bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Students' self‐evaluation and reflection (part 1): “measurement”
Authors: Cambra‐Fierro Jesus , Cambra‐Berdún Jesus
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The objective of the paper is the development and validation of scales to assess reflective learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a literature review plus in‐classroom experience. For the scale validation process, exploratory and confirmatory analyses were conducted, following proposals made by Anderson and Gerbing and Bentler and Wu.

Findings

The paper finds adequate scales to assess reflective learning and students' self‐evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

This research has been carried out in the Spanish pre‐university context. Possible generalizations to different contexts are needed to consider their specific characteristics.

Practical implications

Teachers and tutors will find a framework to evaluate reflective learning.

Originality/value

No previous research has offered this type of scale. The scales are based on real and practical experience within in‐class interaction with students.
Entrepreneurship in Finnish universities
Authors: Nurmi Piia , Paasio Kaisu
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of universities in fostering and promoting entrepreneurship in Finland. In particular it seeks to examine the university‐entrepreneurship relationship: its nature and how universities are addressing the entrepreneurship agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a large study of Finnish universities and their relation to entrepreneurship, its promotion and incorporating university‐based enterprise education. The study was a one‐year‐project carried out in 2004 and funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education. The empirical data were collected in March‐August 2004 via an internet survey and by conducting interviews in all of the 21 Finnish universities.

Findings

The study shows that within all Finnish universities there are as yet untapped resources and opportunities in terms of entrepreneurship. However it is far from clear if there is one model which will increasingly drive entrepreneurial development within Finnish universities or whether a more ad hoc and somewhat ambiguous conceptual understanding will characterise developments.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on entrepreneurship in Finnish universities.
Using the HR intranet
Authors: Alleyne Cheryl , Kakabadse Andrew , Kakabadse Nada
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the use of the human resources (HR) intranet at managerial levels in terms of internal customer satisfaction with the HR function.

Design/methodology/approach

Using role theory to underpin the research, this study examines both the changing role of managers as well as managers' expectations of the HR function as an internal service provider and HR's use of intranet applications to provide these services. The current literature encompassing ICT, marketing and HR is reviewed and used as a guide for the design of the single case pilot study.

Findings

Overall, the results indicate that managers who perceive their expectations as being met, express satisfaction with the HR intranet and record increased satisfaction with the HR function. However, differences of perceptions emerge concerning this satisfaction between HR managers (i.e. suppliers) and other managers (i.e. customers). The findings also indicate that the effectiveness of communication concerning information about new technology (including that of training, marketing, user involvement and feedback) influences managers' perceptions of satisfaction with both the HR intranet and the HR function.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that the intranet can play a powerful part in helping HR to build a closer and more satisfactory relationship with its customers in order to achieve mutual organisational benefit. However, this preliminary study also emphasises the need for further research on the impact and effectiveness of the HR intranet.

Originality/value

This paper begins the process of filling a substantial gap in the literature and provides a framework from which further research can be continued.
Using reflective journals to assess the research process
Authors: McGuinness Claire , Brien Michelle
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the use of reflective research journals to assess students on a Stage One information literacy (IL) module can offer unparalleled insight into the complex information research processes and subjective learning experiences that lie behind the production of an academic essay.

Design/methodology/approach

Research journals created by 109 students over the course of a Stage One IL module were analysed qualitatively to reveal an iterative, problem‐strewn process, mostly culminating in deep satisfaction at the eventual production of an acceptable academic essay. Quotations from the journals are included to bring the students' experiences vividly to life.

Findings

Students' experiences of research are discussed under three key themes: Problems and Challenges; Enjoyment and Pride; and Learning Experience. Analysis showed that while problems were inevitable, students mostly considered the process to have been a useful and worthwhile learning experience.

Practical implications

Research journals offer an alternative mode of assessment which may be adopted by IL instructors wishing to focus on the students' subjective experience of “becoming information literate”. Traditional, quantitative forms of assessment do not offer the same insight into the actual process of doing research, instead focusing on what the students say they know, rather than demonstrate it performatively.

Originality/value

To date, few papers have reported the use of research journals to assess an IL programme, and it remains a novel assessment method in this context. This paper describes the advantages and pitfalls of using the method with Stage One students, and places its use within the general context of assessment practices for IL.
Harnessing the Deep Web: a practical plan for locating free specialty databases on the web
Authors: Spencer Brett
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical plan for finding free specialty databases and search engines that access the Deep Web, the hidden part of the internet that offers a greater quantity and quality of information than the regular web.

Design/methodology/approach

The author presents a self‐paced, adaptable worksheet of Deep Web search techniques. An explanation is provided for the utilization of general search tools to identify other, more specialized search tools. The techniques therein build upon searching methods suggested by previous authors.

Findings

The techniques facilitated the process of finding specialty tools.

Practical implications

The article helps librarians compile toolkits of specialty databases for use in serving their patrons. Reference librarians with collection responsibilities can expand their libraries' collections at no cost by identifying free web databases. In developing countries, librarians without access to subsidized collections of databases can use the practical advice in this article to find free databases for their patrons. In addition, virtual reference librarians can use the techniques to discover databases that they can recommend to patrons in the absence of print reference books.

Originality/value

The article illustrates an alternate, vertical strategy for web searching as opposed to the conventional, horizontal strategy of web searching. While other authors have already suggested some of these techniques, this article further develops these methods, synthesizes these ideas into a plan, and includes more techniques for Deep Web searching.
Stumbling, bumbling, teleporting and flying … librarian avatars in Second Life
Authors: Grassian Esther , Trueman Rhonda B.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of issues related to library involvement in a popular virtual world, the massively multiplayer online role‐playing game (MMORG) Second Life.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with librarians participating in Second Life expand on the rationale for participating in this 3‐D virtual world as well as various uses of Second Life and other new technologies for all types of libraries and librarians.

Findings

Benefits to both libraries and librarians from participating in a virtual world like Second Life include opportunities for collaboration, creativity, learning, and global networking with other librarians, educators, and technologists.

Originality/value

Virtual worlds are new to most libraries, librarians, and administrators. This interview will be of interest and value to all those interested in extending their reach in reference, collections, and information literacy by pushing out to new technological frontiers and exploring and taking risks in virtual areas where users are going.
Library instruction and information literacy – 2005
Authors: Johnson Anna Marie , Jent Sarah
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out to provide a selected bibliography or recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and exhibition catalogues examining library instruction and information literacy.

Findings

Provides information about each source, discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.

Originality/value

The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
Assignment of employees to workplaces under consideration of employee competences and preferences
Authors: Peters Malte L. , Zelewski Stephan
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to develop a model for the assignment of employees to workplaces. Assignment methods are of high relevance in practice because employees should be assigned to workplaces according to their competences and preferences to ensure that motivated employees carry out tasks effectively and efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

Two goal programming models are introduced with inputs and valuations using the analytic hierarchy process.

Findings

The two goal programming models for the assignment of employees to workplaces, which take into account both employee competences and preferences as well as workplace competence requirements and attributes, seem to be effective in helping to arrive at an optimal assignment decision.

Research limitations/implications

In practice, one major problem is that the input data for the goal programming models are not updated regularly. Thus, the documentation of the competence profiles and the preferences of the employees might be out of date or incomplete.

Originality/value

The development of the two goal programming models which could be applied immediately in practical competence management is what makes the work valuable and addresses a gap in the modelling of personnel assignment methodologies.
An investigation of the British organizational commitment scale
Authors: Ashman Ian
Published: February 2007

Purpose

At a general level, this article is concerned with the mechanisms through which constructs important to organizational analysis are identified, operationalized and validated. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to consider the construct of organizational commitment, investigating the validity of a popular tool for its measurement – the British Organizational Commitment Scale (BOCS).Design/methodology/approach– Problems in defining organizational commitment are discussed before tracing the development of the BOCS from its American precursor (the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire) and linking it with more general criticisms of self‐report measures. The BOCS is subjected to a qualitative evaluation drawing from 23 semi‐structured interviews with employees from three organizations; the evidence from which suggests considerable doubts surrounding its construct validity.Finding– The conclusion drawn is that the psychometric approach to construct validation may be inadequate on its own. A qualitative approach could form part of a more robust triangulation methodology.Research limitations/implications– The conclusion drawn has to be treated with some care, as the nature and scale of the sample do not permit strong generalisation. However, there is enough evidence to recommend that the psychometric orthodoxy typical of organizational commitment research spanning the last 50 years needs reviewing.Practical implications– The BOCS is used by a multitude of employers to evaluate the relationship between employees and organization. The evidence presented suggests they may not be attaining as clear an insight as they would wish.Originality/value– The merits of the organizational commitment as a construct and the mechanisms for measuring are widely accepted. This paper presents what appears to be the first prima facie evidence to challenge its value.
Could CAFTA be the latest conduit for outsourcing pollution?
Authors: Coates Breena E.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the experience of pollution in the Imperial and Baja California Valleys under NAFTA, as a cautionary model to provide recommendations for deterrence of similar ecological degradation effects that could emerge under the newly‐approved CAFTA.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the region using existing statistical data and content analysis of qualitative data from the Imperial and Baja California Valleys, and Costa Rica.

Findings

Economics and ecology have thus far not proved to have a complementary relationship, based on the NAFTA experience in the Imperial and Baja California Valleys. Early data on environmental law suits in the CAFTA region against environmental regulations also point to a negative attitude by business to environmental protections of nation‐states. CAFTA's investment rules puts corporate rights over ecosystems by limiting public regulation and granting legal avenues to corporations to sue governments for “barriers to trade”, where national environmental laws are seen as these so‐called “barriers to trade”.

Research limitations/implications

CAFTA was promulgated in 2005, but only put into effect, January 1, 2006. Thus, as more data emerges about its impacts, additional and more definitive studies can be undertaken.

Practical implications

Looking at the possible environmental effects of CAFTA and NAFTA provides the international community a chance to consider early remediation and prevention measures for the environmental sustainability of the CAFTA region within the context of this large economic market.

Originality/value

This is a fresh and early look at a newly‐installed international trade policy, and its value to scholars and practitioners lies in its cautionary guidance for the future of CAFTA. These arguments are based on experience with other, more longer‐lived, trade policies like NAFTA.
Examining a firm's decisions with a contingency framework for manufacturing flexibility
Authors: Hutchison Jim , Das Sidhartha R.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To examine and analyze the decision process that a firm undergoes for acquiring an advanced manufacturing system to obtain manufacturing flexibility for its operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is used to examine these decision processes. A conceptual contingency‐based framework from the literature is used to guide the analysis. The framework proposes that four exogenous variables – strategy, environmental factors, organizational attributes, and technology – guide a firm's decisions on choice and adoption of manufacturing flexibility, which has an effect on the firm's performance.

Findings

The analysis shows that these decisions are aligned with the various relationships in the framework. The framework therefore helps understand and explain the above decision processes. Further, the paper expands the concept of “fit” between the variables in the framework.

Research limitations/implications

Several research propositions are developed based on the findings of this study. The findings in this paper are limited to this case study only. The paper does not attempt to validate theory but applies it in the context of examining and analyzing a company's decisions.

Practical implications

The suggested relationships in the conceptual framework are found to be applicable in a business setting. Practitioners can use the conceptual framework to guide them in making decisions when acquiring advanced manufacturing systems to obtain manufacturing flexibility.

Originality/value

This case study captures richness and detail in the decision‐making processes of an individual firm that are missed by other types of research studies. It helps both academics and practitioners to gain a better understanding of these processes.
Designing CPFR collaborations: insights from seven case studies
Authors: Danese Pamela
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To comprehend the rationale behind managerial choices that lead companies to implement different types of collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) collaborations.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven case studies of supply networks whose central firms operate in different sectors have been analysed.

Findings

Identifies six types of CPFR collaborations, the choice of which can be explained by considering some important contingent factors, such as the CPFR goals, characteristics of the products and markets in which they are sold, supply network's physical and relational structure, and CPFR development stage.

Research limitations/implications

Further research developed in other contexts is necessary to refine the domain of applicability of the research findings. The opportunity to use the relationships found in this research as a managerial tool calls for the testing of research findings within larger samples of firms, representative of a broader range of industries.

Practical implications

Suggests managers how to select the most appropriate action to be taken to implement CPFR, through the analysis of the context in which CPFR should be implemented.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils the need to clarify the reasons why companies decide to implement different types of CPFR collaborations. Moreover, it contributes to the definition of measures for the CPFR concept, and to the advance of substantive research on CPFR. In literature, few authors devote their attention to rigorously defining CPFR variables or proposing relationships among variables and measures.
Understanding persistently variable performance in plants
Authors: Collins Robert S. , Schmenner Roger W.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the extent to which the relative performance of plants varies over an extended period of time, with some plants performing persistently well and sister plants performing persistently poorly. It examines why this phenomenon occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

It does so through interviews and surveys of senior manufacturing executives who oversee multiple plants.

Findings

The interview and survey results are consistent with one another and point to the importance of the “mentality” of a plant's management and workforce: how they think about the factory and its operations. The nature of that mentality is explored.

Originality/value

This paper captures what the “grey hairs” of manufacturing think of factory performance and how to pursue it.
Manufacturing firm reaction to supplier failure and recovery
Authors: André Mendes Primo Marcos , Dooley Kevin , Johnny Rungtusanatham M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Manufacturing firm reaction to a supply failure is important because buyer dissatisfaction may induce related development or switching costs. The purpose of this paper is to ask: what is the impact of a supply failure and recovery on manufacturing firm dissatisfaction with the supplier?

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is used based on interviews of key informants, examining four US manufacturers classified by industry type (aerospace and electronics) and firm size (large and small).

Findings

Manufacturing firm dissatisfaction increases relative to the accumulated impact of the supply failure, and is reduced when the manufacturer has slack to absorb the failure or shares blame for it. The supplier's failure recovery reduces dissatisfaction to the extent that it demonstrates the supplier's long‐term commitment to the relationship. The findings indicate that attributes of the failure, the failure recovery, and context must be taken into account when considering how a supplier's recovery may ameliorate the negative impact of a supply failure.

Research limitations/implications

The results are constrained by the number of cases we collected and by the limitations of retrospective interviews.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that manufacturers can over‐react to a failure because of the perceptual nature of risk, or under‐react to a failure because of excess slack or switching costs.

Originality/value

This paper adds significant detail to our understanding of how supplier failure and recovery impact a manufacturer's dissatisfaction with a supplier, the antecedent to costs involved with supplier development or switching.
Regional growth patterns and growth contagion
Authors: Bleaney Michael , Castilleja‐Vargas Liliana
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to assess the importance of time‐varying regional patterns to countries' per capita growth rates, and their effect on the conclusions that can be drawn from growth regressions.

Design/methodology/approach

Pooled ordinary least squares on a data set of five‐year average growth rates for 101 countries over the period 1960‐1999 are used.

Findings

It is shown that time‐varying regional dummies explain more of the variance of per capita growth rates than do commonly used independent variables. This may indicate a problem of omitted variables with a strong regional dimension, or alternatively that growth is highly “contagious” within a region, perhaps through trade. Variables such as the growth of neighbouring countries or trading partners appear to be highly statistically significant when time‐varying regional effects are ignored, but are much less so when they are properly controlled for, and may simply be capturing unobserved regional effects. There is evidence that these variables reflect international business cycle correlation rather than the advantages of trading with, or being close to, faster‐growing countries.

Research limitations/implications

There are strong regional patterns to growth of which one is still far from a full understanding.

Practical implications

Growth of neighbouring countries or trading partners may be much less important for a country's per capita growth than is sometimes claimed.

Originality/value

The findings show the importance of applying appropriate robustness checks to empirical results, and (in a two‐dimensional data set) of exploring whether variables explain the time‐series or the cross‐section dimension.
Economic growth and its effect on income distribution
Authors: Nissim Ben‐David
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to examine the effect of economic growth on worker mobility and the effect of this mobility on income distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops an overlapping generation model with multiple categories of labor. In order to confirm the theoretical results and demonstrate that the model can be used for empirical analysis, an example and a simulation were presented.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates that, as capital stock increase, workers are mobilized up to better jobs, their income grows and income distribution becomes more equalized.

Research limitations/implications

Endogenous technological improvement and population growth might also be added to the discussion, but at the price of a more complicated model. Discussion on these issues showed be left for future research.

Practical implications

The effect of tax policy can be easily added to the model and to the discussion.

Originality/value

This paper extended the overlapping generation model to include different types of individuals. The importance of the paper is in its ability to analyze the changes in the income of various categories of workers along the growth path of the economy.
Maybe the world's largest automated assembly system?
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To examine how a very large order assembly system can be designed and commissioned to achieve a throughput of filling 2,400 order totes/h with medical prescription orders.

Design/methodology/approach

To combine RFID and bar code scanning, individual pill bottle handling, pill dispensing, pre‐packaged carton dispensing with some computer directed manual operations were key to meeting a goal of automatically filling tens of thousands of line items per day.

Findings

Combining automated pill dispensing with automated small item order filling and computer directed pick‐to‐light manual item picking results in a single integrated system. A careful design by experienced suppliers is important to achieving successful commissioning in a timely manner. Read/write RFID technology plays an important role in insuring accuracy and traceability of each prescription bottle.

Originality/value

Shows that complex order filling applications such as the highly regulated medical prescription filling can be automated to obtain improvements in accuracy and through put while reducing direct labor costs.
Alignment of parts in automatic assembly using vibrations
Authors: Baksys Bronius , Puodziuniene Nomeda
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate theoretically and experimentally vibrational alignment of parts in an assembly position under kinematical excitement of the movably based part.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents developed mathematical model for vibrational alignment when the kinematical excitement of movable part is applied along the insertion axis. Dependencies of alignment duration on stiffness of basing elements and excitation frequency were defined numerically solving the mobile‐based part alignment equations. Alignment experiments of rectangular cross‐section and cylindrical parts under kinematical excitement were carried out.

Findings

The mathematical model and the experiments have demonstrated that alignment of the parts being assembled happens due to directed displacement of the movable part resulted by certain parameters of the system and excitement. In the course of the displacement, mating surfaces are aligned and the final mutual orientation of the parts before insertion is realized. Experiments have proved validity of the developed mathematical model. This process reduces allowable axial non‐coincidence and angular misfit of the parts to be assembled.

Research limitations/implications

Impact and non‐impact regimes of the displacement exist depending on the excitement amplitude and initial contact force between the parts. Also, during the vibrational alignment it is possible to control dry friction force between parts by additional high frequency vibrations. Besides, the vibrational excitement can be not only harmonic, but also impulse, bi‐harmonic, etc. Only non‐impact regime of the motion without dry friction force control was investigated and presented in the paper.

Practical implications

The paper investigates the vibrational alignment method based on the directed vibrational displacement of the connecting part, which does not require high preciseness of the interdependent position of the parts in the assembly position.

Originality/value

Vibrational assembly devices of directional action enable compensation of errors of the parts' mutual positioning without use of sensors, feedback systems and control algorithms.
Selecting the right system ‐ assembly system comparison with total cost of ownership methodology
Authors: Heilala Juhani , Montonen Jari , Helin Kaj
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To present theories for total cost of ownership (TCO) methodology in assembly system trade‐off analysis and to show benefits of the methodology as a decision support in system selection.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed TCO methodology is a combination of factory simulation, system performance and loss factor evaluation using overall equipment efficiency, system life cycle costing, and assembled unit cost analysis including cost of bad quality and rework.

Findings

The purchase price of equipment is just one cost element in the comparison. TCO shows how important it is to analyse all the cost, direct and indirect, incurred throughout the life cycle of an equipment, including acquisition and installation, operations and maintenance, and end‐of‐life management. TCO methodology pinpoints costs that could be easily underestimated, such as quality and rework as well as all the costs of running the system.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology is partially based on semiconductor industry standards and other asset comparison methodology, which are now integrated and applied also for electromechanical final assembly. Development continues.

Practical implications

The methodology is useful in system integrator and end‐user collaboration, where both can use similar formulae in system evaluation and trade‐off analysis. Integration to component‐based simulation adds system visualisation and simulation analysis and combines system configuration with cost analysis into a tool for the sales engineer.

Originality/value

Integration of different analysis methods improves the quality of decisions. The TCO methodology is a systematic way to analyse system cost and performance issues. With proper use of the TCO methodology it is possible to justify investments to automation and modular re‐configurable hardware.
One million pound investment and 90 percent chance of failure – would you sign off?
Authors: Speculand Robin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine investment market strategy and risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a number of examples of companies which have been had either success or failure, and discusses the lessons learned.

Findings

The paper finds that it is important to apply the a good strategy to risk management as well as investing in strategy creation and implementation.

Originality/value

The paper provides useful information on risk management strategy.
An interview with Jim Kouzes
Authors: by Rachel Brown Interview
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine the views of Jim Kouzes, the chairman emeritus of the Tom Peters Company, a leadership development firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an interview with Jim Kouzes..

Findings

Jim Kouzes has been cited by the Wall Street Journal as one of the 12 most requested “non university executive‐educated providers” to US companies. The interview covers his opinions on a range of issues.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the thinking of a prominent individual.
MEMS sensors: past, present and future
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To describe the historical development of micro‐electromechanical system (MEMS) sensor technology, to consider its current use in physical, gas and chemical sensing and to identify and discuss future technological trends and directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies the early research which led to the development of MEMS sensors. It considers subsequent applications of MEMS to physical, gas and chemical sensing and discusses recent technological innovations.

Findings

This paper illustrates the greatly differing impacts exerted on physical, gas and chemical sensing by MEMS technology. More recent developments are discussed which suggest strong market prospects for MEMS devices with analytical capabilities such as microspectrometers, micro‐GCs, microfluidics, lab‐on‐a‐chip and BioMEMS. This view is supported by various market data and forecasts.

Originality/value

This paper provides a technical and commercial insight into the applications of MEMS technology to physical and molecular sensors from the 1960s to the present day. It also identifies high growth areas for innovative developments in the technology.
Chairman of the board: demographics effects on role pursuit
Authors: Kakabadse Nada K. , Kakabadse Andrew P.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to undertake a study of national configurational demographics in order to determine the spread of understanding of the chairman's role, performance and contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methodology, exploratory in nature through in‐depth interviews and workshop discussion involving 103 UK, US and Australian participants, was undertaken.

Findings

The role of chairman is considered as having a distinct effect on board dynamics, role and contribution and the monitoring and support of management. Nine demographic factors are identified as affecting the manner in which the role of chairman is exercised in the UK, USA and Australia.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this qualitative exploratory study need to be integrated into a quantitative empirical survey in order to ascertain the validity of the results to date.

Practical implications

The two key conclusions highlight the requirement for governance due diligence, examining the financial and competitive strength of the organisation as well as uncovering contextual sensitivities.

Originality/value

Insufficient attention has been given to the role of chairman. The study offers additional insight on how demographic factors influence the shaping and determination of the role of chairman. This paper should be of interest to practitioners, consultants, line managers, board members, chairmen, management academics and business studies students.
Cooperation and partnering in facilities construction – empirical application of prisoner's dilemma
Authors: Erik Eriksson Per
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To investigate if game theoretic reasoning may be used to explain a lack of cooperation in buyer‐supplier relationships within construction and facilities management. In order to make an empirical application of the prisoner's dilemma (PD) game, possible important variables are operationalized and empirically measured.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data concerning pay‐offs and the variables in the discount parameter formula (created in this paper) have been obtained through interviews with clients and contractors in the Swedish construction sector.

Findings

This paper suggests a way to operationalize pay‐offs and the discount parameter, making empirical measurements possible. Owing to differences in pay‐offs and the discount parameter, different forms of contracts will affect cooperation. Cumulative values of cooperation are much higher in lasting relationships than in occasional transactions. Thus, the best way to facilitate cooperation between rational players is long‐term contracts.

Research limitations/implications

Since, the values used are based on empirical data collected from a few respondents, they should be viewed as illustrative empirical examples, rather than statistical generalizations.

Practical implications

From a game theoretic perspective the practice of project partnering may not solve problems regarding lack of cooperation. To increase the incentives for cooperation, the actors should work together in long‐term relationships instead of focusing on single projects. Long‐term strategic partnering is, therefore, beneficial for the construction and management of facilities.

Originality/value

This paper makes empirical application of the PD game possible by operationalizing and empirically measuring game theoretic variables that previously have been given values set by the researcher rather than by the players in the game.
Determining the role of innovation management in facilities management
Authors: Goyal Sonia , Pitt Michael
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to consider how an organisation can strategically manage its position with regard to suppliers of multiple services and to suggest a strategy for obtaining and protecting optimum multiple contract management and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review of published work along with questionnaires and interviews with a range of people working within the industry from top managerial level to technicians.

Findings

Establishes that to innovate is a mindset and not a one‐time event. Innovation management principles should be incorporated as a part of daily schedule for each employee at all levels and is essential for supplier companies to prepare themselves for future that brings extreme competition and increasing customer demands.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to constraint of time, the author has done only limited study in specific areas. The literature reviewed is not exhaustive. Many concepts are mentioned and referenced but not explained fully due to space constraints.

Practical implications

Helps facilities managers to exemplify their knowledge and skill, by apprehending the role of innovation management in facilities management (FM) at operational and strategic levels, and establishes the factors that led to the growth and development of innovation as a field and an important part of the FM world, including relationship with suppliers and multiple contract management.

Originality/value

Determines various factors that would guide innovation in multiple contracts in the future and maintain its role in the ever‐changing business patterns and customer demands and suggests future use of innovative strategies in FM solutions and multiple contract management, thereby enabling more effective FM.
A new life: conversion of vacant office buildings into housing
Authors: Remøy Hilde T. , van der Voordt Theo J.M.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The vacancy of office buildings leads to financial problems for the owners and social problems for the community, e.g. vandalism, dereliction and deterioration. A solution may be found through the conversion of vacant office buildings into housing. Vacancy‐threatened buildings are often part of the mediocre part of the building stock. Does conversion make sense in this case? What are the opportunities, threats and risks? What are the critical success factors? The purpose of this paper is to discuss financial, functional, structural, technical and aesthetic issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Through previous research at the Delft University of Technology, tools are developed to decide the potential for the conversion of buildings. This paper discusses the risks and chances, and brakes and triggers of transformation projects, based on case studies. These case studies are performed through interviews with professionals involved in the transformation process and through analyses of architectural drawings of the before and after situations. For each project two interviews were held, with the architect and the developer or client. The interviews focussed on the process of the transformation projects.

Findings

The conversion of nondescript and unarticulated buildings makes sense from the point of view of sustainability, both ecologically and in an urban regeneration context. These projects will only be interesting for developers of commercial real estate if they can be made economically feasible. Social housing associations also have additional social goals. Through a longer investment perspective these associations can wait for property increases through long‐term externalities as result of upgrading of the area. In buildings that are kept because of economical or social feasibility there are strong connections between the target group, the location and the conversion costs.

Practical implications

The tools developed have proved to be useful for quick scans of the potential for building conversion. This paper is a first step in trying to depict a more detailed view of the risks and chances of building conversions. Knowledge of the risks and chances of conversion is required to make decisions concerning transformation projects.

Originality/value

The paper develops knowledge about transformation projects and decision support tools for the conversion of buildings, based on empirical studies.
Flexibuild – a systematic flexibility management procedure for building projects
Authors: Saari Arto , Kruus Matti , Hämälainen Aimo , Kiiras Juhani
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Nowadays it is typical that the precise use of a building becomes clear during construction. Current building processes do not support this in Finland. The objective of this study is to present a novel systematic management of the design process for flexible construction projects, from the project programming stage through to overall design, detailed designs, procurement, and handover, in a situation where the final use of the building becomes clear only during construction.

Design/methodology/approach

The development work included a constructive search for solutions to the problems presented above. The process developed in this study is illustrated with two case projects analysed retrospectively.

Findings

According the open building principle, buildings should be divided into two parts: a permanent base building; and modifiable interior spaces. This division should apply throughout the building's entire life cycle, starting from the beginning of the construction project. The start of the project is the time when goals should be set for the flexibility of the building. The first step in this goal‐setting procedure is to define the flexible modifiable spaces, and the second step is to dimension the permanent base building. A design procedure for this open building procedure has also been developed in the study. The study concludes that traditional boundaries and the content of design packages must be changed. These boundaries should be compatible with the appropriate bid packages and should support implementation of the construction work. The bid packages should follow the division to base building and spaces too.

Originality/value

The procedure proposed forms guidelines for flexible programming, basic principles for design and procurement processes. In addition, it is the starting point to transforming the Finnish standard scope of work for design corresponding to the open building approach.
Case study of improvement schemes of public housing in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Vranayova Zuzana , Kalas Juraj , Lichner Miroslav
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Since 1989, the efficiency of heat production has increased remarkably, and heat and water consumption have decreased significantly. This is largely due to the liberalization of prices (within 15 years heating prices have increased 25 times, water charges 50 times), legislative changes and the improved quality of administration of residential buildings. The purpose of this case study is to describe actual interventions and experiences from Slovakia's older residential houses. Some associations' efforts in relation to building management of housing estates have achieved such improvements, which are also instructive to advanced countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises a case study approach.

Findings

On the basis of detailed analyses of housing estates it can be concluded that their physical condition, due to various structural defects and technical shortcomings, poor workmanship and neglected maintenance, is worse than that corresponding to their age, particularly in panel housing estates. A reduction in energy consumption in existing housing estates can be achieved mainly by taking the measures outlined. A reduction in energy consumption in residential buildings can be achieved effectively only in terms of real economic parameters. Artificially maintained low energy prices did not motivate residents to reduce heat or water consumption. Now that prices have been brought closer to those in other EU countries, the economic effectiveness of rationalization measures for reducing costs in heating residential buildings can be evaluated more objectively. Rationalization measures aimed at reducing energy consumption have proved successful. Building administration associations have transformed to a great extent.

Practical implications

The paper is a very useful source of information and impartial advice for associations wishing to achieve a necessary level of production and supervision.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified information/resource need and offers practical help for the effective management of housing estates.
Aspect of functionality in modernization of office buildings
Authors: Szarejko Wacław , Trocka‐Leszczynska Elzbieta
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to search for a modernization model of functionally obsolete office buildings, taking into consideration the different needs of potential users.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of possibilities of adapting existing buildings to a contemporary conception of office space.

Findings

The paper presents a practical adaptation possibility of an object from the 1970s to contemporary conceptions of “cell”, “den”, “hive”, “club” and “office like a city” type of offices.

Research limitations/implications

Despite investigations being confined to Poland, a wider application of the method described in the paper seems possible in modernizing corridor‐system buildings constructed using prefabricated technology.

Practical implications

The solution proposed in the paper, based on contemporary knowledge bound with the design of office buildings, may allow better consideration of users' preferences in future modernization activities.

Originality/value

Analysis shows the possibilities for the conversion of technically and functionally obsolete buildings at the pre‐design stage. Based on the model's results, it is possible to integrate the program of modernisation efforts with an appropriate strategy of renting, which from the very beginning may be adapted to the requirements of companies of various organisational structures and needs.