bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usability testing and design of a library website: an iterative approach
Authors: George Carole A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of the usability studies used by the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries during the redesign of their website.

Design/methodology/approach

The Libraries used a web‐based survey to determine needs, proceeding to the prototype design, and completing the process with the final design and user testing. Think‐aloud protocols, used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the final design, asked participants to verbalize their thoughts as they completed a series of tasks.

Findings

The results of the protocols indicated several key weaknesses with respect to navigation, screen design and labeling, leading to more revisions and the final release. Testing indicated that color and graphics attract attention; font, labels, and placement increase visibility; chunking and leading with keywords increase readability; and consistency increases usability.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study and therefore not necessarily representative to the general population of library website design efforts.

Practical implications

This paper describes several methods of gathering feedback during website design or usability testing with an emphasis on think‐aloud protocols.

Originality/value

The techniques used here may be useful to others who are approaching redesign and usability testing of their own sites and interested in creating a user‐centered design.
Usability testing for web redesign: a UCLA case study
Authors: Turnbow Dominique , Kasianovitz Kris , Snyder Lise , Gilbert David , Yamamoto David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the processes the UCLA Library Website Redesign Team used to develop a new library website responsive to the needs of the broad population of UCLA Library users.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a combination of structured analyses of the previous library website, user surveys, a card sort protocol and a think‐aloud protocol, the Website Redesign Team procured sufficient information to meet its redesign goals: established clear site organization and navigation, utilized user‐centered nomenclature, ensured easy access from the library homepage to relevant information, developed a unified institutional visual identity throughout the site, and enabled a content management system.

Findings

Standard usability methods such as surveys and the card sort and think‐aloud protocols are essential tools for evaluating and redesigning complex multi‐layered websites. Since the redesign process is not finite, these tools contribute to keeping a website current and responsive to the needs of its users.

Originality/value

This case study provides an example that the Redesign Team hope will empower readers with tools and knowledge that they can use to perform similar tasks in their own environment.
Redesigning for usability
Authors: Jeffcoat King Heather , Jannik Catherine M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To describe the efforts by the Georgia Institute of Technology Library to keep its website relevant and current by incorporating user testing, both outsourced and in‐house.

Design/methodology/approach

A chronological history of the Library's web presence with a discussion of how user testing was conducted with a vendor and how future testing will be conducted by the Library itself.

Findings

Illustrates issues the Georgia Institute of Technology Library has faced in regards to its website in the past, and future plans to test the site to maintain currency and strive to meet the users' needs.

Originality/value

This paper offers practical information for undertaking usability testing of a library website.
Sustainable design for multiple audiences
Authors: Norberg Lisa R. , Vassiliadis Kim , Ferguson Jean , Smith Natasha
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To demonstrate the value in conducting a usability study and following an iterative design process to create a more user‐centered and sustainable digital library.

Design/methodology/approach

After identifying three key user groups, a series of usability tests and focus groups were conducted to assess how users interact with the site's interface. An iterative design process followed involving the development and testing of prototypes by representative users and stakeholders.

Findings

Users' interaction with a digital library is task‐oriented and context dependent. Serving the needs of multiple audiences is an iterative process and requires an ongoing dialog with users.

Research limitations/implications

Like most usability studies, the results are not generalizable.

Practical implications

It offers an example of how an informal usability study and iterative design process can be conducted to create a more user‐centered digital library.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the information needs and behaviors of users of cultural heritage digital libraries and builds on the literature on usability and iterative design.
Designing effective tasks for digital library user tests: lessons learned
Authors: Notess Mark , Kouper Inna , Swan Maggie B.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To describe lessons learned about the process of designing effective tasks for digital library user tests.

Design/methodology/approach

Illustrated examples are drawn from eight separate user tests run over the course of three years during development of Variations2, the Indiana University digital music library.

Findings

Four major considerations for effective task design are described and illustrated. Areas explored include iterative task development, design of authentic activities, recruitment of authentic users and how to deal with unrealistic testing scenarios.

Practical implications

Lessons learned in task design are matched with examples that illustrate how to balance real‐world constraints with ideal testing conditions to gather useful results.

Originality/value

User tests that consider a balance between real‐world constraints and ideal conditions are more apt to provide useful design ideas for complex systems such as digital libraries. Practitioners may use these guidelines to develop and run their own effective user tests.
IUPUI image collection: a usability survey
Authors: Kramer Elsa F.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To measure functionality, content, and awareness of an online digital image collection by observing participants in a controlled search for a specific image and evaluating their responses to questions with the objective of improving the site.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were recruited from among faculty, staff, and students based on interests stated in online profiles or indicated by type of professional work or academic major. Participants were timed while searching for a target photo and interviewed afterward about their search experience and their use of digital images.

Findings

Most potential users are not aware of the Indiana University‐Purdue University Indianapolis image collection and have some difficulty locating it, but when introduced to it find the site attractive and navigable and its content interesting and useful for research, instruction, publication, or class work.

Research limitations/implications

There were only 5,100 images uploaded to the collection at the time of the study. The participant group was limited to 70.

Practical implications

User data and suggestions help the archives staff work with CONTENTdm™ to make improvements to the site's function and metadata; choose photos to scan for the collection; and develop site‐marketing plans.

Originality/value

This study provides quantitative measurements of user habits and concerns. Observation, sometimes rejected as an obtrusive methodology, is shown here as an important tool to evaluate human‐computer interaction for improved understanding of user perspectives on navigability and functionality.
Copyright news: Orphan Works and Section 108: reproduction by libraries and archives
Authors: McKay Aprille , Yakel Elizabeth
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss key issues for archives and special collections related to the recent Library of Congress Orphan Works report and Section 108 Study Group.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a documentary and legal analysis.

Findings

The article finds that recent developments in copyright, such as the Library of Congress' determination on Orphan Works and the Section 108 Study Group could have major implications for libraries and archives interested in digitizing their holdings and making them more widely available.

Practical implications

This article points to several new and / or emerging developments in the evolution of Copyright law in the USA that have implications for libraries, archives, and museums.

Originality/value

This article identifies and highlights the implications of the Orphan Works and the Section 108 Study Group findings on copyright.
Vandals at the gates
Authors: Fox Robert
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine issues surrounding digital stewardship and information security with the digital library.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is exploratory in nature.

Findings

This paper highlights areas in which there needs to be awareness of information security issues in order to protect patrons and library resources.

Practical implications

Information security is now everyone's business. Librarians who deal heavily in digital content must be active in their stewardship of digital library resources, both to preserve and protect potentially sensitive content, but also the privacy and confidentiality of the patrons.

Originality/value

It is hoped that everyone who has anything to do with the creation, maintenance, dissemination and preservation of digital content in the library context will take information security seriously. This paper is intended to be a primer for those who have not taken account of information security issues to begin doing so on an ongoing basis.
A generic Grid security policy reconciliation framework
Authors: Gymnopoulos Lazaros , Tsoumas Vassilios , Soupionis Ioannis , Gritzalis Stefanos
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for enhancing security policy management in the Grid.

Design/methodology/approach

The Grid security policy reconciliation problem is presented. A generic view on the security policy notion is adopted and the security policy ontology notion is introduced and used.

Findings

In the course of this work it was found that, in order to enhance security policy management in the Grid, Grid entities should have the ability to negotiate their security policies. It was also found that, in order to achieve security policy negotiation, effective security policy semantics manipulation towards security policy reconciliation is needed. Finally, it was established, through the use of an example, that if appropriate means are used for security policy reconciliation then incompatible security policy representations can be transformed into compatible ones.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations stem from the adoption of a generic view on the security policy notion and the selection of identification and authentication security policies as the focal point of the proposed framework. Research implications include the possibility of examining how existing security policy reconciliation models can be incorporated in this generic framework. The possibility of investigating how such a framework can lead to a security policy knowledge management tool for Grid administrators is also demonstrated.

Practical implications

Practical implications of this work include the establishment of a common framework for security information exchange between Grid entities.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a framework for enhancing security policy management in the Grid. The proposed framework can be used by researchers as a reference and by security experts in order to reduce ambiguity concerning the interpretation of security policies expressed in different forms, by negotiating Grid entities.
An ontology‐based distributed whiteboard to determine legal responses to online cyber attacks
Authors: Peng Leisheng , Wijesekera Duminda , Wingfield Thomas C. , Michael James B.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to assist investigators and attorneys addressing the legal aspects of cyber incidents, and allow them to determine the legality of a response to cyber attacks by using the Worldwide web securely.

Design/methodology/approach

Develop a decision support legal whiteboard that graphically constructs legal arguments as a decision tree. The tree is constructed using a tree of questions and appending legal documents to substantiate the answers that are known to hold in anticipated legal challenges.

Findings

The tool allows participating group of attorneys to meet in cyberspace in real time and construct a legal argument graphically by using a decision tree. They can construct sub‐parts of the tree from their own legal domains. Because diverse legal domains use different nomenclatures, this tool provides the user the capability to index and search legal documents using a complex international legal ontology that goes beyond the traditional LexisNexis‐like legal databases. This ontology itself can be created using the tool from distributed locations.

Originality/value

This tool has been fine‐tuned through numerous interviews with attorneys teaching and practicing in the area of cyber crime, cyber espionage, and military operations in cyberspace. It can be used to guide forensic experts and law enforcement personnel during their active responses and off‐line examinations.
All that knowledge, and so what? Scholarship in the digital university
Authors: Sax Boria
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To ascertain how scholarship will be impacted by digital media.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper breaks down the vocation of scholarship into subsidiary tasks. It examines how their relative importance has changed in the modern era. Finally, it looks at which tasks will be facilitated or complicated by digital media, particularly by the internet.

Findings

The tasks of collecting and storing information have been made far faster and easier by digital media. Other tasks such as sorting, evaluating and assessing the implications of information have, however, become more difficult. In consequence, theory has become far more important.

Research limitations/implications

The extrapolations in this paper are about broad trends, which may manifest themselves in a variety of ways.

Practical implications

In the future, one can expect scholarship to deal less with uncovering new information. Instead, scholars will have to devote more time and effort to ascertaining why information is important. Scholars will be expected to articulate not only their methods but also their purposes.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information on how scholarship will be impacted by digital media.
How to become an effective – bias‐free – decision‐maker in an increasingly global economy
Authors: Wickham Philip A.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To make strategists aware of decision biases and their potential impact on effective strategic decision‐making.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of five critical biases, their sources and impact. The article includes a self‐test.Findings –Suggestions on how the strategist can address biases in self and others as part of strategic leadership.

Research limitations/implications

Conceptual review and self‐test.

Practical implications

Simple, easy to implement guidance on managing biases in self and others.

Originality/value

Raising strategists’ awareness of biases and their potential impact. Self‐test on decision biases. A route to the literature on the issues.
Strategic marketing’s global challenges and opportunities
Authors: Cravens David
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Strategic marketing is confronted with an array of global challenges and opportunities at the beginning of the twenty‐first century. Some opinion leaders question the role and importance of marketing strategy. Others are convinced the discipline is more vital than ever before.

Design/methodology/approach

Several important trends and issues have been articulated by leaders in the marketing discipline concerning how marketing thought and practice are expected to change in the future. Interestingly, opinion leaders offer very different interpretations concerning the role and importance of marketing in organizations today. FindingsThus, it is apparent that a complete vision about the future of marketing strategy has not emerged, although several challenges are indicated. Our objective is to identify these strategy challenges and their implications regarding marketing thought and practice. Importantly, the challenges highlight several marketing strategy opportunities which are relevant to scholars and managers.

Research limitations/implications

Marketing Science Institute interviews with CEOs and top marketing executives from a diversified sample of 12 corporations indicate “The strategic influence of marketing, as previously understood, appears to have diminished as short‐term revenue goals become more dominant and the role of the sales force is strengthened”. McGovern and Quelch in their survey of 120 companies and 18 interviews with CMOs and/or CEOs from global companies indicate that large corporations are “looking for strategic and operational leadership from the marketing organization more than ever before. The result is the increasing prominence of a senior executive whose title didn’t even exist ten years ago: the chief marketing officer or CMO”. Interviews with more than 40 CMOs from a range of companies around the globe by McKinsey & Company indicate that the top priority concern “is that an explosion of customer segments, products, media vehicles, and distribution channels has made marketing more complex, more costly, and less effective”. Vargo and Lusch propose that “marketing thought is not so much fragmented as it is evolving toward a new dominant logic – the exchange of intangibles, specialized skills and knowledge, and processes”.

Originality/value

Several forces are expected to impact the strategic marketing decisions of a wide range of companies throughout the world. Moreover, these forces need to be addressed in managerial initiatives, course design, and several offer promising research opportunities.
Managing virtual project teams: how to maximize performance
Authors: Kuruppuarachchi Palitha
Published: January 2007

Purpose

I was responsible for delivering a Radio Systems Development program. The program totalling over A$20 million was undertaken in the country NSW, Australia, over a three‐year time period, using the existing human resources of the NSW Police in a virtual team environment.

Design/methodology/approach

At the beginning of the program, a framework was provided for managing the program. The structure used in the program was a relatively unstructured one: informal communications was supported and project implementation was reliant on trust, cooperation and teamwork. Well‐proven project management and team management concepts were applied, some worked, but some didn’t.

Findings

The program was reviewed following its completion. Ideas from various stakeholders were sought and analysed in terms of: what went right and why, what went wrong and why, what could be done better, and any issues which may help on another project.

Originality/value

The program was reviewed following its completion. Ideas from various stakeholders were sought and analysed in terms of: what went right and why, what went wrong and why, what could be done better, and any issues which may help on another project.
The life, death and resuscitation of brands
Authors: Groucutt Jonathan
Published: January 2007

Purpose – By using the metaphor of the human life cycle this paper examines some of the longevity issues of branding. The paper also explores how brands can be resuscitated (or rejuvenated) when in declining health or indeed on the edge of death (brand heart attack). Linked to this is the Darwinian view of adaptability where brands have extended and, indeed, developed their market position through innovation and re‐positioning. Equally, it considers the outcomes when there is little or no hope of resuscitating the brand, and the future of the organization. Mini cases studies are provided throughout that illustrate some of the issues in the life, death and resuscitation of brands. Design/methodology/approach – While using a metaphor the paper is designed to consider real issues that brands face within dynamic highly competitive environments. If brands do not adapt (through innovation and re‐positioning) they risk premature decline and death. Findings – The “health” of a brand is determined by numerous internal and external factors. Some within the control of the organization others not. Simple errors of judgement can have a catastrophic impact on the brand. However, though continual monitoring organizations can adapt the brand to evolve within changing environments. Research limitations/implications – There is potential for future research in two core areas: developing the human life span further as a metaphor for brand existence; and considering the ‘vital’ signs for an ailing brand. This may then lead to a better diagnosis of failing brands and more informed ways of rejuvenating such brands. Practical implications – Organizations must seek to continually monitor the ‘health’ of the brand in relation to its changing environments. Life expectancy can be increased through evolving the brand (innovations and re‐positioning). However, organizations must also recognize when the brand had genuinely reached the end of its life span. Brands that have a lingering decline do little for the brand or the organization. The difficulty for many organizations is really knowing when the brand can no longer be resuscitated. Originality/value – The objective of this paper was to explore the idea of the human life cycle being a metaphor for a brand’s existence. By taking such an approach it may assist managers in determining: the potential longevity of their brand; and rejuvenate ailing brands. Thus the article has a practical application.
From strategy to e‐strategy: lessons from two success stories
Authors: Constantinides Efthymios
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper examines the strategic approach of two exemplar internet firms belonging to the first generation of dot.coms. The analysis identifies and compares their corporate strategic approach as one of the factors that helped these companies to escape the internet disaster and maintain their market leadership for more than ten years.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a methodological process for identification of growth‐oriented strategic decisions taken and implemented by the two internet corporations in a period of five years. The strategic decisions were classified and compared based on the methodology proposed by I. Ansoff.

Findings

The classification and comparison of the strategic course of the two firms reveals interesting similarities in their managerial approach and deviation from traditional strategic procedures and thinking. The most important conclusion is that successful firms in a market with low entry barriers maintain their market leadership by focusing on short‐term rather than long‐term competitive advantages. Such a strategy requires managerial flexibility and deviation from traditional strategic practices and thinking.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required in order to obtain a more comprehensive picture of the strategic practices of successful virtual firms as well as in order to identify the critical differences between the online and the physical strategic practices.

Practical implications

Focusing on short‐term competitive positions as a strategy for survival and success in the virtual marketplace requires the continuous critical analysis of the external environment, efficient decision‐making processes and focus on continuous innovation and transformation.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates scientific evidence that transformation and innovation are the strategies most likely to contribute to the long‐term survival and success in unpredictable, sometimes chaotic and certainly fast evolving marketplaces like the internet One could assume that the findings could apply to physical markets characterized by evolution and change.
Enhancing strategic capital
Authors: Smith Peter
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This paper provides managers with the understanding and means to assess and exploit the impact of influence‐related social factors on strategic planning and implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Background related to enhancing strategic capital is explored, the concept of social capital is introduced, and its effect on strategic capital is described. The need for employee‐inclusive strategic planning is discussed, and the contribution of opinion leaders is explored. Means to visualize network characteristics and identify key players are detailed. Actions available to build on their support or ameliorate their resistance are indicated. This is a practical article covering issue definition through to solution.

Findings

Strategic organizational initiatives depend for success on the support of the organization’s workforce, and their opinions and attitudes are swayed for better or worse, by core networks of influential peers. These opinion leaders can be identified through network visualization and analysis, and their views explored and addressed.

Practical implications

Organizations must adopt an employee‐inclusive approach to strategic planning and implementation. They should utilize a technique such as network visualization and analysis to better understand influence patterns across their organization’s social networks, and to leverage, or deal with, the standpoint of its formal and informal opinion leaders.

Originality/value

New ways to ensure the success of strategic initiatives are contributed by articulating the concept of strategic capital and by emphasizing the dependence of its potency on social capital/liability. Further originality stems from addressing how organizations “really work”, and from taking into account the impact of social networks and the influence of informal opinion leaders on strategic capital.
Getting engaged: an inclusive approach to strategy development
Authors: Calfee David
Published: January 2007

Purpose – To share with your readership a new approach to engaging an organization in strategy development while also aligning the strategy with the desired culture. Design/methodology/approach – The approach involves the use of multiple cross‐functional and cross‐organizational teams at all levels to collaboratively tackle the task of strategy development, including definition and launch of efforts to create a winning culture aligned with the strategy being developed. Findings – Fully engaging a cross section of the organization (rather than delegating it to internal heads of strategic planning or outside consultants) increases buy‐in and support for the strategy as well as understanding of the strategy and the strategic context. Utilizing a variety of alternative scenarios in strategy development helps in creating winning strategies under conditions of uncertainty. And coupling the development of strategy with the launch of initiatives that begin building elements of a “winning culture” helps create a strategy tailored to an environment that itself becomes a sourced of sustainable competitive advantage. Practical implications – While the task of developing a strategy while undergoing the beginnings of a cultural change process is challenging, the level of buy‐in, understanding, support, and sustainability of the strategy makes the effort worthwhile and the strategy both implementable and advantaged. Originality/value – Recognizing the power of a strategy developed by an organization (rather than delivered in final form to the organization) and a strategy that is grounded on the goal of creating and sustaining a winning culture will allow organizations to design and implement truly winning strategies.
A strategic framework to achieve stellar results
Authors: Lippitt Mary
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Present the selection of strategy as a new filter for examining leadership effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper relies on the ability to discern business priorities and the ability to integrate them into a sound strategy. Data collection from 2,000 leaders was collected via assessment to determine how many priorities were in use at one point in time.

Findings

The study found that 45 percent of the leaders used one priority to set their goals/visions/actions and 31 percent used two of the six priorities associated with the organizational life cycle framework. Research limitations/implications – This research suggests that the priority framework should be used in conjunction with a competency analysis and style assessment to develop an understanding of leadership effectiveness

Practical implications

The practical implications are that leaders can identify the priority mindset that others are using to evaluate the level of their commitment to a strategy. Unlike other frameworks which have to use an inventory or assessment, this framework enables a leader to ask questions to deduce the driving priorities and use it to achieve results.

Originality/value

This research applies to leaders in various size organizations.
Strategic roles for model leaders
Authors: Mitchell Donald W.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Define the unique aspects of the roles that the leaders have played in the most successful organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with CEOs and their top officers in companies whose stocks had greatly and repeatedly outperformed competitors and other companies in North America during the prior three years while that CEO held the job over the period from 1989‐2001.

Findings

CEOs directed their companies to repeatedly improve their business models on a three‐four year frequency and set a good example of encouraging new business models.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should continue this methodology to update what best practices are and expand the universe to include more companies that are based outside of North America.

Practical implications

CEOs need to shift their focus from increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of their existing business models to supplementing and replacing those models on a frequent basis.

Originality/value

Identifies a major new source of strategic leadership value added in the CEO’s attention to creating processes and encouraging efforts for business model innovation. This information will be helpful to those who are CEOs, aspire to be CEOs, and recruit CEOs and the company directors who select and evaluate CEOs.
Why today’s corporate cultures must change
Authors: Robb Dean
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article examines how certain historical forces – the scientific revolution and “scientific management” – have created a legacy of organizational “design DNA” that can create only organizational machines: good at execution, but poor at innovation and change. Next, it examines leadership and management practices that can overcome this legacy and create a climate of corporate creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The article traces the effect of the scientific revolution and “scientific management” on deeply‐embedded cultural assumptions about the nature and purpose of organizations, leadership, and work. It argues that those assumptions drive an overwhelming organizational bias toward rationality, uniformity, stability, continuity, predictability and control, all of which militate against diversity, creativity, adaptation and change. Then the article describes a transformation in leadership and management practices that can overcome this historical legacy and create a culture of corporate creativity.

Practical implications

The article calls on executives to: adopt an adult‐to‐adult (mutual partnering) relationship with the workforce, treating employees as independent, highly capable, unique adults; build social systems that maximize both social differentiation and social integration; build a culture that rewards creativity and creative (right‐brained) people; build alignment on a mutually‐shared “deep purpose”; and unite in community with the workforce. Originality/value – This article argues that sustainable profound innovation is possible only if formal innovation processes are accompanied by a fundamentally new paradigm for leadership and management. Its goal is a workforce primed for sustainable performance and innovation excellence; its foundation is an ultra‐high‐engagement, ultra‐high‐inclusion culture based on an adult‐to‐adult, mutual partnering relationships.
High involvement management and human resource line sustainability
Authors: Gollan Paul J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article will outline a number of issues for organizations to consider when pursuing sustainable high performance workplace outcomes through high involvement management (HIM) initiatives and identifies those outcomes, which reinforce corporate profitability and corporate survival, and those that satisfy employee aspirations and needs in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is presented that highlights the major factors, influences and outcomes of human resource sustainability in organizations. The paper then advocates an integrated model of the HIM process, emphasising the influence of organizational culture and the impact of the external environment based on human resources capabilities and sustainable organizational outcomes.

Findings

Overall, what can be drawn from the research is that high quality communication and consultation between management and employees at the workplace is essential in achieving HIM and improved organizational performance and sustainable outcomes for organizations and employees.

Research limitations/implications

Importantly, the current evidence suggests that there are a number of necessary conditions when implementing HIM processes and approach: the research suggests management should inform, train and equip shopfloor employees to make decisions at their workplace and share ownership in the process.

Practical implications

The practical implications are that managers need to reassess the role and level of the HR function, specifically its role in persuading organizations to adopt practices that support a sustainable approach.

Originality/value

Only by acknowledging the importance of employee satisfaction and commitment through the development of integrated employee consultation, organizational change, work and life policies, workplace institutions and comprehensive career development programs, will the organization achieve greater efficiency, and productivity.
The role of executive coaching in performance management
Authors: Kaufman Barbara
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to identify circumstances under which executive coaching is and is not an appropriate performance management tool. Alternative performance management measures and guidelines for structuring executive coaching engagements are also included.

Design/methodology/approach

The information on which this article is based derives primarily from the author’s coaching experience. Workplace application support of these principles is included in the form of input from high‐level executives and one coach.

Findings

Executives who have been coached or coached others support the finding that coaching is never a substitute for performance feedback and can only serve as an effective performance management tool when certain conditions are met.

Practical implications

Coaching interventions to halt derailment can be avoided with timely performance feedback and management.

Originality/value

Executive coaching is a performance management tool, not a substitute for performance management.
Improving the performance of technology partnerships: a case study in the Turkish textile industry
Authors: Cetindamar Dilek , Çatay Bülent , Serdar Basmaci O.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Collaboration is an advantageous strategy for technology‐based competition. Thus, it is of high concern to understand mechanisms behind the success of collaborations such as performance measurement system. This paper will present an empirical study conducted in the Turkish textile industry where performance measures are developed and applied.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes a combination of interviews and surveys to collect data from 3T partners that are six technology supplying and ten dyeing and finishing companies. The findings indicate that besides trust, the existence of a performance measurement system is an extremely important bridge for effective supply chain collaboration (SCC). Such a system should cover metrics related to internal performance, perceptions of partners regarding the alliance performance, and the degree of inter‐firm relationship.

Findings

The paper is based on a technology partnership so the results need to be taken cautiously. However, it is clear that 3T is a successful technological partnership with six new technologies developed in two‐year period. There are some potential improvement areas, particularly in its internal activities and its relationship with the partners. The study shows that as the level of information sharing and communication among the partners increase, the performance and the benefits of the collaboration also increase.

Originality/value

SCC can have long‐term goals like continuous product innovation as experienced in 3T and this might increase overall performance of an industry. That is why SCC might be particularly important tool for developing country firms that lack both financial and human resources.
Strategic management lessons from e‐commerce
Authors: Martinsons Maris G.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This study aimed to explain the high failure rate of e‐commerce ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine more than 100 e‐commerce ventures.

Findings

The key failure factors for e‐commerce ventures were found to include a lack of: a sound business idea, good market knowledge, long‐term planning, external relationships, and balanced business development. Research limitations/implications – Further research is recommended to examine if the key success/failure factors for e‐commerce differ across industries and geographic markets.

Practical implications

The findings strongly suggest that e‐business development is a slow and steady process, with planning and relationship building being critical to success.

Original/value of paper

By systematic examining cause‐and‐effect relationships in e‐commerce ventures, this study has demonstrated the paramount importance of strategic management.
Realizing the business benefits of enterprise IT
Authors: Sharif Amir M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The development and implementation of IT/IS systems inherently requires a deep understanding of user requirements. However, experience shows that a key barrier to the success of an IT/IS system, is the manner by which it is adopted by end users. As such, this viewpoint article presents an overview of those typical enterprise IT user traits as experience by the author.

Design/methodology/approach

By outlining key benefits of such systems, the author presents a 6‐stage approach to benefits realization, known as the acronym, ASSIST. Practical implications – By applying such an approach, the management of business process change and delivery of IT/IS should be more achievable, by addressing the specific needs and expectations of different types of users, as identified in the text of the article.

Originality/value

Key IT/IS benefits are therefore a useful addition to existing project management and business analysis tools and techniques, that can be utilized by enterprise IT system delivery managers as well as senior IT/IS management.
Guidelines for managing dispersed teams: enhancing communication and productivity
Authors: Beranek Peggy M.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To provide information to managers on training geographically dispersed teams to enhance communication and productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

Practical advice is offered on methods of managing geographically dispersed teams. The discussion pays attention to what actions need to take place before, early on, and during the team’s life. The discussion also distinguishes between methods to enhance inter‐member communications to enhance trust among members and team organization, task and leadership issues.

Findings

Advises on guidelines a dispersed team manager can use to enhance team trust, communications and performance.

Originality/value

Offers guidance and steps to managing dispersed teams within a time framework.
Kazoo while you work: transforming people skills for the conceptual age
Authors: Protzmann William
Published: January 2007

Purpose

To highlight the need for a new paradigm for business thinking as the information age matures and white‐collar jobs shift to lower cost providers overseas

Design/methodology/approach

The emphasis of our business culture and education in developed countries has been dominated by a logical, sequential form of thinking associated with the left hemisphere of the brain. To compete, we will now have to promote and develop the type of creative, non‐sequential, “big‐picture” thinking skills that are usually associated with the right hemisphere.

Findings

Although some people show more creative abilities at an early age than others, we all have these capabilities. Through development with music, breathing, even video games, these right‐brain skills can be stimulated and strengthened.

Originality/value

Although there has been much research into the different forms of thinking the left and right hemispheres of the brain excel at, this focuses application to a relatively new and alarming trend that threatens business and employment in the USA as knowledge work becomes an outsourceable commodity.
Strong communication skills a must for today’s leaders
Authors: Barrett Deborah J.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

This article is designed to help senior managers be better leaders by being better communicators. The article explains my original concept of “leadership communication” and provides an original framework to help map out the levels of communication ability business leaders need, including developing a positive ethos and emotional intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives are achieved by providing specific and practical definitions and illustrations. The article is based on research on leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence and on extensive experience coaching and working with executives.

Findings

I found that the best business leaders share similar, specific characteristics of good communication that fall into three major groups: core (strategy, writing, speaking), managerial (emotional intelligence, listening, coaching, teams, meetings), and corporate (communicating with all internal and external stakeholders).

Research limitations/implications

Future research could include further developing the leadership communication concept by adding to the framework as I discover other major capabilities needed by business leaders.

Practical implications

All managers can apply my definition of leadership communication and my framework. I have witnessed the improvement managers can make in their leadership ability by focusing on the communication capabilities discussed in my article.

Originality/value

My concept, definition, and framework are all new. The value is in helping managers improve their communication abilities and recognize the importance of emotional intelligence in effective business communication. It is important for all managers and for teachers/coaches who work with them as well.
Reengineering: the second time around
Authors: Champy Jim , Weger Joe
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Companies are once again launching large reengineering projects. Will they repeat the mistakes of the reengineering boom of the nineties? Two veterans offer guidance around the pitfalls.

Design/methodology/approach

Many of today's major reengineering projects involve the implementation of an ERP – “enterprise resource planning” system that spans processes from finance and accounting to human resource management to supply chain optimization., based on readily available software packages that can run almost all of a company's standard processes. The authors explain how top management can better manage implementation of these systems.

Findings

At a company that recently implemented an enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiative that achieved it business goals the CEO advised: put the best people, internal and external, on the program full‐time; establish clear alignment and accountability for target actions and results, top to bottom in the organization; drive a bias for leveraging off‐the‐shelf solutions, not customized technology; and strike the right balance when defining goals and the cost versus benefit plan for the program.

Research limitations/implications

The authors are veterans of scores of mission‐critical enterprise and operations solution implementation projects.

Practical implications

Senior executives are privately crossing their fingers that this round of investment in reengineering will not result in an endless drain on corporate resources. Executives need this checklist for getting beyond IT train wrecks to achieve real business value.

Originality/value

Business process reengineering, which turned from fad to flop a few years ago, has rebounded, and is now utilized by some 61 percent of companies according to a recent survey. Senior executives need a strongly worded reminder not to make the same leadership mistakes that caused so many reengineering failures in the past.
The case for real change
Authors: Khan Omar S.
Published: January 2007

Purpose

Guidelines for igniting and sustaining a change initiative that will generate competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

As a coach and facilitator of a number of highly successful change efforts, the author has discovered a few key practices can provide leaders with a clear roadmap for guiding a major strategic initiative.

Findings

Based on the author's experience managing many assignments for large corporations, when six conditions for igniting a transformation process are fulfilled, and are coupled with these six requisites of leadership engagement, real change will occur.

Research limitations/implications

As one case indicates, teams that employ the author's approach can become a model for others in their organization.

Practical implications

Effective leaders helping to produce real value for great teams have to go for change selectively, constructively, personally and, above all, credibly.

original/value of paper

A creative look at overcoming the many hurdles involved in implementing change can provide leaders with a clear indicator of whether or not to proceed with a major effort or, instead, to save their credibility and elect to aim at more focused operational improvements.