bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing intellectual labour in Sweden and England
Authors: Barry Jim , Berg Elisabeth , Chandler John
Published: June 2007

Reports on findings from a research project, which has been examining the development of the New Public Management (NPM), a managerial reform movement for change in public sectors worldwide, and reports on a series of semi‐structured interviews with academics in Sweden and England as elements of NPM are introduced into the daily routines of university work. The findings suggest that, despite evidence of common elements of the NPM appearing in Higher Education in the two countries in question, as well as many similarities of experience and response among those subjected to change, there are differences ‐ with academics in England reporting longer hours and increased monitoring of their work than their Swedish counterparts. The article explores the nature of these similarities and differences.
Reciprocal adjustment? mainland Chinese managers in Hong Kong vs. Hong Kong Chinese managers on the mainland
Authors: Selmer Jan , Ling Eric S.H. , Shiu Lewis S.C. , de Leon Corinna T.
Published: June 2007

The adjustment of business managers from Beijing and Shanghai assigned to Hong Kong and of Hong Kong expatriates working in Beijing and Shanghai were compared in an exploratory study. The personal in‐depth interviews showed differences between the managers from the Chinese mainland and those from the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. The mainland respondents perceived substantial adjustment needs inside and outside the workplace in Hong Kong, but made earnest efforts and experienced few obstacles. On the other hand, the predicament experienced by many Hong Kong managers on the mainland closely resembles the worst experiences of expatriate managers reported in the literature on international adjustment. The implications of these non‐reciprocal results are discussed, and possible reasons for such findings are speculated upon.
Teaching students to manage cross culturally
Authors: Orpen Christopher
Published: June 2007

It is argued that the teaching of cross‐cultural management is both possible and, in principle, no different from teaching any other aspect of management. However, given the difficulties involved, it cannot be effectively taught through lectures and formal examinations, but instead requires the simultaneous employment of a variety of student‐involving techniques, some of which are described in the article; such as injecting cultural material into lectures, getting students to interview foreign managers, providing students with a cross cultural experience, having students make presentations on selected countries, and examining a few cultures in depth. The aim is not so much to prepare students to be expatriate managers in a particular country, as it is to develop an awareness of how to adapt their managing to any different culture.
Cross‐cultural effectiveness of Western expatriate‐Thai client interactions: lessons learned for IHRM research and theory
Authors: Fisher Gregory B. , Härtel Charmine E.J.
Published: June 2007

Expatriates who perform poorly in their overseas assignments cost multinational enterprises billions of dollars, damage firm reputation, disrupt relationships with local nationals, and often exact a cost on expatriates’ psychological well‐being. International human resource management, which assumes the crucial responsibility of managing expatriates, should therefore be able to identify the competencies underlying effective expatriate performance, and evaluate crosscultural competence and overall effectiveness. Little research, however, is available on the role of culture in determining cross‐cultural effectiveness in expatriate‐client interactions. Moreover, it is rarely acknowledged that the customer impacts upon the effectiveness of such interactions. This paper provides a theoretical explication of the relationships between the factors of intercultural effectiveness, sociobiographical characteristics, and perceived task and contextual performance of individual managers operating in an intercultural environment. Qualitative research is conducted which, in general, demonstrates the importance of examining intercultural effectiveness from the respective cultural perspectives of the expatriate and the host country client. The findings elucidate the factors contributing to the intercultural effectiveness of Western expatriate managers operating in intercultural teams in Thailand.
A cross‐cultural comparison of organizational culture: evidence from universities in the Arab world and Japan
Authors: Dedoussis Evangellos
Published: June 2007

Aspects of the organizational culture of four universities, two in Japan and one each in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, are discussed and compared. The paper argues that organizations established in countries sharing similarities in national cultures are likely to be characterized by similar values, beliefs, and assumptions, in short, that similarities in national cultures are likely to nurture similarities in organizational cultures. Japan and Arab countries are similar with respect to several cultural dimensions; thus, the organizational cultures of the four universities are expected to reflect such similarities. While the findings provide some support to the “culture‐bound” position it is nevertheless premature to entirely dismiss the “culture‐free” argument, as aspects of organizational culture in the universities examined appear to be the product of organizational variables rather than socio‐cultural factors.
Hispanic identity and acculturation: implications for management
Authors: Romero Eric J.
Published: June 2007

The United States has experienced a dramatic increase in the Hispanic population. This study is designed to discover the extent to which Hispanics have acculturated into American socieity. The results indicate that there is a significant difference between Euro‐Americans and Hispanic Americans in terms of ethnic identity. It seems that Hispanics have not fully acculturated into American culture. Implications for management are suggested regarding relevant organizational issues that are unique to Hispanics in the workforce.
Comparing leadership practices between the United States, Nigeria, and Slovenia: does culture matter?
Authors: Zagorsek Hugo , Jaklic Marko , Stough Stanley J.
Published: June 2007

The article explores the impact of culture on leadership practices in three countries in culturally and economically different regions: the United States, Slovenia, and Nigeria. It uses the visionary approach to leadership as developed by Kouzes and Posner (1987), who have identified five leadership practices (actions or behaviors) employed by effective leaders. Hypotheses about expected differences in the usage of those practices were developed on the basis of Hofstede’s (1980) country score. The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI: Kouzes & Posner, 1993) was used to collect self‐ratings from 351 MBA students in the respective countries. Contrary to expectations, the data reveals that there are not many significant differences between the leadership practices of American, Nigerian, and Slovenian MBA students, suggesting that some charismatic leadership behaviors may be universally practiced. Some differences to occur in the leadership practices of Modeling the Way and Enabling Others Act. Culture seems to affect gender differences in leadership practices. These differences are greatest for Nigerian respondents and smallest for Slovenian MBA students.
Perception of managerial characteristics and organizational performance: comparative evidence from Israel, Slovenia, and the USA
Authors: Sanyal Rajib N. , Guvenli Turgut
Published: June 2007

A survey of managers in Israel, Slovenia, and the USA finds a marked similarity with respect to the characteristics and abilities managers need to contribute to organizational success. Factors such as decision making ability, communication skills, commitment to organizational goals, ability to choose the right persons in key persons and ability to delegate are considered to be very important although there are differences with respect to the degree of their importance. Several managerial characteristics are also found to be significantly correlated with the firm’s financial success and employee morale. The findings are framed in the context of convergence‐divergence hypothesis as it applies to the internationalization of management practices.
A comparative analysis of the attitudes toward women managers in the US and Poland
Authors: Tomkiewicz Joseph , Frankel Robert , Adeyemi‐Bello Tope , Sagan Mariusz
Published: June 2007

As globalization intensifies, the need for tapping the capabilities of corporations’ human resources, gecome more paramount. To this end, businesses cannot afford to have their most important resource, their people, hampered by attitudes that detract from their abilities to perform at their best. This is especially relevant when there may be a misconception that being male is synonymous with management competency. The focus of this research was on exploring the attitudes towards women managers in the United States and Poland. Questionnaires were distributed to two groups of individuals within each nation, professionals and graduating business students or “future managers”. There were 157 and 295 usable responses from Poland and the United States, respectively. The results indicate that Polish women may have more negative attitudes to overcome in becoming managers in comparison to the US counterparts. Perhaps more disconcerting is the potential that “future managers” in Poland may have even more negative attitudes toward women as managers.
Value‐based management in local public organizations: a Danish experience
Authors: Storm Pedersen John , Dahl Rendtorff Jacob
Published: June 2007

In this article the authors discuss the utility of value‐based management on the basis of the case of value‐based management in the Mayor’s office of the administration of the Municipal of Aalborg, Northern Denmark. This was done in response to the pressure on public organizations in complex Scandinavian welfare states. They argue that value‐based management was introduced as an efficient way to make the organization more open to stakeholder expectations and demands, in particular the increasing request for efficiency of public organizations by citizens. Accordingly, value‐based management is a way to make public organizations less bureaucratic and more service‐oriented in a welfare state which is more open to management strategies from private firms. In particular they emphasize the significance of middle managers for the success of the process in organizations. Middle managers are requested to internalize values in their daily work. If this is done value‐based management is an efficient way to improve boths the ethics and the utility of public organizations without transforming them totally in to private market‐driven organizations.
Distributive justice in Northern Mexico and the US: a cross‐cultural comparison
Authors: Fadil Paul , Segrest‐Purkiss Sharon L. , Hurley‐Hanson Amy E. , Knudstrup Mike , Stepina Lee
Published: June 2007

A comparison of distributive justice strategies was made between a collectivistic culture, i.e., Mexico, and an individualistic culture, i.e., the United States. This study is the first to include the effect of ingroup/outgroup on the distribution strategies as Fischer and Smith (2003) called for in their extensive meta‐analysis of the topic. Distributive justice was operationalized as the monetary rewards given by Northern Mexicans and Americans in sixteen different allocation vignettes. The results showed that the two groups were significantly different in only one of the allocation vignettes. These results indicate a convergence between the cultures of the northern maquiladora region of Mexico and of the United States. Northern Mexicans and Americans were not significantly different in their distributive justice strategies.
Culturally specific prejudices: interpersonal prejudices of individualists and intergroup prejudices of collectivists
Authors: Fujimoto Yuka , Härtel Charmine E.J.
Published: June 2007

The authors propose that the nature of prejudice differs across cultures. A model is introduced that proposes that the interpersonal perspective associated with individualist cultures (Westerners) leads to interpersonal prejudices, whereas the intergroup perspective associated with collectivist cultures (Easterners) leads to intergroup prejudices. These prejudices, in turn, are argued to impact on the outcomes of individuals working in intercultural teams. An organisational diversity climate of openness fostered by diversity oriented HRM and the combined use of individualist and collectivist HRM policies and practices is proposed to minimize the negative effects of such prejudices can be minimized.
Understanding the salience of cultural dimensions on relationship marketing, it’s underpinnings and aftermaths
Authors: Oly Ndubisi Nelson
Published: June 2007

The current work demonstrates how relationship marketing (RM) application in cultures of low power distance, collectivism, femininity, high uncertainty avoidance, and long‐term orientation, can bring about customer’s repeat purchase, customer retention and sustained loyalty via superior customer value delivery. The paper also shows the moderation and mediation effects of trust, equity, empathy, and commitment, which are the underpinnings of a relationship as well as important values in the above cultures. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
A preliminary cross‐cultural study of occupational community dimensions and hotel work
Authors: Lee‐Ross Darren
Published: June 2007

Whilst cultural variables are likely to have an important bearing on the attitudes and behaviour of hotel employees, anecdotally, a pan‐industrial work orientation has also been long advocated as key in the formation of worker attitudes and behaviour. This study sought to identify and establish the extent to which this occupational view of work exists amongst employees in a number of international hotels based in Greece, Australia, St. Lucia and Britain. Using a survey approach with questions derived from earlier related studies, occupational communities were discovered in all hotels. The findings have significant implications for the recruitment and management of existing hotel workers as the occupational perspective challenges cultural notions of employee motivations and subsequent performance.
A field test of the diversity‐openness moderator model in newly formed groups: openness to diversity affects group decision effectiveness and interaction patterns
Authors: Fujimoto Yuka , Härtel Charmine E.J. , Härtel Günter F.
Published: June 2007

Detrimental effects of diversity in workgroups has frequently been observed but research identifying the factors that lead to negative or positive effects in heterogeneous groups is lacking. The Perceived Dissimilarity Openness Moderator Model provides one explanation of the process by which diversity influences group affective, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes. Specifically the model identifies individual, group, and organizational openness as moderating the effects of diversity in workgroups. In this paper evidence is provided from a field study that increased openness to perceived dissimilarity leads to better outcomes in newly formed groups. This study also constitutes a significant building block toward the development of theory concerning the moderating variables of the relationship between diversity and group processes, and outcomes of organizations.
Antecedents of work‐family conflict among dual‐career couples: an Australian study
Authors: Elloy David F. , Smith Catherine
Published: June 2007

The dual‐career phenomenon has become increasingly prevalent worldwide. For couples juggling multiple demands, this lifestyle often generates stresses and strains at home and at work, which can have negative consequences for organizations. Most empirical research into this lifestyle often generates stresses and strains at home and at work, which can have negative consequences for organizations. Most empirical research into this lifestyle has been conducted in the United States and Britain, and very little has been carried out in Australia. This particular study, based on data from an Australian sample of 62 lawyers and accountants, analysed the antecedents of work‐family conflict among dual‐career couples. The results confirm that overload, role conflict and role conflict significantly effect work‐family conflict. To enhance labour productivity and organisational effectiveness, therefore, human resource managers need to take account of the potential for dual‐career overload and conflict, and respond flexibly to dual‐career employee status.
On the pathogenicity of culture: questioning the rationality of “development” programs for perpetually dysfunctional aboriginal groups
Authors: Appo Dennis , Härtel Charmine E.J.
Published: June 2007

All Australian Aborigines have experienced the impact of Western culture to some extent which has resulted in the traditional cultures being irrevocably decimated. The reaction to the disintegration of traditional culture has been marked by a variety of outcomes. While some Aborigines have either accepted or reached a level of accommodation to the new order, others have responded in maladaptive ways. For some Aborigines, the disintegration of traditional culture and society has generated conflict, confusion and the disintegration of personality, which is conducive to the evolution of a dysfunctional group. It is the circumstances of and policy responses to dysfunctional Aboriginal groups, therefore, that is the concern of this article.
A survey of Singaporean Chinese investors in mainland China and their knowledge of the Chinese language
Authors: Mathew Mary , Krishnamurti Chandrasekhar , Sevic Zeljko
Published: June 2007

Focuses on business investments by Singaporean Chinese in Mainland China vis‐à‐vis the impact of the knowledge of the Chinese language, culture etc. on business success. The literature has shown four critical factors namely culture, guanxi, negotiation and communication as important facilitators for business investments in China. Chinese language, however, further moderates their influence on business investments. To explore the association between the Chinese language and the four critical factors, a sample t‐test was conducted. Additionally, the profile of Singaporean business investors in Mainland China was surveyed. The research provices insights for Singaporean and global business investors who are looking at Mainland China as a potential business opportunity.
Environmental perceptions, attitudes and priorities: cross‐cultural implications for public policy
Authors: Lee Chung‐Shing , Thad Barnowe J. , McNabb David E.
Published: June 2007

Presents the findings of a cross‐cultural analysis of perceived risks of environmental, technological, and societal problems. An international sample of 295 undergraduate and graduate students at three US universities and the National Taiwan University was surveyed. The study was designed to test two hypotheses: first, that today’s university students have grown numb to threat warnings and second, that differences in cultural and political contexts result in variation in the way societies perceive environmental issues and social concerns. Analysis of variance tests identified a number of significant differences in the way US and Asian university students perceive environmental risks, despite the many similarities in the university‐student cultures of both regions.
The effect of emotions in cross‐cultural expatriate experiences
Authors: Tan Jacintha A.C. , Härtel Charmine E.J. , Panipucci Debra , Strybosch Victoria E.
Published: June 2007

With increased recognition of the existence of emotions in everyday interpersonal interactions, the need for emotions in cross‐cultural interactions has become more obvious. Emotions play an important role in cross‐cultural expatriate interactions as these experiences are essentially social encounters. Yet, little research addresses the emotions felt and the emotional demands involved in the cross‐cultural interaction. Research on expatriate experiences centres solely on the cross‐cultural training, sensitivity, and adaptability of expatriates. What fails to be addressed, however, is the emotional aspect of this interaction. In this paper, we examine the cross‐cultural expatriate experience, integrating both the cultural and emotional aspects of the interaction. In doing so, we aim to advance understanding of the expatriate experience and the potential reasons underlying expatriate success and failure.
Cross‐cultural differences in consumer decision‐making styles
Authors: Leo Cheryl , Bennett Rebekah , Härtel Charmine E.J.
Published: June 2007

This article compares consumer decision‐making styles between Singaporeans and Australians. Utilising Hofstede’s framework, the paper argues that cultural dimensions influence consumer decision making styles. It is essential that managers understand cross‐cultural consumer decision‐making styles to make strategic decisions or effectively handle members of these nationalities. Marked differences were found between the two populations for: brand consciousness, innovativeness and overchoice confusion. The results suggest that some consumer decision‐making styles differ due to consumers’ cultural values. Managerial implications and future research directions are discussed.
A Cross‐cultural comparison of value systems and consumer ethics
Authors: Ford Charles W. , Nonis Sarath A. , Hudson Gail I.
Published: June 2007

Given the in creasing globalisation of economies, a growing number of marketing firms are expecting more of their profits to be derived from international sales. However, failure to account for or understand the effects of differences in consumers' cultural values on decision‐making will hinder a marketer's efforts to expand internationally. Using samples of Middle‐eastern and US consumers, the study found cultural values and consumer ethical beliefs to be significantly different between the two groups. In addition, these cultural values explained a significant part of the variation in consumer ethical beliefs in both cultures.
Cultural values in Malaysia: Chinese, Malays and Indians compared
Authors: Fontaine Rodrigue , Richardson Stanley
Published: June 2007

Discusses various cultures around the world and examines some models of national culture particularly those of Hofstede and Schwartz. It reports some findings on cultural differences between the main ethnic groups in Malaysia (Malays, Chinese and Indian) using an instrument based in part on Schwartz's seven dimensions. Further, differences between managers and their subordinates are examined. Two conclusions are that there are few significant differences in cultural values between the three ethnic groups but there are highly significant differences between subordinates and their superiors, in the sample of 324 Malaysians investigated.
Communication openness, conflict events and reactions to conflict in culturally diverse workgroups
Authors: Ayoko Oluremi B.
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This research paper aims to advance the understanding of the circumstances under which diversity may be beneficial or detrimental for quality group process. Especially, the paper seeks to argue that communication openness is antecedent to the differing group members’ reactions to conflict events, which, in turn, are proposed to impact group's task and social outcomes in culturally diverse workgroups (CDWs).

Design/methodology/approach

Using social identity theory as the springboard, we built on existing literature to hypothesize the proposed relationships among variables. These relationships were tested quantitatively using multiple regression.

Findings

There are a couple of significant findings from the current research. Direct effects include groups with low levels of communication openness were linked with increased destructive reactions to conflict, bullying behaviors and emotional reactions to bullying; and destructive reactions to conflict were associated with emotional reactions to bullying. Moderating effects include: high levels of communication openness moderated high levels of productive reactions to conflict for decreased bullying behaviors in groups; communication openness made a difference on bullying when destructive reactions to conflict higher; and lower levels of communication openness moderated destructive reactions for increased emotional reactions to bullying.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited by its reliance on data that focused on primarily on cultural diversity consequently, the impact of gender, age, and other forms of diversity has not been controlled. Future research should consider the impact of age and other forms of diversity in teasing out the effect of communication openness on bullying behaviors.

Practical implications

The results from this study have implications for leaders of CDWs. A leader who is able to manage the reactions to conflict, especially destructive reactions to conflict by increasing communication openness may be able to reduce the perception of bullying behaviors and emotional reactions to bullying. These actions should, in turn, lead to increased group task outcomes.

Originality/value

First, this current paper is one of the first few studies that quantitatively examined bullying in organizational workgroups and in particular, culturally heterogeneous workgroups. Secondly, the paper is also one of the first few papers to examine the role of communication openness and reactions to conflict in workplace bullying and emotional reactions to bullying. Consequently, the paper will be useful for group members and managers as well as leaders of workgroups that experience conflict and bullying. Specifically, such leaders will need not only to manage conflict skillfully but also manage the group member's reaction to conflict to reduce bullying and emotions of bullying in their workgroups.
Cross‐cultural management: six perspectives
Authors: Fontaine Rodrigue
Published: June 2007

Purpose

Different researchers look at cross‐cultural management from different perspective. By identifying six perspectives, this study aims to help researchers identify lacuna and helps the field by identifying under‐researched areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a literature review of papers directly or indirectly linked to cross‐cultural management, cross‐cultural psychology and studies on stereotyping.

Findings

The paper starts with a riddle. Why has the UK, a culturally homogeneous society, experienced 18 racial riots since the 1980s whereas Malaysia, a culturally heterogeneous society, has experienced none? This fact can be understood through six perspectives. These are named the classical approach, the anthropological approach, the psychological approach, the stereotyping approach, the knowledge management (KM) approach and the systems thinking approach.

Originality/value

There are three key points. First, understanding perspectives allows researchers and practitioners to know where they and others are coming from. Second, it allows researchers to identify under‐researched areas. Third, the point is made that classical studies were focused on understanding the past while emerging fields (KM and systems thinking) is more geared towards shaping the future.
Cultural distance asymmetry in expatriate adjustment
Authors: Selmer Jan , Chiu Randy K. , Shenkar Oded
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The current literature implicitly assumes a symmetric impact of cultural distance (CD) on expatriate adjustment. By using distance as a predictor of adjustment, the literature has rendered the direction of the flow irrelevant: a US expatriate in Germany is presumed to face the same hurdle as a German expatriate in the USA. Not only is there no evidence to justify that suggestion, but logic and related findings suggest just the opposite. The aim of the present paper is to test the proposition that such impact is asymmetric, that is, the impact of CD is contingent on the direction of the assignment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a two‐flow sample of US expatriates in Germany and German expatriates in the USA, we examine and compare the psychological and socio‐cultural adjustment of each group of executives.

Findings

Controlling for the length of assignment, we find that German expatriates in the USA were better adjusted, both socio‐culturally and psychologically, than American expatriates in Germany. These results support the asymmetry hypothesis and call into question previous findings attesting to the relationship between CD and expatriate adjustment.

Originality/value

The paper offers new insights into the concept of CD and the findings may amount to a potentially fundamental contribution to the literature with important implications for the theory and practice of international human resource management.
Cultural classifications of societies and how they affect cross‐cultural management
Authors: Rodrigues Carl A.
Published: June 2007

Describes cultural classifications of societies, based on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, to form a basis of managerial styles which expatriate managers, in particular, can use as a reference tool. Goes into more detail about: power distance, collectivism/individualism, strong/weak uncertainty avoidance, masculinity/femininity, Confucian dynamism, master of destiny/fatalistic, improvement/maintenance of status quo, enterprise, personnel selection, attitudes towards wealth, sharing in decision making, objective/emotional analysis, and high/low context cultures. Relates this to cross‐cultural management styles, but points out some problems, not least multiple classifications of cultures. Suggests that this article should be used as a starting point, rather than an ultimate cultural guide to conducting business globally.
Financial revolution: Russian capital markets in the 90’s
Authors: Monahan Joseph
Published: June 2007

Scrutinizes Russia’s capital markets and the state of the economy. Recounts the establishment of the US‐Russian Capital Markets Forum in 1996 and the reforms they recommended making. Looks also at banking, equities, trading equities, mutual funds, tapping foreign capital markets, government securities, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and corporate bonds – and the role they can all play in helping Russia’s economy to recover. Concludes that, in some areas, Russia has made tremendous progress. Recommends that investors need to think carefully about investment decisions before acquiring Russian securities.
Instrumental values: a five‐nation comparative study
Authors: Abraham Rebecca
Published: June 2007

Compares the values underlying the behaviour of a sample of 87 US, 56 Jamaican, 42 Bahamian, 106 Colombian, and 12 Israeli managers and professional staff. Refers to literature defining individualism and collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and masculinity/femininity; as well as literature establishing these values as instrumental or terminal. Hypothesizes that each country‘s respondents will record different instrumental values, with the US respondents being ambitious, independent, intellectual and logical (vertically individualist); the Colombian, Jamaican and Bahamians being ambitious, cheerful, forgiving, helpful, loving, obedient and polite; and the Israelis also valuing the latter six qualities. Describes the methodology used and data analysis. Indicates expected results from the findings, other than the Jamaicans and Bahamians were found to value ambition and independence more highly than hypothesized, and the Israelis valued love and obedience but not cheerfulness and forgiveness. Discusses the implications of the findings in the light of the high failure rate of expatriate assignments.
Logistics and cultural diversity: hand in hand for organisational success
Authors: Canen Alberto G. , Canen Ana
Published: June 2007

Provides a rationale for looking at logistics and cultural diversity from a global “intercultural” perspective, and proposes this view as a potential tool for sensitizing logistics managers to cross‐ concerns. Concludes that any firm which embraces this concept by understanding cultural differences and going beyond cultural boundaries will reap increased organizational performance.
Some Chinese common words and expressions and their cultural origins
Authors: Weidong Zhang
Published: June 2007

Suggests that misunderstandings frequently occur when trying to understand Chinese language and culture, and so gives the implied meaning of various Chinese expressions and sayings such as greetings, thanks, respect, age, congratulations and taboo subjects.
Public organisations effectiveness and its determinants in a developing country
Authors: Atiyyah Hamid S.
Published: June 2007

Examines the concept of public organisations’ effectiveness in a developing country (Saudi Arabia) using a sample of 105 organizations and three questionnaire scales, and investigates the correlates of effectiveness. Concludes that the achievement of high effectiveness in Saudi Arabian public organizations is dependent on a conflict‐free, co‐operative work climate.
Personal values, business ethics and strategic development
Authors: Mauro Nicholas , Natale Samuel M. , Libertella Anthony F.
Published: June 2007

Defines ethics and examines the controversy surrounding teaching ethics in business schools. Traces the link between personal values and business schools, and discusses strategies for developing and maintaining ethical businesses.
Examining the impact of the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance on staffing decisions: a look at US and German firms
Authors: Jeanquart‐Barone Sandy , Peluchette Joy V.
Published: June 2007

Examines the impact of cultural differences on recruitment and selection practices in the USA and Germany, using a sample of 45 German and 25 US firms. Finds that German firms reported a significantly higher utilization of low‐risk recruitment methods for both blue‐ and white‐collar employees, a significantly higher use of structured and work‐related selection methods for white‐collar employees, and a greater percentage of corporate budget devoted to training. Highlights implications of these findings.
Prediction of system reliability for single component repair
Authors: Sun Yong , Ma Lin , Mathew Joseph
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to present a new split system model (SSM) that predicts the reliability of complex systems with multiple preventive maintenance (PM) actions in the long term.

Design/methodology/approach

The SSM was developed using probability theory based on the concept of separating repaired and unrepaired components within a system virtually when modelling the reliability of the system after repairs. After theoretical analysis, a case study and Monte Carlo simulation were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed model.

Findings

The model can be used to determine the remaining life of systems, to show the changes in reliability with PM actions, and to quantify PM intervals after imperfect repairs.

Practical implications

SSM can be used to predict the reliability of complex systems with multiple PM actions, and hence can be used to support asset PM decision making over the whole life of the asset, such as scheduled PM times and spare parts requirements. An asset often has some vulnerable components, i.e. where the lives of these components are much shorter than the rest of the asset. In this case, PM is often conducted on these vulnerable components for maximising the useful life of the asset. The specific formulae derived in this paper can be used to predict the reliability of the asset for this scenario.

Originality/value

The proposed model uses a new concept of split systems to predict the changes of reliability of complex systems with multiple PM actions. Asset managers will find this model to be a useful tool in the optimisation of their asset PM strategies.
Evaluation of the uncertainty affecting reliability models
Authors: Basile Olivier , Dehombreux Pierre , Riane Fouad
Published: June 2007

Purpose

Reliability models are generally estimated from small samples. This paper seeks to calculate the uncertainty affecting reliability parameters in function of the sample size.

Design/methodology/approach

The confidence intervals are calculated on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations and using the variance‐covariance matrix; the two methods are compared.

Findings

Numerical results for the estimation of uncertainty have been obtained for standard reliability models, non‐homogeneous Poisson process and generalized renewal process.

Originality/value

For the generalized renewal process, the article points out the influence of the age correction factor on the number of repairs authorized and on uncertainty. The surface plot of the likelihood function with respect to parameters is a convenient tool to interpret the uncertainty.
Real‐time degradation monitoring and failure prediction of pulse energy conversion systems
Authors: Kolokolov Yury V. , Monovskaya Anna V. , Hloindo Adjallah Kondo
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to present a new approach for safe operation, and maintenance cost reduction, regarding electrical and electromechanical systems of power production, power conversion and power transmission, primarily in industrial units.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adapts a theoretical approach to real‐time monitoring of pulse energy conversion systems (PECSs), and prediction of abnormal dynamics incipient and developing failure. The approach utilizes the preliminary bifurcation analysis results and the geometrical interpretation of the fractal regularities in PECS dynamics, to reveal degradation development.

Findings

It turns out that this new approach enables one to fill the joint requirements of real‐time failure prediction of the high frequency power control devices, and of the relating failure symptoms to cause parameters. Discussions are led on the fundamental outcomes of numerical and experimental investigations of a DC‐DC buck voltage converter with pulse‐width‐modulation (PWM) control.

Practical implications

The real‐time monitoring of incipient abnormal dynamics in key nonlinear devices of electrical and electromechanical systems constitutes a mean to predict and prevent failures. It provides invaluable information for deciding and planning predictive maintenance actions, from the insurance of optimal operating conditions to abnormal operating prevention, either by means of modification of controlled parameters and control laws or, in the worst case, by change of the power components' structure.

Originality/value

About “failure prediction”, this paper proposed to pay attention, not to identification of the dynamics evolution specific reason, but real‐time monitoring of this reason consequence – incipient abnormal dynamics in the electrical and electromechanical systems – that can lead to failure. The advantage of this approach consists in the possibility of taking into account PECS operating conditions of models ambiguity of both disturbing parameter changes and PECS behavior.
Maintenance alternative integration to prognosis process engineering
Authors: Muller Alexandre , Suhner Marie‐Christine , Iung Benoît
Published: June 2007

Purpose

This paper proposes the extension of a prognosis process by means of the integration of maintenance alternative impacts in order to develop a maintenance decision‐making tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The deployment of this extended prognosis process follows a methodology based both on probabilistic and on event approaches.

Findings

The importance of the maintenance function has increased due to its role in keeping and improving the system availability and safety but also the product quality. To support this new role, the maintenance concept has undergone several major developments to lead to proactive considerations mainly based on prognosis process allowing one to select the best maintenance plan to be carried out.

Practical implications

Studies over the last 20 years have indicated that around Europe the direct cost of maintenance is equivalent to between 4 and 8 per cent of total sales turnover. The indirect cost of maintenance is likely to be a similar amount. Thus, in the countries where modern maintenance practices have yet to be well adopted by industry, the potential savings from modern maintenance are massive. These modern and efficient maintenances imply identifying the root‐cause of component failures, reducing the failures of production systems, eliminating costly unscheduled shutdown maintenances, and improving productivity as well as quality. It means, for the companies, migrating from their traditional reactive approach, which is “fail and fix”, to “predict and prevent”. The advantage of the latter is that maintenance is performed only when a certain level of equipment deterioration occurs. This “proactive” maintenance is mainly based on prognosis process often considered as the Achilles heel, while its goal is fundamental for implementing anticipation capabilities. This paper looks into this issue by proposing the development of an innovative prognosis process integrating the modelling of maintenance actions and their impacts on system performances. It leads to offering a maintenance aided decision‐making tool cable of assisting the decision‐maker in selecting the best maintenance plan to be carried out.

Originality/value

The feasibility of this new prognosis is experimented on the manufacturing Tele‐Maintenance (TELMA) platform supporting the unwinding of metal bobbins.
Efficient cooling with tool inserts manufactured by electron beam melting
Authors: Rännar L‐E. , Glad A. , Gustafson C‐G.
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative study, regarding cooling time and dimensional accuracy, of conventional injection mold cooling channel layouts, using straight holes and a baffle, and free‐form fabricated (FFF) layout, manufactured by the direct‐metal rapid tooling (RT) method electron beam melting (EBM). Many other methods have been proven useful for RT, but the authors have not found any publications where EBM has been used to manufacture injection molding tools.

Design/methodology/approach

A test part was designed in order to replicate a common and important issue: inadequate cooling in deep cores. The part and the different cooling layouts were analyzed in an injection molding simulation software and the numerical results were compared with corresponding experimental results.

Findings

The analyses showed an improvement in both cooling time and dimensional accuracy in favor of conformal FFF cooling channels manufactured by EBM. The experimental results correlate well with the numerical tests, however with some discrepancies.

Research limitations/implications

The results presented are based on the direct‐metal RT method EBM, and they were obtained using a specific test part.

Originality/value

This paper can be a useful aid when designing mold tools and especially when considering the usage of FFF cooling channels versus conventional cooling design. It can also serve as a reference when comparing the efficiency in terms of cooling time and dimensional accuracy between different layouts.
3D printing technique applied to rapid casting
Authors: Bassoli Elena , Gatto Andrea , Iuliano Luca , Grazia Violante Maria
Published: June 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify the feasibility and evaluate the dimensional accuracy of two rapid casting (RC) solutions based on 3D printing technology: investment casting starting from 3D‐printed starch patterns and the ZCast process for the production of cavities for light‐alloys castings.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from the identification and design of a benchmark, technological prototypes were produced with the two RC processes. Measurements on a coordinate measuring machine allowed calculating the dimensional tolerances of the proposed technological chains. The predictive performances of computer aided engineering (CAE) software were verified when applied to the ZCast process modelling.

Findings

The research proved that both the investigated RC solutions are effective in obtaining cast technological prototypes in short times and with low costs, with dimensional tolerances that are completely consistent with metal casting processes.

Practical implications

The research assessed the feasibility and dimensional performances of two RC solutions, providing data that are extremely useful for the industrial application of the considered technologies.

Originality/value

The paper deals with experimental work on innovative techniques on which data are still lacking in literature. In particular, an original contribution to the determination of dimensional tolerances and the investigation on the predictive performances of commercial CAE software is provided.
On the manufacturability of scaffold mould using a 3D printing technology
Authors: Liu C.Z. , Sachlos E. , Wahl D.A. , Han Z.W. , Czernuszka J.T.
Published: June 2007

Purpose

To investigate the effect of operation parameters and printing configuration on the manufacturability of moulds in the manufacture of tissue engineering scaffolds using a 3D printing system.

Design/methodology/approach

The scaffold moulds were built using proprietary biocompatible materials using a modified Solidscape T66 ink‐jet printing system. The manufacturability of biological scaffold moulds has been investigated in terms of resolution, accuracy, and minimum and maximum manufacturable features.

Findings

The results demonstrated that the 3D system used in this study is able to fabricate structures with high reproducibility and flexibility. It was found that thermal degradation of BioSupport material had an adverse effect on resolution and accuracy of moulds printed for scaffold manufacturing. The maximum features, including maximum length and height, are geometrical dimension and orientation dependent. The system could produce a longer and higher features when the mould was aligned perpendicular to the axis of the mill than that parallel to the axis of the mill. The bigger the cross‐sectional area, the longer/higher the manufacturable feature the machine can produce. The accuracy and resolution are attributed to the size of the molten droplet of BioBuild that caused local melting of the support layer and which partially diffused into the support layer.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide a guide to the design and fabrication of precision scaffold for tissue engineering using biocompatible materials.

Originality/value

This paper describes a method and process to evaluate the manufacturability of a scaffold mould using 3D printing technique. The limits to mould design are established, it could be extended to other solid freeform fabrication systems for effective operation and precision control.