bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Training and management development in Chinese multinational enterprises
Authors: Shen Jie , Darby Roger
Published: July 2006

Purpose

This paper aims to explore international training and development policies and practices in Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs). The issues examined in this study include pre‐departure and post‐arrival training for expatriates and their spouses and families, training for host‐country nationals (HCNs), reasons for Chinese MNEs not providing adequate training and the approaches of Chinese MNEs to international management development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a semi‐structured, interview‐based survey for collecting data from ten Chinese MNEs. The case companies consist of a range of industries and economic ownership types. A total of 30 in‐depth interviews involving general managers, HR managers at headquarters and executive managers in subsidiaries were carried out.

Findings

The paper reveals that Chinese MNEs provide only limited training to expatriates and other nationals, and lack a systematic international management development system. They adopt usually an ethnocentric approach to international training and development, and provide different levels of international training and management development for HCNs and PCNs.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has many issues, especially those relating to the organizational determinates of international training and management development, their impact on organizational performance, and the effect of different approaches to training and development on different nationals; these require further investigation.

Originality/value

The paper shows that HRM in Chinese MNEs has not been much considered. This study has examined a selection of international training and management development issues in Chinese MNEs that have not been reported in the literature to date.
Team management and university libraries in Ghana: the influence of culture
Authors: Ellis Badu Edwin
Published: July 2006

Aims to provoke discussion on the concept of team management in the context of African university libraries, with particular reference to Ghana. It considers the influence of the historical roots of the universities, and describes the aspects of the socio‐cultural environment which influence the operating environment. A review of the literature is provided.
Marketing information services in Botswana: an exploratory study of selected information providing institutions in Gaborone
Authors: Adonis Nkanga Nndoniah
Published: July 2006

A study of selected information providing institutions, in particular special libraries, in Gaborone, Botswana, reveals that a majority are in favour of marketing their services to their users. In practice, very few libraries undertake formal marketing planning and prepare marketing plans. Marketing was therefore unplanned. Promotion is the most commonly used element of the marketing mix. However, library marketing can no longer be confined to this one element. The whole range of marketing activities is needed for the effective management of special libraries. It is only through planning, as advocated by the Kotler‐Andreasen‐Keiser approach, that marketing will cease to be equated with promotion and take on its full potential as a vital management tool.
Outsourcing of Slavic cataloguing at the Ohio State University libraries: evaluation and cost analysis
Authors: El‐Sherbini Magda
Published: July 2006

Examines the outsourcing of Slavic original cataloguing at the Ohio State University libraries. It includes: the rationale for doing so; the evaluation and cost analysis; the advantages and disadvantages; and what we have learned.
The transformation of the music industry supply chain
Authors: Graham Gary , Burnes Bernard , Lewis Gerard J. , Langer Janet
Published: July 2006

This article explores the impact of the Internet on the supply chain for music. Music is a massive global industry worth $38 billion annually. The global music industry is dominated by the “big five” major record companies. However, as this article will show, the advent of the Internet is having a significant impact on both the supply chain for music and the dominance of the big record labels. The article begins by describing the background to our research and the methods employed. It then goes on to examine how the Internet is transforming the supply chain for music. This is followed by a discussion of the impact of piracy on the music industry. The article concludes by arguing that while the future may look bleak for the major record labels, it looks much more positive for artists and consumers.
Strategic implications of manufacturing performance comparisons for newly industrialising countries
Authors: Moattar Husseini S.M. , O'Brien C.
Published: July 2006

The manufacturing strategies and practices in a number of newly industrialising countries (NICs) are studied. The IMSS data for four Latin American industrialising countries, referred to as Group 1, are analysed, comparing these with two benchmarks, which represent more advanced manufacturing situations in well established industrialised countries. Comparing results indicated similarities for Group 1 with the two benchmarks, on simultaneously aiming at all their competitive goals. The study also proved a mismatch in their emphasis on the goals and the level of the objectives achieved in this regard. Links for this mismatch were searched for in various areas including human resource and technological aspects. Results also highlighted serious shortcomings for Group 1 in process technology criteria as compared with the two benchmarks. Comparison results with regard to human resources as well as planning and control aspects are also discussed in the paper. Based on this study, it has been concluded that environmental features have to be thoroughly analysed before any manufacturing strategy is developed for the firms in NICs. Further, continual interactions between manufacturing strategies for these firms with their environmental features have to be included in their strategy formulation process.
Measuring customer perceived online service quality
Authors: Yang Zhilin , Jun Minjoon , Peterson Robin T.
Published: July 2006

The purpose of this paper is to set forth a reliable and valid means of measuring online service quality based on a broad conceptual framework which integrates theory and conceptualization in customer service quality, information systems quality, and product portfolio management, into online service quality. An ethnographic content analysis of 848 customer reviews of online banking services was employed to identify salient online service quality dimensions. The most frequently cited online service quality attributes, along with literature review and personal interview results, were utilized to develop the survey questionnaire. Subsequent to the pre‐test, a Web‐based survey was undertaken to verify and test the online service quality model. A confirmatory factor analysis produced six key online service quality dimensions: reliability, responsiveness, competence, ease of use, security, and product portfolio. This paper includes a discussion of the managerial and theoretical implications of this online service quality model.
Linking self‐assessment to the external environment
Authors: Ford Matthew W. , Evans James R. , Matthews Charles H.
Published: July 2006

Self‐assessment is increasingly prevalent in many organizations. Although managers perceive self‐assessment as internally driven, the well‐known link between organizational activities and the external environment suggests that outside forces play a significant role. This investigation explores the external motivators of self‐assessment through a field study of 14 organizations. Five factors were found to link the conduct of self‐assessment to the external environment: availability of an externally developed or sponsored model, presence of a boundary spanning individual, affiliation with professional and trade associations, pressure from powerful external entities, and potential for external reward or recognition. These findings suggest that self‐assessment is driven significantly by forces external to the organization. How these external factors combine to form the context of self‐assessment may affect the outcomes of the project.
Positive and negative emotional attractors and intentional change
Authors: Howard Anita
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the process by which individual change occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper presents the intentional change theory (ICT) perspective on the role of positive and negative emotion in individual level intentional change. Existing emotion research is reviewed to provide a framework for discussion.

Findings

ICT offers a new understanding on the role of positive and negative emotion in the process of intentional change. The positive emotional attractor (PEA) triggers constructive cognitive and physiological responses that enhance an individual's motivation, effort, optimism, flexibility, creative thinking, resilience and other adaptive behaviors. The negative emotional attractor (NEA) triggers another process by calling attention to current social and environmental stressors that may compromise an individual's effectiveness. While both emotional attractors play an important role in intentional change, it is critically important to leverage the beneficial effects of PEA arousal.

Practical implications

Through thorough understanding of the PEA and NEA coaching and other ways of helping adults change can be enhanced. ICT is currently used worldwide in MBA classrooms, executive education programs and executive coaching contexts. Research on the impact of positive and negative emotion in intentional change can enhance these practice applications.

Originality/value

To date, no one has conceptualized the PEA and NEA in this manner. This proposes an enhancement of the previously developed notions of the value of positive emotion and positivity.
A useful tool for data scanning in executive information systems: schematic faces
Authors: DeVries Peter , Mulig Elizabeth V. , Lowery Kristie
Published: July 2006

Decision‐making in executive information systems (EIS) frequently involves scanning complex sets of multidimensional data, which can be difficult with traditional data portrayal techniques. Therefore, schematic faces may be useful in EIS. Schematic faces can represent up to 20 variables by mapping those variables to the salient facial features so that positive outcomes result in a happier looking face, thus simplifying the data scanning process. The composites of the variables, i.e. the faces, aid management by providing a sophisticated graphical interface between the data and the decision maker. An experiment was conducted to compare decision time and accuracy when basing decisions on tables, bar charts, and schematic faces. The gender and cognitive style of subjects were also considered. MANOVA results indicate that both decision speed and accuracy are better when viewing schematic faces. Cognitive style was also a significant factor in the model.
A social interaction approach to managing the “invisibles” of virtual teams
Authors: Lee‐Kelley Liz , Crossman Alf , Cannings Anne
Published: July 2006

This paper uses social interaction theory and Tuckman's team development model to report and interpret the findings of a case‐based research into the forming and performance of eight internationally situated virtual project teams operating in the information technology industry. Its objective is to highlight the need to bridge the “gap” between the structural and process orientations of management and virtual team members' situational perceptions and psychological drivers (the “invisibles”). For organizations contemplating the adoption of these new organizational forms, its findings will provide a holistic framework to guide their transformation from conventional to virtual teams. Some of the issues identified here are also likely to be salient to those who are already using virtual teams.
Performance observation and analysis of an information re‐engineered supply chain: a case study of an automotive firm
Authors: Lyons Andrew , Coleman Julian , Kehoe Dennis , Coronado Adrian
Published: July 2006

This paper provides an empirical illustration of the potential of a cross‐supply chain information system (CSCIS) in an automotive industry setting. Whilst dramatic reductions in downstream finished goods, work‐in‐progress and raw materials inventories have taken place in many automotive supply chains, this paper looks at how demand information can be made more transparent in order to improve the efficiency of upstream operations. The paper concentrates on the findings from a case study that used a prototype Internet‐based system to convert original equipment manufacturer (OEM) demand into second and third‐tier component requirements. A computer‐based value analysis illustrates how this information might be used to significantly improve supply chain synchronisation in the lower tiers. The research demonstrates how information systems can be used to improve supply chain performance and provides further motivation for the development of more holistic supply chain planning information systems.
Classification standard in large process plants for integration with robust database
Authors: Ahmed Shamsuddin
Published: July 2006

KKS is defined as Kraftwerk Kennzeichen System indicating process plant designation system. It is used to identify and classify equipment and components in process plant. Several systems of nomenclature are available. Two methods are widely used. One is the American system and the other is the European system. The European system is known as KKS and its taxonomy is comprehensive. The system provides a convenient method to identify plant equipment and its operation. It also covers the buildings and structures, thereby providing comprehensive identification within the system. The number allocated by the KKS system to equipment is broken down into a number of levels. There is a field or set of fields within each level and each field occupies a letter or a number according to a convention. It is shown how the KSS identification and classification system is used to develop database system for plant maintenance and management. The classification and identifications of plant equipment is taken as an example to show how the data structure is designed. The main thrust has been the equipment codification system in order to develop the database standards in information technology within energy industry.
Management of information technology and business process re‐engineering: a case study
Authors: Zhao Fang
Published: July 2006

This paper investigates and addresses issues, problems and challenges that a regional company of a multinational corporation is facing in the implementation of IT‐platforms (SAP R/3) and the business process re‐engineering (BPR). While many organizations have reported significant improvement in business results from implementing SAP R/3 and BPR, others have failed or experienced various difficulties in achieving intended business and management results. This empirical study describes and discusses Siemens' experience in the process of implementation. The author argues that a holistic approach to IT management is needed, which recognises and emphasises active integration and interaction of strategy, business processes, management system and structure, and organizational culture.
Assessing risk in ERP projects: identify and prioritize the factors
Authors: Huang Shi‐Ming , Chang I‐Chu , Li Shing‐Han , Lin Ming‐Tong
Published: July 2006

Various figures have stated that ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems have become one of the largest IT investments in recent years. The implementation of ERP system, however, is not an easy task. Previous research reports unusually high failure in ERP projects, sometimes jeopardizing the core operation of the implementing organization. The most famous case is FoxMeyer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Further, ERP systems appear to present unique ongoing risks due to its uniqueness. In this study, we used a Delphi method to identify potential ERP projects risk factors, and constructed an AHP‐based framework to analyze and then prioritized the ERP projects risk factors. The result reveals that some important risk factors deserve more attention during the implementation of ERP projects.
Elasto‐plastic analysis of plates by the element free Galerkin method
Authors: Belinha J. , Dinis L.M.J.S.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to extend the Element Free Galerkin method (EFGM) in order to perform the elasto‐plastic analysis of isotropic plates.

Design/methodology/approach

The EFGM shape‐function construction is briefly presented. The Newton‐Raphson method and the elasto‐plastic algorithm adapted to the EFGM, are described. Several plate bending non‐linear material problems are solved and the obtained solutions are compared with available finite element method (FEM) solutions.

Findings

The paper finds that the developed EFGM approach is a good alternative to the FEM for the solution of non‐linear problems, once the obtained results with the EFGM show a high similarity with the obtained FEM results.

Research limitations/implications

Comparing the FEM and the EFGM there are some drawbacks for the EFGM. The computational cost of the EFGM is higher, the imposition of the essential boundary conditions is more complex and there is a high sensitivity of the method in what concerns the choice of the influence domain and the choice of the weight function.

Practical implications

The knowledge that the EFGM formulation can be treated almost as the FEM formulation once the EFGM parameters are calibrated and optimized.

Originality/value

The extension of the EFGM to the elasto‐plastic analysis of isotropic plates.
The psychometric properties of eTail quality
Authors: Caruana Albert , Ewing Michael T.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The links between quality and customer satisfaction, retention and loyalty in offline retail settings are well established. It therefore seems fair to posit that quality will also be a determinant of online retailer success. This assumption motivated Wolfinbarger and Gilly to develop a scale for the measurement of “eTail quality”. The paper's purpose is to validate that scale.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates the equivalence of the eTailQ scale across different product categories in three countries. Tests for both conceptual and psychometric equivalence are conducted.

Findings

Findings suggest that eTailQ exhibits conceptual equivalence. It also exhibits psychometric equivalence by providing acceptable levels of reliability, variance extracted and both discriminant and nomological validity.

Originality/value

eTailQ can be used with confidence by online goods and service retailers in English speaking countries outside the USA.
Impact of structured product definition on market success
Authors: Krieg Robert
Published: July 2006

Siemens recently launched a new product, the MAGNETOM Avanto, onto the market. The initial customer reaction was tremendous. The product definition followed a structured process and state‐of‐the‐art tools like quality function deployment (QFD) and conjoint analysis were applied. This paper analyses the impact of all these efforts in product definition on market success. It retrospectively summarizes the benefits from various tools and methods. The medical equipment market, its mechanisms and special features are introduced in a case study of magnetic resonance imaging equipment developed at Siemens Medical Solutions. The decision‐making or purchasing process in this market is very complex. Therefore dedicated market research approaches using a variety of different methods were required. Focus groups, conjoint analysis, broadband surveys and face‐to‐face interviews were all useful. In addition, an astute segmentation of the individual groups that influence a purchasing decision had to be made. From all these market research activities a company normally ends up with an immense amount of contradicting requirements. The article shows how these requirements were converted into a clear system specification and new technological solutions. The Siemens MAGNETOM Avanto has been very successful in the market. Customer reaction and feedback indicates that the product has many unique selling points, best performance in many aspects, and no major weaknesses. Siemens believes that this is due to the very systematic and comprehensive approach of the product definition.
QFD‐ and VE‐enabled target costing: a fuzzy approach
Authors: Gandhinathan R. , Raviswaran N. , Suthakar M.
Published: July 2006

Globalization has provided excellent opportunities for the global manufacturing community together with a stringent barrier on cost control. Target costing has emerged as one of the main tools in aiding the manufacturers to be globally competitive. This paper analyses the effect of tools such as quality function deployment (QFD) and value engineering (VE) on target costing and explores the way in which these tools assist in achieving the target cost. The target costing model developed by Cooper and Slagmulder (Cooper, R. and Slagmulder, R.,Target Costing and Value Engineering, Productivity Press, New York, NY, 1997) has been modified and tools such as QFD and VE have been incorporated in the model. Due to inherent uncertainties in the associated cost of various elements, the model has been further strengthened with the use of fuzzy logic. The theoretical model developed was implemented in an Indian auto component manufacturing company and the results were analysed. Target costing significantly relies upon QFD and VE for its effective implementation. Uncertainty in cost estimation plays a significant role in the target costing process since any variation in cost violates the cardinal rule of target costing, “the target cost should never be exceeded”. Fuzzy logic plays a vital role in accounting for uncertainty in the target costing process and gives a different perspective to arrive at the function cost. A functional approach (VE) combined with QFD backed by fuzzy approach appears to work effectively for a target costing process that is evidenced from the case study. It appears that the model developed will work satisfactorily for an industrial product and the validity of the model for fast moving consumer goods has to be ascertained.
Fuzzy logic approach to prioritise engineering characteristics in quality function deployment (FL‐QFD)
Authors: Rajam Ramasamy N. , Selladurai V.
Published: July 2006

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a proven tool for process and product development, which translates the voice of customer (VoC) into engineering characteristics (EC), and prioritises the ECs, based on the customer's requirements. Conventional QFD evaluates these targets for crisp weights of the customer attributes (CA), identified from the VoCs. The VoCs are not crisp and generally exhibit a well‐defined distribution. Crisp weights assigned to non‐crisp CAs can lead to wrong prioritisation of the EC. In the past, fuzzy numbers have been used to represent the imprecise nature of these judgements and to define more appropriately the relationship between EC and CA. This paper proposes fuzzy logic‐quality function deployment (FL‐QFD) – the use of fuzzy logic principles in QFD. It is an innovative method of determining optimum rating of ECs by simulating the QFD matrix for randomized CA rating in the fuzzied range. The rule‐based knowledge system defines the relationship between the ECs and the CAs. The flexible manufacturing system (FMS) design problem investigated by Khoo and Ho (Khoo, L.P. and Ho., N.C., “Framework of a fuzzy quality function deployment system”, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 34, 1996, pp. 299‐311) is presented to show the application of the proposed model. The results are compared and examined to study the effect of the CA on prioritising the EC. The paper addresses the issue of defining non‐crisp customer attributes in the QFD, and offers practical help to an individual intending to further investigate the proposed model.
When worlds collide: culture clash
Authors: Fealy Liz , Kompare Dave
Published: July 2006

Looks at the often overlooked dangers of an international M&A – differences in culture. From employment law, government regulations, political and cultural considerations, the article guides you through the maze of potential hazards.
Management span of control: how wide is too wide?
Authors: Davison Barbara
Published: July 2006

A director at the Saratoga Institute provides some thoughts on the ideal ratio of managers to staff and gives a formula to allow the reader to perform their own caclulations.
Why companies flunk supply‐chain 101: only 33 percent correctly measure supply‐chain performance; few use the right incentives
Authors: Cook Miles , Hagey Russ
Published: July 2006

A consultant with Greenwich Partners based in New York looks at the often overlooked human factor in security infrastructures.
Strategy from the inside out: lessons in creating organic growth
Authors: Irvin Jill , Pedro Laura , Gennaro Paul
Published: July 2006

Over the past decade, many companies acquired their way to growth by developing and managing a portfolio of businesses, treating each as an autonomous unit. For many companies, that strategy no longer works. Such companies must now stimulate organic growth by finding synergies between formerly disparate pieces of their enterprise. That means transforming a loosely‐knit collection of businesses into a synergistic enterprise in which each business shows one face to the customer.
The ultimate competitive advantage of continuing business model innovation
Authors: Mitchell Donald , Coles Carol
Published: July 2006

Discusses the idea that continuing business model innovation provides a parallel way to outperform the competition. Improving a company’s business model by redirecting its focus will mean that competitors will be left out of position and unable to respond effectively.
When acquisitions go awry: pitfalls in executing corporate strategy
Authors: Gopinath C.
Published: July 2006

Looks at five cases of significant value destruction – when acquisition was followed by divestiture at a much lower price. Notes that closer examination reveals several fault lines that companies frequently encounter as they execute their corporate strategy.
Still searching for the pot of gold: doing business in today’s China
Authors: Jagersma Pieter K. , van Gorp Désirée M.
Published: July 2006

China may be the world’s largest growth market, but it has not always been hospitable to foreign companies. This appears from a survey of 381 managers of foreign companies active in China done by the Center for International Business of Universiteit Nyenrode, Breukelen, the Netherlands. The survey highlighted eight major hurdles that foreign businesses in China must understand and the most effective entry strategy to overcome them – the alliance strategy. Working the Chinese market requires, in addition, entrepreneurship, a fair share of common sense, luck and patience.
The making of a global executive
Authors: Fernández Jorge E.
Published: July 2006

Outlines the necessary competencies of global executives and notes that the correct mix of selection, training and experiential procedures is necessary. Asserts that developing global executives is a strategic business priority.
Best practices at Best Buy: a turnaround strategy
Authors: Gibson Elizabeth , Billings Andy
Published: July 2006

Best Buy, the huge retailer of electronics and appliances, was searching for a way to keep itself on an expansion curve yet temper its brashness with some much‐needed management discipline. Retail senior managers began a highly successful, large‐scale change effort that would result in a historic turnaround for the company of 30,000 people with a small team of internal change agents and the support of a consulting team.
A rose by any other name: rebranding campaigns that work
Authors: Kaikati Jack G. , Kaikati Andrew M.
Published: July 2006

This article explores the rebranding boom in the USA and around the world, citing numerous examples of strategies that worked as well as some famous attempts that missed the mark. The authors have two main objectives: to analyze the pitfalls of rebranding campaigns and to present six strategic options for implementing a rebranding campaign that meets expectations.
Beware the Internet panacea: how tried and true strategy got sidelined
Authors: McGrath Leanne C. , Heiens Richard A.
Published: July 2006

When managed poorly, e‐business initiatives may actually transform once promising opportunities into dangerous threats. In this article, the authors outline the environmental threats posed by the Internet and e‐business practices and present a series of propositions on the relationship between managerial perceptions of e‐business’s impact on industry structure and the prevalence of a formal e‐business strategy.
Freshening up strategic planning: more than fill‐in‐the‐blanks
Authors: Rheault Dennis
Published: July 2006

Strategy development has become an often haphazard process decoupled from annual resource allocation and planning. Sometimes, it is even overlooked entirely. It is all too common to see the budgeting process driving the strategy, one year at a time. Many companies need to reestablish their basic approaches to strategy development and create explicit mechanisms to link the resulting strategy to execution.
Are you enjoying globalization yet? The surprising implications for business
Authors: Slywotzky Adrian , Baumgartner Peter , Alberts Larry , Moukanas Hanna
Published: July 2006

Purpose

Globalization is changing the nature of competition and value creation in ways more subtle and fundamental than simply cost. By incubating scores of new business models that can unseat established companies, globalization is creating opportunities for new value creation and highly profitable growth at the two ends of the value chain – new customer connections at one end and new models of innovation at the other. This article discusses globalization and the changing nature of competition and value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides a viewpoint of globalization and the changing nature of competition and value creation.

Findings

For many companies, the most powerful moves will be to take advantage of university alliances and global talent sourcing. Every company today, large or small, has to draw the global map of the key talent pools for its business, whether that talent consists of software programmers, machinists, biotechnologists, materials scientists, cinematographers, financial analysts, medical technicians, call center operators, or electronics engineers. The key point is to spend more on the highest‐impact activities. One way is to practice the “open innovation” approach as described by Henry Chesbrough of the University of California at Berkeley, which advocates building on the innovations of others. There is tremendous leverage in shifting your thinking from “not invented here” to “invented elsewhere, monetized here.”

Originality/value

Firms that follow the approach advocated in this paper may gain an advantage in value creation by concentrating not on being the first to deploy a technology but on being the best at designing and using their information.
Stick this in your stovepipe
Authors: Marren Patrick
Published: July 2006

Purpose – This article provides opinions about key issues in strategy and the future to the readership. Design/methodology/approach – This article is an opinion column. Findings – Organizational “stovepipes” must be managed very carefully. Research limitations/implications – Based not on rigorous research but on the author's experience of planning engagements across a wide variety of private and public enterprises. Practical implications – Alerts readers to the importance of organizational management. Originality/value – Expresses opinions that the author believes have not been expressed in quite this way before.
Introduction New contributions to the science of economics: a new research program of a simultaneous equilibrium versus disequilibrium approach and some basic results
Authors: Rugina Anghel N.
Published: July 2006

A long Introduction provides a composite methodological standard of 25 elements (concepts, theorems and basic relationships) which actually represent in analysis a system of general stable equilibrium in economics and other social sciences. In practice, the same composite standard refers to a possible regime of a free, just and stable economy and society. This double composite scientific objective standard was used to examine the content of the Memorial Lectures presented by nine Laureates who received the Nobel Prize in Economics from 1969 to 1974. Specifically, the purpose was to see how much these lectures have contributed to the clarification and the solution of the major problems of our time.
Interest groups and government growth in Spain during Franco's dictatorship (1939‐1975)
Authors: Zaratiegui Jesus M.
Published: July 2006

This paper presents and discusses the rent‐seeking process that occurred during Franco's regime in Spain (1939‐1975). Once the Civil War (1936‐1939) was over, those who won the war (militiaman, right‐wing factions) took control of the key positions in the new government. That meant the transfer of rents from the budget to veterans of war and their relatives, fuelled by the creation of an increasingly strong and well‐organised interest group. The author takes a public‐choice approach and is inspired by a similar study by R. Holcombe on the American Civil War.
Socioeconomic analysis of the determinants of TANF recipients in the USA and policy implications
Authors: Hsing Yu
Published: July 2006

The dramatic decline in the number of welfare recipients in the USA is examined. The unique features of this article include the use of time series data, the consideration of different welfare benefits and socioeconomic variables, and the application of the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model. Finds that less benefits including cash, food stamps, and Medicaid, lower percentage of births to unmarried mothers, lower dropout rates, lower unemployment rates, more budgets for administrative expense, and welfare reform are expected to reduce welfare caseloads. If the recent unemployment rate of 6.1 percent persists for one year, welfare caseloads would rise by 525,300 from the year 2000 level, holding other factors constant.
The Malthusian physiognomy of Nazi economics
Authors: Giacomo Preparata Guido
Published: July 2006

The Nazi economic recovery, achieved between 1933 and 1938, displayed striking features of brilliant economic overhauling of a capitalist machine that had been plagued by a prolonged crisis. The means employed to effect the recovery appear to follow a Malthusian exercise in the rehabilitation of the function of effective demand: the Nazis, prompted by expediency and necessity, took remedial action that was very much in consonance with the canons of classical political economy. The succinct analysis of such an exercise in the context of the strong governmental regimentation of the Third Reich may provide insight into the nature and future of the capitalist regime, in the light of the fact that its principles, business and philosophical, and its implications for the world at large, so far, have not shown a marked departure from the way in which they were understood by the spirit of the 1930s, in Germany, as well as abroad.
Political implications of cultural evolution
Authors: Feldmann Horst
Published: July 2006

In the course of cultural evolution, certain institutions have emerged and become dominant in the Western world that have led to an unprecedented rise in prosperity and population. This paper first explains the characteristics and significance of cultural evolution. Subsequently, it explains the fundamental role of politics and the scope for political action in cultural evolution, clearing up some fairly widespread misconceptions about this question. Finally, it derives three specific guidelines from the characteristics of cultural evolution that should be followed in politics. First, the principle of individual freedom should be realized as far as possible. Second, the rule of law should be secured. Third, the scope of action of the state should be closely limited and the state should be decentrally organized. The more consistently these guidelines are followed, the better the prospects of the respective society to survive and prosper in the competitive process of cultural evolution.
The formation of conventional expectations in Keynesian fundamental uncertainty
Authors: Koutsobinas Theodore T.
Published: July 2006

This article develops an analysis of the conventional formation of expectations by means of introducing an overlooked factor in the analysis: the role of inference. Individual inferences and changes in evidential weight of beliefs and in the state of confidence are integrated with an analysis of the conventional character of expectations in a manner that is consistent with evidence provided by research in social psychology. This approach provides the link between the “agency” approach and the “structure” approach in Keynesian analysis that has been stressed as an important development. It also improves our understanding of the mechanisms underlying economic behavior under uncertainty such as liquidity‐preference in different social and cultural settings.
Corporate marketing
Authors: Balmer John M.T. , Greyser Stephen A.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aims of the paper are to examine the nascent area of corporate marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on some of the key literature relating to the history of marketing thought.

Findings

The study reiterates the case that corporate identity, corporate branding, corporate communications, and corporate reputation should be integrated under the umbrella title of corporate marketing. The paper introduces the 6Cs of corporate marketing.

Originality/value

The paper integrates British and US perspectives on the area and draws on Balmer's workvis‐à‐viscorporate marketing and Greyser's historical overview of marketing written for the Marketing Science Institute (MSI)
Properties of anticorrosion pigments depending on their chemical composition and PVC value
Authors: Kalenda P. , Kalendová A. , Veselý D.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To identify the dependence of the anticorrosion efficiency of chemically varying pigments on their concentration in steel protecting paints.

Design/methodology/approach

Anticorrosion pigments from a group of nontoxic substances were chosen and compared with a chromate pigment. With all pigments, the following parameters were observed namely, oil absorption, critical pigment volume concentration value, density, extract pH, specific surface, particle size, water‐borne substances content, and the specific electrical conductivity of pigment extracts. The aqueous extracts of pigments were used to determine the corrosion loss of steel. The morphology of pigment particles was observed by means of an electron‐scanning microscope. Paints containing these pigments were formulated on the binder basis of an epoxy resin. The paints prepared were subjected to measurement of physical‐mechanical properties such as hardness and resistance in deep drawing. Paints containing anticorrosion pigments were subjected to corrosion tests in a SO2 condenser chamber, salt spray cabinet and to a test according to Machu and Schiffman.

Findings

The experimental investigations revealed the absolute values of the anticorrosion effects of individual pigments as well as dependence of efficiency on the concentration of the pigments in the paints. It was found that environment‐friendly pigments achieved comparable or even better anticorrosion efficiency than toxic strontium chromate.

Research limitations/implications

The anticorrosion properties of the paints concerned can be tested in paints by means of atmospheric exposure such as the Florida test.

Practical implications

The results find their application in the formulation of anticorrosion paints for industrial applications with environment‐friendly effects.

Originality/value

This research paper presents the results of the anticorrosion effects of a great number of industrially used pigments. Based on this paper, the formulation of highly effective steel‐protecting paints can be optimised.
Consumer innovativeness and perceived risk: implications for high technology product adoption
Authors: Hirunyawipada Tanawat , Paswan Audhesh K.
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To investigate consumer innovativeness (CI) from a hierarchical perspective and examine the simultaneous impacts of hierarchical perspective of CI and perceived risk on new product adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended innovativeness and perceived risk model was developed. A structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses using empirical data from 746 respondents in a high technology product context.

Findings

The results provide support for the hierarchical perspective of CI; domain specific CI mediates the relationship between global CI and new product adoption. Specifically, cognitive and domain‐specific innovativeness enhances the actual adoption of new products; whereas sensory innovativeness and perceived social and physical risks enhance consumers' propensity to acquire novel information about new products. Financial risk, on the other hand, has a negative impact on the propensity to acquire novel information about new products. Time, performance, psychological, and network externalities risks show no significant relations with the tendency to acquire novel information about new products.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide an explanation to the less than consistent relationship between consumer innovativeness and new product adoption. However, a single research context of high tech consumer goods may be a limitation and future studies need to replicate this hierarchical perspective of CI as a predictor of new product adoption in different research contexts for greater generalizability.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide some guidelines to marketers on how to increase the new product commercialization success. Marketers should tap into the cognitive and domain‐specific innovativeness to enhance the new product adoption. The sensory part of CI and perceived social and physical risks have implications for the promotion and communication aspects of new product marketing.

Originality/value

Provides new insights about consumer innovativeness trait as a useful predictor of new product adoption.
A cross‐cultural analysis of the effectiveness of the Learning Organization model in school contexts
Authors: Babak Alavi Seyyed , McCormick John
Published: July 2006

It has been argued that some management theories and models may not be universal and are based on some cultural assumptions. It is argued in this paper that the effectiveness of applying the Learning Organization (LO) model in school contexts across different countries may be associated with cultural differences such as individualism, collectivism, power distance, and future orientation. The implementation of elements of the LO model such as systems thinking, managing mental models, team learning, and developing shared visions, may face some difficulties in some cultures. This paper develops some theoretical propositions for further empirical investigations.
Strategic capability development in the higher education sector
Authors: Brown Paul
Published: July 2006

The research adopts a case study approach (in higher education) to investigate how strategic capabilities might be developed in an organisation through strategic management development (SMD). SMD is defined as “Management development interventions which are intended to enhance the strategic capability and corporate performance of an organisation”. Causal networks, showing how strategic capability and strategic management processes can be developed, are constructed, and a hypothesis is proposed. This postulates that to be effective, SMD programmes need to be matched with the organisation's level of commitment to strategic management and the degree of maturity of its strategic management processes and competences. This is explored in a tentative typology which shows how four different levels of commitment to strategic management might be matched with key characteristics of SMD programmes.
Towards the learning community: a Maltese experience
Authors: Bezzina Christopher
Published: July 2006

As demand for school reform have grown in Malta in recent years we have noticed increased focus being given to quality issues. As a result the education authorities, due to two main policy initiatives – the introduction of the National Minimum curriculum and school development planning – are encouraging a decentralised form of governance that emphasises the empowerment of teachers in educational decision‐making. The road towards increased collaboration amongst teachers and between schools in which they work, has been a long, arduous and tortuous journey, yet it can also be a vehicle for positive change and development. This paper explores a theoretical rationale for a teacher led approach to school improvement. It then explores the initial collaboration between the author and one local school. It presents the main findings of a strategic analysis undertaken to understand the current situation facing the school. This case study helps to highlight the importance and positive effects behind capacity building and shared leadership. It is argued that this case study can serve as an example to establish higher education and school partnerships and the introduction of a school‐based accreditation scheme.
A theory of organizing informed by activity theory
Authors: Prenkert Frans
Published: July 2006

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a solid theoretical base to the study of paradox in organized activity. It draws upon activity theory to show the managerial and analytical potential of the activity systems model (ASM) as a systematic tool to analyze paradox in organizational practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed in the study can be described as a longitudinal multiple case study approach. The focal organization was followed over a period of three years. About 25 interviews and 50 participatory observations were made. Text documents were analysed using an analytical tool developed from theory – the “Analysis Readiness Review (ARR)” – to structure and categorize data.

Findings

This study shows that the locus of paradox can be empirically identified within and between the constituent elements of an ASM, and that the consequence of such paradox is the emergence of a new genetically more evolved ASM. Hence, paradox in organized activity will eventually usher in change, such as the rearrangement of the elements of organized activity, and the replacement of one or many of those elements.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited in that it models only two principal types of contradictions in activity systems, both of which are inner contradictions intrinsic to the activity system in question. The case study is merely indicative and more empirical research is needed to further extend our knowledge of paradox in various types of organized activity.

Originality/value

Managers can utilize the ARR‐tool as a systematic checklist to identify the elements of the organizational practice and to locate paradoxes. In doing so, they can actively take part in shaping the dialectical processes of change that the paradoxes create, by paying attention to the contradictions present in the activity system. This is the challenge to management that paradoxical organizational practice poses, and this paper provides one tool to help managers and researchers to better face this challenge.