bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization, surface modification, and evaluation of Egyptian dolomite ore as an extender pigment for paint
Authors: Youssef E.A.M.
Published: October 2002

Dolomite is of immense importance for industrial applications. It is occuring in many locations in Egypt. Complete investigation and identification of the ore has been performed via chemical analysis and spectro‐photometric measurements using X‐ray fluroscence, X‐ray diffraction and electron microscope. The X‐ray diffraction pattern indicated that Egyptian dolomite is a crystalline material and electron microscope analysis showed that it has a lameller shape. Egyptian dolomite sample was evaluated as an extender pigment according to standard international specifications and proved to be excellent one for coating applications. Surface modification of dolomite ore particles has been carried out using stearic acid in cyclohexane. The modification concerned with the determination of adsorption isotherm, sediment volume, sedimentation rate, and dispersion properties to determine monolayer surface coverage of the ore particles. The unmodified and modified dolomite samples have been incorporated in anticorrosive primer formulations. The painted films were tested and examined in the laboratory accelerated corrosion test. Promising results were achieved and the films showed high performance as efficient extender pigment for coating applications that can replace satisfactorily its similar imported pigments.
METS and the metadata marketplace
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: October 2002

One purpose of the Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS) is to deal with the multiplication of metadata types in recent years, and especially metadata that deal with non‐paper materials, including audiovisual sources and their digital representations. In that sense, it is a kind of meta‐metadata. But is it needed? Market forces may decide.
A study of collaborative storage of library resources
Authors: O’Connor Steve , Wells Andrew , Collier Mel
Published: October 2002

Cooperative storage is essentially the sharing of a space within a facility, while collaborative storage implies a shared approach to the collection in terms of growth, shape, management and access. Collaborative storage provides a more efficient use of resources. This study is an investigation of the physical options, rather than of digital storage. However, the study does reflect on the prospective relationship between these two responses. The tension is an emerging issue and one which is not yet placed in the policy context of a local, regional or national perspective.
Libraries and desktop storage options: results of a Web‐based survey
Authors: Hendricks Arthur , Wang Jian
Published: October 2002

The floppy disk drive is expected to become obsolete soon. However, this issue has been little addressed in library professional journals. This article reports the results of a Web‐based survey that aimed at ascertaining what plans, if any, librarians have for dealing with this technological change to retain effective library services. Our survey found that librarians, especially academic, care about portable data storage for their patrons but do not have any clear plans.
Create, edit, and manage Web database content using active server pages
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Paul Fullerton John
Published: October 2002

Libraries have been integrating active server pages (ASP) with Web‐based databases for searching and retrieving electronic information for the past five years; however, a literature review reveals that a more complete description of modifying data through the Web interface is needed. At the Texas A&M University Libraries, a Web database of Internet links was developed using ASP, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) to facilitate use of online resources. The implementation of the Internet Links database is described with focus on its data management functions. Also described are other library applications of ASP technology. The project explores a more complete approach to library Web database applications than was found in the current literature and should serve to facilitate reference service.
Streamlining electronic access with Windows Terminal Server
Authors: Bartow Culp F.
Published: October 2002

Libraries face increasing challenges as well as opportunities, when they add electronic information resources to their services. Examples of such challenges are client/server (C/S) databases, for which libraries must assume significant and ongoing local administrative/maintenance responsibilities, and CD‐ROM‐based resources, which can impose severe access limitations. In the Purdue University Libraries, the implementation of a Windows Terminal Server (WTS) thin client system has dramatically reduced the administrative load associated with access to C/S resources. At the same time, it has increased the potential availability of its other electronic resources, while also providing enhanced security and more meaningful usage statistics.
Web site accessibility: a study of six genres
Authors: Jackson‐Sanborn Emily , Odess‐Harnish Kerri , Warren Nikki
Published: October 2002

There is much confusion over how the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 will apply to the Internet. Based on current trends, it seems likely that they will soon be applicable to the commercial sector, as well as the government and education domains. Given this state of affairs, how much of the Internet is already accessible to those with disabilities? This study looks at the accessibility of six genres, or categories, of sites spread over three domains. Utilizing the evaluation software Bobby, this study finds that government sites are currently the most accessible, and popular commercial sites are the least. Educational possibilities are discussed to broaden the consideration of these issues during Web site design.
English advice manuals online at Rutgers: a partnership in a new course using digital books and Web technology
Authors: Jantz Ronald , Bell Rudolph
Published: October 2002

The authors’ experiences in launching a new course at Rutgers University are described. The new honors course resulted from a collaboration between the History Department and Rutgers University Libraries (RUL), in which academic instruction, a unique source of digital books, and Web/Internet technology were brought together to provide a new learning experience for undergraduates. Students used the Early English Books Online (EEBO) collection at RUL and were challenged to learn as much as possible in a single semester about some facet of early English advice manuals. The course objectives, technology platform, and student experiences are discussed.
Ariadne’s thread: hypertext, writing, and the World Wide Web
Authors: Felker Kyle
Published: October 2002

Examines the concept of hypertext and how it relates to the World Wide Web, along with a discussion of why this is important to librarians. Includes examples of library Web pages and products that take advantage of the medium and some that do not, along with a specific discussion of crafting text, structure and linking for the Web.
Training for professional librarians in Slovakia by distance‐learning methods: an overview of the PROLIB and EDULIB projects
Authors: Dahl Kerstin , Francis Simon , Tedd Lucy A. , Tetrevova´ Milena , Zihlavnikova´ Elena
Published: October 2002

This article provides an overview of the PROLIB and EDULIB projects, which involved the development and delivery of distance‐learning courses in the Slovak language to library and information professionals in the Slovak Republic. Each course comprised a week of “face‐to‐face” lecture sessions, practicals, and group discussions, followed by three months of guided work through printed self‐study workbooks and computer‐mediated Internet communication. The courses were held in training centres at university libraries in two towns in Central and Eastern Slovakia (Zvolen and Kosice).
Information marketing in a digital world
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: October 2002

This article analyses the role of information in the marketing processes associated with a digital world. The distinctions between information products and goods and services are explored. The unique characteristics of information products may demand a new approach to marketing, defined as information marketing. An analysis of the different levels of product demonstrates that information is often used to augment services or goods, and that it may be difficult to delineate the category “information products”. In marketing communications, digital information can be a rich resource for organisations, consumers and communities. The multi‐faceted role of information in the virtual world has consequences for information producers, consumers and marketers. These groups need to understand the unique features of information marketing.
Contradictions of Tanzania Government policies on Internet service provision: case study of Dar es Salaam city
Authors: Mutula Stephen M. , Ahmadi Mzee M.M.M.
Published: October 2002

The Tanzania Government recognizes the importance of Internet accessibility in national development and has been at the forefront, at least on paper, in putting in place institutional structures and frameworks to enhance Internet access and use, particularly in Dar es Salaam. Some of the notable accomplishments have been in the area of legislation: deregulation in telecommunication sector, licensing, reduction of import duty and other tariffs on software and hardware. These efforts, though, have not translated in practical terms into wider Internet adoption and use in the country. This paper presents the results of a study that was carried out to establish why, despite what is seen as Government’s efforts to improve Internet accessibility and use in Dar es Salaam, the impact of these efforts remains insignificant.
From MARC to MARC 21 and beyond: some reflections on MARC and the Arabic language
Authors: Khurshid Zahiruddin
Published: October 2002

The paper aims to review major developments in the MARC format, including a brief description of metadata schemes and cross‐walks. It also offers an assessment of how well MARC works for Arabic script materials, a description of the degree to which MARC is used in Saudi Arabia, and the prospects for the use of XML versions of MARC in the Arab world.
DocML: a digital library of university data
Authors: Papadakis Ioannis , Karakoidas Vassileios , Chrissikopoulos Vassileios
Published: October 2002

This paper presents DocML, a Web‐based digital library of university data. The goal is to build a system capable of preserving and managing student assignments efficiently in a university environment. It is based on a three‐tier architecture that is typical for distributed Web applications. Communication between the layers of the digital library and the architectural components that reside in the middle layer is facilitated through an XML standard. XML is also used for the development of a distributed metadata management system that describes the location and content of the digital library’s documents.
Library design – the architect’s view. A discussion with Tom Findley
Authors: Boone Morell D.
Published: October 2002

The architect’s role in any building project cannot be overstated. It is crucial for library planners to bring the architect early into the design process and work continuously with him/her throughout the entire building phase. Thomas A. Findley, an award‐winning architect from the firm of Leo A. Daly, spoke with the author at length about his role in enabling library planners to develop the kinds of buildings that will both satisfy present demands and enable future needs to be met.
The use and disposal of IT products within commercial markets
Authors: Mayers Kieren , France Chris , Cleverly Ann , Kabouris Eletherios , Planas Susanna
Published: October 2002

New European environmental legislation requiring producers to recycle electrical and electronics products at so‐called “end‐of‐life” is likely to introduce new areas of competition to the global market for information technology (IT) products. This paper presents the findings of a study investigating the use and disposal of IT equipment by 151 companies in the UK. Although 71 per cent of companies disposed of their equipment as waste, other “disposal” routes were found to be of greater significance, such as charitable donations, transfer to employees, and resale to second‐hand dealers. Therefore it is argued that the current legal definition of “waste” may be too restrictive to be applied to end‐of‐life IT equipment within the commercial sector. In addition, it is argued that the provision of product “end‐of‐life management” services to commercial customers (in compliance with legislation or otherwise) could help IT producers add value to their existing support services beyond the immediate production and consumption of new technologies. Where only 5 per cent of companies replaced IT products within two years, 76 per cent of respondents identified a need for such services. Specific details of the type of services that would be required have also been investigated and evaluated.
Implicit contradictions in public messages of “low‐stratified” HE institutions: the case of Israeli teacher training colleges
Authors: Oplatka Izhar
Published: October 2002

The current paper explores the messages through which low‐stratified higher education (HE) institutions strive to increase their organisational image and “product” status and concurrently to attract prospective students. Thus, by a qualitative content analysis of 66 advertisements of teacher training colleges in Israel, the paper provides insight into the complexity of re‐building new images for HE institutions that have long suffered, and still suffer, from a low public image. It is argued here that both the messages directed to transmit a more “academic”, “professional” and “university‐like” image, and the messages aimed to emphasise the personal advantages gained by applying to the colleges, may, ironically, further weaken the publicly low‐academic image of the low stratified HE institutions and re‐position them in the post‐secondary system. Practical implications for marketing the low‐stratified HE institutions are suggested.
Degradation of flip‐chip‐on‐glass interconnection with ACF under high humidity and thermal aging
Authors: Lawrence Wu C.M. , Chau M.L.
Published: October 2002

This paper presents a reliability assessment of adhesive joints using chip‐on‐glass (COG) technology which was conducted by testing samples at various aging temperatures and at high humidity.The range of aging temperatures took into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the adhesive films. The effects of high temperature and high humidity on the bond strength of flip‐chip‐on‐glass joints were evaluated by shear testing as well as by microstructural examination.It was found that aging generally caused a decrease in shear strength while the aging temperature was below the glass transition temperature of ACF. When the aging temperature was slightly above the Tg of the ACF, a significant decrease in shear strength was observed. Moreover, results from scanning electronic microscopy revealed the presence of some voids near the component bumps, resulting in high stresses at the high aging temperature. DSC results showed that the ACF was not fully cured, allowing moisture absorption more seriously than a fully cured ACF, leading to joint degradation.
Lead‐free solder process implementation for PCB assembly
Authors: Collier Peter , Sunappan Vasudivan , Periannan Arulvanan
Published: October 2002

A challenge in selecting and applying lead‐free solders lies in separating the influences of materials' properties, fluxes and processes to obtain robust assembly conditions that are compatible with PCB finishes and all component terminations. This paper discusses simple steps towards establishing a lead‐free assembly process. With reference to results of solder paste spread and wetting tests and component solderability tests, some of the current limitations in applying standard test methods to lead‐free evaluations are highlighted.
Evaluation of two novel lead‐free surface finishes
Authors: Ludwig Richard , Lee Ning‐Cheng , Fan Chonglun , Zhang Yun
Published: October 2002

Two new electrolytically plated lead‐free surface finishes are evaluated for their wettability, bond strength, and voiding performance, and are compared with electrolytic nickel gold and an OSP. The results indicate that Ni–Sn achieve the highest wettability, one of the highest lap shear strengths, and the lowest levels of voiding. It also performs better under a long reflow profile. Under most instances, the soldering performance is comparable with, or better than, the reference OSP and Ni–Au surface finishes. Ni–PdCo–Au was found to give a poor wettability, fairly low lap shear strength, and have high levels of voiding. However, it is fairly stable, and its soldering performance is not sensitive to the reflow profile length or atmosphere, aging treatment, or flux chemistry. OSP was found to be the poorest in terms of wettability, but one of the best for lap shear strength. It also performs best under long profile, is not sensitive to reflow atmosphere, is slightly sensitive to alloy type, but is very sensitive to aging and flux chemistry.
Reactions between Sn–Ag–Cu lead‐free solders and the Au/Ni surface finish in advanced electronic packages
Authors: Shiau L.C. , Ho C.E. , Kao C.R.
Published: October 2002

The reactions between Sn–Ag–Cu lead‐free solders of various compositions and Au/Ni surface finish in advanced electronic packages were studied. Three solder compositions, Sn–3.5Ag, Sn4Ag–0.5Cu, and Sn–3.5Ag‐0.75Cu were used, and their performance was compared. It was found that the Sn–4Ag–0.5Cu solder gave the worst results in terms of shear strength. The poor performance of the Sn–4Ag–0.5Cu solder can be explained based on its microstructure. The types of intermetallic compounds formed at the interface were different for different solder compositions. When there was no Cu the reaction product was Ni3Sn4. For the Sn–3.5Ag–0.75Cu solder, the reaction product was (Cu1‐p‐qAupNiq)6Sn5 immediately after reflow, and two intermetallic compounds (Cu1‐p‐qAupNiq)6Sn5 and (Ni1‐yCuy)3Sn4 formed after aging at 180°C for 250 and 500 h. For the Sn–4Ag–0.5Cu solder, both Ni3Sn4 and (Cu1‐p‐qAupNiq)6Sn5 were present near the interface right after reflow, and there was a layer of solder between these two intermetallic compounds.
Low cycle fatigue and fatigue crack growth behaviour of Sn–Ag eutectic solder
Authors: Kanchanomai C. , Miyashita Y. , Mutoh Y. , Mannan S.L.
Published: October 2002

Low cycle fatigue tests on as‐cast Sn–Ag eutectic solder (96.5Sn–3.5Ag) were carried out using a non‐contact strain controlled system at 20°C with different frequencies (10−3–1 Hz). Steps at the boundaries of Sn‐dendrites were found to be the initiation sites for microcracks in the case of low frequency fatigue tests, while for high frequency tests, cracks predominantly initiated at the boundaries of subgrains formed within Sn‐dendrites. The link up of these cracks and the propagation of cracks inside the specimen occurred both transgranularly through Sn–Ag eutectic phases, and intergranularly along Sn‐dendrite boundaries and/or subgrain boundaries. Propagation of stage II cracks for various frequencies could be characterized by theC*‐parameter.
Fatigue crack growth behaviour of lead‐containing and lead‐free solders
Authors: Mutoh Y. , Zhao J. , Miyashita Y. , Kanchanomai C.
Published: October 2002

Fatigue crack growth (FCG) tests on lead‐containing solders and lead‐free solders have been carried out at frequencies ranging from 0.01 to 10 Hz and stress ratios in the range 0.1–0.7. The FCG resistance of lead‐free solders was found to be superior to that of lead‐containing solders. For both types of solder, cycle dependent behaviour is dominant for the tests at low stress ratios and high frequencies, while time‐dependent effects become important at high stress ratios and low frequencies. For cycle dependent testing conditions, cracks primarily propagated in a transgranular manner, while a mixed trans/intergranular mode of crack propagation was observed for testing conditions where time dependent effects were dominant. The propagation path of intergranular cracks depended on the test materials, and along interfaces. After the FCG tests, the formation of small grains was observed.
Assessment of board level solder joint reliability for PBGA assemblies with lead‐free solders
Authors: Ricky Lee Shi‐Wei , Hoi Wai Lui Ben , Kong Y.H. , Baylon Bernard , Leung Timothy , Umali Pompeo , Agtarap Hector
Published: October 2002

Evaluates the board level reliability of plastic ball grid array (PBGA) assemblies under thermal and mechanical loading, with the objective of characterizing the reliability of lead‐free solder joints for various assembly conditions. A five‐leg experiment was designed which included various combinations of solder materials and peak reflow temperatures. It was found that the lead‐free solder joints have a much longer thermal fatigue life than the 63Sn–37Pb solder. The 63Sn–37Pb solder joints seem to perform slightly better than the lead‐free solder under mechanical loading.
Predictive reliability models through validated correlation between power cycling and thermal cycling accelerated life tests
Authors: Towashiraporn P. , Subbarayan G. , McIlvanie B. , Hunter B.C. , Love D. , Sullivan B.
Published: October 2002

Aims to show that with careful modelling, the fatigue life of solder joints of identical geometry and microstructure can be predicted very accurately (through empirical correlations) under different environmental test or field use conditions. Here, on the TI 144 chip ‐scale package, the empirical correlation for fatigue life developed under thermal cycling conditions is used to predict the life under power cycling. This accurate model has served as the physical basis which in to demonstrate quantitatively the equivalence of thermal cycling and power cycling as valid accelerated life tests. Describes the great importance of spatial refinement, temporal refinement, and accurate boundary conditions, including the often ignored natural convection boundary conditions, and their effect on predicted life.
Understanding the difficulties of implementing quality management in Yemen
Authors: Al‐Zamany Yasser , Hoddell Stephen E.J. , Savage Barbara M.
Published: October 2002

Total quality management (TQM) is still a new issue for the organisations in Yemen. These organisations need to establish a new strategy towards quality management. Focuses on the difficulties and barriers to the introduction and implementation of TQM in such a culture. The researcher draws on two case study organisations and on the activities proposed by the European excellence model to exemplify TQM. Time was spent explaining these activities to the people involved and was followed by a discussion of the difficulties. By the end of this process the researcher came out with several points to be considered under each activity for the aim of improving the organisations in Yemen and when embarking on implementation of TQM. Other issues include the need for proactive government support, for better technical understanding of TQM, and for a change in organisational culture.
An introduction to a garment technical drawing system and its DB construction methodology
Authors: Ji Young A. , Sang An Jae , Seo Lim Kyung , Hoon Lee Dae
Published: October 2002

A garment technical drawing system and its database construction methodology is introduced in this paper. The system consists of an application program and a modulized database system. The advantage of this system is that it is possible to construct a garment's partial technical drawing easily using this database system, and it enables the combination of any part of drawing stored in the database.
Relationship between operations strategy and size in engineering consulting firms
Authors: Arias Aranda Daniel
Published: October 2002

The relationship between strategy and firm size has been broadly considered and studied in strategic management literature. However, this topic has not been paid as much attention in the operations management field in manufacturing studies. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between operations strategy and firm size in a sample of engineering consulting firms. According to the results, there is a significant relationship between operations strategy and size in consulting engineering firms. In this context, small firms tend to follow customer‐oriented operations strategies, medium sized firms tend to follow process‐oriented operations strategies and larger firms tend to follow service‐oriented operations strategies.
E‐commerce in production: some experiences
Authors: Dignum Frank
Published: October 2002

This paper will report on a number of e‐commerce projects at production companies in The Netherlands. It has been shown that there is no unique model for the introduction of e‐commerce in production companies. Companies can start to use e‐commerce at different ends of the organization, with different objectives and different (positive) outcomes, depending on the market situation and the state of ICT awareness within the company. Objectives might range from cutting costs on purchase procedures to increasing customer intimacy. ICT awareness can range from having one PC (personal computer) for a department with no Internet connection to a completely functioning intranet and Internet connection for each employee. The paper will be concluded with some current trends in e‐commerce, especially on the increased use of electronic markets between the companies within the same vertical market segment.
Computers in the home: domestication and gender
Authors: Habib Laurence , Cornford Tony
Published: October 2002

This paper investigates the integration of the home computer into the domestic sphere through a gender perspective on the notions of domesticity and domestication. The study is based on a series of interviews with seven British families in the late 1990s. The analysis is used to identify some of the characteristics that contribute to make the home computer domestic or undomestic, and to explore the processes of domestication. A focus on fears and anxieties around the computer as well as the emergence of myths and magical notions allows for deeper insights into the gender‐domestication “problématique”.
A qualitative examination of factors affecting reverse logistics systems for end‐of‐life computers
Authors: Knemeyer A. Michael , Ponzurick Thomas G. , Logar Cyril M.
Published: October 2002

The current study demonstrates the value of utilizing qualitative research methods to analyze logistics problems. Specifically, the study utilizes a qualitative methodology to examine the feasibility of designing a reverse logistics system to recycle and/or refurbish end‐of‐life computers that are deemed no longer useful by their owners. The qualitative methodology is a modified version of a customer visit program in which the in‐depth interviews were used to identify the special needs of stakeholders who could potentially participate in the proposed system. The qualitative interviews were structured and implemented using a standardized approach set forth in the literature. The results indicate that this qualitative technique proved valuable in obtaining industry‐sensitive stakeholder data, which allowed the researchers to more thoroughly analyze the feasibility of the proposed reverse logistics system.
Cross‐cultural dimensions of Internet portals
Authors: Zahir Sajjad , Dobing Brian , Gordon Hunter M.
Published: October 2002

When new technologies become available and cultures adopt them, the result can be either convergence, cultures becoming more similar as a result, or divergence, when cultures adopt technology in different ways that maintain or even further accentuate their differences. An analysis of full‐service national Web portals from different countries, typically offering a search engine, directories of links on a set of selected topics, news items (including weather, sports, entertainment, and stock market results), advertisements and shopping, and free e‐mail, shows evidence of both trends. While most national portals closely resemble the basic structure of Yahoo!, the original free full‐service portal, there are also differences in appearance and features offered that can be attributed to cultural variations based on Hofstede’s framework.
The re‐engineering of Hewlett‐Packard’s CD‐RW supply chain
Authors: Hammel Todd , Phelps Tom , Kuettner Dorothea
Published: October 2002

Technological innovation is a major driver in the consumer electronics industry, bringing consumers exciting new products more quickly and at lower cost than ever before. However, technological innovation alone cannot deliver competitive advantage to manufacturers, no matter how large their scale or scope. Delivering innovative new products quickly and at competitive prices requires an efficient and effective supply chain, in which inventory is minimalised but without the loss of responsiveness that is essential in such a dynamic market. Hewlett‐Packard’s experience with its CD re‐writer is a classic case of an existing supply chain infrastructure failing to support the commercial exploitation of technological innovation. Their experience demonstrates graphically the importance of a supply chain design in keeping with market requirements. The results of their supply chain analysis illustrate the significant benefits of centralized distribution and the implementation highlights the importance of project management and the incentives for change amongst supply partners.
Collaborative planning forecasting and replenishment: new solutions needed for mass collaboration
Authors: Holmström Jan , Främling Kary , Kaipia Riikka , Saranen Juha
Published: October 2002

The challenge faced by supplier companies in the grocery supply chain for implementing collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment (CPFR) is how to get the retailer to forecast, especially when it has not been necessary before. In this paper a solution that would allow collaboration on a wide scale is presented. The forecasting approach is called “rank and share” and uses input from the retailer’s existing planning process – the category management process. The benefit of using category management as the basis is that the retailer can scale up collaboration with a large number of suppliers without increasing planning resources. For the supplier the benefit is point of sales forecasts at the time of the assortment decision. To support this collaborative forecasting process there is a need for more robust replenishment solutions, new measures to illustrate benefits, and for a distributed planning architecture and software. Potential solutions for these are also discussed in the paper.
A tale of two knowledge‐sharing systems
Authors: Robertson Scott
Published: October 2002

Two knowledge‐sharing systems were deployed on the same platform within the same organization. One was more successful than the other. Interviews with users showed several factors related to work flow, collaboration practices, and the nature of the documents being shared that affected success. This paper describes the systems and then explores why they were used so differently.
Benchmarking project management practices of Caribbean organizations using analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Dey Prasanta Kumar
Published: October 2002

Effective management of projects is becoming increasingly important for any type of organization to remain competitive in today’s dynamic business environment due to pressure of globalization. The use of benchmarking is widening as a technique for supporting project management. Benchmarking can be described as the search for the best practices, leading to the superior performance of an organization. However, effectiveness of benchmarking depends on the use of tools for collecting and analyzing information and deriving subsequent improvement projects. This study demonstrates how analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multiple attribute decision‐making technique, can be used for benchmarking project management practices. The entire methodology has been applied to benchmark project management practice of Caribbean public sector organizations with organizations in the Indian petroleum sector, organizations in the infrastructure sector of Thailand and the UK. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a proposed benchmarking model using AHP, determines problems and issues of Caribbean project management in the public sector and suggests improvement measures for effective project management.
Benchmarking the human capital strategies of MNCs in Singapore
Authors: Huang Gerald Z.D. , Roy Matthew H. , Ahmed Zafar U. , Heng Judy S.T. , Lim Joyce H.M.
Published: October 2002

Singapore’s economic success has largely been fueled by foreign direct investment from multinational corporations (MNCs). These companies brought with them not only their capital and technology, but also their managerial prowess. The latter has been a key ingredient in propelling Singapore to its current economic success. New competition and rising costs are forcing local businesses to look for new strategies to succeed. One way is to benchmark the human capital strategies of MNCs. This study employs a survey of the human resource policies of both MNCs and promising Singaporean enterprises. The results show stark contrasts in the philosophical and practical applications of human resource strategies. Insights into Singapore’s human resource practices are uncovered and key success factors for promising local companies are discussed.
Benchmarking the challenge to quality program implementation
Authors: Nels Lee Terry , Fawcett Stanley E. , Briscoe Jason
Published: October 2002

The influence of quality on customer perceptions and thereby consumption behavior has led some analysts to call quality the single most important factor for long‐term competitive success. It is not surprising then that almost everyone agrees that quality is vital and that every company needs to have a well‐designed and executed quality program in place. Unfortunately, quality programs often fail to deliver the outstanding – parts per million – quality that is required for competitive advantage. Quality programs have proven to be difficult to implement successfully, leading many to ask, “Why is it so hard to implement a successful quality management program?” The research discussed in this paper specifically addresses this issue of implementation difficulty. Insight from over 300 quality directors reveals that obtaining managerial commitment, establishing a quality culture, and fully involving employees are the three most intractable challenges encountered in the implementation of quality programs. Indeed, these three issues represent almost half of the problems identified by the quality directors. As managers approach the implementation of a new quality program, they must use a methodology that can overcome the challenges to implementation by first garnering managerial commitment and establishing early quality successes. Building momentum based on measurable successes is critical to establishing a quality culture.
Succeeding with sourcing of competencies in technology‐intensive industries
Authors: Drejer Anders , Sørensen Steffen
Published: October 2002

To avoid finishing last in a competitive race which requires its participants to master a range of things all at one time, more and more corporations are deciding to outsource subordinate aspects or competencies, thereby focusing their strategic spotlight on aspects more central to their business. Sourcing competencies in this manner is, however, accompanied by a wealth of difficulties. Mainly, the expertise encoded in a corporation’s competencies has a regrettable tendency to leak from this corporation’s sourcing‐partners to its competitors, who then receive direct access to the corporation’s competencies. In order to prevent this from happening, corporations must be better equipped to understand the competencies they intend to source and thereby ensure that only competencies or sub‐competencies, which are of no strategic importance to the corporation, are sourced. Therefore, a major portion of this paper is constructed as a model designed to describe how corporations can employ competence understanding in making sourcing decisions.
Process benchmarking: an application to lending products
Authors: Delpachitra Sarath , Beal Diana
Published: October 2002

Benchmarking techniques evolved from Xerox’s pioneering visit to Japan in the late 1970s. However, the application of the benchmarking concept to the banking industry did not take place until the late 1990s. Process benchmarking, in particular, is a tool that helps FIs to cut costs, improve productivity and integrate business processes. Although process benchmarking involves divulging what may be considered as sensitive or confidential information, forming de facto benchmarking partnerships with competitors allows participating institutions to compare cost and output advantages and disadvantages, when performing key processes involved in lending operations. This paper presents an application of process benchmarking to lending operations across Australia to highlight differences in costs involved in seemingly identical value chains.
Expert valuation witnesses in the UK – problems and solutions
Authors: Crosby Neil , Murdoch John , Lavers Anthony
Published: October 2002

This paper addresses the performance, training and organisation of expert valuation witnesses in the UK. Previous research, based on analysis of professional negligence cases in the UK courts, had found that expert valuation witnesses do not always perform rationally, for example informing courts that valuations can be undertaken within acceptable tolerances of valuation accuracy, while giving expert evidence that differed by more than these tolerances. There was evidence that, while well aware of their overriding duty to the court or tribunal, expert witnesses were frequently producing client‐biased valuations. Such findings provoked questions as to whether standards would be improved by two recently proposed alterations to current practice: either the introduction of a system of compulsory training and accreditation for such witnesses, or a change from the process by which expert valuation evidence is normally presented (one expert witness for each party to a dispute) to the use of a single expert, appointed either by the parties jointly or by the court. A case analysis is performed and conclusions discussed.
Regulating Spam: opting in or opting out?
Authors: Rodríguez Casal Carlos
Published: October 2002

Commercial non‐solicited communications are a growing problem bringing calls for tighter anti‐Spam legislation. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of opt‐in and opt‐out schemes. An opt‐in scheme would provide the best protection for citizens’ privacy and property. However, the fragmented way in which EU legislation is being implemented shows how the geographic limitations of the legislation may make opt‐in partially useless and harmful for competition. This paper therefore concludes that opt‐out with “public” international lists are the best compromise.
Process improvement in facilities management: the SPICE approach
Authors: Amaratunga Dilanthi , Sarshar Marjan , Baldry David
Published: October 2002

Considers the application of structured process improvement for construction environments (SPICE) as a process improvement technique and its extension into the context of facilities management (FM). SPICE is a research project that developed a step‐wise process improvement framework for the construction environment, utilising experience from the software industry, and in particular the capability maturity model (CMM), which has resulted in significant productivity improvements. Introduces the SPICE concept, a conceptual framework assessing the construction process capability. Commences by reviewing processes and their FM applicability and work on process improvement assessment in construction environments using the SPICE framework. Then discusses generalised principles of SPICE for process assessment. Considers its application and extension into the context of FM. Examines the specific example of FM process improvement and finally its implications. Furthermore, examines the relevance and accuracy of the framework, as well as its value to the FM organisation.
Managing processes through teamwork
Authors: Mendibil Telleria Kepa , Little Derek , MacBryde Jill
Published: October 2002

Efficient teamwork has been shown to be a key element for improving business process performance and, as a consequence, organisational performance. As a result of this, improving management and measurement of team performance has captured the interest of many organisations intending to increase their competitiveness. This paper illustrates some of the research findings of an on‐going collaborative research project. It first introduces the idea behind a framework for managing process team performance and later compares this framework with the work that an EFQM winning organisation (2000 European Quality Award prize winner) carried out in order to re‐engineer its organisation towards a structure based on processes and teams.
Business process reengineering and performance improvement
Authors: Shin Namchul , Jemella Donald F.
Published: October 2002

Previous researchers have investigated the principles of business process reengineering (BPR) and how firms approach this process. However, previous research makes no distinction among BPR projects in different organizational contexts. The present research investigates the BPR methods best suited for financial institutions. Based on a case study conducted in Chase Manhattan Bank, this research attempts to provide guidelines for BPR projects in financial institutions that will help them achieve dramatic performance gains. Chase BPR projects include four phases encompassing a wide scope of activities: energize, focus, invent, and launch. As seen in Chase BPR projects such as e‐fund disbursement cards and service charge reengineering, these efforts resulted in new products and services in addition to producing dramatic increases in revenue and operating savings.
Business process management: public sector implications
Authors: Gulledge Thomas R. , Sommer Rainer A.
Published: October 2002

Business process management has received much attention in the industrial engineering and management literature, and its benefits are well known. Much less has been written in the public sector management literature, and what has been written has been very general. Hence, there is confusion among public managers about how business process management concepts should be implemented. How should public organizations reorganize to accommodate business process management? How are existing or new enterprise systems aligned with business process management methodologies? This paper addresses these issues, and concludes that public organizations will have to change their organizational structures radically as well as their enterprise systems in order to implement business process management concepts successfully. The paper also discusses the benefits of public sector process management, and focuses in some detail on two of the reasons that public organizations have incentive to implement business process management methodologies.
Complexity theory and organization procedure design
Authors: Brodbeck Peter W.
Published: October 2002

The practical applications of emerging theory, “complexity theory”, to business are sometimes less obvious than the theory itself, which drives the need, though arguably subjective, for enlightening applications for the potential use of emerging theory in business. Examines whether complexity theory has merit in the design of company procedures not just to challenge the functionalist dogma of traditional organizational structures, but also to encourage a process of self‐organization, self‐motivation, and learning. Focuses on three businesses of a private company in manufacturing, construction and trading and uses one procedure, which outlines the mechanism for charging operating units for the use of working capital. Investigates whether a process of self‐organizing and self‐motivating patterns can emerge if the structure of a procedure is developed under the methodology of complexity theory. Research findings were obtained from a focus group using the computer based qualitative research approach of Ideas UnlimitedTM and further examined in subsequent focus group discussions.
Pheromone binding by polymorphic mouse major urinary proteins
Authors: Sharrow Scott D. , Vaughn Jeffrey L. , Žídek Lukáš , Novotny Milos V. , Stone Martin J.
Published: October 2002

Mouse major urinary proteins (MUPs) have been proposed to play a role in regulating the release and capture of pheromones. Here, we report affinity measurements of five recombinant urinary MUP isoforms (MUPs‐I, II, VII, VIII, and IX) and one recombinant nasal isoform (MUP‐IV) for each of three pheromonal ligands, (±)‐2‐sec‐butyl‐4,5‐dihydrothiazole (SBT), 6‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐heptanone (HMH), and (±)dehydro‐exo‐brevicomin (DHB). Dissociation constants for all MUP‐pheromone pairs were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry, and data for SBT were corroborated by measurements of intrinsic protein fluorescence. We also report the isolation of MUP‐IV protein from mouse nasal extracts, in which MUP‐IV mRNA has been observed previously. The affinity of each MUP isoform for SBT (Kd ∼ 0.04 to 0.9 μM) is higher than that for DHB (Kd ∼ 26 to 58 μM), which in turn is higher than that for HMH (Kd ∼ 50 to 200 μM). Isoforms I, II, VIII, and IX show very similar affinities for each of the ligands. MUP‐VII has approximately twofold higher affinity for SBT but approximately twofold lower affinity for the other pheromones, whereas MUP‐IV has ∼23‐fold higher affinity for SBT and approximately fourfold lower affinity for the other pheromones. The variations in ligand affinities of the MUP isoforms are consistent with structural differences in the binding cavities of the isoforms. The data indicate that the concentrations of available pheromones in urine may be influenced by changes in the expression levels of urinary MUPs or the excretion levels of other MUP ligands. The variation in pheromone affinities of the urinary MUP isoforms provides only limited support for the proposal that MUP heterogeneity plays a role in regulating profiles of available pheromones. However, the binding data support the proposed role of nasal MUPs in sequestering pheromones and possibly transporting them to their receptors.