bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in sustainability reporting by an African defence contractor: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Samkin Grant
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the extent to which sustainability disclosures in a strategically important South African company have changed, in the light of the work by King.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a content analysis of the sustainability reports of a single reporting entity, Denel (Pty) Ltd (Denel), the largest manufacturer of defence equipment in South Africa. The computer assisted textual analysis software programme CATPAC II™ was used to undertake the investigation.

Findings

The paper finds that the emphasis of the sustainability reports changed each year over the period of the study. However, all the reports embody the principles and philosophical aspects of King (in 2002 and 2009). A year on year comparison of the 20 concepts identified as common to each data set over the period of the study found no substantial differences between them. This finding suggests an underlying consistency in their use by the prepares of the sustainability reports.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to the analysis of the sustainability reports contained within Denel's 2007 to 2011 annual reports.

Practical implications

The use of research techniques such as those described in this paper has practical implications for future research. Where legislative requirement requires corporate social responsibility reports to be prepared by private and public sector entities, this technique would be especially useful to establish the similarities and differences between them. Differences and the extent of the differences will be of interest to stakeholders groups, preparers and researchers as they will indicate how organisations in the different sectors view sustainability.

Originality/value

Although sustainability reporting has been the subject of extensive research, longitudinal studies are limited. This longitudinal study contributes to the limited CSR literature focusing on developing countries and, in particular, African countries, as well as on the defence or armaments industry.
Commentary on “Almost invisible – providing subtle support in community settings”
Authors: Jones Edwin
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Bates et al.'s discussion of the importance of subtle support and some of the pitfalls and potential of supporting people on a one to one basis in their community.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reflects on Bates et al.'s account in the context of a wider consideration of the meaning of support and key research findings, especially for people with more severe intellectual disabilities.

Findings

Subtle support is important, but it is necessary to be clearer about what it entails.

Originality/value

The paper welcomes the debate about subtle support and calls for the inclusion of a focus on the quality of support provided for people with more severe intellectual impairments. Further, the lessons should be used from empirical research regarding the distribution of assistance and the effectiveness of active support particularly the component known as positive interaction.
The People in Control Conference at City University, London: “We have opinions to share about our lives”
Authors: Harding Celia , Bukhari Saboohi , Hickin Julie , Harrison Kirsty
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the benefits of service users contributing to university teaching and having opportunities to present at a conference, both for student learning and clinical development objectives as well as for the service users themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

With reference to current policies and good practice guidelines, the article reflects on the experiences of both the students and the service users in relation to the literature and the events that led to the People in Control Conference.

Findings

Students valued the experience in terms of developing knowledge and insight into different techniques to facilitate both receptive and expressive communication. Students also had opportunities to think about their own perceptions of disability. Service users have gained in communication confidence and competence as well as getting opportunities to have their voices heard.

Originality/value

Increased opportunities for service users have cultural and clinical benefits for all involved.
Commentary on “The People in Control Conference at City University, London: ‘We have opinions to share about our lives’”
Authors: Bradshaw Jill
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to provide a commentary on Harding et al.'s article about the involvement of people with learning disabilities in university teaching and conference presentations.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews research into communication strengths and needs and into communication partnerships between service users and members of staff with a view to identifying communication barriers to the involvement of people with learning disabilities.

Findings

The generally poor communication environments in which people are supported are likely to limit opportunities for involvement.

Originality/value

It is suggested that increased involvement is likely to result from increased quality of daily communication. This may best occur as part of general service‐wide approaches to improving service quality, such as person‐centred active support.
Struggling with involuntary expressive behaviours
Authors: Ma Songge
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to explore what Chinese doctors have learned in authentic medical practice, what they want to learn, and the dynamics behind their professional learning in working contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses Narrative Inquiry, qualitative data which were collected by open‐ended face‐to‐face interviews and participative observation. Seven doctors from three hospitals in Shandong province were purposefully invited. Each participant was interviewed at least once, and all interview recordings were transcribed into research texts. The author narrated and re‐narrated stories of one chosen participant named Li Hengyang (pseudonym).

Findings

The paper finds that Chinese doctors divided their learning into two kinds: “professional” and “non‐professional”. The intrinsic‐motive‐driven learning of medical knowledge and techniques was attributed to “professional” and the extrinsic‐motive‐driven learning of “other things” was treated as “non‐professional”. The resultant force of intrinsic and extrinsic motives caused a performance disorder, a vague sense of professional identity, and involuntary expressive behaviours. The author finally pointed out that Chinese doctors' professional learning in working contexts is, to some extent, identity‐oriented.

Research limitations/implications

Single theoretical perspective constrained the analysis; future research may use different theoretical perspectives besides Goffman's theatrical performance theory.

Practical implications

The paper presents identity‐oriented learning of Chinese doctors and the dynamics behind it, which have practical implications for Chinese doctors, medical professional educators and national medical policy makers.

Originality/value

Although Chinese doctors' training and education have been explored a lot, their professional learning in working contexts was rarely studied before.
“Who am I supposed to let down?”
Authors: Lippke Lena
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Because of high drop‐out rates among the students entering vocational education in Denmark retention of students has become pivotal to Danish educational policy. Thus vocational educational training (VET) colleges have been asked to work on implementing different kinds of retention initiatives and as a result, most colleges have established extended basic courses aimed at students with personal, social and/or academic difficulties. This paper aims to explore the emotional aspects of vocational educational teachers' work and present a preliminary analysis of the notion of care as socially situated within the vocational educational system.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper derives from a study based on fieldwork at a VET college offering extended basic courses. During the fieldwork nine weeks of participating observations and 13 interviews with teachers were conducted.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights into the emotional practices and the management of emotions related to prevention of dropout within an educational setting. It shows how emotional practices can provide both teachers and students with positive identities and make out a productive force that prevents students from dropping out. However the management of emotions also involves a range of dilemmas and ambivalences revealing the difficult limitations related to an institutionalization and professionalization of human care.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research design more studies on the emotional aspects of prevention of drop‐out from both the perspective of teachers and students are needed.

Practical implications

The emotional dimension of retention remains to be recognized and critically discussed more widely among stakeholders at different levels within the VET system and policy makers within education. Handling both the possibilities and the pitfalls of emotional practices requires that teachers are not left alone feeling responsible for the fate of their students.

Originality/value

The paper contributes with descriptions of how emotions can be productive forces preventing students from dropping out of education. At the same time it identifies a need for further critical examination of the emotional aspects of teachers' working life.
The use of virtual prototyping to rehearse the sequence of construction work involving mobile cranes
Authors: Li Heng , Chan Neo K.Y. , Skitmore Martin
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Rehearsing practical site operations is without doubt one of the most effective methods for minimising planning mistakes, because of the learning that takes place during the rehearsal activity. However, real rehearsal is not a practical solution for on‐site construction activities, as it not only involves a considerable amount of cost but can also have adverse environmental implications. One approach to overcoming this is by the use of virtual rehearsals. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an approach to simulation of the motion of cranes in order to test the feasibility of associated construction sequencing and generate construction schedules for review and visualisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a system involving two technologies, virtual prototyping (VP) and four‐dimensional (4D) simulation, to assist construction planners in testing the sequence of construction activities when mobile cranes are involved. The system consists of five modules, comprising input, database, equipment, process and output, and is capable of detecting potential collisions. A real‐world trial is described in which the system was tested and validated.

Findings

Feedback from the planners involved in the trial indicated that they found the system to be useful in its present form and that they would welcome its further development into a fully automated platform for validating construction sequencing decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The tool has the potential to provide a cost‐effective means of improving construction planning. However, it is limited at present to the specific case of crane movement under special consideration.

Originality/value

This paper presents a large‐scale, real life case of applying VP technology in planning construction processes and activities.
Need for innovation in supplying engineer‐to‐order joinery products to construction
Authors: Forsman Samuel , Björngrim Niclas , Bystedt Anders , Laitila Lars , Bomark Peter , Öhman Micael
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The construction industry has been criticized for not keeping up with other production industries in terms of cost efficiency, innovation, and production methods. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge about what hampers efficiency in supplying engineer‐to‐order (ETO) joinery‐products to the construction process. The objective is to identify the main contributors to inefficiency and to define areas for innovation in improving this industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies of the supply chain of a Swedish ETO joinery‐products supplier are carried out, and observations, semi‐structured interviews, and documents from these cases are analysed from an efficiency improvement perspective.

Findings

From a lean thinking and information modelling perspective, longer‐term procurement relations and efficient communication of information are the main areas of innovation for enhancing the efficiency of supplying ETO joinery‐products. It seems to be possible to make improvements in planning and coordination, assembly information, and spatial measuring through information modelling and spatial scanning technology. This is likely to result in an increased level of prefabrication, decreased assembly time, and increased predictability of on‐site work.

Originality/value

The role of supplying ETO joinery‐products is a novel research area in construction. There is a need to develop each segment of the manufacturing industry supplying construction and this paper contributes to the collective knowledge in this area. The focus is on the possibilities for innovation in the ETO joinery‐products industry and on its improved integration in the construction industry value chain in general.
Transportation infrastructure development in the UAE
Authors: Al Nahyan Moza T. , Sohal Amrik S. , Fildes Brian N. , Hawas Yaser E.
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the major management issues that impact on mega transportation infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify the factors that cause unsuccessful project completions. The paper further seeks to identify the changes that can be made to improve project success.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study that involved face‐to‐face interviews with 20 key experienced transportation construction stakeholders who had been involved in a number of different projects in the UAE. This was followed by a focus group discussion involving ten key stakeholders who had been involved in the construction of a mega project – the Dubai Fujairah Highway. Analysis of the interview data was conducted using NVivo.

Findings

The findings highlight the complexity involved in managing mega transportation infrastructure projects in the UAE. Multiple stakeholders (government agencies, sponsors/clients, management firms, consultants and contractors) influence the various stages of projects. The need for effective communication, coordination, knowledge sharing and decision making amongst the stakeholders, especially during the planning and design stages, is highlighted as critical.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the small numbers interviewed for each stakeholder group. Nevertheless, the sample of interviews provides a good representation of the transport infrastructure construction industry in the UAE.

Practical implications

Three major practical implications relate to: improving communication and coordination amongst government departments and key stakeholders to streamline effective knowledge sharing and decision making, leading to successful project outcomes; improving the skills and competencies of professional staff at all levels and subsequently delegating authority to lower levels; and the adoption of global international standards to improve planning, design and construction activities.

Originality/value

The paper describes the first study of its kind conducted in the UAE that provides valuable insights with respect to transportation infrastructure project management.
Strategic branding roadmap for SMEs operating in business‐to‐business sector
Authors: Roy Dilip , Banerjee Saikat
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Operating as a commodity disables the scope of differentiation. In turn, the organization becomes vulnerable to competition. A strong brand ensures the selling company to get premium prices and in the best case rejection of competitive products by the buyers. Branding was often seen as the province of business‐to‐consumer (B2C) products. But in reality, the role of brand in business‐to‐business (B2B) market is also important. B2B sector is fiercely competitive in nature and in the recent past a strong need has been felt by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in this sector to elevate from commodity construct to brand for sustainable competitive advantages. Products from SMEs, in the B2B market, have nearly identical physical looks and performance specifications. As a result, it is difficult to achieve differentiation. In this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to study branding readiness of SMEs which are operating in a B2B market and a strategic road map has been proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical analysis has been made to understand relevance, objectives, benefits and hindrances of branding in this industry. In the second stage, a verbal conceptual model has been proposed to explain strategic steps of branding for SMEs which are operating in the B2B sector.

Findings

From the research it has been found that SMEs having different motivations behind branding based on criticality of the components and their market orientation. A strategic branding roadmap has been proposed in this section. Construction of the “Brand Initiative Framework” involves plotting of a “degree of product criticality” and “degree of market orientation” in the matrix form, each made of two states – high and low. The objective of this decision matrix is to guide SMEs operating in B2B sector to opt for requisite branding initiatives.

Practical implications

The proposed “Brand Initiatives Framework” can be of immense use to SMEs for managing branding initiatives to ensure clutter free differentiation with target segment.

Originality/value

This paper presents a generic approach that may work beyond country boundaries. The conceptual model of “Brand Initiative Framework” is of immense help to manage branding activities in a strategically profitable way.
New approaches to heuristic processes and entrepreneurial cognition of the market
Authors: Guercini Simone
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution that the study of heuristic processes can make to a better understanding of the gap between marketing theory and practice, particularly in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The term entrepreneurial marketing is used to refer to the marketing content of the entrepreneurial role.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature review is supplemented with the results of an empirical research study conducted by the author over the last ten years on SMEs in the fashion industry.

Findings

The paper investigates how entrepreneurs generate and share heuristics to produce and use knowledge about markets. Based on an in‐depth review of the literature, the paper develops the idea that this evolution of heuristics studies is of prime interest to an understanding of the specific features of the marketing content of the entrepreneurial role.

Originality/value

The paper provides a conceptual perspective based on the study of heuristics with the aim to provide a new basis to the debate on bridging the gap between theory and practice of marketing.
Relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and performance
Authors: Oly Ndubisi Nelson , Iftikhar Khurram
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and quality performance in small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs), and if such relationships differ between the two groups of enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the study investigates whether there is (or not) any moderating effect of organisation size (i.e. small versus medium firms) in the hypothesized relationships. A total of 124 SMEs provided the data for the study. The data were analysed using factor and hierarchical multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The results indicate a significant direct relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and quality performance. Specifically, the three dimensions of entrepreneurship namely, risk taking, proactiveness and autonomy are significantly associated with innovation and quality performance. Innovation is directly related to performance and mediates in the entrepreneurship‐performance link. These relationships do not differ between small and medium‐size enterprises, thus size is not a key factor in explaining the contributions of entrepreneurship to innovation and performance of SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The study's sample is limited to service SMEs in Pakistan. Although the objectives of the study were met, more studies are needed that compare or contrast small and medium enterprises, in other sectors and contexts.

Practical implications

The study underscores the importance of entrepreneurship to innovation and firms' quality performance in both small and medium‐size enterprises. This link is not dependent on the size of the enterprise. Management should promote risk taking, proactiveness and autonomy in order to enhance innovation and performance.

Social implications

The ratio of female to male entrepreneurs in Pakistan's IT sector is very low. This is clearly demonstrated in the sampling frame composition and the eventual responses received from both genders – out of 124 respondents, only two are females, this is less than 0.02 percent. The paper suggests some policy interventions that could change such asymmetric representation of women in entrepreneurial activities in Pakistan.

Originality/value

There is limited research comparing or contrasting small and medium‐size firms. Studies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have often used pooled data, thereby assuming inherent similarity, yet there is hardly any empirical basis for such. This study provides such basis/justification. It further argues that entrepreneurship and innovation are robust determinants of quality performance in both small and medium firms.
Governance at South African state‐owned enterprises: what do annual reports and the print media tell us?
Authors: Thomas Adèle
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The overall objective of the study was to track, over a two‐year period, the reported incidences of corporate governance transgressions at five strategic South African state‐owned enterprises (SOEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Transgressions for each SOE were documented against the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development's framework of best practice in governance for SOEs by reviewing annual reports and newspaper article citations over a two‐year period.

Findings

While political intervention in the operational running of each SOE is apparent, government appears not to have fulfilled its oversight role of ensuring the sound governance of SOEs according to best practices. While the SOEs appear to comply with external governance demands, compliance to internal, self‐regulated governance appears to be lacking.

Research limitations/implications

The use of annual reports and media reports to document governance practices are open to subjectivity. The broader extrapolation of findings based on five SOEs must be undertaken with caution.

Practical implications

The present study alerts government to potential areas of corporate governance practices at South African SOEs that warrant attention. As South Africa has recently joined the BRICS bloc of developing countries, the findings from the present study could afford a starting point for future comparative study among this group of countries, which appears to evidence similar challenges with regard to governance within their SOEs.

Originality/value

The present study begins to elevate the debate on corporate governance at South African SOEs from public rhetoric to a deeper understanding of the nature of the major problems that warrant attention. Although limited in scope, the study contributes to the scarce academic literature on public sector corporate governance in Africa in general, and in the South African SOE sector in particular.
Determinants of audit committees' activity: evidence from the UK
Authors: Adelopo Ismail , Jallow Kumba , Scott Peter
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the determinants of audit committee activity in UK listed companies after over a decade since the last investigation of this matter and with numerous significant changes in the regulatory and corporate governance framework globally.

Design/methodology/approach

Underpinned by agency theory, the study undertakes a multiple regression analysis of listed companies in the UK in order to determine the determinants of the activity of the audit committees in these companies.

Findings

The study finds that audit committee activity is an increasing function of boards' independence and diligence. Interestingly, it also finds a significant negative relationship between audit committee activity and ownership structure. A higher number of large shareholders with at least 3 percent of the firm's issued equity share capital are associated with a decrease in a committee's activity. Audit committee expertise, size and the availability of an audit committee charter were not significant determinants of audit committee activity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from the study suggest the need for more research into the factors that can explain the determinants of the activity of the audit committees in the UK and elsewhere. It also opens up the discussion on the effects of changing global corporate behaviors on corporate governance mechanisms.

Practical implications

This study shows that there is a positive relationship between board independence and the activity of the audit committees. In other words, to improve the performance of the audit committees in UK listed companies, board independence should be increased. There also seems to be substitution between governance mechanisms. The presence of large shareholders slowed the activity of the audit committees, as evidenced in a significant negative relationship.

Originality/value

The study revisits the determinants of the audit committees after over a decade since the initial investigation in the UK. However, the study is undertaken in a very different context with far‐reaching changes in the corporate landscape and regulations.
Objectivism in organization/management knowledge: an example of Bourdieu's “mutilation”?
Authors: Green Miriam
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine what counts as knowledge in the organization/management field.

Design/methodology/approach

Conventional, legitimated knowledge is analyzed through research into representations of an influential management text. Management and management accounting textbooks and research papers are investigated to establish the types of knowledge produced.

Findings

Mainstream representations of this book are partial, focusing on a “model” of what is likely to ensure successful organizational change – structural and systemic adaptations. What has been ignored is the problematization of structural change and the role of human agency. The foci and omissions of these representations cohere with divisions in the social sciences more generally – between “objectivist” and “subjectivist” ontologies and epistemologies.

Research limitations/implications

There is a need for further research into representations of texts about organizational change, the way the objectivist/subjectivist divide is played out, and its significance for organization/management studies and more widely for the social sciences.

Practical implications

Questions arise as to the validity and sustainability of such knowledge. Omissions about the difficulties in implementing structural change raise epistemological and practical difficulties for students, managers and consultants.

Social implications

Omissions of human subjectivities and agency from mainstream knowledge is problematic regarding successful organizational change and social issues more widely.

Originality/value

The paper's value lies in the in‐depth analysis of representations of a text in the organization/management area and the linking of the type of knowledge produced with broader epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences.
Corporate social responsibility reporting in Qatar: a descriptive analysis
Authors: Abdulla AlNaimi Hend , Hossain Mohammed , Ahmed Momin Mahmood
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current status and extent of corporate social responsibility reporting (CSRR) in the annual reports of Qatari companies listed on the Qatar Exchange. It seeks to contribute to the meagre descriptive literature on CSRR in emerging economies in general, and in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the annual reports of companies from both the financial and manufacturing sectors. The paper uses content analysis and covers five areas of CSR reporting including environment, human resources, product development, community involvement and others relating to inequality and the employment of disabled people.

Findings

The paper finds that most companies disclosed information related to human resources and product development, followed by community involvement. However, no companies reported environmental issues in their annual reports.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on annual reports for the financial year 2007. Hence, the conclusions reached cannot be generalized. A longitudinal analysis is needed to highlight trends in CSRR practices in Qatar. An in‐depth case study would also facilitate our understanding of why companies are making or not making certain types of social and environmental disclosure in Qatar.

Originality/value

Descriptions of CSRR in different parts of the world are still welcome, and arguably CSRR research in GCC in general and Qatar in particular is very limited.
Measurement of corporate social performance: an Indian perspective
Authors: Kansal Monika , Singh Sukhdev
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to: design a comprehensive, review‐based and statistically tested corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) index; measure item‐wise and theme‐wise the social performance of the top 82 companies in India; and investigate item‐wise and theme‐wise the variations in CSRD.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an empirical study of CSRD in 2009‐2010, using content analysis, Cronbach's α, the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov and Shapiro‐Wilk tests of normality and a six point scale (0‐5), mean, skewness, kurtosis, and Levene's, Kruskal‐Wallis's and Mood's median tests for analysis and interpretation.

Findings

CSRD shows less satisfactory social performance, mainly narrative, and varies significantly among items and themes. Community development, with a mean score of 14.30, is the most disclosed theme, followed by HR, with a score of 11.20. The human element is the center of social performance in India. More than equal focus should be given to the environment and to emissions, which impact the greater interests of the world. Some burning global issues like water usage, alternative sources of energy, product safety and innovation have not received adequate attention.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers ample scope for the further studies as each and every theme and item considered in the model/index requires individual focus to serve the future generations of mankind. Longitudinal/transnational studies in the area of CSR could be carried out to set the scene for further studies.

Practical implications

The paper recommends mandatory CSR norms leading to improved disclosure, the sharing of innovative knowledge, cost reductions and enhanced effectiveness in managing scarce resources.

Originality/value

The paper evaluates social performance in the economic, social, religious environment and highlights the emerging philanthropic attitude. The paper improves an existing model by incorporating an emerging dimension, i.e. “Emissions of carbon and other harmful gases”. The CSEEE index designed here is highly appropriate for developing economies like India. The paper measures CSRD using six‐point scales for the first time.
Corporate social responsibility, ethics, and corporate governance
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This inquiry into companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in Vietnam seeks to discern whether such constructs as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics act as antecedents for corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Three hundred and seventeen responses returned from self‐administered structured questionnaires relayed to 1,173 middle level managers were analyzed via ANOVAs and structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

From the results an interplay emerged between the ethics of justice and legal CSR/economic CSR. The ethics of care, on the other hand, tend to cultivate ethical CSR, which in turn positively influences corporate governance.

Originality/value

From the results of the research, insight into the linkage pattern of corporate governance and its antecedents highlights the magnitude of the ethics training program as well as CSR initiatives in reinforcing corporate governance in listed companies in Vietnam.
Institutionalization in cultural industries
Authors: Almond Bradley A. , DeJordy Rich
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to more closely examine the relationship between traditional cultural practices and the commercial products that are derived from and inspired by them. Existing institutional approaches to the cultural industries have been limited in their scope and empirical focus. This paper seeks to correct those oversights.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a focused historical case study of traditional Irish music, drawing from the myriad resources on the subject housed in the Boston College Irish Music Collection.

Findings

A unique and parallel production system in traditional Irish music was identified – a symbiotic and mutually reinforcing relationship between traditional social practices and derivative commercial products that has not yet been articulated within institutional approaches to the cultural industries.

Research limitations/implications

By applying DiMaggio and Powell's totality of relevant actors criterion in organizational fields the authors identify and describe the significant contributions of a class of social actors, who have been been marginalized in research on cultural industries.

Practical implications

The research has implications for practitioners in cultural industries – whether social entrepreneurs who wish to preserve or propagate traditional social practices or commercial entrepreneurs who wish to profit from them. The paper describes a symbiotic and sustainable relationship between these two classes of social actors and models a type of social entrepreneurship that can potentially be applied in other contexts.

Originality/value

Both empirically and conceptually, the paper offers fresh insights into cultural industries and institutional theory.
Claude Blanchet, entrepreneur, intrapreneur and public sector manager
Authors: Jacques Filion Louis , Chirita Mircea‐Gabriel
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Claude Blanchet was the first Director General of the Société de développement des coopératives du Québec (Cooperative Development Corporation), founding President of the FTQ's Fonds de solidarité (Quebec Federation of Labour Solidarity Fund) and Chief Executive Officer of the SGF (Société générale de financement du Québec, or General Investment Corporation of Québec). His lifelong passion has been to support the development of Québec, and he describes himself as being primarily a “builder of collective firms.” The purpose of this paper is to describe the life of a man who was exposed to an entrepreneurial culture from early childhood.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a case study – interview with the intrapreneur.

Findings

The paper shows that Claude Blanchet's values changed significantly as a result of his involvement in social movements. His goal became to build a modern Québec state. One of the elements characterizing his entire career is undoubtedly his courage in choosing to take unusual paths. This desire to explore and conquer new spaces is shared by most entrepreneurial actors. However, Claude Blanchet did it for reasons related to the development of Québec society.

Originality/value

One of the notable features of this case is the unusual career path taken by Claude Blanchet.
A better method to estimate price change in single family housing
Authors: Epley Donald
Published: September 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to compare a median‐to‐median estimate of residential price change to the FHFA home price index composed of repeat sales. Further, it seeks to use the complete population of closed sales. The conceptual issue is the use of a “typical” or average comparison through time as opposed to properties where attributes and their marginal prices are held constant.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the total population of closed sales rather than a sample. A time series for median price changes is compared to the FHFA time series. The medians for the complete population are the benchmarks, as the median parameter is the true value.

Findings

The study finds that the quarterly FHFA price changes do not capture market movements following a major external shock such as a tropical storm. Further, the FHFA data originate in mortgage applications which are not characteristic of the local market. The conclusion is that a median comparison is better, all deed recordings should be used, and repeat sales are not always a valid tool.

Research limitations/implications

Acquiring the data set of all deed transactions involved a budget which may be available to all analysts.

Practical implications

The practical applications are enormous. The results cast doubts on the FHFA home price index and the Case Shiller index. The paper supports the method used by the National Association of Realtors.

Social implications

All researchers interested in local real estate markets are concerned about the best method to measure changes in local demand and supply market conditions. This project presents a method to use that is sound conceptually and statistically. The reason is that the goal is to measure changes in the “typical”, or average, property over time.

Originality/value

The literature abounds with repeat sale papers. This paper gives an alternative and avoids the many flaws with paired sales. It should have a wide readership.
Resistance to change in Indian, Chinese and Estonian organizations
Authors: Pihlak Ülle , Alas Ruth
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how cultural differences influence change management in Indian, Chinese and Estonian organisations. The paper focuses mainly on the resistance to change and contributes to management research and management practices in multinational companies by improving the understanding of cultural influences on organisational change management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 177 business consultants and managers in India, China and Estonia who had participated in change management projects. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the impact of national culture to change management.

Findings

The cause of resistance was found to be mainly fear, in Indian and Estonian organisations, but in Chinese organizations it was the inertia. Increased stress was the most often experienced negative factor during change management projects in all three countries. Stress was caused mainly by leadership problems in India and by increased workload in Estonia. To overcome the resistance, communication was used in India and education together with communication both in Estonia and in China most often. Still, the content of these activities was different.

Research limitations/implications

The interviewees had different relations to the organisations they described and the size of organizations was different.

Practical implications

The paper's findings will help managers of multinational companies to understand the causes of resistance to change in different countries and plan the methods to overcome such resistance.

Originality/value

Papers such as this, about the effect of culture on change management, are increasingly important due to rapid globalization.
Emerging HRM skills in Australia
Authors: Kramar Robin , Steane Peter
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study which explores trends in the role (what is done) of human resources (HR) in general and the role of line managers in managing people. The study developed from claims for the transformation of the HR role. It aims to explore trends in the role and new competencies which are being developed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out qualitative, semi‐structured interviews of 53 HR professionals across a range of industries and organisational sizes.

Findings

The findings indicate that managers expect HR will increasingly encompass responsibilities for developing human capital as a strategic imperative of business, as well as the traditional operational executor/functional expert roles.

Research limitations/implications

While the paper identifies competencies expected in the HR role at present, as well as emerging competencies required by both HR and line managers, it invites a more generalizable study in the future.

Practical implications

The findings suggest a greater shift in strategic importance for HRM. Emergent competencies in other areas are identified, such as advocacy, conflict management, and succession and leadership development.

Originality/value

The paper shows that both HR and line managers will continue to be functional specialists, with a trend for role‐segmentation in the profession, as well as showing a need for a different mix of competencies, depending on career path and time.
Spatial transferring of the high‐tech industry in China: the perspective of specialization
Authors: Sun Yi , Wang Zheng , Ma Shengnan
Published: September 2012

Purpose

High‐tech industry transferring shows different features to the transferring of the traditional industries. In order to explain those special features in China, the purpose of this paper is to build a new conceptual model for high‐tech industry transferring and explore some empirical evidence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a perspective of specialization to analyze high‐tech industry transferring and a primary conceptual analytical model is discussed. Key models and methodologies are the industrial gravity center model, dynamic modes analysis, character induction and mechanism deduction method.

Findings

The features of high‐tech industry transferring within the China context include fast, surge, inverse‐gradient, as well as agglomeration and specification transferring. Based on the transfer pattern, high‐tech industry transferring modes are classified into two categories: vibration transferring and surge transferring.

Originality/value

Using a conceptual model, this paper analyzes the features of high‐tech industry transferring in China and proposes two typical patterns to explain how the industries transfer and what are the dynamic mechanisms. In order to improve high‐tech industry transferring in China, five policy implications are recommended.
The effect of trust in system reliability on the intention to adopt online accounting systems
Authors: Greenberg Robert , Li Wei , Wong‐On‐Wing Bernard
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the three principles in the SysTrust® service converge on a single construct to measure potential users' trust in the reliability of a system, and whether trust in the reliability of a system, as defined by the three SysTrust principles, affects potential users' intent to use the system.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors provide potential users with hands‐on experience with the online accounting system offered by Oracle Small Business Suites®. The authors subsequently assess their perception of the extent to which the system meets the three SysTrust principles, and their intent to use the system.

Findings

The results show that potential users' perceptions of the three SysTrust principles converge on one factor, suggesting that they are indicative of the trust in system reliability as proposed by the AICPA and CICA. Moreover, the study shows that trust in system reliability, as defined by the three SysTrust principles, influences potential users' intent to adopt an online system.

Originality/value

This study is the only one to provide evidence that the SysTrust principles provide a valid means to holistically assess system reliability as needed by potential users of a system. This study also extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by including two unique trust components in the examination of online behaviors. The extended TAM shows that potential users' trust in system reliability and their trust in the internet interactively influence the intentions of these users to adopt online systems.
Council for Administration: higher apprenticeships
Authors: Hollist Anthea
Published: September 2012

Purpose

In 2011, Skills CFA was successful in gaining funding to develop two Higher Apprenticeships in Human Resource Management (HRM) and Project management. The purpose of this paper is to present case studies of how these apprenticeship frameworks have been developed and future benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Information presented in the paper is drawn from the organisation's own work in developing two Higher Apprenticeship programmes. It builds on information incorporated in the original bid and project plan, as well as on‐going evaluation of how the programme is progressing.

Findings

Recent studies undertaken by CIPD and CFA show that employers are becoming more accepted in the HR and professional sector, with a number of respondents feeling that the development of such frameworks will help attract good quality candidates to the profession. Within the sector there are very few graduate training schemes and limited funds to support the development of individuals. The paper highlights how the two schemes have been created in response to these issues and also how it can support development of the sector.

Originality/value

The paper is based on the author's own experience and employer consultation. It presents a case study of an apprenticeship programme specific to the author's organisation.