bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder activism through nonviolence
Authors: Dhir Krishna S.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to analyze instances of nonviolent strategies adopted by a class of stakeholders – the women of the Niger Delta region.

Design/methodology/approach

It analyzes their successes and failures in terms of a set of prerequisite conditions that must be met for such strategies to be effective. These prerequisite conditions must be present in the environment, the agent, and the methodology of nonviolent action, for assurance of efficacy.

Findings

The experience of the women of Niger Delta with nonviolent action indicates that it is possible to meet the prerequisite conditions for assurance of efficacy and for formulation of nonviolent strategies to conflict resolution. It is, therefore, determined that nonviolent action offers a viable alternative for persuasion of the multinational oil corporations in the Niger Delta region.

Originality/value

This paper would be of value to researchers and practitioners, in the fields of corporate communication, organizational communication, public relations, and strategic management, seeking to promote, practice or otherwise influence socially responsible corporate behavior.
Studies on electrical properties of polymer thick film resistors
Authors: Srinivasa Rao Y.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to study the variation of electrical properties like electrical resistivity and current noise of a polymer thick film resistor, namely, PVC‐graphite thick film resistor, with parameters such as volume fraction, grain size, temperature and high voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is proposed to explain the observed variations, which assumes that the texture of the polymer thick film resistor consists of insulator granules coated with conducting particles and also having cavities. The resistivity of these resistors is controlled mainly by the contact resistance between the conducting particles and the number of contacts each particle with its neighbors.

Findings

The variation of resistivity with temperature and high voltage is explained with the help of the model and it is attributed to the change in contact area and number of contacts. The current noise of these resistors is controlled mainly by the average relative resistance fluctuations between the conducting particles and the number of contacts each particle with its neighbors.

Originality/value

The variation of current noise with high voltage has also been explained with the help of this model and it is attributed to the change in number of conducting particles and conducting layers.
Effects of die‐pad resonance on ultrasonic bond quality of wire bonds
Authors: Srikanth Narasimalu
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Wire bonding is an important method of interconnection in microelectronics. Ultrasonic energy is known to soften metallic materials and hence when used in the wire bond process it is effective to decrease the flow stress similar to thermal energy. The paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Detailed resonance studies show that some designs have closeby resonance compared to the bonding frequency which causes enhanced vibration resulting in such over squashed bonds. Hence, precautions in the design stage are necessary to understand the closeby resonance frequencies and corresponding mode shapes of the leadframe that are in‐plane in nature along the transducer axis that can be excited by the capillary's motion. This can be determined a priori using numerical methods such as finite element method. In this paper, one such case study has been dealt in detail to explain the overall methodology.

Findings

To minimize the effects of resonance, damping should be increased by bonding polyimide tapes to enhance damping and stiffness which results in better ball bonds with optimum bell shape.

Originality/value

The paper explains the methodology of wire bonding in microelectronics.
Study of the effect of substrate bias on the electrical properties of sputtered HfO2 thin film deposited on silicon substrate
Authors: Nahar R.K. , Sharma Aparna
Published: February 2007

Purpose

HfO2 has emerged as the most promising high k dielectric for an alternative gate material. As‐deposited HfO2 thin films have large number of defects resulting in increased oxide charge and leakage current. Film deposition condition plays an important role. This paper investigates the effect of sputtering voltage, bias sputtering and post deposition thermal annealing.

Design/methodology/approach

The microstructure of the film is examined by AFM. The I‐V and C‐V characteristics is evaluated from Al‐HfO2‐Si capacitor structures and the effect of processing conditions is studied. The experimental results are reported and discussed for improving film properties.

Findings

It is found that applying substrate bias during film deposition improves interface and reduce leakage current and oxide charges.

Originality/value

The paper studies the effect of deposition voltage and thermal annealing on thin film deposition of HfO2 by rf sputtering.
Deposit insurance and credit unions: an international perspective
Authors: Hannafin Kevin M.G. , McKillop Donal G.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why credit unions might need deposit insurance, how they might respond to its introduction and how this protection mechanism should be designed. The objective is to determine how successful the deposit insurance scheme has been in the context of Northern Ireland and whether it offers an alternative to the public provision of deposit insurance which appears to have been the model adopted by credit union movements elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of this analysis the paper considers the Northern Ireland experience where a subset of credit unions has been members of a private insurance arrangement since 1989.

Findings

The deposit insurance mechanism did not cause a propensity for member credit unions to engage in risk shifting behaviour. The analysis suggests that at present a universal blueprint in deposit insurance design may well be unnecessary in combating risk shifting behaviour.

Originality/value

This paper helps to fill a gap in the banking and finance literature where the study of deposit insurance in the context of credit unions has been given little attention.
Financial services and markets tribunal further clarifies scope of market abuse regime
Authors: Gray Joanna
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To report and comment on the tribunal case James Parker v. FSA.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the facts and explains the decision reached.

Findings

An applicant's failure to abide by an employer's internal notification rules and clearance procedures applicable to personal account dealings led the Tribunal to doubt the honesty of that applicant and the plausibility of his proffered explanation.

Originality/value

The case highlights the factors that may influence a future Tribunal in deciding whether to reject or accept an applicant's arguments as to the motivation for and innocence or otherwise of his behaviour.
Measuring performance within the supply chain of a large scale project
Authors: Diran Wickramatillake Chandika , Lenny Koh S.C. , Gunasekaran A. , Arunachalam Subramanium
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the performance measurement methodology used by a real case company, namely Vanderlande Industries Ltd, for cost and progress capture for in‐house production, resale material and third party supplied material, in an effort to measure performance of the supply chain of a large scale project – the €6bn London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 construction project.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach was adopted, which includes ethnography. This research is not about testing a theory; it is about gaining insight to the actual functioning and supply chain performance measuring of a large‐scale project. In that sense, the experiences reported could be shared with those dealing with performance measurement of large‐scale projects.

Findings

Eight key areas of concerns are found relating to supply chain performance measurement of a large‐scale project: performance measurement requirements, with forecasting and progress reporting not owned by suppliers; lack of detailed planning causing regular changes to baseline; detailed work breakdown structure causing unnecessary complications to performance analysis; organisational structure; performance measurement tool; data capture; timing of progress and cost capture affecting the analysing process; and scope change and traceability.

Originality/value

The paper is targeted at senior and middle managers involved in large cost reimbursable projects. Managers should manage more carefully the eight key areas of concerns identified. Recommended solutions targeting each area of concerns from the lessons learnt in the €6bn London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 construction project give a basis for improved project management and supply chain performance measurement for large‐scale projects.
Selecting the right planning approach for a product
Authors: Kaipia Riikka , Holmström Jan
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to offer a solution to differentiate supply chain planning for products with different demand features and in different life‐cycle phases.

Design/methodology/approach

A normative framework for selecting a planning approach was developed based on a literature review of supply chain differentiation and supply chain planning. Explorative mini‐cases from three companies – Vaisala, Mattel, Inc. and Zara – were investigated to identify the features of their innovative planning solutions. The selection framework was applied to the case company's new business unit dealing with a product portfolio of highly innovative products as well as commodity items.

Findings

The need for planning differentiation is essential for companies with large product portfolios operating in volatile markets. The complexity of market, channel and supply networks makes supply chain planning more intricate. The case company provides an example of using the framework for rough segmentation to differentiate planning.

Research limitations/implications

The paper widens Fisher's supply chain selection framework to consider the aspects of planning.

Practical implications

Despite substantial resources being used, planning results are often not reliable or consistent enough to ensure cost efficiency and adequate customer service. Therefore there is a need for management to critically consider current planning solutions.

Originality/value

The procedure outlined in this paper is a first illustrative example of the type of processes needed to monitor and select the right planning approach.
Internal key factors in export performance
Authors: Eusebio Rossano , Llonch Andreu Joan , Pilar López Belbeze M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This is the first part of two papers which examine the Italian and Spanish textile‐clothing sector The purpose of this paper is to analyse the key factors in the international performance of textile manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a comparative study of the main factors that have affected the export performance of the Spanish and Italian businesses. A wide range of factors has been studied, such as size, dispersion of sales and export experience. In order to compare Spanish and Italian cases, the empirical study used a standardized questionnaire for collecting data. The cases analysed were respective geographical zones with a great tradition in textile‐clothing industry in their country, Catalonian (in the Spanish case) and Lombardian business (in the Italian case).

Findings

It was found that international experience is the main factor in the export performance for both cases but the investment in R&D and the export experience have been the keys for explaining the major export performance of the Italian businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is formed basically for small textile‐clothing businesses (with less than five employees).

Originality/value

The paper explains why the Lambardian textile‐clothing companies export more, in relation to total sales, than the Catalan companies in the same sector. The general character of the study suggests new future lines of investigation.
Management perception and marketing strategy in export performance
Authors: Eusebio Rossano , Llonch Andreu Joan , Pilar López Belbeze M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This is the second of two papers which examine the Italian and Spanish textile‐clothing sector. The purpose of this paper is to focuse on the key factors in the international performance of textile manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to compare Spanish and Italian cases, the empirical study used a standardized questionnaire for collecting data. The cases analysed are respectively geographical zones with a great tradition in textile‐clothing industry in their country, Catalonian (in the Spanish case) and Lombardian business (in the Italian case).

Findings

It was found that international experience is the main factor in the export performance for both cases but investment in R&D and export experience have been the keys for explaining the major export performance of the Italian businesses.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is formed basically from small textile‐clothing business (with less than 500 employees).

Originality/value

The paper is of value in that it provides a comparative study of the main factors that have affected the export performance of the Spanish and Italian businesses. A wide range of factors has been studied, including characteristics of the business, such as size, dispersion of sales and export experience.
Fashion marketing to women in Kazakhstan
Authors: Low Patrick , Freeman Ina
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer behavior regarding women's decisions concerning fashion in the emerging marketing of Kazakhstan.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review formed the basis of the questions asked to several focus groups and in‐depth interviews of 48 Kazakhs representing the average age of Kazakhstan. The approach of the paper is exploratory as there is not a lot of research concerning the Kazakhstani marketplace.

Findings

Kazakhstani women are becoming aware of their rights to choose clothing and location of purchase. They expect to be treated with respect. The women are value conscious, thinking brand names enhance the value of clothing and will shop sales regardless of the actual discount. Kazakhstani women are extremely fashion conscious and look to the media for current fashions. They are wary of anything coming out of China. There are five market segments into which these women can be divided.

Research limitations/implications

The study was done in Almaty and may not reflect people outside urban Kazakhstan.

Practical implications

Kazakhstan is opening as a marketplace. In order to understand how to market in Kazakhstan, firms must understand what is wanted and this paper begins this exploration.

Originality/value

This market is unexplored both academically and by many clothing manufacturers. This market is opening and thus information concerning the marketplace is necessary.
Making sense of the market
Authors: Karpova Elena , Nelson‐Hodges Nancy , Tullar William
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine and interpret post‐socialist consumer experiences in relation to clothing consumption practices when consumers shop, acquire, and wear clothing and other fashion‐related products.

Design/methodology/approach

The in‐depth interview was the primary data collection tool. Data collection was conducted during summer 2004 in St Petersburg, Russia. College students formed the sample for the study. In total, 17 students (four males and 13 females) were interviewed. The hermeneutic approach was used to interpret the meanings of the participant lived experiences.

Findings

In comparison to consumers in an established market‐based economy, consumers in this post‐socialist market have unique perceptions of clothing attributes (quality, brand name, country of origin, retail channel) critical for buying decisions. Overall, appearance and clothing play a special role in the emerging Russian market as they help construct and communicate new identities more than any other product category.

Researchimplications/implications

Identified challenges of the Russian apparel market indicate opportunities for domestic and foreign apparel businesses. The meanings Russian consumers attach to clothing attributes can be used to develop product positioning and promotional strategies. Discussed implications of the research findings can be extended to other post‐socialist emerging markets.

Originality/value

This study explored how Russian consumers have adjusted to the new economic reality after almost fifteen years of transition from a socialist to a capitalist society from the perspective of the consumer. Whereas previous research findings were confirmed, the present study provides rationale for perceived importance of quality and unimportance of brand name in the Russian apparel market.
The role of focal suppliers in strategic networks for internationalisation
Authors: Johnsen Rhona E.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the role of focal suppliers in strategic networks for internationalisation from the perspectives of small and medium‐sized Italian and Thai silk suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple case studies of small and medium‐sized suppliers within the silk industries of Italy and Thailand were undertaken. In total, seventeen interviews and three observations were conducted with directors or managers of silk suppliers and a range of government agencies, associations and institutes involved with the silk industry, to identify significant current issues within the sector. Conceptually clustered and role ordered matrices were used as coding frameworks to reduce, structure and analyse the data.

Findings

Silk suppliers' networks may be co‐ordinated by a focal supplier that assumes the role of strategic leader. The involvement of a focal and strategically‐focused supplier may strengthen and integrate the resources and capabilities of silk suppliers in their networks and enable them to improve their international network development and positioning.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation is needed on the details of specific roles of focal suppliers in strategic networks.

Practical implications

Silk suppliers, their customers and government agencies involved with silk suppliers should: advocate and actively support the development of focal suppliers in their networks to enhance the effectiveness of their internationalisation process and strategy.

Originality/value

There tends to be a consensus in the literature about the influence of focal customers and larger organisations in strategic networks. This study highlights how small and medium‐sized silk suppliers adopt the roles attributed to focal firms and gain positioning advantages for themselves and other suppliers in their network.
Gender differences in career perceptions in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Skromme Granrose Cherlyn
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to review gender differences in career goals and career tactics of men and women in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey results were used to identify empirical differences in career beliefs of 233 managers employed in 16 organizations in the PRC.

Findings

Women and men were equally likely to value achievement, contributing to the family, and collectivism as career goals and to use loyalty to superiors, and networking as career tactics. Women were more likely than men to try to learn more and to want to get more education as career tactics.

Research limitations/implications

The non‐random sample that does not include every province in the PRC and the low scale internal consistency limit these findings.

Practical implications

Gender discrimination based on beliefs that women will be less loyal or ambitious are not justified by these results.

Originality/value

These results challenge stereotypes about Chinese women and provide information rarely examined.
Studying careers across cultures
Authors: Tams Svenja , Arthur Michael B.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to study careers across cultures, distinguishing among international career, cross‐cultural and globalization perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual development is based on a review of four empirical papers in this special issue with a focus on “Careers in cross‐cultural perspective” and other recent research in this area.

Findings

Work on international careers has traditionally looked at careers that cross national boundaries, such as those involving expatriate career assignments or self‐initiated international careers. Research into cross‐cultural careers reflects the primary work of this special issue's articles, primarily by looking at differences between two or more cultures. Career research into globalization is more recent and more tentative. It covers how careers interact with the economic, political, social and environmental changes commonly associated with the term globalization.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed framework is a reflection of current theoretical and empirical debates.

Originality/value

The framework offers new guidance for both interpreting existing and developing new research.
Public relations, the public interest and persuasion: an ethical approach
Authors: Messina Alex
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to consider whether ethical persuasion can be part of public relations practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper contends that the critical issue for practitioners is not whether they engage in persuasion, but whether they do so ethically. Accordingly, a definition of ethical persuasion is derived by examining unethical propaganda. The paper then considers what standard might be used to assess the ethics of persuasion. The notion of “the public interest” – ubiquitously linked to ethical practice in public relations – is considered but found to be too elusive to guide the practice individual practitioners. Other more assessable standards are identified, as is a guiding approach to ethics. The approach to ethics adopted in this paper is rule utilitarianism. The methodology of this paper is deductive and derivative analysis, argument and synthesis, drawn from a broad body of literature.

Findings

Persuasion can be ethical, and a definition of ethical persuasion is proffered. The public interest is not a standard that individual practitioners can determine, decide, know, or apply to assess the ethics of their practice. Ethical persuasion can, however, be assessed using other standards, discussed in the paper. Consequently, a set of criteria and standards to practicing ethical persuasion is developed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not extend into a discussion of practical persuasive techniques. Therefore, an extension of this examination could consider a thorough assessment of the ethics of practical persuasive communication techniques.

Practical implications

Directly relevant to the daily work of public relations practitioners, communicators, adertisers and marketers, who are interested in acting ethically. The paper provide a basis for a guide to assessing the ethics of persuasive practice.

Originality/value

This paper confronts both the question of whether practitioners can use the notion of the public interest to assess the ethics of practice, and also what constitutes ethical (and unethical) persuasion, and considers how persuation can be used ethically.
Projects of organised communication
Authors: Muneratto Guido
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on “Projects of Organized Communication”, a result of a successful bet: the will to enrich the degree course in Public Relations with the introduction of new subjects – Displaying and Exhibit Design and Visual Design – that put together different areas of the course in a projectual dimension, then the possibility that the Course gave to check the innovations. In fact the students had realized a series of exhibitions that developed the different ways and aspects of commercial and cultural communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is theoretical/projectual and practical. It includes on‐field research.

Findings

The original course was transformed in an exhibition of models of commercial and cultural stands. These represented different kinds of companies. Moreover, there has been a publication edited by “Forum Editrice” (May 2005).The project was realized in an exhibition at the 2nd World Public Relations Festival (Trieste, 28‐30 June, 2005) and through the speech of Professor Guido Muneratto. There has been another exhibition called “7th Salone Imprenditorialità Giovanile (Udine November ‐ December 2005)”.

Originality/value

Illustrates that the main value of the courses is not to give to the students technical notions of design or planning, but to adapt the course itself to the needs of communication. It has been necessary to find, step by step, together with the students, the most appropriate solutions to create a valuable commercial and cultural communication.
Canadian accountants: examining workplace learning
Authors: Hicks Elizabeth , Bagg Robert , Doyle Wendy , Young Jeffrey D.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine workplace learning strategies, learning facilitators and learning barriers of public accountants in Canada across three professional levels – trainees, managers, and partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Volunteer participants from public accounting firms in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick completed a demographic survey, a learning activities survey, a learning barriers survey, and a learning facilitators survey. Quantitative analysis provided total scores for key variables and compared these across the three levels.

Findings

The paper finds that accountants across different levels use a variety of formal and informal learning strategies, although informal strategies predominate. Accountants encounter numerous facilitators and barriers. There are variations in strategies, barriers and facilitators based on professional level; for example, trainees make more use of e‐learning than do either managers or partners.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could focus on the efficacy of accountants' formal and informal learning strategies as well as how e‐learning can be appropriately managed and utilized.

Practical implications

Allocation of work and relationships with people are important to the learning process and should be considered in work assignments. One implication is to encourage informal learning and provide appropriate learning activities and feedback so that informal learning is maximized. There could also be more emphasis placed on assisting partners and managers in developing their roles as coaches and mentors.

Originality/value

The paper provides information on workplace learning for an understudied group of professionals in a Canadian context.
Mini‐muddling: learning from project plan deviations
Authors: Hällgren Markus , Wilson Timothy L.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the informal and incidental learning that takes place in project work among individuals who must adapt to deviations from project plans.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflections in the study are built on four power plant projects found in an integrated provider of projects of this type. The projects were followed by participative observations during ten weeks of onsite visits. Furthermore, 26 interviews were done among participants in the organisation on working practices and implications. Data included interviews, reports, minutes‐of‐meetings, observations, and e‐mail correspondence that characterised the cases.

Findings

The paper finds that learning occurred at two levels. First, there was the learning that occurred as each of the deviations was handled. The second aspect of learning involved the patterns in which remedies were handled.

Research limitations/implications

Because research was built on case studies, one has the reservations common with that approach. Nevertheless, the learning architecture that Sense related to intra‐project learning has features that relate to the situation where learning has occurred from projects. Further, by associating observations with the background provided by Lindblom and Simon, suggestions carry inherent credibility.

Practical implications

The organisation that was set up seemed particularly effective in handling the deviations. Also, intuition came into play. Both these items may interest consultants and trainers as well as academics.

Originality/value

Although the need to handle project deviations is appreciated in practice, it is not clear that there is an understanding of how response occurs. The paper documents response across the stages of projects, which is original. Value is associated with the interpretation.
The corporate university landscape in Germany
Authors: Andresen Maike , Lichtenberger Bianka
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks first to present an overview of the corporate university landscape in Germany contrasting it with the US‐American corporate university market and, second, to outline the development in Germany during the last 15 years and to have a look at future trends such as learning alliances.

Design/methodology/approach

The comparison in the paper is based on empirical data of the largest corporate universities in the USA and Germany gathered by interviews with the heads of the institutions and by evaluations of data such as homepages, brochures, and presentations by the companies. In addition, reference is made to surveys and case studies published by other researchers.

Findings

The paper works out major differences between Germany and the USA regarding the educational level, target groups, strategic directions, partnerships, alliances with external vendors, accreditation, focus on internal versus external job market, and organisation that can be led back to the stronger strategic orientation of German corporate universities. It presents the business model of a learning alliance as a potential solution to the major challenges German corporate universities are facing.

Research limitations/implications

Research data being based on interviews and corporate data risk being biased due to marketing purposes. Future research should include internal observations and evaluations.

Practical implications

The paper gives an example for a learning alliance in practice that could be of relevance for a larger number of institutions.

Originality/value

The comparative study helps to understand the US‐American and German corporate university markets as well as their specificities and investigates future developments.
Tacit knowledge and organisational performance: construction industry perspective
Authors: Pathirage Chaminda P. , Amaratunga Dilanthi G. , Haigh Richard P.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of tacit knowledge in construction and to underline the significant contribution of tacit knowledge towards the organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Includes a review of literature on principal insights of dominant views on knowledge and organisational resources to highlight the strategic nature of tacit knowledge. Further, intrinsic characteristics of the construction industry are discussed to underline the people factor and the role of the tacit knowledge.

Findings

Valuable human and knowledge resources will be wasted unless organisations make better use of these prime resources. Tacit knowledge in particular is still considered to be relatively unexplored and proper understanding and management of this resource are of immense importance for better organisational performance. In this context, this paper reveals the labour and knowledge intensive nature of the construction industry and highlights the importance and the significant role of people factor and tacit knowledge in construction.

Originality/value

Owing to paucity of literature and inadequate empirical research done, this paper provides the basis for more empirical research on finding importance of tacit knowledge towards organisational performance in the construction industry.
Establishing an integrated KM system in Iran Aerospace Industries Organization
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Fesharaki Mehdi N. , Akhavan Peyman
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the role of knowledge management in aerospace industries and to provide a framework for knowledge management efforts specially designed for aerospace industries towards a knowledge‐based organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual article examining current perspectives of knowledge management regarding aerospace industries requirements. It provides a general framework for knowledge management applied in Iran Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO).

Findings

Providing a conceptual knowledge management framework can be applied to organizations practically. This framework has been applied in a large case study in Iran and is supported by practical implementation in AIO, one of the most important high‐tech industries in Iran.

Practical implications

This paper provides a very helpful guideline for practitioners in implementing knowledge management throughout the organizations and especially in large scale ones.

Originality/value

The paper may be of high value to researchers in the knowledge management field and to practitioners involved with KM adoption in the organizations. This study further opens up new lines of research and highlights implications for knowledge management efforts, including change management programs through KM tools. The paper also provides a synthesis and analysis of the viewpoints and the main factors as reflected in the literature on various dimensions of knowledge management.
New product market visioning in small enterprises
Authors: Shiu Eric , Walker David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contexts for new product market visioning of small enterprises in the Central Technology Belt, West Midlands, England.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven items, which are postulated to contribute to a better understanding of the contexts encouraging or discouraging new product market visioning, were developed and incorporated in a questionnaire. Validity and reliability checks were made. A population survey on all the 3,000 firms in the Central Technology Belt was conducted in January and February 2004.

Findings

Compared to the larger firms, small firms have been rated lower in the ability in and efforts on a number of possible indicators of the ripeness of the contexts for new product market visioning.

Research limitations/implications

The survey results drawn from a population survey in the Central Technology Belt may not be very representative of the whole country.

Practical implications

There is much room for improvement among small firms to nurture the contexts for new product market visioning. If small firms can devote greater energy for nurturing these contexts, they are hopeful to achieve a more impressive rate of conversion from opportunity product concepts to successful product concepts.

Originality/value

Previous studies on new products have centred on their development processes and after‐launch performance. New product market visioning, which is at the very front end along the continuum of new product development and launch, has received much less research attention. This study is the first one to carry out large scale investigation into the construct of new product market visioning and develop an initial pool of items to measure the construct.
Does time impact relational norms in bilateral exchange? The small business case
Authors: Samouel Phillip
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess empirically the presence of relational norms and the effect of time during the “transitory” and “established” phases of bilateral exchange for small business enterprises. Relationship development has recently become a central research focus in business management literature and is currently gaining more prominence when addressing the small firm sector. To‐date conceptual work has concentrated on the development of business‐to‐business relationships through sequential time dependent stages, including empirical work on the dimensions of relational norms. However, little attention has been given to role of time in this process of relationship building.

Design/methodology/approach

The commercial setting is the UK brewing industry which is characterised by a few large suppliers (breweries) and many small retail buyers (public houses). The focal dyad for the study is the brewery‐public house relationship. Data was gathered through a telephone survey to: confirm the presence and structure of relational norms between trading partners; and assess whether time impacts the development of these norms.

Findings

For longer established bilateral exchange covariance based structural equation modelling confirmed the presence of relational norms as a higher order construct reflected by three dimensions: flexibility, information exchange and solidarity. Further, regression analysis supported a positive relationship between the length of the trading partnership and relational norms.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of this study is that trading partners should nurture relationships through its early developmental stage to ensure enduring successful partnerships. The study needs to be replicated using a longitudinal design and alternative dyadic relationships, e.g. franchising and dealership arrangements.

Originality/value

The research provides empirical evidence supporting business‐to‐business relationship conceptualisations underpinned by social exchange theory.
Could enterprise resource planning create a competitive advantage for small businesses?
Authors: Lenny Koh S.C. , Simpson Mike
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to show how enterprise resource planning (ERP) could create a competitive advantage for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The main methods used in this study were questionnaires and interviews based on the application of an uncertainty diagnosing business model. Data were collected, using a questionnaire administrated to 126 SMEs, in the form of percentage contributions of the underlying causes of uncertainty (structured in the business model) on product late delivery. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out in SPSS to analyse the effects of the underlying causes of uncertainty in SMEs.

Findings

ERP could create a competitive advantage in delivery for SMEs by being responsive and agile to change, but not to uncertainty. Results suggested that only a few features in an ERP system were used to deal with change due to uncertainty. It was found that SMEs generally use their ERP system to generate a plan for production and use it as a guideline. SMEs concurrently use a range of buffering or dampening techniques to tackle uncertainty for crating a competitive advantage in delivery.

Research limitations/implications

The application of the business model in SMEs has provided useful knowledge to make‐to‐stock (MTS), make‐to‐order (MTO) and mixed‐mode (MM) manufacturing enterprises in which underlying causes of uncertainty were significantly affecting their product late delivery performance.

Originality/value

This is a highly original application of an uncertainty diagnosing business model to SMEs using ERP systems.
Future shape of the responsive manufacturing enterprise
Authors: Saad Sameh M. , Gindy Nabil N.Z.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to report on some of the preliminary results of an ongoing scoping study into the shape of the manufacturing enterprise of the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper evolved through a combination of literature review, focused group discussions, interviews and a questionnaire survey of six aerospace companies in the UK. It is primarily an attempt to provide a broad framework for synthesizing some of the information generally available as a contribution to the current debate regarding the future of manufacturing systems.

Findings

The results to date show that the product development process and supply network efficiency are the two most significant domains influencing manufacturing responsiveness. Within those domains, customer driven product development and supply chain design, intelligent and flexible technology, producibility analysis, integrated product and process development and the concurrency of the extended manufacturing enterprise are considered as the most significant elements towards achieving responsiveness. In addition a Responsive Manufacturing Model (RMM) is provided.

Research limitations/implications

The RMM reported in the paper is at an early state of development and the work is ongoing to refine it further. The development of appropriate measures and methods of assessment for the various facets and attributes of manufacturing responsiveness is an important step towards full model development which is still to be addressed.

Practical implications

The process of structuring the various elements influencing manufacturing responsiveness into logical groups in a hierarchical model has proved very useful during model development. It proved a significant aid during the focused group discussions and interviews that preceded completion of the questionnaire. The results to date are very encouraging and provide several interesting insights into the domains and elements of manufacturing responsiveness and the relative importance attached to them in the UK aerospace sector.

Originality/value

The work was funded by EPSRC (IMI) research grant as it was the first attempt in this field over within the UK. The proposed model and the obtained results have led to another research project funded by EPSRC over three years to further investigate the proposed model and the implication of its implementation.
Compulsory acquisition of oil exploration fields in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogedengbe P.S.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the problems of compensation for compulsory acquisition of oil exploration fields in Delta State with particular reference to the oil field acquired by Agip Oil Company for gas pipeline way leave in Irri and Okpai towns of Delta State.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted in which questionnaires were administered on some residents whose lands were acquired compulsorily on one hand and some estate surveying and valuation firms who are professionals in the fields of compensation on the other hand. The data collected were analyzed and presented using simple statistical methods.

Findings

The findings in this paper show that the compensation paid to residents whose lands were acquired is grossly inadequate, since professionals are not always involved in the process.

Practical implications

The paper shows that the issue of compensation for compulsory acquisition for oil exploration is very central in the oil‐rich Niger‐Delta, and if this is not handled carefully, it can lead to uncontrollable crisis.

Originality/value

This paper empirically examined the process involved in compulsory acquisition and compensation of land in the Niger‐Delta for oil exploration with a view to determining the adequacy or otherwise of the compensation paid.
Nurturing property investment by re‐engineered systems for land pricing by local authorities
Authors: Matipa Wilfred M. , Barham Ronald
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The research in this paper is aimed at re‐engineering existing approaches to the analysis of proposed developments in local authorities – from land pricing to planning permission – hence reducing the loss of revenue in councils, and nurture property development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a case study of seven city councils on the Copperbelt province of Zambia was conducted using the same template of questions.

Findings

The research found that councils had overly politicised management structure, static appraisal methods, poor market data capture, analysis and use. Additionally, councils did not use market data on property values; hence the existing analysis and appraisal systems are static and ineffective.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that extracting current data from the councils proved a severe limitation.

Practical implications

The paper shows that councils can: learn how overly politicised their interdepartmental communication and data exchange is; enhance paper based systems of appraising proposed developments by adding established methods of project appraisal that can ease the collection, analysis and synthesis of construction business data used in the appraisal process; Employ, and support qualified personnel with adequate resources necessary to perform their duties professionally; make gradual improvements to existing systems within the cultural and political atmosphere of the council; and appraise proposed developments using accepted business approaches; just like private sector consultants do.

Originality/value

The research provides practical solutions that enhance professional appraisal techniques in councils of most underdeveloped countries, hence setting the basis upon which market driven strategies for nurturing property development can be made
Expert groups as production units for shared knowledge in energy foresights
Authors: Erik Karlsen Jan , Karlsen Hanne
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This article seeks to investigate the knowledge sharing processes in expert teams working with foresighting, creating knowledge for and about the future in electronic work groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Observations and assessments have been made this study in two expert workshops conducted on the European level aimed at assessing the true status of plausible hydrogen technologies and their potential.

Findings

Building on an understanding of knowledge sharing as cyclic in its orientation, it is proposed that knowledge creation in expert teams draws heavily on latent knowledge embedded in the individual experts. Explicating latent knowledge is seen as occurring during reconstructions that involve questioning, confrontations and debates. Such reconstructions are not fully explicated in the dualistic representation of knowledge often referred to as explicit and tacit.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the assumption that expertise used in foresighting is embedded in some sort of implicit knowledge, which is latent, but not necessarily expressed previously, two hypotheses are proposed to be explored and pursued by means of a quasi‐experimental design to improve the understanding of the nature of knowledge creation and sharing processes as well as the linkage between implicit and explicit knowledge.

Practical implications

As a nominal group process, the use of an interactive electronic workshop seemingly produces information (ideas, assessments, measures, actions, etc.) more unbiased, more effectively and more abundantly than traditional expert groups.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the discussions of the linkages between the use of electronic work groups as a mode for eliciting expert information, and the foresight strategic planning processes.