that sequences of ascending utility (e.g. receipt of payments) are perceived to be less variable than sequences of descending utility (e.g. prices).

Design/methodology/approach

Past and present price research supports the idea that perceived variance plays a key role in preference, which fits with established theory. This theory is examined and applied to a hypothetical scenario involving sequences of uncertain outcomes. The predicted effect is tested in two experimental studies.

Findings

The two studies lend support to the proposed explanation of sequence preference. Study one demonstrates that the effect of sequence direction on preference is mediated by perceptions of variability, and that individuals perceive a sequence of ascending utility to be less variable than an equivalent descending sequence. Study two shows that individuals prefer a sequence when it represents wages (ascending utility) than when it does prices (descending utility).

Originality/value

The paper provides a sound theoretical framework, as well as supporting evidence, for how sequences of outcomes, such as prices, are perceived by consumers. Given that such sequences are increasingly available thanks to information technology, and the increased use of yield management systems (leading to more price fluctuation), how they affect decisions is of obvious importance.
Country‐of‐origin (COO) brand preferences and associated knowledge levels of Japanese wine consumers
Authors: Bruwer Johan , Buller Courtney
Published: January 2014

Purpose

There has been no significant research undertaken in the Japanese market on wine knowledge level and its relationship with brand loyalty and preference for specific country‐of‐origin (COO) wine brands. This exploratory study seeks to investigate these aspects and how wine knowledge is acquired and used in buying decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A highly structured, self‐administered questionnaire in the Japanese language was used to collect data over a three‐week period. Data include consumers from six of the eight major regional divisions across Japan. The sample population was female‐weighted with moderate levels of education and medium income. A ten‐item objective wine knowledge scale was developed to measure consumers' knowledge levels and to form the basis for segmentation.

Findings

Japanese wine consumers with higher levels of objective knowledge were shown to use more intrinsic cues than extrinsic cues in their purchase decisions, with the importance attributed to intrinsic cues increasing as objective knowledge increases. The study showed consumers with higher levels of objective knowledge do not use the COO cue more than consumers with lower knowledge. Wine consumers view taste, variety and price as the most important buying cues and are influenced by the recommendations of people around them.

Practical implications

This research provided insights into the Japanese wine market and the nature of the Japanese wine consumer. It is recommended that wine exporters focus greater marketing efforts on Japanese women, including greater wine education.

Originality/value

This study is of value to academic researchers, wine educators, industry practitioners such as restaurant owners/sommeliers and wine exporters alike, as it provides insights into the direction and extent of COO preferences and hence wine (country) brand loyalty. It has a specific focus on wine knowledge and the educational aspect thereof highlighting how this can be used for the benefit of stakeholders.
King of the hill
Authors: Medeiros Norm
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This article seeks to highlight patron‐driven acquisitions (PDA) of e‐books.

Design/methodology/approach

The article discusses an important new book devoted to PDA. It also describes a PDA pilot in the author's library consortium, and discusses some of the early findings.

Findings

The article suggests that PDA has numerous benefits, but challenges longstanding practices and beliefs about traditional collection building. It also assumes that e‐book access will become increasingly accepted by users.

Originality/value

The article provides theories about the effects of sustained PDA programs.
Understanding the elements of a digital library project plan: part 2
Authors: Cervone H. Frank
Published: January 2014

Purpose

In part one of this article, the project plan aspects related to purpose, goals, and objectives as well as scope and risk assessment were explored. In this second part, the aim is to investigate the second two aspects: project products and deliverables and assumptions and constraints that will affect the project.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this article is based on a review of the literature as well as best practice in the field.

Findings

Project products and deliverables must be accurately defined and described to ensure a successful project plan. Additionally, an often overlooked aspect of project management is defining the assumptions and constraints (both internal and external) that will affect the environment of the project implementation.

Originality/value

Project managers who follow the recommendations and practices outlined in this article will help ensure the ultimate success of their project plans.
Evaluating competing theories of informal entrepreneurship: some lessons from Ukraine
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Nadin Sara , Rodgers Peter
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the competing theories of informal entrepreneurship that variously represent such endeavour as a residue from a previous mode of accumulation (modernisation theory), a direct by‐product of contemporary capitalism and survival strategy for those marginalised from the circuits of the modern economy (structuralism), an endeavour voluntarily pursued due to over‐regulation in the formal economy (neo‐liberalism) or a practice chosen for social, redistributive, political or identity reasons (post‐structuralism).

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate these competing theories, a 2005/2006 survey involving face‐to‐face interviews with 298 informal entrepreneurs in Ukraine is analysed.

Findings

Contrary to previous studies which assert that one single theorisation is universally applicable, this study finds that each theory is valid for different types of informal entrepreneurship, and therefore proposes a typology of informal entrepreneurship that joins together the contrasting theorisations in order to achieve a more accurate and finer‐grained explanation of the complex and heterogeneous configuration of informal entrepreneurship in contemporary Ukraine.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reveals the need to move beyond treating the competing explanations as mutually exclusive by outlining a typology that combines the contrasting theorisations in order to more fully understand the heterogeneity of informal entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

By unravelling the heterogeneity of informal entrepreneurship, a more nuanced policy approach is shown to be required which does not seek to simply either eradicate such endeavour, pursue alaissez‐faireapproach or harness such entrepreneurship but instead pursues all these approaches to varying extents in relation to different kinds of informal entrepreneur.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to identify and empirically evaluate the competing theories of informal entrepreneurship.
Factors affecting patentees to start‐up new venture: evidence from Greece
Authors: Goniadis Iraklis , Varsakelis Nikos C.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

What are the conditions that influence the decision of a patentee to start a new venture? Does the possession of a patent make the individual more likely to engage in the entrepreneurial process? Does the possibility of a provisional monopoly limit the danger and the uncertainty in the decision‐making for commercial exploitation of an idea? Literature has given some light on the decision of individual patentees to establish a new venture but either these studies examine a specific group of patentees or cover national patentees’ population without distinguishing between individual and firm patentees. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to literature which aims at the detection of factors affecting the decision of individual patentees to start a new business using data from a national survey on the population of individual patentees in a less technologically developed country.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the responses of 434 individuals‐inventors, residents of Greece, from a broader survey conducted by the Greek Organization for Industrial Property in March 2007. Applying the collected data into a logit model, the paper addresses the questions raised in the literature about the source of knowledge, opportunities perception, and the past business experience on the decision of a patentee to start a new business venture.

Findings

The findings of the paper show that financial restraints strongly affect the decision of a patentee to start‐up a new venture. The collaboration with a higher education and research institution does not lead to an invention‐patent with technological opportunity content and this reflects the particularities of Greek academia while the opposite is the perception for the knowledge coming from market (incumbent firms). Finally, the new entrepreneur is more likely to decide to start a new venture in order to exploit commercially its patent rather than the patentee with past entrepreneurial experience. This finding contradicts the previous findings for the US and the authors believe that it may be a consequence of the Greek commercial and financial law and national culture idiosyncrasies.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is due to the fact that for first time data from a survey of the patentees population is used. In addition, this is the first, to the authors’ knowledge, study for a less technologically advanced country. The findings of this paper have significant policy implications since it provides useful inputs for the design of the entrepreneurship policy.
The post‐investment relationship between a venture capitalist and its investee companies
Authors: Leece David , Berry Tony , Miao Jia , Sweeting Robert
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key characteristics of the post‐investment relationship between the venture capital firm and its investee companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is a case study of a major UK venture capital firm using qualitative research to determine the key characteristics of the post‐investment relationship. The study is based on interviews with parties on both sides of the relationship.

Findings

While the results reflect the findings of the entrepreneurship and venture capital literature they also point to the importance of network growth and development for organizational learning in the venture capital industry, professionalization of investee firms and as a context in which the selection of the entrepreneur and the post investment relationship are set.

Research limitations/implications

The research has the limitation of most case studies that the results cannot readily be generalized, in this case to the wider population of venture capital firms. Confidentiality issues also limited the extent to which a longitudinal study could be conducted.

Practical implications

A better understanding of the post‐investment relationship can inform entrepreneurs in their pitch for funds and in their anticipation of the post investment relationship. This understanding can also assist venture capital firms in the management of this relationship.

Originality/value

The case study uses data from rare access to a venture capital firm. It also differs by interviewing both parties to the post‐investment relationship, that is venture capitalist and investee firm.
Job characteristics and work‐home interaction
Authors: Hill Carin , Mostert Karina , De Bruin Gideon P.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is too investigate whether race moderates the relationship between job characteristics (job demands and job resources) and negative and positive WHI (work‐home interaction) in a sample of white and African South African police members.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were distributed to African (n=197) and white (n=222) ranked police members in the North West Province of South Africa. Hierarchical multiple regression and moderated multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results showed that race had moderating effects on the relationship between the positive spill‐over of mood and overload, as well as the relationship between the positive spill‐over of skills and overload. No interaction terms were found significant for the relationships between job characteristics and negative time‐based WHI, or for the relationships between job characteristics and negative strain‐based WHI. It is therefore concluded that race does not moderate the relationship between job characteristics and negative WHI.

Practical implications

The paper will raising awareness among police members and police management about the effect of job characteristics on WHI. This can provide a platform from which to start addressing issues that could decrease police stress.

Originality/value

This paper shows that although South Africa is working towards uniting all South Africans as a nation, differences between race groups should still be acknowledged and addressed appropriately.
Property Journals Index 1990‐2002
Authors: Bakewell K.G.B.
Published: January 2014

Compiled by Indexing Specialists (UK)Ltd covering the following journals published by Emerald:
Facilities Volumes 8‐20; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐20; Property Management Volumes 8‐20; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐20.
Positioning accuracy characterization of assembled microscale components for micro-optical benches
Authors: Clévy Cédric , Lungu Ion , Rabenorosoa Kanty , Lutz Philippe
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to deal with the measurement of positioning accuracies of microscale components assembled to fabricate micro-optical benches (MOB).

Design/methodology/approach

– The concept of MOB is presented to explain how to fabricate optical MEMS based on out-of-plane micro-assembly of microcomponents. This micro-assembly platform includes a laser sensor that enables to measure the position of the microcomponent after its assembly. The measurement set-up and procedure is displayed and applied on several micro-assembly sets.

Findings

– The measurement system provides results with maximum deviation smaller than ±0.005°. Based on this measurement system and micro-assembly procedure displayed in the article, it is shown that it is possible to obtain a positioning accuracy up to 0.009°.

Originality/value

– These results clearly show that micro-assembly is a possible way to fabricate complex, heterogeneous and 3D optical MEMS with very good optical performances.
Analysis of buffered assembly line productivity
Authors: Usubamatov Ryspek , Alsalam Alsalameh Abd , Ahmad Rosmaini , Rahman Riza Abdul
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to study car assembly line, to show its productivity rate, and to derive a mathematical model for the productivity rate of the assembly line segmented into sections with embedded buffers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper performs productivity calculations based on data obtained from the assembly processes of a car and shows the maximum productivity of the assembly line. The equations of the assembly line productivity, the optimal number of assembly stations, and the necessary number of the assembly line's sections with buffers are derived via the criterion of maximum productivity.

Findings

– The paper provides the productivity diagram of the assembly line that illustrates various measures of productivity, one that depends on the number of assembly stations, the number of sections in the line, and the capacity of the buffers. The diagram is based on the proposed mathematical equations for the productivity of the assembly line as a function of the assembly technology, number of stations, number of sections, and the capacity of the buffer.

Research limitations/implications

– Solutions towards increasing the productivity of the assembly line are given based on the results of the study and analysis of the assembly processes in real industrial environments.

Practical implications

– The paper includes the equation for the productivity of the assembly line, which is segmented into sections with limited capacity of the buffers, thereby enabling the calculation of its maximum productivity and the optimal number of assembly stations.

Originality/value

– The paper presents an analysis of productivity and a mathematical model for calculating the productivity of the assembly line, which is segmented into sections with embedded buffers of limited capacity. The initial results of the research have been obtained from a real industrial environment.
Dynamic assembly simplification for virtual assembly process of complex product
Authors: Xiao Hong , Li Yuan , Yu Jian-Feng , Cheng Hui
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Virtual assembly process plays an important role in assembly design of complex product and is typically time- and resource-intensive. This paper aims to investigate a dynamic assembly simplification approach in order to demonstrate and interact with virtual assembly process of complex product in real time.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed approach regards the virtual assembly process of complex product as an incremental growth process of dynamic assembly. During the growth process, the current-assembled-state assembly model is simplified with appearance preserved by detecting and removing its invisible features, and the to-be-assembled components are simplified with assembly features preserved using conjugated subgraphs matching method based on an improved subgraph isomorphism algorithm.

Findings

– The dynamic assembly simplification approach is applied successfully to reduce the complexity of computer aided design models during the virtual assembly process and it is proved by several cases.

Originality/value

– A new assembly features definition is proposed based on the notion of “conjugation” to assist the assembly features recognition, which is a main step of the dynamic assembly simplification and has been translated into conjugated subgraphs matching problem. And an improved subgraph isomorphism algorithm is presented to address this problem.
Configuration of inter-organizational information exchange and the differences between buyers and sellers
Authors: Peng Guangqian , Trienekens Jacques , (Onno) Omta S.W.F. , Wang Wensheng
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to extend the understanding of the configuration of inter-organizational information exchange (IOIE) and the role of each aspect of IOIE in realizing potential communication benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual framework on the configuration of IOIE was developed by examining the relationships between companies in the poultry supply chain in China. A sample of 165 buying companies and a sample of 96 sellers were analyzed by partial least square modeling.

Findings

– Communication willingness plays a critical role in improving communication quality and realizing potential communication benefits. Modern media remain as a huge potential opportunity for improving performance. Meanwhile, the power of face-to-face communication should never be neglected, even in the coming Information Age. Higher communication frequency contributes to better understanding of companies' changing requirements and expectations. Taking use of senior managers and staff from different functions helps sellers grasp better changing markets. Communication quality is found as a multi-dimensional concept and plays a critical mediating role in realizing communication benefits.

Originality/value

– The proposition of the model of configuration of inter-organizational information exchange and the quantitative empirical examination of the model fills an important research gap.
Influence of micro additives on printing and electric parameters of conductive adhesives for printing electronic applications
Authors: Sitek Janusz , Koscielski Marek
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of different micro additives to new compositions of electrically conductive adhesives (ECA) on their printing properties as well as electric parameters expressed in resistivity of joints cured in low temperatures and obtain recommendations for elaboration of ECA appropriate for printing electronic applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– The three different types of silver flakes and two types of micro powders were added to basic matrix of ECA to create ECA composition for investigation. The ECA were printed via stencil on elastic substrate creating the special designed samples which next were cured in 25°C, 50°C or 80°C. The SEM with EDS analysis was utilized for assessment of shapes and sizes of the input materials for ECA. The microscopic observation and resistivity measurements of samples by four-probe method were used for assessment of the influence of ECA compositions on prints quality as well as on electric parameters of adhesives joints.

Findings

– The results show that the quality of the prints made with the use of elaborated adhesive compositions is related mainly with the amount and type of filler used in ECA. The electrical properties of joints were dependent from type of silver flakes and amount of micro-additives as well as curing temperature.

Research limitations/implications

– It is suggested that further studies are necessary for the confirmation of the practical application, especially of the mechanical and reliability properties of the joints obtained with the use of final composition of the elaborated ECA.

Originality/value

– The presented results of analyses provide information regarding the correlation between the composition of ECA, properties of elements creating them and the results of printing and electric parameters of joints produced of them. It showed positive impact of small carbon micro powder addition both on printing results and resistivity of joints. It pointed out also that the purity of silver components of ECA influences significantly on resistivity of ECA's joints. It is valuable information for ECA's designers as well as end-users, from the practical point of view.
Analysis of steady-state and transient thermal properties of cermet, polymer and LTCC thick-film resistors
Authors: Winiarski Paweł , Kłossowicz Adam , Stęplewski Wojciech , Nowak Damian , Dziedzic Andrzej
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the results of thermal analysis of cermet resistors made on alumina or LTCC substrate and polymer thick-film resistors embedded in FR-4 substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was performed using a thermal imaging method. The research was carried out with an additional consideration of such factors as sheet resistance (which depended on the type of resistive paste), the size and topology of element and the kind of contact material (Cu, Ag or Ni/Au). A few key points on the element were specified for which a more thorough analysis was carried out. The results were approximated by physically acceptable function which allowed to determine the influence of different mechanisms of heat transfer and determine their time and thermal constants.

Findings

– The effectiveness of heat dissipation from resistor is determined by the type of substrate material, width of conductive paths, and contact material. The best results were observed for elements with wider conductive paths made of Cu or Ni/Au. The LTCC substrate ensures the fastest achieving of stable temperature on the component. The changes of the temperature gradient in time can be described by a formula consisting of two or three exponent parts, each one presenting different mechanism of change.

Research limitations/implications

– These studies do not include more detailed determination of nature of found mechanisms of change. There has not also been established what form of the formula is more accurate physically description of the results for respective structure.

Originality/value

– The results provide important data of the thermal properties of the chosen materials. This allows to determine their usability for specific applications where heat distribution plays an important role. The used analysis method is proven to provide reliable results and can be considered to be used for further studies in that subject.
Role of perceived organizational support in teachers’ responsiveness and students’ outcomes
Authors: Ahmed Ishfaq , Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail Wan , Mohamad Amin Salmiah , Islam Talat
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Applying the social exchange theory at educational institution, this research endeavor is aimed to find out impact of organizational (institutional) support on teachers’ responsive behavior, and ultimately outcomes of responsiveness in form of students’ satisfaction and academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted on 20 teachers and 353 students, from the biggest public sector University of Pakistan. These teachers and students belong to ten faculties. A questionnaire was used to elicit response of both the respondent groups.

Findings

– Findings of the study reveal that provision of supportive environment (high perceived organizational/institutional support) positively influences teachers and they respond well toward the needs of students. This responsive behavior increases both satisfaction and academic performance of students.

Originality/value

– This research highlights the role of educational institutions in improving the quality of their product (students).
Developing undergraduate social and emotional competencies: a UK/Malaysian comparison
Authors: Carter Stephen , Chu-May Yeo Amy
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate similarities and differences between the UK and Malaysian undergraduates in terms of perceived social and emotional competencies (SEC), their effect on academic performance and to make recommendations on curriculum development or teaching and learning interventions to make students more SEC equipped for the “real” world.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employed a positivist approach via a survey instrument to measure the perceived SEC. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including standard multiple regression analyses, were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The analysis highlighted specifically, individual competencies (e.g. conscientiousness) rather than competency domains. Striking differences were observed between the two data sets, e.g. the regression analysis revealed that among the UK students, “Self-Awareness” domain and “Service Orientation” competency contributed uniquely to academic performance. However, no significant results were found for the Malaysian students.

Research limitations/implications

– Using GPA scores for performance measurement is complex which might have the potential to affect the accuracy of the comparative results.

Practical implications

– The findings serve as a practical guide for education providers and employers which they could use to train young and inexperienced undergraduates and provides suggestions for education providers to “build in” specific intra- and interpersonal SEC in their assessment criteria and curriculum activities and modules.

Originality/value

– The transnational comparison helps to add a new dimension to support the paucity of the SEC effect on academic performance and suggests which specific individual competencies and which competency cluster to emphasise in two different institutions and countries.
Lean manufacturing implementation using value stream mapping as a tool
Authors: Vamsi Krishna Jasti Naga , Sharma Aditya
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Value stream mapping (VSM) is a lean manufacturing (LM) tool used for analyzing material and information flow on a specific product family. The purpose of this article is to address the importance of VSM in LM environment in an Indian auto components industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study approach has been used to show the applicability and importance of VSM in an Indian auto components company, in which the current state of manufacturing is mapped with the help of VSM symbols. According to the current state mapping, the study conducted analysis and identifies the area of improvement needed in terms of work in process, lead time and cycle time. The study further implemented kaizen on the current state map and developed future state map while including these kaizens.

Findings

– The study clearly shows that the VSM brings out the positive impact on process ratio, TAKT time, process inventory level, line speed, total lead and process time and reduced man power. It is helping the company in satisfying their customers with respect to quality, cost and delivery.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation of the study is the confined focus on a single industry. The case should be extended to other industries in order to support the findings and for the purpose of the wider generalization.

Practical implications

– The results obtained from the study will help other industries and sectors to implement VSM in LM environment.

Originality/value

– The article deals with a real case study, which shows application of VSM for implementing lean principles.
Indirect capabilities and complex performance
Authors: Spring Martin , Araujo Luis
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper argues that indirect capabilities – the ability to access other organizations' capabilities – are an important and neglected part of firm strategy in procuring complex performance (PCP) settings, and that this is especially so if these settings are treated as genuinely complex, rather than merely complicated. Elements of indirect capabilities are identified. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a theoretical paper, drawing on complexity notions and Penrose's analysis of endogenous innovation to drive a disequilibrium-oriented discussion of the capabilities required by firms in a PCP setting.

Findings

– Six inter-related elements of indirect capabilities are proposed and discussed: IT infrastructure, boundary management practices, contracting, interface artefacts, valuing others' capabilities and relating direct to indirect capabilities. These are important in PCP settings and in other operations and supply settings characterised by complexity.

Originality/value

– This paper reconsiders the way complexity has been treated in the PCP literature and develops an extended discussion of the notion of indirect capabilities. It potentially provides the basis for an operations and supply strategy more attuned to the demands of shifting inter-organizational networks.
Variety in business-to-business services and buyer-supplier interaction
Authors: van der Valk Wendy , Wynstra Finn
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to empirically validate a recently developed typology to demonstrate that services that are similar in terms of technical content, but different with regard to how they are used by the buying company, require different buyer-supplier interaction processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper conducts an embedded case study based on dyadic data collection to investigate the purchase of cleaning services by Netherlands Railways (NS) from two suppliers. These services differ with regard to how they are used by NS: as part of the value-proposition to customers (train and station cleaning) or as part of the support processes for NS (office cleaning).

Findings

– The paper finds that for a technically homogenous service, fundamental differences in required interaction arise as a result of different usage situations. These differences are reflected in the sourcing decision and the design of the service delivery management process.

Research limitations/implications

– Besides the general limits of single case studies regarding external validity, a specific limitation of the study is the limited number of supplier interviews conducted.

Practical implications

– In order to develop appropriate sourcing and service delivery management strategies, practitioners need to consider the use of the service purchased and how it relates to their value proposition. This research shows that pooling volume for services that are used differently may enable immediate price reduction but could reduce supplier performance and ultimately customer satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The case study and the validated typology complement the limited literature on the procurement of services transferred to the next level of customers in the supply chain.
A risk-based availability estimation using Markov method
Authors: Ahmed Qadeer , I. Khan Faisal , A. Raza Syed
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Asset intensive process industries are under immense pressure to achieve promised return on investments and production targets. This can be accomplished by ensuring the highest level of availability, reliability and utilization of the critical equipment in processing facilities. In order to achieve designed availability, asset characterization and maintainability play a vital role. The most appropriate and effective way to characterize the assets in a processing facility is based on risk and consequence of failure. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this research, a risk-based stochastic modeling approach using a Markov decision process is investigated to assess a processing unit's availability, which is referred as the risk-based availability Markov model (RBAMM). RBAMM will not only provide a realistic and effective way to identify critical assets in a plant but also a method to estimate availability for efficient planning purposes and resource optimization.

Findings

– A unique risk matrix and methodology is proposed to determine the critical equipment with direct impact on the availability, reliability and safety of the process. A functional block diagram is then developed using critical equipment to perform efficient modeling. A Markov process is utilized to establish state diagrams and create steady-state equations to calculate the availability of the process. RBAMM is applied to natural gas absorption process to validate the proposed methodology. In the conclusion, other benefits and limitations of the proposed methodology are discussed.

Originality/value

– A new risk-based methodology integrated with Markov model application of the methodology is demonstrated using a real-life application.
Identifying the impact of incremental innovations on customer satisfaction using a fusion method between importance-performance analysis and Kano model
Authors: Tontini Gerson , Dagostin Picolo Jaime
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to present and compare a new method, improvement gap analysis (IGA), with two different versions of importance-performance analysis (IPA) – original IPA and diagonal IPA – focusing on how each method evaluates the possible impact of incremental innovations on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two studies were carried out, one with users of mobile phones and another with users of a fitness centre. Mobile phone users answered questions about 24 attributes, of which six were incremental innovations at the time of the research. Users of the fitness centre answered questions about 16 attributes, of which three were incremental innovations.

Findings

– Both case studies show that diagonal IPA overcomes two limitations of original IPA, in terms of IPA's failure to address: the high correlation between stated importance and customer satisfaction and the non-linear relationship between attribute performance and customers’ satisfaction. However, diagonal IPA is unable to identify the possible impact of incremental innovations on customer satisfaction. Thus, IGA is formulated to overcome both the problems with original IPA and the limitation of diagonal IPA.

Research limitations/implications

– The new method, IGA, uses expected customer dissatisfaction as a measure of attribute relevance. Its relationship with other methods used to evaluate attribute importance should be studied in the future.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a new method (IGA) that is able to overcome problems of original and diagonal IPA methods and is also able to identify the possible impact of incremental innovations on customer satisfaction.
How can online store layout design and atmosphere influence consumer shopping intention on a website?
Authors: Wu Wann-Yih , Lee Chia-Ling , Fu Chen-Su , Wang Hong-Chun
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Online retailing has attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to its great potential and significant implications for buyers and sellers. This study adopts the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework to illustrate how store layout design and atmosphere influence consumers' shopping intention on the website.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample for this study comprised 626 respondents from the internet users. A structural equation model was employed to identify the interrelationships of store layout design, atmosphere, emotional arousal, attitude toward the website, and purchase intention.

Findings

– The analytical results of this study indicate that store layout design has significant impacts on emotional arousal and attitude toward the website, and thus has a positive influence on purchase intention. In addition, atmosphere has a more influential effect on emotional arousal than store layout design.

Originality/value

– This study provides new insights into the influences of store layout design and atmosphere on consumer online shopping intentions.
Oh the possibilities: ebook lending and interlibrary loan
Authors: Litsey Ryan , Ketner Kenny
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the impact on interlibrary loans presented by electronic books, and to provide a starting point for discussion.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors review the advantages and challenges to interlibrary loans presented by electronic books and recommend a course of action for the academic library community.

Findings

– The model of providing content in electronic book format threatens one of the oldest traditions in libraries: the tradition of sharing. Now libraries must take it upon themselves to create technologies that support their tradition of sharing while accounting for the uniqueness of ebooks.

Originality/value

– This paper aims to initiate a discussion and brainstorming process within libraries which can honor the tradition of interlibrary loans by applying it to electronic books.
Information security in the South Australian real estate industry
Authors: Mani Deepa , Raymond Choo Kim-Kwang , Mubarak Sameera
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Opportunities for malicious cyber activities have expanded with the globalisation and advancements in information and communication technology. Such activities will increasingly affect the security of businesses with online presence and/or connected to the internet. Although the real estate sector is a potential attack vector for and target of malicious cyber activities, it is an understudied industry. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the information security threats, awareness, and risk management standards currently employed by the real estate sector in South Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The current study comprises both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, which include 20 survey questionnaires and 20 face-to-face interviews conducted in South Australia.

Findings

– There is a lack of understanding about the true magnitude of malicious cyber activities and its impact on the real estate sector, as illustrated in the findings of 40 real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings and the escalating complexities of the online environment underscore the need for regular ongoing training programs for basic online security (including new cybercrime trends) and the promotion of a culture of information security (e.g. when using smart mobile devices to store and access sensitive data) among staff. Such initiatives will enable staff employed in the (South Australian) real estate sector to maintain the current knowledge of the latest cybercrime activities and the best cyber security protection measures available.

Originality/value

– This is the first academic study focusing on the real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings will contribute to the evidence on the information security threats faced by the sector as well as in develop sector-specific information security risk management guidelines.