bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A geometric process maintenance model and optimal policy
Authors: Lam Yeh
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a geometric process (GP) maintenance model and policy for a repairable system.

Design/methodology/approach

Lam first introduced the GP and its application to maintenance model. Assume that a replacement policy N is applied by which the system will be replaced by a new, identical one following the Nth failure.

Findings

For a deteriorating system, an optimal replacement policy is determined analytically, and the monotonicity properties of the optimal replacement policy are then studied.

Originality/value

For an improving system, the paper shows that the optimal replacement policy is the ∞ policy, i.e., the policy without replacement.
Public construction project delivery process in Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney
Authors: Ke Yongjian , Ling Florence Y.Y. , Ning Yan
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To perform well in the risky and competitive international construction markets, foreign investors need to fully understand project delivery process in their targeted overseas markets. Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong and Sydney were selected to be studied in this paper. The aim of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of the funding source, organization, regulations, approval process, procurement method, and bid evaluation procedure of public projects in four cities. It also investigated the performance outcomes of public projects in these cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method was a multi‐city structured questionnaire survey conducted in Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Sydney. Data were collected from respondents who have been involved in public construction projects. The data collection methods include email and postal surveys and face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings

It was found that Beijing has the largest market of public construction projects among the four cities, and has the most indistinct and complicated project process. The majority of the public clients in the four cities have on‐going projects, suggesting a good level of construction sophistication. Traditional design‐bid‐build delivery method is the most frequently used in Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore. Most of the respondents in Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore were satisfied with the project quality and service quality. About 60 percent of the project samples in the four cities experienced budget overrun and schedule delay.

Originality/value

The study adds to knowledge by providing information on procurement of public construction projects in four cities. The findings may inform foreign enterprises that are planning to enter these markets on the ways to deal with public construction projects there. Foreign enterprises that plan to venture other parts of the world may consider the factors identified in this study to evaluate the projects there.
Quantifying robustness in PFIs
Authors: Sundaraj Gerald , Eaton David
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define and quantify the term robustness within the context of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project environment from the perspective of the Granting Authority. The paper is conceptual, based on conceptual generalisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the theory of systems thinking within PFI procurement. This is further integrated with the concept of robustness and resilience used extensively in the ecology discipline. Combining the two, this paper presents a mathematical approach of quantifying robustness in PFI projects.

Findings

An analytical model is used to support the mathematical analysis to quantify and define robustness.

Research limitations/implications

The quantifying of robustness is based on the principal assumptions presented in the paper. The principal assumptions provide an ideal situation which is necessary to pursue and develop the proposed approach to quantify robustness. Changes to the assumptions may affect the generalisability of the approach.

Originality/value

The paper provides a greater definition to robustness within PFI projects and the possibility of quantifying robustness to better monitor and manage the characteristic.
The influence of the building shape on the costs of its construction
Authors: Belniak Stanisław , Leśniak Agnieszka , Plebankiewicz Edyta , Zima Krzysztof
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The choice of a particular architectural solution when designing a building considerably influences the costs of its construction. The aim of this paper is to present the indexes which may relate to the complexity of the building shape, and which were then specified and compared on a particular example.

Design/methodology/approach

The article analyses various indices of building shape evaluation, their influence on the changes in construction costs and their sensitivity to the changes in the dimensions of the building. The methodology adopted in this article concerns the analysis of the selected simple factors assessing the shape of the building against the cost‐effectiveness of constructing the basic elements of the building.

Findings

The authors established the best building shape in relation to the costs of constructing the walls and foundations (square), and to the layout of the inside of the building (rectangle). They believe that the best evaluations of building shape were achieved by the LBI index, which evaluated the shape correctly in all of the analysed examples and which is the most sensitive to the changes in building parameters in correct proportions to the changes in construction costs.

Originality/value

The article presents the indexes which may relate to the complexity of the building shape. The authors established the best building shape in relation to the costs of constructing. The authors provide the degree of the floor area usability in buildings of various shapes.
Three shapes of organisational knowledge
Authors: van den Berg Herman A.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This research seeks to respond to Simon's challenge to apply “an economic calculus to knowledge”. The paper aims to develop a typology of knowledge that may be fruitful in facilitating research in a knowledge‐based view of production.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the enduring literature on the knowledge‐based view of the firm (KBV) and gleans three classifications of organisational knowledge as distinct factors of production: tacit, codified, and encapsulated knowledge.

Findings

Differences between the tacit, codified, and encapsulated shapes of knowledge carry strategic implications for the firm along six important dimensions. Distinguishing between its three classifications sets the stage for measurement of knowledge as a factor of production.

Research limitations/implications

Distinctions between the three shapes of knowledge may be less defined in practice than in theory. The classification in which a repository of knowledge falls is dependent on the tacit knowledge being applied by the user. Software may be encapsulated to a user, but codified to its creator.

Practical implications

Recognition of the differences between the three shapes of organisational knowledge may help managers to: determine the most economic combination of knowledge to use in production; transfer knowledge more effectively within and across organisational boundaries; determine the most economic location of firm boundaries; and ensure value is appropriated for the firm.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that distinguishing and accentuating encapsulated knowledge as a distinct classification of knowledge can help advance the development of a strategic knowledge‐based theory of production.
Knowledge integration and competitiveness: a longitudinal study of an industry cluster
Authors: Connell Julia , Voola Ranjit
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how – and whether – members of an industry cluster share knowledge through networking as a means to improving competitive advantage and, in particular, whether trust is present in the knowledge‐sharing process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved three surveys utilizing a relationship marketing orientation (RMO) that were conducted at intervals (in 2004, 2008 and 2010) in addition to interviews with key cluster members, which were also conducted over a seven‐year period.

Findings

Knowledge sharing and integration were found to mediate the relationship between RMO and competitive advantage in 2004 and 2010 but not in 2008. Lower mean scores for trust were also found in 2008.

Research limitations/ implications

The limitations are that the respondent numbers were small. It is recommended that one more survey is conducted in 2013 to determine whether the interventions reported here, the recruitment of new cluster staff and the continuing growth of the cluster, influence the comparative results over time.

Practical implications

Knowledge sharing and collaboration within industry clusters requires active and discerning facilitation, particularly where new members are concerned.

Originality/value

The paper adds value to the current research on industry clusters and knowledge sharing as surveys were conducted over a seven‐year period that tracked changes as the cluster grew. The findings highlight the necessity of focusing on member relationships/collaboration during times of growth and change.
Antecedents of organizational knowledge sharing: a meta‐analysis and critique
Authors: Witherspoon Candace L. , Bergner Jason , Cockrell Cam , Stone Dan N.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Knowledge is the most important component of sustainable organizational growth and economic performance. This meta‐analysis aims to summarize the determinants of individuals' knowledge sharing (KS) intentions and behaviors in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors organize the knowledge sharing antecedents investigated in 46 studies (n≈10,487, median n=172) into three categories, i.e. knowledge sharer intention and attitude (four variables); rewards for KS (three variables); and organizational culture (nine variables).

Findings

Variables in all three antecedent categories positively contribute to KS intentions and behaviors; high between‐study variability exists, and the fail‐safe n statistic suggests the observed effects are robust against a “file drawer” (missing study) bias. Moderator results suggest that motivating KS is easier in collectivist, as opposed to individualist, cultures.

Research limitations/implications

In most of the studies included in this meta‐analysis, participants volunteered to share knowledge with researchers. Hence, an important threat to validity in the existing research is a potential “cooperation bias” in which participants likely overestimate their willingness to share knowledge. Future KS research should investigate the dark underbelly of knowledge activities in organizations, including investigations of knowledge hoarding, withholding of knowledge to gain personal advantage, and “contributing” worthless information to gain (through gaming) personal payoffs.

Originality/value

The meta‐analysis results herein contribute to the KS literature by identifying the determinants of KS, and an important potential limitation of much existing KS research.
Benchmarking hotel industry in a multi‐period context with DEA approaches: a case study
Authors: Wu Wei‐Wen , Lan Lawrence W. , Lee Yu‐Ting
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a benchmarking framework to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the hotel industry, in a multi‐period context, with consideration of perishable traits and carry‐over activities. The sustained high performers in the case study are identified and their business strategies are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic DEA (data envelopment analysis) approach is used to identify the multi‐period sustained high performers. The super‐efficiency DEA approach is employed to conduct a thorough ranking under an input‐output‐consumption structure. The supplementary analysis is further implemented to help elucidate the benchmarking results.

Findings

In total, nine out of 80 international tourist hotels in Taiwan during 2006‐2010 are identified as the sustained high performers. These hotels have diverged business strategies in terms of employees (intensive versus economical labor forces), products (room versus F&B (food and beverage) services), prices (extremely expensive versus very inexpensive room rates), guests (business versus tourism guests), and others (e.g. location advantages).

Originality/value

This study contributes to benchmarking literature and to hotel industry in several aspects. Compared with conventional single‐period benchmarking in efficiency aspect only, the proposed multi‐period benchmarking framework under input‐production‐consumption structure can take into account the carry‐over activities, account for perishable traits, provide more robust results, and add more useful information to facilitate the hotel managers to ameliorate the efficiency and effectiveness. The proposed framework should be readily applied to other service industries (e.g. transport).
Research and development (R&D) portfolio management in the electric utility sector
Authors: Daim Tugrul U. , Oliver Terry , Iskin Ibrahim
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The electric utility industry, unlike most other technology‐intensive industries, does not spend much money or effort on research and development. Many utilities do not possess an in‐house R&D facility, nor is there an R&D line item in their budgets. Over the last several decades the rate of change in the electric utility industry has been very slow and in‐house R&D efforts have not been required. As the rate of change in the industry is beginning to change, the need to pursue R&D is increasing. The electric utility industry is responding to this increasing requirement by increasing R&D budgets, and in some cases re‐initiating the R&D process within individual utilities. The purpose of this paper is to focus on R&D portfolio management efforts of various actors from different industrial sectors, to find out the best practices by using benchmarking method.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used case study approach and on‐site interviews as research methods.

Findings

The authors found that R&D management is in its infancy in the electric utility sector, while the methods established in the manufacturing sector are applicable there.

Originality/value

This study is exploring R&D management in the electric utility sector and contributes to the service innovation research stream.
Many roads lead to sustainability: a process‐oriented analysis of change in higher education
Authors: Barth Matthias
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to comparatively analyse activities to integrate sustainability in teaching, research and operational practice in different higher education institutions, which differ both in the degree of how far implementation goes and in regards to the most active stakeholders. Against that background, the paper explores, in a process‐oriented focus, which drivers and barriers are experienced as most important and how they relate to each other.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative multi‐case study has been conducted, with two main steps to structure the research process: first, desktop research was used to select appropriate cases in a theoretical sampling. Second, data from interviews with relevant stakeholders in each case were analysed according to the constant comparison method.

Findings

Across all cases, three distinctive patterns of implementation processes emerged, each of them with a unique set of influencing factors. For each pattern, drivers and barriers, as well as their relevance, are experienced differently and specific key constructs can be found to explain the implementation process.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on German institutions of higher educations and all cases are drawn from that population, which might limit the generalizability.

Practical implications

It is hoped to provide valuable insights for future implementation processes and for various ways to support a sustainable transition in higher education.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to consider the process of implementation and the interaction between drivers and barriers. The value of the paper lies in its potential to help in understanding what role different drivers and barriers play in different patterns of implementation.
Environmental literacy and attitudes among Malaysian business educators
Authors: Joseph Corina , Obrin Nichol Esmie , Janggu Tamoi , Madi Nero
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of environmental literacy among business lecturers in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey, which involved a combination of newly developed items and items adopted from past studies, was used to collect data from 35 respondents (out of 70).

Findings

The overall mean score for environmental literacy is 3.22 (out of 5), indicating that the respondents' level of literacy is slightly more than just fair knowledge. The most widely understood environmental literacy term is corporate social responsibility (CSR). The respondents were apparently aware of the recent mandatory disclosure requirement, i.e. to include the environmental information in companies' annual reports and the initiative moving towards “Green Malaysia”.

Practical implications

Universities in Malaysia could learn from environmental initiatives undertaken by universities in developed countries in terms of implementation, organizational policies and strategies. It is important for business lecturers to influence students to favourably perceive environmental issues as one of the core business activities, using a participative approach in teaching and learning.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the limited literature of CSR education research, particularly in Malaysia, by filling the gap with the development of 13 items to determine the level of awareness toward environmental initiatives in Malaysia.
The quality‐value‐satisfaction‐loyalty chain: relationships and impacts
Authors: Gallarza Martina G. , Gil Saura Irene , Arteaga Moreno Francisco
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the classical topics of services literature in a tourism experience with a means‐end‐model on the quality‐value‐satisfaction‐loyalty chain. Within this wide stream of research, this work has a particular interest on value antecedents and on the sense of the link between value and satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

An overall tourism experience with positive and negative antecedents (benefits and sacrifices experienced) and classical evaluations (perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty as behavioral intention) is analyzed through two competing structural models measured with partial least squares on a sample of 274 students traveling in groups for leisure purposes.

Findings

The empirical findings show that: the chain of constructs service quality‐perceived value‐customer satisfaction‐loyalty is once again confirmed in a service setting; affective antecedents (social value, play and aesthetics) are more important determinants of perceived value and satisfaction than cognitive antecedents (efficiency, quality and effort spent); and the model performs better when value is understood as an antecedent of satisfaction than in the opposite case.

Research limitations/implications

The findings illustrate how tourism settings are paradigmatically useful for researching perceived value within services because of the differences found between cognitive and affective antecedents. The target chosen (students) and the sampling method used (convenience) need further replication in order to assure the validity of the results.

Originality/value

Besides the use of PLS (rather than LISREL), the empirical purpose of measuring with same data a value‐satisfaction link and the reverse is interesting for services researchers in order to progress in the debate on the supremacy of one or another.
Consumer perception of healthfulness and appraisal of health‐promoting tourist destinations
Authors: Chang Lizone , Beise‐Zee Rian
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The article seeks to study consumer evaluation of the health benefits of a health‐promoting destination. Health‐promoting destinations often attempt to scientifically prove health benefits. It is suggested that health destinations should instead attempt to reflect consumers' preconceived health beliefs, rather than reform them. The aim is to test the applicability of the expectation‐disconfirmation theory to health promoting destinations and to offer recommendations for place marketing of destinations which are positioned as proving health benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

Cognitive dissonance is a central theoretical concept in the model of consumer evaluation of the health benefits of a health‐promoting destination. The authors suggest that low cognitive dissonance between subjective health beliefs and the characteristics of a destination results in positive customer evaluations of the destination. This hypothesis was tested through regression analysis of data collected via a survey of 240 visitors at seven hot spring resorts in Taiwan.

Findings

The study suggests that the subjective beliefs of tourists regarding what is healthful are important criteria for tourists to evaluate the health benefits of a destination.

Research limitations/implications

The expectation‐disconfirmation theory is successfully applied to the tourism sector and health care.

Practical implications

Based on the results, consumer research about what is believed to be beneficial to health is important when designing and promoting a health place.

Originality/value

Destinations have been mostly studied as wellness destinations. However, many destinations promote scientific health benefits. The effect of consumer health perceptions on the attractiveness of health‐promoting destinations has received little attention. While common in tourism, the results are a novel approach to health care destinations.
An adaptive framework for QoS‐aware service selection optimization
Authors: Paul Beran Peter , Vinek Elisabeth , Schikuta Erich
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The optimization of quality‐of‐service (QoS) aware service selection problems is a crucial issue in both grids and distributed service‐oriented systems. When several implementations per service exist, one has to be selected for each workflow step. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors proposed several heuristics with specific focus on blackboard and genetic algorithms. Their applicability and performance has already been assessed for static systems. In order to cover real‐world scenarios, the approaches are required to deal with dynamics of distributed systems.

Findings

The proposed algorithms prove their feasibility in terms of scalability and runtime performance, taking into account their adaptability to system changes.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the authors propose a representation of the dynamic aspects of distributed systems and enhance their algorithms to efficiently capture them.

Practical implications

By combining both algorithms, the authors envision a global approach to QoS‐aware service selection applicable to static and dynamic systems.

Originality/value

The authors prove the feasibility of their hybrid approach by deploying the algorithms in a cloud environment (Google App Engine), that allows simulating and evaluating different system configurations.
NoSQL databases: a step to database scalability in web environment
Authors: Pokorny Jaroslav
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to focus on so‐called NoSQL databases in the context of cloud computing.

Design/methodology/approach

Architectures and basic features of these databases are studied, particularly their horizontal scalability and concurrency model, that is mostly weaker than ACID transactions in relational SQL‐like database systems.

Findings

Some characteristics like a data model and querying capabilities of NoSQL databases are discussed in more detail.

Originality/value

The paper shows vary different data models and query possibilities in a common terminology enabling comparison and categorization of NoSQL databases.
Tip information from social media based on topic detection
Authors: Hattori Yuki , Nadamoto Akiyo
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The information of social media is not often written in ordinary web pages. Nevertheless, it is difficult to extract such information from social media because such services include so much information. Furthermore, various topics are mixed in social media communities. The authors designate such important and unique information related to social media as tip information. In this paper, they aim to propose a method to extract tip information that has been classified by topic from social networking services as a first step in extracting tip information from social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Themes of many kinds exist in a social media community because users write contents freely. Then the authors first detect the topics from the community and cluster the comment based on the topics. Subsequently, they extract tip information from each cluster. In this time, the tip information is include a user's experience and it has common important words.

Findings

The authors used an experiment to confirm that their proposed method can extract appropriate tip information from a community that a user specifies. The average precision is 69 per cent. A comparison of the authors' proposed method and baseline which is without detection of topic and clustering, the average precision obtained using the authors' proposed method is 18 per cent greater than the baseline.

Originality/value

The authors have three points to extract tip information from social media: topic detection and clustering from the social media using LDA method; extracting an author's actual experiences; and creation of a tip keyword dictionary from user experiments.
Relational power and influence strategies: a step further in understanding power dynamics
Authors: Chong Melody P.M. , Ping Fu Ping , Fan Shang Yu
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the existence of relational power which is derived from an indigenous Chinese construct – guanxi. The authors also test the hypotheses of relational power with two well established power sources (position and personal power) and their relationships with influence strategies (persuasive, assertive and relationship‐based).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed a mixed method approach. The survey study included 438 Chinese respondents whereas the follow‐up interview study included 17 managers from different industries, collected across main cities in China.

Findings

The analysis of the data from survey responses provides support for the authors' argument regarding the existence of relational power. Survey results showed that all three power sources predicted leaders' choices of influence strategies. The follow‐up qualitative findings from additional interviews with managers also shed interesting insights into the dynamics of different power sources.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a convenience sample may limit the generalizability of the findings. Notwithstanding, the study contributes to the power literature by adding a new dimension to the existing power typology, thus helping us better understand how different power sources affect leaders' choices of influence strategies.

Practical implications

The study offers new insights to both practitioners and academicians, which is of growing importance because knowledge on power sources and understanding how it operates should help managers consciously cultivate desirable types of power. This study also shows the dynamics of guanxi, thus helping the Westerners better understand work relationships in China and understand why guanxi/relational power is effective here.

Originality/value

The paper integrates the power‐dependency theory and an indigenous Chinese construct – guanxi and empirically examines how the authors' proposed power source – relational power – affects leaders' choices of influence strategies. The paper argues that by adding this new power source to the power typology which has dominated the power literature for half a century can fully capture the sources of power embedded in an organizational setting, and generate practical implications on leader‐member interactions.
Towards a Guanxi‐based theory of internationalization: Chinese, Taiwanese and evolving MNEs
Authors: Tsai Huei‐ting
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to review theories on the kinship‐based collaboration for Asian multinational enterprises (MNEs). Although cooperation issues have reached the top of the Asian MNE agenda, comprehensive empirical and theoretical studies in these areas have remained patchy. Motivated expressly by the sparseness of theory development, this study seeks to establish and examine the model of kinship‐based alliance for MNEs. Drawing on kinship‐based theory, this paper contends that cross‐border collaboration within the same region is increasingly important in driving MNEs from emerging economies to internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study attempts to focus on kinship‐based collaborations from emerging economies to internationalization in the context of high‐tech industries by reviewing relevant studies and presents research propositions.

Findings

The study proposes that the model of kinship‐based alliance can be affected by these factors: economic (partner contributions in term of scale‐link theories), geographic, cultural and social (which are broadly defined as kinship‐based factors) factors. Therefore, the model of kinship‐based alliance can be characterized as an evolutionary struggle between these factors to develop a form of cross‐border cooperation.

Originality/value

The model of kinship based alliance enriches the theoretical field of internationalisation strategies for MNEs from developing economies, and this model also provides knowledge of collaboration behaviour for managers of high‐tech firms to create appropriate synergy for each party of an alliance.
The implementation of global ranking rules within countries in transition and their unintended perverted effects
Authors: Rotariu Ilie
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on the adverse consequences, mainly the “naturalisation” of global indicators and principles that may lead to defective national rules that may harm the local academic system, and the manipulations that might be drown up among the academic staff and public.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical issues are illustrated by the outcomes in Romania particularly as a consequence of the application of the Educational Law since January 2011.

Findings

When the global ranking's rules are implemented into national environments, mainly in countries under transition, some perverted effects appear and accompany the fruitful results.

Originality/value

The passage from 7 to 9 billion people might be the“knowledge society”, which will transform the individual and the society within the main factor for production, repartition, consumption and stability of living together. Moreover, mankind switched today from the global society to “the interconnected society” (a hypersensitive butterfly effect!). The ranking establishment within universities has become a trend of late. By politic environments they follow up on academic communities.
Radical innovation culture in Croatian manufacturing industry
Authors: Baković Tomislav , Lazibat Tonći , Sutić Ines
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Radical innovations are considered as a main source of competitive advantage for both small and medium enterprises and small economies such as Croatia. Although from a theoretical point of view a clear distinction between incremental and radical innovations exists there is much less investigation into differences in organizational culture that foster these types of innovations. The aim of this paper is to investigate the radical innovation culture in the Croatian manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Key prerequisites for creating radical innovation culture are selected and then analyzed by using multiple regression analysis. Elements of radical innovation culture analyzed were: autonomy, cannibalization, pro activeness and risk taking.

Findings

When it comes to generating radical product innovations or creating appropriate culture the current state in Croatian manufacturing industry is far from satisfactory. Some recommendations for improving the current state with suggestions for further research are discusses in the final part of the paper.

Originality/value

Originality of the paper comes mainly from three key aspects. First of all the paper identifies key components of radical innovation culture specific to manufacturing industry. Second, in this process special attention is given to specifics of a small country like Croatia. Third, the paper offers clear guidance to management on ways of stimulating radical innovation culture.
Graphic symbols for all: using symbols in developing the ability of questioning in young children
Authors: Mavrou Katerina , Charalampous Elena , Michaelides Michalis
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of the use of symbols in the development of young children's ability to form questions in mainstream early‐childhood education. Hypotheses examined whether the use of graphic symbols help 3. 5‐5 year‐old students to increase the number of questions and the number of words in the questions asked for a particular subject.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an experimental design approach, an experimental (EG) and a control group (CG) of children, matched to age (4:2) and to their ability to make questions (pre‐test), attended an instructional programme. The EG used Widgit Symbols and the CG the traditional methods used by educators to teach questioning. Data collection involved pre and post oral assessment tests, which measured the number of questions and the length of questions in role play activities.

Findings

Findings of the study showed that symbols have positively affected children's ability to make questions. The EG scored higher than the CG on variables examined, and the within groups improvement (pre to post test) was again higher for the EG.

Research limitations/implications

The paper discusses some possibilities of a lengthier implementation of the use of symbols and their effect on language acquisition.

Practical implications

The study raises some considerations about the development of new teaching methodologies with the use of symbols and Information Communication Technology to enhance language development and maximize learning for all learners.

Originality/value

Usually emphasis is placed on the use of symbols as a means of assistive technology (AT) for the accommodation of the needs of children with disabilities. This paper is an effort to cover a gap in literature and emphasize on the benefits of AT in general learning environments for all children.
Online pedagogy: reaching out to the “hard‐to‐reach” learners
Authors: Devi Anita , McGarry Andy
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how an online virtual academy utilises a different approach to learning in order to engage hard‐to‐reach learners; for whom traditional methods of learning are not effective.

Design/methodology/approach

Small scale research using case studies of the students, phenomenographic professional development research for the tutors and academic results to demonstrate impact.

Findings

The findings appear to support the “community of inquiry model” proposed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer as well as the recommendations from the Framework for the National Curriculum (DfE), i.e. this interactive and experiential process between what is taught (subject knowledge) and the learner (individual development).

Research limitations/implications

The learning circle proved to be an excellent tool for visually representing the phenomena and it was observed that this tool could also prove beneficial to learners in future application of this pedagogy.

Practical implications

The research enables educators to consider: what constitutes effective learning online and what tools can be utilised to enhance this pedagogical approach? What are the barriers to learning for these hard‐to‐reach learners? How can the online environment and a range of technological tools be used to overcome the barriers for these learners?

Social implications

For many hard‐to‐reach learners social interaction can be a challenge. The feedback from case studies demonstrated how learners felt a greater sense of security by using an online environment and therefore were able to form stronger and sustainable social relationships, thus enhancing the learning process.

Originality/value

This research aims to add to the body of knowledge defining “effective online pedagogy”. In this instance phenomenology was used as an approach to engage the tutor and learner in a co‐constructive process of development and learning.
Risk management in the Ghanaian insurance industry
Authors: Oscar Akotey Joseph , Abor Joshua
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the risk management practices of life assurance firms and non‐life insurance firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a comparative case study methodology, the study assesses the state of risk management in both life assurance companies and non‐life insurance firms to determine whether they exhibit different or similar risk management practices. The results of the survey were also analyzed and compared to the principles of good practices in financial risk management.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed some differences and similarities in the risk management practices of life and non‐life insurance firms. Almost all the life companies have stated their risk appetite levels, which enable them to identify which risks to absorb and which ones to transfer. But non‐life insurance firms have not laid down their risk tolerance levels explicitly. The results further revealed that the industry lacks sufficient personnel with the requisite risk management skills and that the sector does not manage risks proactively, rather they do so in a reactive response to regulatory directives.

Practical implications

Effective management of risks by insurers will increase the penetration of insurance in Ghana.

Social implications

Risk management is a crucial issue, not only for the survival and profitability of the insurance industry, but also for the socio‐economic growth and development of the whole economy. As major risks underwriters, insurance companies need to adopt good practices or quality measures in the management of financial risk. This is important, more so, as the industry prepares to re‐position itself to underwrite the risks in the emerging oil and gas industry of Ghana.

Originality/value

Research into financial risk management in the insurance industry from the Ghanaian perspective is rare. This study is therefore timely and its findings are invaluable for the efficient management of financial risk in the insurance industry.
Targeting IPOs from the Central European emerging stock markets (CEESM) of Poland during the global financial crisis
Authors: Prorokowski Lukasz
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on Initial Public Offering (IPO) investments, performance and activity in times of the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes, in a pioneering attempt, a modified regression model that is widely used in medical research (i.e. measuring the effectiveness of painkillers, aspects of breastfeeding, cancer research) but proved efficient and informative for the studied area. Embarking on Cox's Hazard Model perfectly mirrored investors' approach to IPO investments. Henceforth, the empirical findings reported in the paper became practical for IPO investors. The quantitative findings are then discussed with high‐profile practitioners, in order to inject more realism into the study. The qualitative research framework expands the empirical analysis to cover significant issues related to IPO activities and proves invaluable in the process of constructing practical implications.

Findings

Since the main purpose of the paper is to test the profitability of targeting IPOs from the Polish stock market, the main research question attempted in the paper refers to finding out whether IPO investments constitute an attractive alternative for direct equity investments, especially during the global financial turmoil. On this occasion, the current paper advises on trading strategies that involve targeting IPOs and shield investors from experiencing crisis‐induced losses. These findings remain topical as they contribute to the current debate on tailoring investment approaches to the global financial crises. Furthermore, focusing on the issues related to the overblown deficit reported by the transition economy delivers novel and important implications for policymakers striving to stabilize budget in the aftermath of the nascent financial crisis.

Originality/value

What distinguishes the paper from previous studies is the original methodology, three‐dimensional approach to IPO activities (adopting a company's, investor's and policymaker's perspectives) and focusing on the systemically important European market that somehow was overlooked by previous studies in this area but recently vaulted into prominence among international investors who regard the Polish stock market as a regional leading bourse.
Antecedents of zakat payers' trust in an emerging zakat sector: an exploratory study
Authors: Oladimeji Abioye Mustafa Murtala , Har Sani Mohamad Muslim , Akhyar Adnan Muhammad
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explain the factors underlying the inclination of zakat payers to trust a particular zakat institution.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review and experience survey, a context specific questionnaire was developed as the main method of quantitative data collection. The instrument was administered to a sample of Muslim professionals who observe religious seclusion in the last ten days of the Islamic fasting month (itqaf) in 12 purposely selected mosques across four states and the federal capital territory.

Findings

Drawn from the resource dependence and legitimacy theories, the study finds that board capital, disclosure practices, governmental model of zakat institution, and stakeholder management were identified through the use of structural equation modeling as being the antecedents of zakat payers' trust.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to report an empirically based model of zakat payers' trust.
An exploratory analysis of management accounting practices in the Arab Gulf Cooperative countries
Authors: Mclellan John Daniel , Moustafa Esam
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this research project is to examine the adoption rate of management accounting tools by businesses in the Gulf Co‐operative Council (GCC) countries and attempts to determine if significant variances in the use of management accounting tools by GCC businesses are contingent on a companies' ownership, legal structure, size or industry sector. The study covers a broad range of businesses, from many different business sectors in six different Arab countries.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey on the adoption rate of 41 Management Accounting Tools was used to collect data. The Institute of Management Accountants invited 453 CMA's in the Gulf region to participate in theSurvey of Management Accounting Practices in the GCCarea. Factor analysis was employed to test the effects of company characteristics on the choice of management accounting tools.

Findings

The study finds that companies in the GCC rely on the more traditional management accounting practices such as budgeting rather than the more recently developed strategically focused tools such as activity based management and the use of the balanced scorecard. The research also shows that company characteristics play a significant role in the use of management accounting tools by businesses. Overall, international ownership and incorporation tend to increase the use of many management accounting practices.

Research limitations/implications

Results should be generalized cautiously due to the small number of responding companies. The use of individual tools may not be completely explained by the chosen independent variables; other factors such as management's preference and/or the cost and benefit of the tool may affect choice.

Originality/value

Management accounting practices of businesses in the GCC have never been studied before. This study updates the literature on the management accounting tools by businesses.
How real‐world driving cycle differs in heterogeneous traffic conditions: a case study in Delhi
Authors: Kumar Ravindra , Parida Purnima , Kanga Durai Bhujang , Saleh Wafaa
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Heterogeneous traffic in Delhi is complex to understand due its typical composition, speed acceleration, cruising, deceleration and idling activity in flow. To arrive at accurate emission factor estimates and implement proper traffic demand management there is need to understand microscopic vehicle operation activity. The vehicular operations are easily quantified by understanding driving cycle of the particular vehicle in real world driving conditions. The purpose of this paper is to present a study on the understanding of driving conditions in India that are heterogeneous in nature.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the heterogeneity, the driving cycle data were collected using GPS on different types of both motorised and non‐motorized modes of transport, e.g. car, auto rickshaw, bus, motorcycle and cycle rickshaw and bicycle on different traffic corridors in Delhi.

Findings

Research findings show that driving cycles differ for different types of vehicles. Therefore, each mode should be encouraged based on their average speed‐time sequence in any traffic mix. The real‐world driving cycle will be also useful for the understanding of fuel consumption and emissions in real‐world scenarios, in order to control vehicle emissions properly, achieve fuel efficiency and to obtain a more sustainable transport system.

Originality/value

This type of research has not been carried out previously in any Indian city.
Democratising the Learning Process: The Use of Twitter in the Teaching of Politics and International Relations
Authors: Blair Alasdair
Published: March 2013

Twitter has become an established feature of the contemporary landscape. It has been used by, among others, politicians, political parties, governments, international organisations, charities, think-tanks and individuals from academics to celebrities. Twitter has also been subject to a great deal of debate and analysis. This includes its impact on the relationship between government and citizens, a point that came to the fore in the 2011 Arab Spring when Twitter provided an important communication vehicle for popular uprising. However, less has been written on the use and impact of Twitter as a method to support learning and teaching. This article examines the use of Twitter as a way of promoting student engagement, arguing that it offers the opportunity to democratise student learning.