bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It works, but is it action learning?
Authors: Robinson Muriel
Published: November 2002

Action learning offers significant opportunities for increasing student involvement and autonomy in the learning process, but it is not always possible to free up conventional curricula to the extent that a total use of action learning would require. This article considers a course which uses action learning principles alongside more traditional teaching methods and asks whether it can truly be said to be using action learning or whether the principles have been too far adapted for this experience to be described by this name.
The effect of exchange‐rate risk on exports
Authors: Du Hongwei , Zhu Zhen
Published: November 2002

This paper provides some additional empirical evidence on the effect of exchange‐rate volatility on exports. The novelties of the study include: a regime‐switching model in conditional volatility is employed to better capture the exchange‐rate uncertainty; a 2SLS method as suggested by Hsiao is used to estimate a system of the dynamic export equations; and an attempt has been made to reconcile the empirical findings with existing theories. We find that the regime‐switching model captures the exchange‐rate risks better and the empirical evidence by and large is consistent with Viaene and Vries, who argued that the existence of the forward markets and current account positions of the country would determine the impact of the exchange uncertainty on trade.
Economics and literature: an examination of Gulliver’s Travels
Authors: Fernandes Marcelo
Published: November 2002

Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece, Gulliver’s Travels, considered at first a children’s book, has been for a long time the subject of a debate among philosophers, political scientists, and literary critics. Apart from its keen political satire, Gulliver’s Travels approaches in a very non‐standard way interesting socioeconomic topics such as the legal system, political science, and colonisation. Moreover, Swift provides interesting insights about human nature and behaviour when describing the nations visited by Captain Gulliver. This paper examines to what extent economic philosophy can contribute to the understanding of Gulliver’s Travels, and what economists can learn from Swift’s extravagant digressions.
A cyclical characterization of economic activity in the United States, 1887‐1940
Authors: García‐Ferrer Antonio , del Río Ana
Published: November 2002

We analyze historical business cycles as a sum of short‐ and medium‐term cycles defined for a particular class of unobserved component models. By associating the trend with the low frequencies of the pseudo‐spectrum in the frequency domain, manipulation of the spectral bandwidth will allow us to define subjective trends with specific properties. In this paper, we show how these properties can be exploited to anticipate business cycle turning points, not only historically but also in a true ex‐ante exercise. This procedure is applied to US pre‐Second World War GNP quarterly data taking as reference the NBER and Romer’s business cycle datings.
The cataloger’s workstation in the electronic library environment
Authors: Khurshid Zahiruddin
Published: November 2002

The cataloger’s job and work environment have changed considerably during the last three decades. One of the major factors contributing to these changes is the transformation of the cataloger’s workstation from dumb terminals (OCLC M100) to multipurpose workstations (new generation of PCs). The evolving technologies of microcomputers, CD‐ROMs, networks (LAN, Intranet, and Internet) are the major attributes of today’s cataloging workstation. Intel chips, Pentium processors, and Microsoft Windows have provided a higher level of computing platform to the cataloger’s workstation enabling catalogers to perform multiple tasks on their desktops, such as accessing the local system, bibliographic utilities, online cataloging documentation and publications, authority work, and OPACs of other libraries, and communicating with colleagues, etc. This article discusses the general principle of the cataloger’s workstation, its configuration, the electronic versions of cataloging tools, the workstation’s impact on productivity, and the difficulties in implementing or maximizing the use of the workstation technology in the Arabian Gulf libraries.
Usability evaluation of the City University of New York CUNY+ database
Authors: Oulanov Alexei , Pajarillo Edmund J.Y.
Published: November 2002

The City University of New York (CUNY) is a large educational system comprised of various colleges and universities in the New York metropolitan area. It serves the educational needs of the majority of its academic population. Its library system also boasts of a large collection of multi‐format materials and resources. These are currently reflected in its wide‐area‐networked database called CUNY Plus+. This is accessible by staff, faculty and students all over the CUNY school system, as well as through the Internet. This study focuses on the usability evaluation of this CUNY Plus+. A sample of students was surveyed and interviewed using the Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI) criteria. Results of the study may be helpful in providing faculty and librarians feedback from students’ use of the database. It may likewise be insightful to system designers in future design updates.
Management issues for the virtual library
Authors: Hooper Tony
Published: November 2002

This paper takes a superficial look at the technologies that are impacting society to create a series of discontinuous social changes. These impacts are affecting all social institutions and giving rise to a phenomenon called The New Economy. After discussing some of the New Economy thinking and the expectations people have of businesses and management, conclusions are drawn about the management issues that will increasingly determine the services and style of libraries in the Information Age.
Human capital accumulation: the role of human resource development
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , Morley Michael , Gunnigle Patrick , Collins Eammon
Published: November 2002

Introduces the special issue “Human resource development: sectoral and invention‐level evidence of human capital accumulation”. Reviews the concepts and definitions of intellectual and human capital. Considers human capital from individual (employability, performance and career development) and organization (investment, ownership, skills and knowledge management) perspectives. Looks at each of the papers in the special issue, relating them to its theme. Highlights the implications for human resource development, both at individual and organizational levels.
Training and development in the Northern Ireland clothing industry
Authors: Morrow Trevor
Published: November 2002

With the emergence of human resource management models and literature came a realisation that in many cases personnel specialists were faced with many new opportunities and challenges. There was a perception that a number of the key functions of the specialism had been underdeveloped or even ignored. This article presents a quantitative analysis of human resource management practices in the Northern Ireland clothing industry. The findings are derived from a survey sample of 90 organisations and the data analysed is based on the 69 company responses representing a 76 per cent response rate. The article focuses on one area of the personnel function, which it was considered would be dramatically changed by the implementation of a new approach to managing people; namely, training and development. The article presents a positive view of human resource interventions in the surveyed industry and of the progress specialists within the industry have made.
The potential training impact of technology on SMEs in Northern Ireland
Authors: McCole Patrick , Morrow Trevor , Ponsonby Sharon , Kelly Bridgita
Published: November 2002

The rapid development of technology and the consequent change in working practices require a dramatically different approach towards training and development in organisations than has traditionally been the case. A review of the literature reveals a negative attitude towards training and development in SMEs, with long‐term strategy being substituted for short‐term financial gain. Our results confirm this conjecture that the same holds true in Northern Ireland, which is witnessing rapid technological advancement. This article lays the foundations for a body of work which will provide greater insights into training and development needs in SMEs.
Recognition and management of intellectual resources: preliminary evidence from indigenous Irish high‐technology firms
Authors: O’Regan Philip , O’Donnell David , Heffernan Margaret
Published: November 2002

Intangible intellectual resources, arising from changes in the nature of economic forces, have now joined the more traditional tangible triad of land, labour and capital. One of the keys to commercial success, therefore, will be the capacity of a firm to identify, manage, foster and invest in these intellectual resources, and, in particular, in the people which underpin them. This article makes two contributions to the emerging literature on intellectual capital. First, based on empirical data, it offers some preliminary results of a study of the drivers and generators of intellectual capital. This enables the tentative identification of some key relationships and knowledge drivers within this sector and of the consequent challenges for disciplines such as accounting and management. Second, it posits a theoretical/methodological approach to intellectual capital based upon Habermas’ concept of communicative action.
People‐centred management policies: a new approach in the Irish public service
Authors: Mullins John , Linehan Margaret , Walsh James S.
Published: November 2002

Recent literature on management underscores how new people‐centred management policies help to deal with new uncertainties. This article reviews recent findings which advocate wider support for post‐bureaucratic entrepreneurial management environments, focusing on respect for the dignity of individuals and for proactively developing individual skills and self esteem. A new moral contract among employees and their organization is shown to be essential for fundamental change, which can be fostered in an organization where there is a genuine belief in the ability of the individual, rather than in the organization per se. New relationships based on strong emotional commitments can release enormous entrepreneurial potential. Older bureaucratic styles of management exerting excessive control over individuals cannot cope with the increasing pace of unpredictable and ever‐changing demands. Psychological pacts between management and frontline staff, founded on trust and intra‐organizational relationships, result in greater organizational commitment from all staff.
Developing competencies in the entrepreneurial small firm for use of the Internet in the management of customer relationships
Authors: McGowan Pauric , Durkin Mark G. , Allen Lynsey , Dougan Colette , Nixon Sheena
Published: November 2002

This article explores the competencies needed by the entrepreneurial small firm (ESF) owner/manager for the effective use of the Internet in managing customer relationships. The research reviews a theoretical model of appropriate competencies and presents the findings of an empirical research programme designed to establish the value of this model. The article goes on to propose a strategy for developing competencies in the use of the Internet.
Learning to learn: an examination of organisational learning in selected Irish multinationals
Authors: O’Keeffe Ted , Harington Denis
Published: November 2002

The realities of global competition and increased customer sophistication have focused organisational attention on the need to develop a “learning culture”. However, while much has been written on the importance of evolving a “learning culture”, less attention has been given to understanding in a practical way the characteristics of learning organisations and the ways in which companies can improve their learning systems. This study of selected multinationals in Ireland seeks to examine current best practice in organisational learning, explore how businesses can become learning organisations, assess the role of executive management in the creation of learning organisations and determine key success factors for learning organisations. The findings suggest that learning organisation concepts are perceived as strategically important activities. The learning organisation concept is viewed as a philosophy driven by customer and competitive needs that requires executive management commitment and visible support to be successfully implemented.
Harnessing resistance: using the theory of constraints to assist change management
Authors: Mabin Victoria J. , Forgeson Steve , Green Lawrence
Published: November 2002

Re‐examines traditional views on change management, in particular the resistance to change, and to suggest alternative views and a practical approach for better managing change. The literature on change management contains numerous prerequisites for successful change, with a predominantly negative view on the issue of resistance to change. Some authors have argued for the positive utility of resistance, but have lamented a lack of management theories which support this view. Describes a management methodology called the theory of constraints (TOC) which views resistance as a necessary and positive force, and we demonstrate how it was applied in a case study involving a bank merger. Reviews how TOC handles the various types of resistance identified in the change management literature, and posit that the TOC framework helps lead and manage change by providing practical guidance on, inter alia, situational assessment, assumption surfacing, conflict resolution, planning and implementation of successful change.
The learning transfer system approach to estimating the benefits of training: empirical evidence
Authors: Donovan Paul , Hannigan Kevin , Crowe Deirdre
Published: November 2002

Three steps must be implemented if a training programme is to be successful. The first is the identification of needs to identify what training is required. The second is an analysis of the firm to identify the issues that will affect the ability of the firm to exploit new skills. The third is an evaluation of the training to ensure that sufficient resources are applied to implement and to integrate the training programme. These latter two steps come under the heading of learning transfer. The article presents the findings of an application of this approach. The analysis shows the richness of the information that results from this approach and outlines its operational importance for managers engaged in decision‐making or in the design of training programmes. In addition, it suggests the next steps in the research towards improving the tools available for the evaluation of training.
Revisiting strategic decision success
Authors: Harrison E. Frank , Pelletier Monique A.
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this article is to extend and reinforce previous research intended to demonstrate that a process model of decision making is conducive to strategic decision success. Using a strategic decision matrix with a two‐dimensional focus, 16 high‐visibility strategic decisions from different corporations in the 1990s are evaluated and classified to support the hypothesis that a formal decision‐making process is conducive to successful strategic decision outcomes. The results of this evaluation clearly indicate that, in the absence of a managerial decision‐making process, successful outcomes are unlikely to materialize. Conversely, although a process‐oriented approach to strategic choice affords no guarantee of a successful outcome, the likelihood of this occurrence tends to increase with this approach. This revisiting of strategic decision success confirms earlier research in this critical area. Hopefully, it will elicit subsequent research of a similar nature.
Gaps in buyer‐seller relationships
Authors: Leminen Seppo
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of gaps in buyer‐seller relationships. Increasingly complex, rapidly changing, and dynamic business environments provide a rich research environment for analysing gaps in business relationships. Traditionally, gaps have been examined from the static and single party perspective. However, dyadic buyer‐seller relationships can be revealed, described, and analysed in new ways by viewing intraorganisational and interorganisational gaps longitudinally as chains of interactions in relationships and from the perspectives of several parties. In this study the gaps are understood as consisting of concepts such as inconsistency, critical incident, conflict, gap, and perceived differences.
Market selection and procurement decisions in B2B markets
Authors: Sashi C.M. , Kudpi Vaman S.
Published: November 2002

Market selection in business‐to‐business (B2B) market transactions is more complex than the one‐step market segmentation decision in consumer markets. This article models market selection and procurement decision‐making in B2B markets as a five‐step procedure involving choice of vertical and horizontal markets. Vertical market choice decisions are shown to encompass choice of output markets, value adding that the organization will perform internally (the “make” decision), and input markets (the “buy” decision). Horizontal market choice decisions are shown to encompass choice of macro segments in the output market and micro segments within each of the macro segments selected. Explores how we can draw on theoretical developments in industrial organization economics to help make these strategic decisions. The article suggests how to set the boundaries of the organization and determine what markets to serve, what to make, and what to buy with the help of transaction cost and market structure analysis.
Corporate restructuring: the pitfalls of changing industry structure
Authors: Proctor Tony
Published: November 2002

Industries have life cycles and the transition from one stage to the next can have considerable strategic implications for incumbent firms. Restructuring companies and other companies bringing about change in an industry have a vital role to play in the process of industry transition and restructuring. Their participation in the process, however, is not always as successful as it might be. Too often the restructuring companies and other firms acting as change catalysts themselves eventually fail to survive. An understanding of the nature of industry dynamics and the insight required to take best advantage of situations encountered before, during and after industry transition are key ingredients of successful restructuring moves. An understanding of industry dynamics requires informed research and information as its basis.
An overview of strategic alliances
Authors: Elmuti Dean , Kathawala Yunus
Published: November 2002

Strategic alliances can be effective ways to diffuse new technologies rapidly, to enter a new market, to bypass governmental restrictions expeditiously, and to learn quickly from the leading firms in a given field. However, strategic alliances are not simple or easy to create, develop, and support. Strategic alliances projects often fail because of tactical errors made by management. By using a well managed strategic alliances agreement, companies can gain in markets that would otherwise be uneconomical. Considerable time and energy must be put forth by all involved in order to create a successful alliance. It is essential that corporations enter into strategic alliances arrangements with a comprehensive plan outlining detailed expectations, requirements, and expected benefits.
Action and reaction in the evolution of business school missions
Authors: Cotton Chester C. , McKenna John F. , Van Auken Stuart , Meuter Matthew L.
Published: November 2002

Professional schools, including collegiate business schools, are pulled in two opposing directions. The academy, where they live, pulls them to emphasize science and its values, and to focus on expanding the field of knowledge. The profession, into which their graduates move, pulls them to deal with immediately relevant, practical problems. The two also seek different characteristics in curriculum, the academy emphasizing that which will groom future scientists and the profession emphasizing that which will produce immediately employable practitioners. Collegiate business schools have not done a smooth, integrated job of balancing these competing claims for allegiance. Rather, history shows that they have satisfied one side and then, when the other side’s complaints became too loud, switched sides completely to the irritation of the constituency just jilted. This article describes what has happened and proposes a model which, if built into the accreditation standards, could reduce these unfortunate pendulum swings.
The evolution of vertically integrated organizations: the role of historical context
Authors: Desai Ashay , Mukherji Ananda
Published: November 2002

Vertical integration across three different types of economies and selected industries is studied to trace historical, political, and economic influences on the evolution of vertically integrated structures. Specifically, the focus in this article is on the industrial development that took place in Germany, the UK, Japan and the USA. The role of a domestic market, colony markets, and attempts to become a dominant colonizer all play a significant role in the development of various industries, and the efficiency levels that they attained. The role of government, the level of international competition, and other integration drivers salient in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are also discussed. A broad view of structural and contextual forces provides a better understanding of why certain industries chose to integrate the way they did.
Role and Contribution of Non‐Executive Directors
Authors: Kakabadse Andrew , Ward Keith , Korac‐Kakabadse Nada , Bowman Cliff
Published: November 2002

The paper presents the results of a study based on an extensive number of interviews and focus group discussions conducted with non‐executive directors (NEDs), executive and non‐executive chairmen, chief executive officers (CEOs) and other key line and functional directors within UK corporations. Four critical issues concerning NEDs’ performance are identified, namely the need to be responsive to boardroom dynamics, the need to be multi‐competent in response to the various challenges NEDs face, the need to have the capability to address governance issues which are increasingly identified as predominating boardroom debate and the need to be sensitive to the context within which the company finds itself. Overall, NEDs are considered to provide a valuable contribution to the progress of the enterprise. However, the question that remains unanswered is what motivates NEDs to continue to address such challenges as, in the UK context, NEDs’ rewards are seen to be particularly low.
A view from the top: women on the boards of public companies
Authors: Sheridan Alison
Published: November 2002

In this paper, women’s representation on public boards in Australia is explored from two perspectives. First, a gender profile of board membership is developed from the public reports submitted to the Australian Stock Exchange. This analysis suggests that in Australia, the majority of public boards comprise only men and where there are women on public boards, they are likely to be the lone woman amongst many men when the board meeting comes to order. Second, women’s own reports of how they accessed and have experienced membership of public boards are explored. What many women suggest is that in accessing boards, it is often the case that it is “who you know not what you know”.
Board governance and company performance: any correlations?
Authors: Korac‐Kakabadse Nada , Kakabadse Andrew K. , Kouzmin Alexander
Published: November 2002

There persists the belief that a firm’s only responsibility to society is to maximize profits without breaking the law, hence the role of corporate governance is to provide appropriate corporate control. Research suggests that there is a growing perception that corporations are social entities overall, answerable to social constituencies and that the role of corporate governance is to understand and adequately address the interest of such social and political constituents. A review of research studies in the area of corporate governance’s contribution to corporate performance reveals that there is no conclusive evidence of contribution. Moreover, it illuminates the need for a boarder criteria of performance and for the adoption of a political model of corporate governance in order to facilitate a corporation’s external accountabilities.
Let’s pretend we’re a corporation: an introduction to the academic/corporate convergence
Authors: Sora J.W.
Published: November 2002

There is a growing perception that higher education increasingly follows what Cary Nelson calls the business or “Industry .. handbook of relevant strategies and techniques” of employee management, seen by many in the demise of tenure and the increase in part‐time hiring. As an academic/corporate convergence this trend, however, extends beyond higher education’s use of corporate employee management strategies. As higher education becomes a profitable venture, following business’s “handbook” becomes symptomatic of a profound blurring between corporate and academic entities that beckons a reassessment of higher education’s overall direction in light of its relationship with the corporate world. As we’ll see in the demise of tenure and the growth of the part time position, academia is increasingly following the corporate or “industry ... handbook of relevant strategies and techniques” of employee management (Nelson, 1997b). The presence of a corporate paradigm in academia is, however, not limited to employee management practices. As higher education becomes profitable through the use of new technologies, following the corporate “handbook” becomes symptomatic of a far more significant blurring between corporate and academic entities that, because of the drastic and fundamental changes it poses for academia, warrants that academia both reconsiders its internal structure and its overall degree of separation from the corporate arena.
Graduates into sales – employer, student and university perspectives
Authors: Murray Sharon , Robinson Harry
Published: November 2002

Graduate employers are faced with the challenges posed by an increasingly complex graduate labour market as well as increasing graduate recruitment and retention problems. In the light of these issues this paper considers graduate attitudes and behaviour towards sales jobs, and employers’ response to recruitment of graduates into sales. Results from interviews with key UK graduate employers and a survey of final year students at a Northern Business School show that there is a need for employers to enhance the status of sales and for universities to improve the employability and career management skills of students.
Real work in the 16‐19 curriculum: AVCE business and Young Enterprise
Authors: Dwerryhouse Ray
Published: November 2002

It is considered that work related learning involves learning through work; learning about work; and learning for work. This paper examines the importance of work related learning for business students in the 16‐19 curriculum and how this can be integrated into an Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) business programme via the Young Enterprise (YE) scheme. It presents findings from a small research study, which indicates that YE can enhance learning about business within a realistic scenario. YE can be integrated into an AVCE programme in business and can effectively achieve a number of the aims of such programmes. It concludes that virtual reality work within the curriculum is possible. In this respect, such a model provides a challenge for the way vocational business courses are delivered.
Teaching group process skills to MBA students: a short workshop
Authors: McGraw Peter , Tidwell Alan
Published: November 2002

A comprehensive introductory workshop aimed at building student readiness for participation in project based group work is outlined. This article develops a rationale for teaching such a workshop and outlines a step‐by‐step approach complete with all necessary materials. The core of the workshop is a case developed by the authors, which draws upon the real life experience of a group of graduate students. Debrief questions are provided for the case from the student and faculty perspective. The workshop also contains an exercise aimed at surfacing students’ experiences of group work and a set of recommendations aimed at reducing problems in student project groups. This paper concludes that, along with other benefits, the workshop develops a strong normative framework for legitimising appropriate behaviour in student project groups.
Consumer privacy rights: CPR and the age of the Internet
Authors: Nakra Prema
Published: November 2002

In recent months several high‐profile breaches of consumer privacy have raised public concern about data gathering on the Web. The issue of privacy has led to lawsuits by consumers and consumer advocacy groups and investigations by government regulations. As businesses wrestle with the question of where to draw the line when it comes to collecting and using customer information, they continue to invest in new technologies to gather and analyze customer data to improve their marketing effectiveness. This paper will address the issue of consumer privacy rights and make recommendations for various stakeholders to assure consumer privacy rights in the age of the Internet.
Canadian chartered banks’ stock returns and exchange rate risk
Authors: Atindéhou Roger B. , Gueyie Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2002

The sensitivity of Canadian chartered banks to exchange rate risk is analyzed over the period 1988‐1995 through estimating the three‐factor asset pricing model (market, interest rate, and exchange rate). Results indicate that banks’ stock returns are sensitive to exchange rate risk and, mainly, to the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar exchange rate. The sensitivity is, however, unstable over time. Moreover, there is an asymmetric response to exchange rate risk. Investors react more to a re‐evaluation of their portfolio after losses than to an appreciation after successive gains.
On the marketing of nations and multinational corporations: a competitive positioning mapping
Authors: Lowengart Oded , Menipaz Ehud
Published: November 2002

Examines the competitive position of countries in Southern Europe in attracting multinational corporations (MNCs) through direct foreign investments (DFIs). Articulates the primary factors considered by multinational corporations when setting up activities through foreign direct investments. Develops techniques that are based on the perceptions of MNCs to help policymakers make their nations more appealing for direct foreign investments. Utilizes positioning mapping techniques to map manager perceptions of various Southern European countries (i.e. France, Spain, Greece and Italy). Finds the competitive positioning of the four countries. Estimates the ideal mix for a combination of the two most important factors involved when MNCs evaluate a country. Provides mappings of countries to evaluate their position in terms of attractiveness for MNC activities as an independent evaluation, or as part of a competitive assessment. Discusses actions that may be taken by a specific country to position itself favorably for DFIs.
Japan’s journey to the future
Authors: Picard Robert R. , Groth John C.
Published: November 2002

Like many companies that have experienced enormous domestic success but then stumbled when attempting to enter international markets, Japan is finding that the international scene presents a significantly different set of challenges from those encountered and surmounted domestically. Those skills and attributes that brought Japan domestic success do not easily translate into global success. Moreover, the country is faced with a serious economic downturn and a population entrenched in an outdated “social democracy expectations set”, including lingering lifetime employment expectations and government protection from “normal” business and credit risk. The speed at which Japan can reinvent itself and address its current economic and social issues is akin to a “time‐to‐market” crisis. Lost time translates to a major loss of international market share, making recovery increasingly difficult as time passes.
Human capital and regional convergence in Canada
Authors: Coulombe Serge , Tremblay Jean‐François
Published: November 2002

Proposes an empirical analysis of regional convergence in Canada based on the growth model of Barro et al. In an open economy with perfect capital mobility, if domestic residents cannot borrow abroad with human capital as collateral, the dynamics of human capital accumulation is the driving force of per capita income growth. Empirical results indicate that, as predicted by the theoretical model, various indicators of the stock of human capital did converge at the same speed as per capita income during the 1951‐1996 period. A substantial part of the relative growth of per capita income indicators across Canadian provinces since the early 1950s could be explained by the convergence process of human capital indicators based on the percentage of the population, both sexes and males, who have at least a university degree. The estimates of the human capital share in national income based on those indicators are in the neighbourhood of 0.5, a number consistent with other measures of the implicit income share of human capital. The convergence speed of per capita income at the regional level might have been two to three times faster, if all persons had invested in education at the same rate as the young.
Bivariate and multivariate tests of the inflation‐productivity Granger‐temporal causal relationship: evidence from Greece
Authors: Papapetrou Evangelia
Published: November 2002

Examines the causality issue, in a Granger‐temporal causal sense, between price level and productivity in a bivariate and multivariate context in Greece over the period 1962‐1997. The empirical analysis employs various time‐series techniques such as unit‐root testing, bivariate and multivariate cointegration and procedures in vector error‐correction modeling (VECM). The empirical results suggest that a bivariate relationship between inflation and productivity is spurious, as the unit root pre‐tests that account for oil shock episodes show that inflation and productivity are integrated of a different order. When we control for fluctuations of overall economic activity and monetary policy on the bivariate relationship between price level and productivity, the evidence suggests that Granger‐causation must exist in at least one direction. VECM estimation showed that productivity growth and inflation are an econometrically endogenous variable and this suggests that bi‐directional causality from inflation to productivity growth and vice versa exists.
Causality between defence spending and economic growth ‐ The case of mainland China: acomment
Authors: Wolde‐Rufael Yemane
Published: November 2002

Challenges the claims of a previous article which tested the long‐run relationship between economic growth and defence spending for mainland China for 1950‐1991 and stated that the two series were integrated of the same order but not Granger‐causally related to each other in any direction. Shows that there is a unidirectional Granger causality running from defence expenditure to economic growth.
Clients’ views on strategic capabilities which lead to management consulting success
Authors: Simon Alan , Kumar Vanya
Published: November 2002

This article summarises the findings of a study which canvassed clients’ views of strategic capabilities which lead to management consulting success. The survey was undertaken among 171 executives in the top 500 companies in Australia. The major elements that were investigated were the reasons for hiring the consultants and the strategic capabilities related to successful performance indicators as identified by clients. The findings show that the main reasons consultants are hired are insufficient in‐house expertise, independent/objective advice, gaining additional help/resources, insufficient manpower in‐house and quick resolution of issues. The top five strategic capabilities which clients identified as important to success, in order, were ability to listen to and comprehend the client, quality of service, client‐consultant communication, integrity and honesty and technical knowledge. All the strategic capabilities were related to one or more performance indicators. The top five performance indicators were achieving objectives agreed upon, customer/client satisfaction, timeliness of service delivery, recommendations actually implemented and achieving measurable results. Therefore the contemporary management consultant needs to be multi‐skilled and technically competent and, should have excellent people skills. Consultants also need to note that their view on what constitutes successful performance is not quite the same as that of their clients.
Outsourcing – a strategic move: the process and the ingredients for success
Authors: Zhu Zhiwei , Hsu Kathy , Lillie Joseph
Published: November 2002

Outsourcing has become an important strategic tool in today’s competitive business environment. This paper describes the steps within four stages of outsourcing process: planning, developing, implementing and evaluation. The role of outsourcing being not only a cost‐saving method but also part of the overall management strategy to focus on core competitiveness is emphasized in the discussion. Additionally, the detailed steps and considerations that are required for successful implementation of an outsourcing effort are also addressed.
Seven glasses for buyer‐seller relationships: a framework for analysing gaps
Authors: Leminen Seppo
Published: November 2002

The purpose of this study is to increase understanding of gaps in buyer‐seller relationships. Business relationships are more complex and more dynamic in today’s environment, which itself is more complex, rapidly changing, and dynamic. It can be assumed that when an industry undergoes rapid change a great number of different groups of gaps, such as contextual, economic, informational, legal, planning, procedural, social, and technological, are likely to emerge. The present study provides a new framework and its seven glasses (perspectives of framework), i.e. viewpoints for managers to use for understanding, describing, and analysing gaps in buyer‐seller relationships.
Machiavelli, humanistic empiricism and marketing research
Authors: Walle Alf H.
Published: November 2002

Machiavelli is often dismissed as an amoral (or even immoral) advocate of a “dog‐eat‐dog” world. In reality, his contribution is much more complicated than that. Machiavelli, above all else, was a humanistic empiricist who, instead of making unwarranted assumptions about human behavior, applied the empirical method combined with a humanistic vision in order to analyze people and their actions on their own terms. By doing so, he advocated a method of analysis that, in recent decades, has emerged as a vital technique of marketing research. By keeping Machiavelli’s contribution in mind, marketing researchers can most effectively perform empirical analysis that, while being objective, recognizes the distinctiveness of human beings and their behavior.
Management systems, strikes and the coverage of “labor unrest” in the engineering literature during the Progressive era
Authors: Saporta Ishak , Shenhav Yehouda
Published: November 2002

This article provides first‐hand, empirical data to demonstrate that during the Progressive period, mechanical engineers used labor unrest as a rhetorical device to increase public interest in management systems. This political strategy was necessary, given the objection of manufacturers to the installation of management systems in industrial firms. The study is based on systematic analysis of two magazines in which the study of management was first codified and crystallized: the Engineering Magazine, and the American Machinist.
The synthesis of economic organisation and the management of change: intercultural transferability and the Japanese paradigm
Authors: Rafferty James
Published: November 2002

Throughout the growth period of Japanese manufactured exports, from the 1960s to the late 1980s, cultural arguments abounded to explain the influence of Japanese management practices and their role in Japan’s competitiveness. The conclusions drawn were that Japanese organisations and management practices would not be transferable to foreign environments, since their cultural advantages could not be maintained. In addressing the question of intercultural transferability, this article presents a theoretical perspective on the issues of management practice as a means of identifying the causes and constraints inherent in the transfer of the Japanese model to the West and in particular to the UK. The theoretical propositions are underpinned with reference to empirical studies and hopefully identify areas for further research.
Implementing the HORIZON computing system in the University Library in Poznan´
Authors: Rucin´ska‐Nago´rny Anna , Jazdon Artur
Published: November 2002

Presents the process of implementing the HORIZON computing system in the University Library and other libraries of the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan´, Poland. Details of the cooperation within libraries belonging to the Poznan´ Foundation of Scientific Libraries and other libraries implementing the HORIZON system and working within the agreement Library with Horizon are given, together with a description of the work in creating the central library catalogue in Poland.
The role of the library in a new learning scenario
Authors: Laura Bargellini Maria , Bordoni Luciana
Published: November 2002

Distance learning can be defined, in the most general terms, as a method of education that involves an instructor and student(s), who are separated geographically and must rely on one or more methods of long‐distance communication. It is the direct descendant of correspondence and home study courses, that were developed in the nineteenth century. What is new, however, is the wealth of telecommunications and telematics options available today that enable the provision of this high‐tech educational environment and the enlargement of the potential user base. Libraries have a central role in education, learning, and vocational training in support of increasing knowledge. The rapid evolution of information and communication technology in the learning field imposes, supports and stimulates the re‐engineering of the library. This paper provides a description of a new distance learning scenario in a library service.
Changes and developments in Greek libraries
Authors: Papazoglou Alexandra , Semertzaki Eva
Published: November 2002

Greek libraries have experienced a tremendous evolution towards modernization during the last few years. The lack of tradition in libraries and the existence of an educational system based on the single textbook did not favor until recently the development of libraries in Greece. However, the European Community action aimed at enabling European libraries to play an important role in the information market, and the Community Support Framework, through which libraries could be funded at the national level, allowed for a dynamic set of actions for Greek libraries. All types of libraries, academic, public and school are moving ahead – 500 school libraries were established in secondary schools alone. In the academic libraries, the horizontal action can be proud of the creation of a consortium called HEAL LINK that shares journal subscriptions and will also operate a Union Catalog of bibliographic records. Library‐related organizations such as the National Documentation Center and the National Book Center, offer additional support in this movement of progress. This paper describes these initiatives and others.
The knowing organization as learning organization
Authors: Wei Choo Chun
Published: November 2002

Examines the information processes that support organisational sense‐making, knowledge creation and decision making. Sense‐making involves interpreting the raw data of the environment by enactment, selection and retention. New knowledge is created by knowledge conversion, knowledge building, and knowledge linking. Completely rational decision making would involve identifying alternatives, projecting the outcomes of each alternative and evaluating the alternatives and their outcomes according to known preferences and objectives. In the organisational knowing cycle, a continuous flow of information is maintained between sensemaking, knowledge creating, and decision making, and the outcome of information use in one mode provides the elaborated context and the expanded resources for information use in other modes. An illustration is given of a knowledge cycle in the World Health Organisation Smallpox Eradication Programme in which continuous cycles of interpretation, innovation and adaptive action underpinned the success of the project.
Towards a second generation of KM? The people management challenge
Authors: Carter Chris , Scarbrough Harry
Published: November 2002

Seeks to reflect upon knowledge management from the vantage point of a human resource management perspective. Arguing that there is an urgent need for a greater interaction between the concerns of HRM and KM, the paper documents five perspectives of HRM and discusses them in relation to their implications for the management of knowledge with organizations. The paper culminates in developing a heuristic framework through which KM and HRM can be integrated.
E‐learning markets and providers: some issues and prospects
Authors: Fry Kate
Published: November 2002

Demonstrates how digital technologies are affecting the organisational learning process, drawing on material presented to an industry forum. Reviews the rise of the knowledge‐based organisation, examines how the Internet has created “e” learning, investigates why organisations are impelled towards e‐learning, provides some estimates of the size of the e‐learning market and outlines the activities of some e‐learning provider organisations. Shows that the corporate e‐learning market is undergoing strong growth with a wide range of providers and alliances emerging and some consolidation expected. Organisations now seek metrics for evaluating e‐learning and quality benchmarks are recommended.
E‐learning technology, content and services
Authors: Henry Paul
Published: November 2002

Defines e‐learning as the appropriate application of the Internet to support the delivery of learning, skills and knowledge in a holistic approach not limited to any particular courses, technologies, or infrastructures. It considers e‐learning core products of content, technology, and services. The emphasis is upon the importance of integrated learning paths that vary according to the student, the subject material, the level of competence, and corporate or student preferences. Successful implementation of e‐learning requires the same management commitment as other mission‐critical organisation‐wide initiatives. Most of all e‐learning needs to be compelling to the audience it targets, offering the learner a resource that is seen as appealing, valuable and productive to their goals and aspirations.