bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstacles to entrepreneurship in a transition business environment: the case of Albania
Authors: Bitzenis Aristidis , Nito Ersanja
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To critically evaluate the obstacles and problems encountered by entrepreneurs while doing business in Albania, which is an economy in a transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology incorporates a survey that uses interview and questionnaire techniques. The sample was determined on a stratified basis (probability‐random sampling) involving the random selection of respondents from various strata of the population.

Findings

The most important obstacles faced by entrepreneurs in Albania include unfair competition, changes in taxation procedures, lack of financial resources and problems related to public order. Bureaucracy and corruption do not appear to represent significant barriers to entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

Responses from the selected strata were not distributed proportionally among the targeted sample.

Practical implications

Legislative amendments and new legislation which focus specifically upon small business and enterprise development should be implemented by the Albanian government in order to achieve a transparent fiscal reform and create a more favorable business environment.

Originality/value

This research provides a critical evaluation of entrepreneurial activities and the obstacles that entrepreneurs encounter while operating in the Albanian economy in transition.
Building entrepreneurial knowledge reservoirs
Authors: Øystein Widding Lars
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to add to our understanding of how entrepreneurs can build “knowledge reservoirs” to achieve competitive advantage. The study focus upon the following issues: what kind of actors can be found in various entrepreneurs' knowledge reservoirs, and what business knowledge do these actors possess.

Design/methodology/approach

The author employs a longitudinal case study approach, involving a sample of seven entrepreneurs in new technology‐based firms, each interviewed two times during the period from 1999 to 2001.

Findings

Evidence suggests that entrepreneurs should build knowledge reservoirs, segmented into internal, semi‐internal and external knowledge reservoirs. These reservoirs should be a means to gain competition advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual model has both empirical and theoretical backing, but the empirical backing is limited to seven cases. It would be useful to test the conceptual model on larger sample sizes.

Practical implications

Practitioners can focus on how to build knowledge reservoirs, while the model helps to increase awareness of the holistic view of entrepreneurial knowledge and which actors can contribute to it. Policy makers should encourage entrepreneurs to build knowledge reservoirs, and support systems could require a plan for this activity before entrepreneurs get access to public funds.

Originality/value

The paper makes four main contributions: model generation, development of terminology, further development of the field of entrepreneurial research, and development of RBT.
Promoting entrepreneurship at the University of Glamorgan through formal and informal learning
Authors: Edwards Louise‐Jayne , Muir Elizabeth J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper is a critique of the “Enterprise in Education” initiative, which has been implemented, supported and developed at the University of Glamorgan. The purpose of the paper is to critique the initiative so that best practice in enterprise education can be identified and embedded in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this paper was to review the related literature and use this to identify conceptual frameworks relating to entrepreneurial learning; distinguish between “for” and “about” entrepreneurship courses and better understand the informal learning experience. This was then followed by reflective critical analysis of the formal and informal learning activities at the university.

Findings

The analysis supports the notion that lack of support, resources and finance are barriers to self‐employment and access to entrepreneurial learning. Even with funded support for their learning, undergraduates are likely to face the barrier of lack of work experience and suggest postgraduate study as the space for “for” entrepreneurship courses. But whatever level of study there is a need for a seamless provision of “formal” and “informal” entrepreneurial learning.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst there is a need for longitudinal studies relating entrepreneurial learning with entrepreneurial activity and sustainability, some of the outcomes of this case study have been fed into policy and practice: the continuation and further development of specialist “for” entrepreneurship courses at postgraduate level.

Originality/value

This paper provides a case study of entrepreneurial learning in the university context and as such will be valuable to those developing courses in the field of entrepreneurship and those involved in developing university policy surrounding entrepreneurial learning.
A typology of “best practices” for a benchmarking process
Authors: Maire Jean‐Luc , Bronet Vincent , Pillet Maurice
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to provide guidelines of companies in identifying their best practices with reference to a French example.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes first the evolution of benchmarking, which nowadays is more and more based on the identification of good practices to acquire or transfer. Then we present a typology of best practices which can help a company to discern more effectively what could be relevant to exchange in benchmarking. Finally, we describe the best practice specification (BPS) method, which helps a company to locate and specify its good practices likely to be transferred within the framework of benchmarking.

Findings

The paper underlines the difficulty of a company to clearly define what a “best practice” is and the lack of methods which could help it to identify its best practices.

Research limitations/implications

Future research will be to develop a method of acquisition and representation of the best practices. In particular, it will be a question of studying if certain models that are currently proposed to represent knowledge (GAMETH, KADS, MKSM, MEREX, …) can be used for the acquisition and the formalization of these best practices.

Practical implications

The BPS method is presently applied in TECUMSEH Europe on its Cessieu site (France). The company is identifying the best practices currently put into place by the various sectors of manufacturing of the site on the process “To deploy progress effort (SPC and TPM)”. The long term objective of the company is to apply these practices in all of the manufacturing sectors of the site, as well as on those other three sites in the group.

Originality/value

This paper offers practical help to a company to identify and characterize its best practices.
The need for a universal humanitarian order
Authors: Veuthey Michel
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Within the context of an international conference dealing with global challenges, the Atlantic Community and the outlook for international order organized by Webster University, Geneva (Switzerland), to propose an approach to strengthening the international order by reviving the global responsibility to abide by fundamental humanitarian rules.

Design/methodology/approach

The twentieth century presented a very disturbing catalog of violations of humanitarian law. In addressing the main question of the conference, namely “What are the true principles of international order today and do we need new rules and organizing principles in the future?”, the author tackles the issue from the international humanitarian law perspective and suggests various instruments (formal and informal) for enhancing the protection of human dignity.

Findings

A global responsibility to abide by fundamental humanitarian rules may be revived through positive law and judicial mechanisms, but also through a new respect for human life, a return to universal values found in all civilizations, religions and traditions, and through a new humanitarian order based on the core concept of humanity.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that it is through a combination of existing legal and humanitarian instruments, and not just one, that the international order can be strengthened.
Imitative terrorism: a diagnostic framework for identifying catalysts and designing interventions
Authors: Pech Richard J. , Slade Bret W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Modern society has found its nemesis in the terrorist, fundamentalist criminals attempting to halt progress and force society back into the Dark Ages. This article aims to build on the work of Pech, arguing that many acts of terrorism are rooted in mimicry of acts of violence.

Design/methodology/approach

The article argues that the number of terrorist copying behaviours can be reduced through the concept of memetic engineering, which is the altering of the message that motivates terrorists and the copying of their violent activities. A model is developed for identifying and re‐engineering vulnerable constructs within the terrorist's causal algorithm.

Findings

This terrorist algorithm can be modified by: eliminating media portrayal of terrorists as freedom fighters and heroes; minimising potential causes of disinhibition; editing the terrorist's script that initiates and engenders empathy with violent acts; reconstructing the religious, cultural, and environmental support for violence as an acceptable means of communication, protest, and negotiation; reducing factors that facilitate susceptibility to the terror meme, identifying and moderating influences that initiate a state of cognitive priming for violence, and weaken the appeal of the terror meme. Introduces a diagnostic model for assessing key elements responsible for creating and sustaining terror memes.

Originality/value

The article describes an original and radically different approach to responding to terrorism. Essentially this means re‐engineering toxic scripts, using the mass media to moderate fundamentalist messages, re‐engineering of scaffolds that maintain some societies in cultural empathy with acts of violence, and the removal of environmental factors that enable terrorism to emerge.
Attract, retain and innovate: a workforce policy architecture adapted to modern conditions
Authors: Jorgensen Bradley
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Proposes the adoption of six strategic objectives around which to build a workforce policy architecture for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from a review of the literature, this paper investigates a workforce policy response to emerging social and demographic trends, forecast workforce shortages, ongoing and rapid change, the growth in complexity and the changing nature of work.

Findings

A workforce model that supports organizational growth and development, characterised by attributes that are associated with knowledge society work is proposed. These include: trends that alter the balance of the social structure; social and human capital growth; lifelong learning; a policy emphasis on the self; workplace flexibility; and the development of an organizational identity as a preferred corporate employer.

Practical implications

The outcomes of this paper are significant for large Australian public sector organizations.

Originality/value

This paper provides an integrated workforce management framework for dealing with emergent trends. The findings in this paper are of value to Australian public sector human resource executives.
Transport in Europe: where are we going?
Authors: May Graham H.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the future development of the transport sector in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on published sources of information and some expert views, the paper considers trends, drivers of change, possible scenarios and policy issues.

Findings

Transport demand for passengers and goods has grown consistently in the past and is expected to continue to do so in the future. Existing policies are unlikely to modify this trend or alleviate existing problems.

Research limitations/implicaions

The paper is based on existing sources.

Practical implications

Decisions in a wide range of policy fields have implications for transport, which are seldom considered.

Originality/value

Questions the sustainability of continuing growth in transport demand and the adequacy of current policy.
What's wrong with competition policy in new media?
Authors: Marsden Chris , Tambini Damian
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Aims to introduce the special issue “What's wrong with competition policy in new media?” which is based on a series of seminars given in January‐March 2005 at Oxford University's Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Discusses the papers included in this special issue.

Findings

Reveals that when it comes to the framework for commercial broadcasting, the position of publicly funded broadcasters, and various forms of state aid, some posit a future of deregulation in which communications are eventually treated as markets like any other, while others argue that many of the public policy objectives in the sector will require permanent sector specific regulation, and even that the competition framework currently being implemented should be subordinated to citizen not consumer interests

Originality/value

The lessons from the contributors are applicable to overall European policy.
Free, open or closed – approaches to the information ecology
Authors: Marsden Christopher T.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to analyze the key structural changes required for an effective competitive new media market via digital transmission. It also aims to explain the institutional obstacles to achievement of broadband deployment in Western nations by reference to East Asia's success.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies major trends and demonstrates evolving competition principles in the European Union media sector by discussing cases and literature in the deployment of broadband content and carriage.

Findings

The paper finds primarily that institutional barriers to reform of competition in both broadband and copyright fields create bottlenecks in any policy reform process. It goes on to consider models that have succeeded, in peer‐to‐peer content, cable and satellite television content, mobile telecommunications and East Asia, concluding that reform in fixed broadband is unlikely in the near‐term.

Originality/value

Policy discussion in copyright and telecommunications needs to be broadened to consider structural flaws in the institutions that govern these regimes. The paper takes a broad Northian view of institutions to encompass governance via markets, state and society in order to provide this view.
Broadcasting, universal service and the communications package
Authors: Woods Lorna
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assess whether the ECS succeeds in respecting the needs of broadcast content, especially given its accepted importance by the European Union and the member states for society at a social, political, educational and cultural level.

Design/methodology/approach

The article looks at the issue of access to broadcast content from the perspective of the viewer or citizen. In doing so, the article focuses on specific provisions in the ECS which aim to ensure access to infrastructure: Articles 5 and 6 Access Directive and Article 31 Universal Service Directive and questions whether these provisions provide sufficiently for a diverse range of broadcast content.

Findings

The paper concludes that protection awarded is focussed more on market considerations than non‐economic considerations and that citizens' interests, as opposed to those of the consumer, are not adequately protected.

Originality/value

This paper considers the telecommunications framework from a broadcasting perspective in some detail; most analyses of this legislation emphasise competition law issues in a telecommunications framework.
Competition policy and regulatory style – issues for OFCOM
Authors: Gibbons Thomas
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To examine whether OFCOM's Public Service Broadcasting Review has responded adequately to the contestable values entailed in this dimension of media policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of OFCOM's premises and reasoning, in particular its use of competition language, to test the implications for its statutory requirement to maintain and strengthen public service broadcasting.

Findings

OFCOM adopts a utilitarian approach when discussing normative issues relating to culture and media values. This is inappropriate in itself, but also reflects a desire to narrow the scope of its remit.

Originality/value

The paper challenges the current regulatory style of OFCOM and points to problems that need to be rectified for its legislative mandate properly to be fulfilled.
Experimental assessment of an innovation knowledge system for decision support
Authors: Nissen Mark E.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Today, a second generation of computer‐based innovation tools employs knowledge systems technology to automate and support key intellectual activities required for effective process design. But a central question remains as to the effectiveness of innovation through such knowledge systems. The research described in this paper is focused on testing the effectiveness of knowledge‐based process‐innovation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

One such system called “KOPeR‐lite” is employed as a platform for experimentation to assess the relative efficacy of process designs generated by people using this tool versus that of designs developed by people without it.

Findings

Performing in a decision‐support role, KOPeR‐lite helps people to perform comparatively well in certain respects, but human subjects without this tool outperform their KOPeR‐lite‐supported counterparts in others.

Originality/value

The results provide evidence to support some claims of innovation efficacy through knowledge systems, and they offer insight into the relative strengths and weaknesses of knowledge systems in the innovation domain. This study further opens up new lines of research and highlights implications for process design and practice, including issues associated with leading adoption of knowledge system technology and extension of innovation‐support systems such as KOPeR‐lite.
Towards IS supported coordination in emergent business processes
Authors: Marjanovic Olivera
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to investigate information system (IS) supported coordination in knowledge‐intensive business processes. These are business processes that cannot be pre‐defined as their models evolve during process execution from the accumulated experience. Consequently, these processes require a high level of knowledge‐sharing, collection and reuse among all participants in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a critical analysis of the main limitations of workflow technology that is widely considered to be the leading process‐oriented, coordination technology. It illustrates why this technology cannot be used to support coordination in knowledge‐intensive business processes. The paper then identifies a number of requirements for possible IS support.

Findings

The main conclusion of this paper is that coordination in knowledge‐intensive processes is, in fact, a knowledge‐intensive process itself, and as such it cannot be fully pre‐defined. Therefore, automation of this process is neither desirable nor possible.

Practical implications

Each IS requirement, proposed in this paper, identifies a number of further research and implementation challenges related to support of knowledge‐intensive business process. They will be of interest to researchers and practitioners both in the fields of business process management as well as knowledge management.

Originality/value

In essence, this paper argues that knowledge‐intensive business processes require fundamentally different coordination support from what is currently available in the area of business process support. This paper shifts the main emphasis from process automation to IS support for situated decision‐making.
Synchronous design of business processes and information systems using dynamic process modelling
Authors: Giaglis George M. , Hlupic Vlatka , de Vreede Gert‐Jan , Verbraeck Alexander
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper investigates the potential of dynamic process modelling as an approach for addressing the problem of information systems (ISs) evaluation in the context of organisational change.

Design/methodology/approach

A real‐life case study is discussed, showing how dynamic simulation models that incorporate the effects of a proposed IS on existing business processes can help analysts and decision makers arrive at more informed choices for system design and evaluation.

Findings

Based on the case findings, we postulate that the design and implementation of organisational systems could be augmented by the development of dynamic process models depicting business operations before and after the introduction of an IS, and the subsequent experimentation with such models to achieve maximum fit between organisational needs and system capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings imply that dynamic process modelling may be of help in the endeavour of developing ISs that are aligned with the overall business strategy and objectives.

Originality/value

Shows how dynamic simulation models that incorporate the effects of a proposed IS on existing business processes can help analysts and decision makers arrive at more informed choices for system design and evaluation.
Examining the relationship between business process improvement initiatives, information systems integration and customer focus: an empirical study
Authors: Bhatt Ganesh D. , Troutt Marvin D.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The goal is to examine the relationship between business process improvement initiatives (BPII), information systems (ISs) integration, and customer focus.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study were collected at the divisional levels from a list of “Fortune 500” firms. A total of 1,100 questionnaires were mailed to divisional managers and 115 responses were used for the data analysis.

Findings

The results of this study support the hypotheses that BPII directly affects customer responsiveness and product/service innovation. In addition, data integration and communication networks flexibility are found to significantly affect customer responsiveness and product/service innovation. Communication networks connectivity did not have any significant effect on customer responsiveness and product/service innovation, respectively. Data integration, intrafirm networks connectivity and networks flexibility are found to significantly mediate the relationship between BPII and customer responsiveness and BPII and product/service development, respectively. Interfirm networks connectivity was not found to significantly mediate the relationship between BPII and customer responsiveness and BPII and product/service development, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The sample consists of divisions ofFortune500 firms. Second, the study is cross‐sectional; therefore, it lacks the predictive power to find the long‐term effects of BPII and IS integration on customer focus. A longitudinal study can be a future research endeavor to validate the results of the study.

Originality/value

To business managers, the study clarifies the role of IS integration in customer focus.
Improving performance of customer‐processes with knowledge management
Authors: Bueren Adrian , Schierholz Ragnar , Kolbe Lutz M. , Brenner Walter
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Processes in customer relationship management (CRM) are classified as knowledge‐intensive processes. This paper seeks to provide a framework for knowledge management (KM) support of CRM processes and to show how this framework was applied in three action research cases.

Design/methodology/approach

In a long‐term cooperation with several leading companies the authors developed a framework for customer knowledge management (CKM) and applied this framework in several action research cases. Additionally, further case studies have been conducted which support the framework. A selection of three action research cases is presented.

Findings

Six core processes of CRM and four building blocks of KM to support these processes we identified. Each of these cases demonstrates the application of the framework and the implementation of the appropriate subset of CKM.

Research limitations/implications

The cases support the CKM model. All cases presented here come from the financial services industry, thus the framework still needs to be applied in other industry segments as well.

Practical implications

The cases evaluate the applicability, utility and efficacy of the CKM framework and show how it can help to make managerial decisions concerning the KM support of CRM processes.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework classifying the processes in CRM and the KM building blocks to support these processes. To researchers it provides an evaluation of the presented framework and shows potential fields for further research. It also gives practical advice to managers who plan CRM initiatives.
Expert view
Authors: Kueng Peter
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to improve business processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes various steps needed to improve business processes and the goals required at each step.

Findings

The steps required are: what goals should the process meet? How do we model the goals? How do we map the goals in the (IT) system? How do the goals influence the IT execution? Which goals have been achieved? Must we adjust the process, the goals, or both?

Originality/value

Explains the power of goal‐based processes.
A strategy driven business process modelling approach
Authors: Nurcan Selmin , Etien Anne , Kaabi Rim , Zoukar Iyad , Rolland Colette
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Most of the process models concentrate on who does what, when, i.e. on the description of the operational performance of tasks. The goal driven approaches try to establish a close relationship between the “whys” and the “whats”. The former captures the strategic goals of the organisation whereas the latter tells us how they are achieved through tasks carried out by actors. In addition, managers do not naturally make the distinction between what to achieve (the goal) and the manner to achieve it (the strategy). This confusion often leads to the expression of manners as goals. In order to make clear the fundamental distinction between these two concerns and to master the complexity of process modelling, this paper seeks to propose a goal‐perspective, the map‐driven process modelling approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The map representation system conforms to goal models in the fact that it recognises the concept of a goal but departs from those by introducing the concept of strategy to attain a goal.

Findings

A business and its supporting system change in a concurrent way. In order to help the propagation of the intentional changes onto operational ones, we adopted the two levels hierarchical spiral process model. The intentional spiral deals with the production of the business process models using the map formalism and the operational one deals with the specifications of the supporting systems.

Originality/value

A business process is defined in terms of goals and strategies of reaching these goals. The approach allows choosing an appropriate level of details when analysing and redesigning business processes.
On the notion of soft‐goals in business process modeling
Authors: Soffer Pnina , Wand Yair
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The paper aims at providing a conceptual framework based on clearly defined concepts and notions, which integrates goals into process modeling and specifically distinguishes goals from soft‐goals or business measures. The application of this framework facilitates a systematic use of soft‐goals in process design.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is developed on the basis of Bunge's well‐established ontology. It is applied to processes taken from the SCOR supply chain reference model for demonstration and evaluation.

Findings

Applying the framework to the SCOR processes resulted in a set of focused relations between soft‐goals and processes, as opposed to the ones suggested originally in the SCOR model. This demonstrates the usefulness of the framework in process design.

Research limitations/implications

The approach presented in the paper is still rather a theoretical framework than a fully validated procedure. It should be tested on larger‐scale cases in more practical settings and evaluated accordingly.

Practical implications

Applying the clearly defined concepts of the framework and the suggested analysis procedure is expected to lead to focused and applicable measures tied to business process during process design, and provide a basis for process measurement requirements to be supported by an information system.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is both theoretical and practical. It provides clear‐cut ontology‐based definitions to concepts which so far have been assigned fuzzy and ambiguous meaning and uses these definitions for systematically tying business measures to business processes.
The role of effective intervention in promoting the value of electronic information services in the learning process
Authors: Pickard Alison
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This research aims to produce a “mile‐deep” study of the impact of using EIS on a small homogeneous group of undergraduate students during their entire undergraduate education, a period spanning three years.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a constructivist approach, focusing on 19 in‐depth, holistic case studies to produce “rich pictures”. Data collection is achieved using interviews, focus groups, student diaries, bibliography analysis and observation. The fieldwork lasted three years in order to investigate changing behaviour over time, and measure impact.

Findings

These rich pictures reveal a variety of ways in which access to EIS can provide valuable learning opportunities in higher education. This paper focuses on the cross‐case analysis of the change in perceptions and use of EIS over a period of three years and the nature of the intervention that impacted upon this perception and use.

Research limitations/implications

This research indicates that longitudinal studies can demonstrate the impact of resources on individuals. This was a very homogenous group of research participants, it would be very useful to apply this research design to other profiles in order to establish transferability.

Practical implications

Electronic information services provide students with opportunities to interact one another and with vast quantities of information. Research has indicated that learning and cognitive development are intricately linked to opportunities to process and interact with relevant information and the medium used to deliver this information may well have an impact on these opportunities.

Originality/value

The length and depth of this investigation is rare in performance measurement research, impact was measured over time and in depth, on an individual basis.
Evaluating the IBM and HP/PANOSE font classification systems
Authors: Doyle John R.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to introduce, describe, and critically examine the IBM and Hewlett‐Packard PANOSE systems of (electronic) font classification. Microsoft's TrueType Font (TTF) file format allows font developers the option of classifying their fonts according to one or both systems, and writing that information into a special location in the TTF file for use by other software.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive survey of 13,000 TTF files was examined for information about their use of either classification system.

Findings

The classification systems are intended to help perform font substitution, as used when (part of) a document asks to be displayed in a font that is not present on the user's computer system, in which case the next nearest font is automatically chosen. However, of the nine sources of font compendia examined, only three had supplied adequate information about their fonts’ classifications in order to make this process workable. The other six sources had almost no coverage. When a font was classified by both classification systems, the two systems mapped poorly on to each other, suggesting that at least one system must be ill‐specified. PANOSE, the more detailed and slightly more popular system, showed poor internal consistency.

Research limitations/implications

Sampling of the universe of fonts was opportunistic, and avoided expensive font developers who may be more conscientious adopters of the classification systems. The reliance on historic secondary data means that it is not always possible to distinguish between limitations of the systems per se and limitations of the users of the systems. This article's arguments are based on data derived from difficult‐to‐picture distinctions.

Practical implications

Fonts are rarely classified at the source of manufacture or distribution. To compensate for this shortcoming, software tools are required that can classify TTF files at the point of use (i.e. on one's own system) and fill in the information which is missing from the TTF files found there. Furthermore, a better classification of fonts is required, in particular one that does justice to the variety and richness of display fonts. This should break free from the hard‐to‐perceive minutiae of traditional, historically‐derived methods. Instead, it should be psychologically grounded in the distinctions that people (i.e. the users) see in fonts, rather than those taught to graphic designers.

Originality/value

Provides an examination of font classification in TTF files from three angles and calls for an empirically‐driven font classification.
Data structuring and classification in newly‐emerging scientific fields
Authors: Juvan Simona , Bartol Tomaz , Boh Bojana
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The article seeks to address a methodological procedure based on keyword analysis and the structuring of data into information systems in the field of functional foods, a newly‐emerging scientific field within the broader scope of food sciences and technology.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was undertaken by selection of a research field or research subject, selection of search profile, selection and processing of relevant databases, keyword analysis, and the arrangement of data (keywords) according to tree‐structures. Keyword analysis was employed to identify narrower research fields within the broader scientific field. The structuring of data into systems was used to classify the terms within the particular narrow field. Keywords with higher and lower frequency were identified. A classification tree was set up, based on keywords (thesaurus‐based descriptors) extracted from the FSTA (Food Science and Technology Abstracts) database available online. The tree was supplemented and upgraded with some additional topical terms that have not as yet been included in the existing thesaurus. To serve as a comparison a completely new classification tree was designed, based on online full‐text data.

Findings

Comparison of the two trees suggests that the previous existing tree is sufficiently accurate in representing the field of functional foods, provided that it is upgraded with some additional terms. A more accurate classification should improve thesauri and consequently enhance retrieval in international databases.

Originality/value

Presents a methodology of database analysis which may serve to improve database patterns, especially with regard to information retrieval.
User role and perception of requirements in a web‐based community of practice
Authors: Tang Jih‐Hsin , Yang Heng‐Li
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between users' role and users' perception of requirements in a web‐based community of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Online survey and social network analysis were adopted in this study.

Findings

The study classified user roles as advisors and two types of regular users (both aware of advisors and not); each type of user demonstrated different sets of requirement perceptions. The findings showed that user roles and the level of user involvement did have a significant effect on users' perceptions of requirements. Advisors paid less attention to the interface, communication and recommendation links than the regular users.

Practical implications

It implies that high involvers (core members) are more appropriate for requirement elicitation, even though high involvers might not be the only candidates for requirements elicitation.

Originality/value

Few articles discuss the relationship between user roles and requirements; therefore, the originality of this study is high.
Researching ERP adoption: an internet‐based grounded theory approach
Authors: Oliver Dave , Whymark Greg , Romm Celia
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This research seeks to investigate the introduction of new information and communication technology systems and to describe the development of a conceptual model of enterprise resource‐planning systems adoption based on the published rationales organizations use to justify their adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a grounded theory approach to building the conceptual model from electronically distributed documents. These documents were selected from a sample of universities which adopted enterprise resource‐planning systems.

Findings

This paper reports on the use of grounded theory in the internet context. The study found that there were strong similarities between justifications and reported motives. The study noted that justifications concerning financial, work‐life and organisational‐mission issues were relatively minor.

Research limitations/implications

This model is built on published justifications, which should not be confused with motives. This picture may distort reality by over‐emphasising some rationales and under‐representing others.

Practical implications

This paper may be of interest to researchers considering the use of grounded theory in their research project.

Originality/value

This paper describes how grounded theory was used to construct a model of the rationales for adopting enterprise resource‐planning systems from electronically sourced documents. The paper is of interest to researchers in information systems and those conducting grounded theory research on the internet.
Intellectual capital
Authors: Pike S. , Fernström L. , Roos G.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the ICS intellectual capital methodology was developed starting from the underpinning academic theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is founded upon a number of theoretical strands. The basic intellectual capital approach is based on a development of the resource based theory of the firm. Most intellectual capital approaches have problems with meaningful measurement. ICS addresses the valuation of intellectual capital resources by using axiology and multi‐attribute value theory to produce a valuation framework and measurement theory to ensure that the results are reliable.

Findings

The ICS intellectual capital approach generates navigators (maps) of how resources are used in companies which have proven to be very useful. It has also demonstrated the value of deeper analysis of the intellectual capital resources. The measurement part, which is often used independently (known as the Conjoint Value Hierarchy (CVH), is shown as a powerful aid to decision making as well as to more straightforward valuation.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are that the navigator and its associated analyses are non‐rigorous while the CVH is rigorous, transparent and auditable. This mismatch can lead to problem and the challenge is to integrate them.

Originality/value

While parts have been reported previously, this paper is the first integrated review of ICS’ methodology.
An integrated framework for visualising intellectual capital
Authors: Boedker Christina , Guthrie James , Cuganesan Suresh
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to trace the techniques and consulting methods developed and deployed by an Australian project team during an investigation of a client organisation's intellectual capital management, measurement and reporting (ICMMR) practices. The article aims to highlight the benefits of adopting an integrated approach to investigating intellectual capital (IC) and proposes the Intellectual Capital Value Creation (ICVC) framework as an analytical model for extending the breadth and depth of existing management consulting and research practices into ICMMR.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods deployed by the project team during the consulting project included semi‐structured interviews and content analyses. Furthermore, the ICVC framework was developed and deployed as an analytical model to facilitate the investigation of the client organisation's ICMMR practices.

Findings

To the client organisation, the ICVC framework proved beneficial in that it enabled senior management to visualise their knowledge resources and how these contribute to organisational value creation. To the project team, the ICVC framework facilitated the identification of organisational knowledge management gaps, highlighting weaknesses in the client organisation's utilisation of its knowledge resources. The framework provides a structured approach for investigating organisations’ ICMMR practices and locating and analysing these within a strategic context.

Originality/value

The paper highlights to management consultants and others the importance of investigating client organisations’ ICMMR practices in an integrated manner and demonstrates to organisations the strategic significance of making “visible” their invisible sources of value creation.
Data envelopment analysis as method for evaluating intellectual capital
Authors: Leitner Karl‐Heinz , Schaffhauser‐Linzatti Michaela , Stowasser Rainer , Wagner Karin
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a consulting and management tool that fulfils the requirements of quantitatively and comprehensively evaluating and benchmarking the efficiency of intellectual capital (IC).

Design/methodology/approach

DEA is applied for a sample of input and output data of all technical and natural science departments of Austrian universities. Correlation and factor analyses are carried out to select appropriate variables of the sample. DEA estimates the production function of the units under evaluation in relation to peer units, which are identified as fully efficient.

Findings

Results illustrate the existence of scale efficiencies of Austrian university departments and show a large heterogeneity within and among universities as well as between different fields of study with respect to their efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

DEA is mainly appropriate for larger samples inside an organisation or among different organisations. The method can be easily transferred to similar management situations in other types of organisations or industries, where the efficiency of IC should be assessed.

Practical implications

The results reveal detailed improvement or reduction amounts of each input and output of the evaluated organisational units and indicate areas for managerial action at Austrian universities.

Originality/value

For the first time DEA is applied for evaluating and benchmarking IC of Austrian universities. DEA is proposed as consulting and management tool for evaluation IC performance.
Knowledge valuation analysis
Authors: Housel Thomas J. , Nelson Sarah K.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of an analytic methodology (knowledge valuation analysis, i.e. KVA), based on complexity and information theory, that is capable of quantifying value creation by corporate intellectual capital. It aims to use a real‐world case to demonstrate this methodology within a consulting context.

Design/methodology/approach

The fundamental assumptions and theoretical constructs underlying KVA are summarized. The history of the concept, a case application, limitations, and implications for the methodology are presented.

Findings

Although well‐known financial analytic tools were used to justify IT investment proposals, none provided a satisfying result because none offered an unambiguous way to tie IT performance to value creation. KVA provided a means to count the amount of corporate knowledge, in equivalent units, required to produce the outputs of client core processes. This enabled stakeholders to assign revenue streams to IT, develop IT ROIs, and decide with clarity where to invest.

Practical implications

When stakeholders can assign revenue streams to sub‐corporate processes, they have a new context for making IC investment decisions. “Cost centers” and decisions based on cost containment can be replaced. Concepts such as a knowledge market, the knowledge asset pricing model, k‐betas, and a sub‐corporate equities market can be developed and applied. Some of the limitations related to real options analysis can be resolved.

Originality/value

This paper introduces an approach to measuring corporate intellectual capital that solves some long‐standing IC valuation problems.
Strategic use of IC reporting in small and medium‐sized IT companies
Authors: Claessen Eggert
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on how IT sector organizations in all five Nordic countries have worked together to start a project on using intellectual capital (IC) reporting to improve strategy formulation in SMEs in the IT sector. The project, called PIP (Putting IC into Practice), is partly funded by the Nordic Innovation Centre (www.nordicinnovation.net).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds on the existing literature as well as the experience from the Nordic project.

Findings

The objective of the project is to produce, implement and disseminate harmonized indicators for realising intangible values in companies. Results from the project include the identification of common indicators for intangible values and how they can be used as supportive evidence for IC reporting. By using these indicators with strategy maps and scorecards, the companies are provided with tools and information to improve their strategy formulation process and develop further their competitive advantage.

Practical implications

The project aims to provide ways to put IC into practice as a tool for management in order to improve performance. Providing an open source framework for assisting the knowledge transformation process within companies is an important step is this respect. If successful, this will affect the management and reporting of IC.

Originality/value

This paper reports on the practical application of the resource‐based view of strategy, where intangible resources play a major role in the internal development path of a company. Even though the scope is limited to SMEs in information technology in the Nordic countries, the results are of interest, especially in terms of practical value to other types of companies and industries.