bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The pattern of library utilization by educated élites in Nigerian urban centres
Authors: Omoniyi Joseph O.
Published: July 2002

Investigates the use of libraries by adult educated élites in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria. It reveals that most do not bother to use the library again from soon after their graduation. Those who use the library occasionally do so to keep abreast of the current socio‐economic and political situation in the country. A few use the library when they need to prepare for exams, while many use the library when they want to find job vacancies. Only a minority use the library to widen their horizons in their various fields. The major factors are identified as poverty, a poor political and economic situation, poor state of libraries and poor reading culture. Recommendations are made to address the situation.
Getting the Editor′s Ear
Authors: Whatmore Geoffrey
Published: July 2002

Describes the circumstances of the appointment of the first Chief
Librarian to the Manchester Guardian newspaper in 1951.
Considers the establishment of a central library service for the
newspaper and the journalist personalities involved at the time. Also
describes the obstacles to be overcome in establishing the service and
how it was achieved.
The Application of Operations Research in Library Management
Authors: Nkereuwem E.E. , Eteng Uwem
Published: July 2002

Intellectual access to recorded information has been a major
preoccupation of librarians and various methods have been used to
evaluate library programmes. Statistical methods have been used recently
in library evaluation and management. Managing the physical availability
of books can contribute to greater effectiveness in dealing with such
matters as library space, book acquisition, cost effectiveness in
budgeting, staffing assignments and other aspects of library service
that would make the book readily available to the user. This study uses
quantitative analysis to determine in‐library book use at the University
of Calabar. It was found that many people use the library for various
reasons, especially during examination periods, other than for reading
library books. These range from reading recommended texts to leisure
reading. More use is made of the library materials for research purposes
where there are current journals.
Why Library History?
Authors: Harrison K.C.
Published: July 2002

Regrets the disappearance of library history from the curricula of
library schools. Reports the good work done by the Library History Group
of the Library Association since its inception over 30 years ago, but
suggests that membership of the Group is too low. More interest in its
work should be shown by Library Association members. Deplores the wanton
discarding of historical records by present‐day librarians and suggests
that all libraries should maintain and develop an archive of their own
history and progress. Between now and the advent of the next century
there will be many anniversaries, offering opportunities for further
research, building on what has already been done. Recommends and lists
some source materials, useful for beginners in the study of library
history.
CD‐ROM interfaces: full‐text databases
Authors: Griffiths Jillian R. , Siân Lambert J.
Published: July 2002

Examines the growing, and diverse, full‐text CD‐ROM marketplace.
Draws heavily on material from the 10th and 12th editions of TFPL′s CD‐ROM Directory. Uses various parameters to discover the extent of
fragmentation within the full‐text CD‐ROM marketplace. Full‐text CD‐ROMs
are designed for end‐users and as such need an easy‐to‐use interface.
However, the extent of proliferation and diversification of retrieval
software brings into question ease of use of CD‐ROM generally, and
full‐text products specifically. In spite of the diversification and
complexity, areas of expansion in the full‐text marketplace are
identified. They are seen to be within the home and schools′ markets,
and also within specific subject areas; notably law, business and
commerce and news information. As the market matures it will be
interesting to note which interfaces survive, and why.
The development of Technical Services performance measures in Newcastle University Library
Authors: Morrow John
Published: July 2002

Discusses the contribution made by Alan Jeffreys to the development of performance measurement in the Technical Services section of Newcastle University Library. Considers the movement from the quantitative analysis of the 1980s to the qualitative analysis and setting of service standards which takes place today. Considers the development of Technical Services staff with a movement towards working more directly with users. Discusses retrospective conversion and the increasing importance of measuring performance against standards in order to understand how we can continue to improve the services offered.
Public library services for older adults
Authors: Kendall Margaret
Published: July 2002

The important role which public library services can play in the lives of older adults has been highlighted over the last decade. Reviews the literature, with an emphasis on more recent research. Categorizes practical recommendations for developments into those of low or marginal cost, and those which require further allocation of resources in the medium or long term.
Salisbury Library, Cardiff
Authors: Keelan Peter
Published: July 2002

Reports on the first, large Celtic studies database, available over the Internet, which is being produced at the Salisbury Library, in the University of Wales, Cardiff. The history of the Salisbury Library shows it to be a first rate university research collection, and a conspectus assessment of its collections indicates that it has very strong research collections in its core fields of Welsh language, literature, history, and religion, and a very good Celtic studies collection. A financial grant has enabled the whole collection to be recatalogued onto the Libertas online catalogue database. Once completed, the online catalogue will offer scholars of Welsh and Celtic studies worldwide access for the first time, via the Internet, to a massive collection of rare, historical, and current sources of information, and enable subject access to such information for the first time.
The library trainee: one college’s experience
Authors: Wilson Ruth , Gibbens Scott
Published: July 2002

Describes the efforts of a library service at a college of higher education to convert a full‐time library assistant post to a library traineeship. Questions raised by the process include: Should it be a graduate post? Where should the post be advertised? What kind of work could the trainee expect? Who would mentor the trainee and how would they themselves be trained? Discusses the solutions.
Preservation in libraries and archives in the UK: towards a national policy
Authors: Eden Paul , Feather John
Published: July 2002

Introduces a one‐year research project, based on a questionnaire survey of nearly 300 archives and record offices, and interviews with librarians, archivists and conservationists. Posits that the research will gather and analyse information on written preservation policies and strategies; reprography policies; environmental control; housekeeping routines; staff training; user education; security; disaster management; and statistics for preservation planning. Initial findings highlight concern regarding the increasing emphasis on user services and damage caused by photocopying; the problem of disintegrating collections printed or written on poor quality paper; the central role of microform as a surrogate medium; interest in the feasibility of establishing a central repository for microfilm; and interest in the surrogacy potential of digitization. Expects that the research will produce good practice guidelines for libraries, archives and record offices and will result in detailed recommendations as to what a national preservation policy might contain and the issues it should consider, thus pointing the way towards a national preservation policy and significantly strengthening the case for it.
The effectiveness of risk management: measuring what didn’t happen
Authors: McGrew John F. , Bilotta John G.
Published: July 2002

Two of the most common reasons for not implementing a risk management program are cost and benefit. This paper focuses on whether the benefits of intervention can be shown to justify the costs. A confounding factor is that the acts of intervention during a risk management program may alter the outcome in ways we cannot separate and therefore cannot cost out. A second confounding factor is response bias – the tendency of individuals consistently to underestimate or overestimate risk, resulting in interventions that may be ineffective or excessively wasteful. The authors demonstrate that signal detection theory (SDT) can be used to analyze data collected during a risk management program to disambiguate the confounding effects of intervention and response bias. SDT can produce an unbiased estimate of percent correct for a risk management program. Furthermore, this unbiased estimator allows comparison of results from one program to another.
Social entrepreneurship – a new look at the people and the potential
Authors: Thompson John , Alvy Geoff , Lees Ann
Published: July 2002

Considers the crucial role of private sector social entrepreneurship in the context of a state welfare system stretched beyond its means. Defines social entrepreneurship, recounts a number of key points from relevant research projects, reflects upon current developments and initiatives, describes a number of cases and uses these to draw a set of tentative conclusions about social entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurship in the context of the current government’s aim of fostering rapid growth in the sector. Concludes that while such growth is highly desirable, a number of hurdles have to be overcome.
Market orientation and market strategy profiling: an empirical test of environment‐behaviour‐action coalignment and its performance implications
Authors: Dobni C. Brooke , Luffman George
Published: July 2002

Organizational performance is greatly influenced by employee behaviours and the resulting market orientation that they possess. Market orientation is a behavioural culture that affects strategy formulation and strategy implementation, and how an organization interacts with its environment and adjusts to changes within that context. The relationship between market orientation and performance is robust across several environmental contexts that are characterized by varying degrees of market turbulence, competitive intensity, and products/services introduction rates. This study identifies co‐aligned market orientation and strategy profiles corresponding to unique competitive contexts that represent best practices for an organization seeking to maximize performance in a high technology environment. This relationship becomes dynamic when one considers the assertion that organization culture is synonymous with strategy and the evidence that the external environment affects organizational culture. As a result, the ability to profile ideal orientations will have significant strategic and performance implications for organizations that will contribute to the development of a sustainable competitive advantage.
The cult of risk taking and social learning: a study of Irish entrepreneurs
Authors: McCarthy Breda
Published: July 2002

The focus of this research was on exploring how entrepreneurs think about risk and deal with it in the strategy formation process. Suggests that risk taking is related to several factors: innate personality traits; learning; experience of crisis; as well as business‐related factors such as the type of venture founded and the nature of the industry environment. The analysis is supported by a number of case study examples based on field work conducted between 1994 and 1997. The adoption of a longitudinal‐processual approach, which is still rare in the literature on SMEs, suggested that the entrepreneur’s perceptions of risk, and capacity to bear risk, evolved over time. The main proposal of this exploratory study is that risk taking is not just a static personality trait forged by nature or nurture, but seems to reflect learning in a business context. Also discusses whether risk‐taking behaviour helped or hindered venture performance. The paper concludes with a brief assessment of the implications of these findings for future research and practice.
The role of the business excellence model in operational and strategic decision making
Authors: Leonard Denis , McAdam Rodney
Published: July 2002

The aim of this paper is to determine current management thinking on how the business excellence model (BEM) is used within organisations. In many cases when organisational change models are applied in organisations the emphasis is on advocacy and implementation. There is a need to allow managers to play a role in critiquing these models which should lead to improved models and more informed application. This paper describes how a grounded theory research methodology is used to enable managers, who are applying the organisational change model known as the BEM, to develop their thinking in regard to the model. The main findings from the paper are, first, the clarification of the different aspects of the operational role of the BEM. Second, the managers found difficulty in attempting to use the model in a strategic manner despite the claims in the literature.
An exploratory study of Hofstede’s cross‐cultural dimensions in construction projects
Authors: Sui Pheng Low , Yuquan Shi
Published: July 2002

Singaporean construction firms have increasingly invested in China in recent years. It is, therefore, important for Singaporean construction firms as well as their Chinese counterparts to appreciate and understand each other’s cultural differences/similarities. Although Singapore culture appears to be one based predominately on Chinese culture, there remain differences between the two, which, if not properly understood, can lead to ineffectiveness and misunderstandings. Using the four dimensions of a national culture established by Hofstede, this exploratory study examines what constitute Singapore culture and Chinese culture. Through a survey of Singaporean and Chinese respondents working in China and an analysis of Hofstede’s four dimensions of a national culture, the study extrapolates the cross‐cultural dimensions brought about by the two cultures within the context of construction projects.
Narratives of sustainable ways of living: constructing the self and the other as a green consumer
Authors: Moisander Johanna , Pesonen Sinikka
Published: July 2002

This paper discusses the representation of “green consumerism” in the prevalent institutionalised discourses of green consumerism, and in the self‐narratives of people who identify themselves as ecologically oriented citizens, focusing on the construction of the self and the other in these texts. The aim is to investigate the ways in which “radical” ecologically oriented citizens, who are largely “marginalised” and positioned as the other in the dominant discourses of green consumerism, engage in resistance towards western, materialistic consumption culture. Drawing from the Foucauldian ideas of political struggle as the “politics of the self”, and personal ethics and moral agency as a mode of self‐formation, this paper analyses the ways in which these “green consumers” reject their received subjectivity as consumers. The focus is on the practices of self, and on the ways in which they invent and promote new forms of subjectivity that are more in line with their environmentalist ideology.
Strategic thinking versus strategic planning: towards understanding the complementarities
Authors: Graetz Fiona
Published: July 2002

In an environment characterised by flux and uncertainty, a capacity for innovative, divergent strategic thinking rather than conservative, convergent strategic planning is seen as central to creating and sustaining competitive advantage. As the case study of Communications Co. illustrates, scenario planning is one tool that many organisations, committed to redesigning their strategic planning processes, are using with some success. However, scenario planning requires both left‐ and right‐brain thinking styles. The elements of left‐brain thinking reflect the planning side of strategy making, while right‐brain thinking mirrors the thinking component of strategy making. The relationship between the factors that enable strategic thinking and the level of “emotional intelligence” of business leaders is also considered. The Communications Co. case findings appear to support the view that while strategic thinking capabilities can be nurtured and diffused through an organisation, it will need business leaders with a high degree of emotional intelligence to lead the way.
Developing and supporting creative problem‐solving teams: part 1 – a conceptual model
Authors: McFadzean Elspeth
Published: July 2002

Effective team development, facilitation and creative problem solving are three components that can help improve group problem solving and decision making. Group meetings can be notoriously ineffective and inefficient. They can be significantly improved if the facilitator and problem champion are aware of, and can influence, the variables that affect the group’s processes. This paper explores the elements involved in developing teams, enhancing facilitation skills and utilising creative problem‐solving techniques. These three areas are discussed in turn before presenting a model that shows the relationships that exist between them. This model is a useful framework for facilitators, problem champions and group participants because it can help in the preparation and support of group meetings. In addition, the model can also help managers to develop training courses for team development and facilitation.
Assessing the Status of Marketing in Architectural Service Firms
Authors: Morgan Robert E. , Foreman Susan K. , Poh Tony C.C.
Published: July 2002

For the last five years, the UK construction industry has been plagued
with problems of market demand, sources of finance, escalating costs,
and supplier saturation. One of the most affected strategic groups in
this sector has been architectural service providers. Reports the
findings of a study which has examined the role of marketing in these
firms. The results suggest that firms are beginning to accept marketing
as a legitimate management activity, but reveals, further, that some of
the “trappings” of marketing prevail where certain firms have failed to
address the more “substantive” elements of marketing. Argues that the
commercial survival of architectural practices dictates that they
address their marketing priorities, and respond with market‐driven
strategies that will retain their customer base, while at the same time
attracting new clients.
Meeting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Authors: Matejka Ken , Julian Ramona
Published: July 2002

Meetings are not a magic elixir! Some meetings are worthwhile. Some
meetings are a waste of time. Some meetings should never have been held.
Employs humour and wit to show how meetings often resemble a dramatic
performing art with a predetermined cast of ten stereotypical
characters. Finishes with an explanation of five common myths about
meetings which often lead to using 100lb of energy to produce three
ounces of results.
Stimulating Referrals
Authors: Wilson Aubrey
Published: July 2002

The most cost‐effective of all marketing tools is substantially ignored
by those organizations which could most benefit from its application
– professional services. The interpersonal network (referrals) provides
in excess of 80 per cent of new clients coming to a practice, yet few
firms consciously seek to make it more efficient. A coherent and
consistent operational plan to ensure the system actively works for the
organization is within easy reach of all firms.
Incorporating Risk into Capital Budgeting Decisions Using Simulation
Authors: Smith D.J.
Published: July 2002

Monte Carlo simulation is one of a number of analytical techniques
available to enable managers to assess the risks surrounding capital
budgeting decisions. Although it is covered in most texts on financial
management, surveys have for many years pointed to only limited use of
the technique by practising managers making decisions about investment
projects. Describes and analyses a simulation model utilizing facilities
available to most managers. The model uses a macro to automate the
simulation process and generate a frequency distribution of a project′s
net present value. The model can be rapidly implemented, uses a large
number of individual simulations to provide a reliable frequency
distribution and aids managerial decision making by presenting managers
with an easily understood perspective on the uncertainty surrounding an
investment project.
Organizational structure and corporate performance
Authors: Weir Charlie
Published: July 2002

The development of the large modern corporation, and the separation
of ownership from control, has raised questions about the objectives
these companies set themselves. Discusses the markets and hierarchies
model of organizational structures. Analyses the claim that specific
organizational structures lead to superior profitability. Concludes that
relatively few firms have adopted the structure claimed to yield the
highest profits and that there is no evidence to support the view that
internal structure and profitability are linked in the manner described
by the model.
Dynamic strategy ownership
Authors: Feurer Rainer , Chaharbaghi Kazem , Distel Markus
Published: July 2002

As the pace of change is increasing in competitive environments
strategy formulation and implementation is becoming a continuous and
simultaneous process. Such a process requires a dynamic approach to
strategy ownership which enables organizations to develop strategies at
the point where the most appropriate knowledge exists. Presents a
framework for dynamic strategy ownership. Uses this framework to ensure
goal alignment by setting overall goals, directions and boundaries
rather than through the application of a complex proposal and approval
system.
Information technology and telecommunications
Authors: Brown Linden , Pattinson Hugh
Published: July 2002

An information‐driven, techno‐economic paradigm based on the
microprocessor has emerged and is having a direct impact on the
formation and management of strategic alliances. Strategic alliances are
being forged between members of the computing, telecommunications and
media industries to develop a supporting information infrastructure.
Technology from the new infrastructure will affect strategic alliance
activity in most industry sectors. Presents a brief review of strategic
alliance definitions and taxonomies. Analyses a case study of an
international hotel group operating within the Australasian region using
a selected strategic alliance taxonomy against a range of information
and communication technologies. Presents some key findings relating to
the implementation of these technologies and their impacts on forming
and managing strategic alliances.
Exclusive value and the pricing of services
Authors: Groth John C.
Published: July 2002

The exclusive value principle is one important factor determining
the value of the service to the customer. High margins often result from
the customer′s perceptions of “exclusive value”. Success
depends on understanding and making decisions within the context of the
customer′s psychic domain. Provides a brief review of background
information and the concept of exclusive value as well as
“critical factors” in psychic space. Summarizes sample
psychic factors of import in marketing. Relates and illustrates
exclusive value to costs, margins and risks. Provides sample scenarios
to illustrate the important points.
Team leader autonomy in new product development
Authors: Pinnington Ashly , Haslop Dennis
Published: July 2002

Reports the results of a UK company survey on the strategic and
operational autonomy of team leaders working on new product development
(NPD). The data are based on returns from 194 manufacturing companies
and were completed by either the director of R&D or a member of the
board with overall responsibility for the management of NPD project team
leaders. The management of NPD project team leaders was classified into
task variables (six strategic and seven operational) and a member of top
management was asked to rate on a seven‐point Likert scale the extent to
which each task was the autonomous responsibility of the team leader as
opposed to the responsibility of other managers. Subdivides the sample
into high technology and low‐to‐medium technology companies and analyses
the strategic and operational management of NPD team leaders according
to the company′s performance (measured by annual sales turnover) and its
market environment, using four measures of the market environment:
product life cycle, market growth rate, market share and R&D
spending on new product development. Finds annual sales turnover to be
the most important and closely associated variable with high amounts of
autonomy granted to team leaders working on new product development. In
medium‐to‐low technology companies, the market growth rate and R&D
spending are additional, significantly associated variables. Concludes
that UK companies reduce their top management controls in order to
facilitate the autonomy of NPD team leaders when company sales turnover
is high. Additionally, it is arguable from the evidence of the data that
medium‐to‐low technology companies are more influenced by recent market
performance than are high technology companies because, in addition to
sales, they facilitate more autonomy according to market growth rate,
market share and R&D spending.
Information technology performance: agency and upper echelon
theories
Authors: Karake Zeinab A.
Published: July 2002

Utilizes an objective measure of the levels of investment/
performance in information technology (IT) and tests a number of
hypothesized relationships between IT performance and company′s control,
governance and managerial characteristics; this measure is called the
relative information technology index (RITI). Is founded, theoretically,
on both agency and upper echelon theories; empirically, suggests
meaningful relationships between IT investment/performance and
management ownership, the ratio of outside to inside directors, and the
age of the CEO.
Analysis of strategy formulation and implementation at
Hewlett‐Packard
Authors: Feurer Rainer , Chaharbaghi Kazem , Wargin John
Published: July 2002

Successful organizations manage to change their strategy constantly
in line with the changes in their competitive environment by using a
dynamic approach to strategy formulation and implementation.
Demonstrates the way in which such an approach can be developed, using
the experiences of Hewlett‐Packard.
The dubious assumptions of segmentation and targeting
Authors: Wright Malcolm
Published: July 2002

Discusses Mitchell’s recent proposal for astrological segmentation which demonstrates the extremes to which segmentation and targeting can be taken if we uncritically accept their core assumptions. Proposes that although Mitchell’s proposal can be subjected to a number of minor criticisms, it can only be finally disposed of by critically examining whether astrological segments really are associated with a stable set of preferences, and whether targeting these segments actually gives a higher return than other approaches. Once the stability of segments, the logic of targeting, and the empirical evidence are examined, it turns out that not only is Mitchell’s approach unsupported, but so are most other segmentation and targeting efforts.
Management buyouts and entrepreneurial opportunities
Authors: Weir Charlie
Published: July 2002

Analyses the link between management buyouts (MBOs) and the entrepreneurial process. Argues that, at least initially, a management‐based explanation of entrepreneurial activity is the most appropriate for MBOs. Assesses a number of performance variables to determine the impact of the MBOs. Finds that there is a general improvement in performance suggesting that MBOs provide management with entrepreneurial opportunities which had previously been unavailable to them. Concludes that there is evidence to support the MBO‐entrepreneur link and that MBOs do encourage entrepreneurial activity.
“Selling” professional services: a practical approach ‐ part II
Authors: Ferguson Clifford J.
Published: July 2002

The second section of a two‐part article detailing the activities necessary for professional firms to compete and develop their businesses in the late 1990s. The main focus is on changing the emphasis away from broad‐based marketing to its practical follow‐up via active selling. Considers the various aspects of target marketing which can be adopted by professional firms to ensure that they win the maximum number of profitable new clients, at least cost. The main objective is to get the target client to want a meeting with the professional service firm. Looks in detail at ways of establishing contact particularly through published articles, conferences, proprietary research, seminars and networking.
Pricing behaviour in the Scottish computer industry
Authors: Hornby Windham B. , Macleod Miles
Published: July 2002

Aims to: determine the degree of association between the setting of pricing objectives and the firm’s financial performance in the Scottish computer industry; to determine the extent of the relationship between prime pricing objectives and the nature of competition; to analyse the relationship between pricing objectives and firm size; and to determine the degree of association between setting pricing objectives and stages of market evolution. Finds that most firms within the Scottish computer industry had some control over pricing decisions. Furthermore, there was no strong evidence to suggest that the setting of pricing objectives varied systematically with financial performance, levels of competition, firm size or stages of market evolution. Finds, however, that the most profitable firms placed more importance on market share, whereas less profitable firms regarded cash‐flow objectives as more important.
Conceptual foundations of marketing and marketing theory
Authors: Morgan Robert E.
Published: July 2002

Provides a review of the nature of marketing. In order to explicate this work, presents marketing as a concept, management philosophy and organizational function. Acknowledges the contribution of key authors in the field, such as Alderson, Bagozzi, Houston, Hunt and Sheth, and pays attention to the nature of developments in marketing. Provides illustration to the evolution of marketing as a discipline with specific regard to the theoretical foundations of the subject matter. Draws various conclusions and makes certain implications as to the future of marketing.
Collection communications: a problem child of management
Authors: Spinks Nelda , Wells Barron
Published: July 2002

One category of persuasive communication directed towards customers, clients and other organizations is aimed at collecting overdue accounts. Examines the position of businesses which have overdue accounts and the position of persons holding these accounts. Then, presents guidelines for collection communications ranging from the gently persuasive “friendly reminder” to the strongly persuasive “threat of legal action”.
A strategic model for the formulation of an effective make or buy decision
Authors: McIvor R.T. , Humphreys P.K. , McAleer W.E.
Published: July 2002

Illustrates that the make or buy is a strategic decision and has implications for the overall corporate strategy of the organization by describing a model which involves analysing a number of strategic factors. In recent years, many companies have been moving significantly away from “making” towards “buying”. However, research has revealed that make or buy decisions are rarely taken within a thoroughly strategic perspective. It has been shown that many firms adopt a short‐term perspective and are motivated primarily by the search for short‐term cost reductions. It is argued that make or buy decisions are made most frequently by default with little consideration for the long‐run competitiveness of the organization. Presents an outline of three key problems encountered by companies in their efforts to formulate an effective make or buy decision to illustrate the weaknesses in current make or buy practice. The make or buy model described in this article attempts to overcome these problems by offering an organization a conceptual framework to follow in the sourcing decision.
Shifting category management relationships in the food distribution channels in the UK and Australia
Authors: Hogarth‐Scott Sandra , Dapiran G. Peter
Published: July 2002

Category management has been introduced in the grocery industry as a mechanism for managing relationships between retailers and their suppliers. Examines the nature of relationship concepts of power, trust and commitment within the category management framework based on the findings of exploratory research carried out with Australian and UK firms in the grocery industry. Reveals varying interpretations of category management (CM) in the two countries. The different levels of retailer concentration may be a contributing factor to these differences. More importantly, the research reveals a shift in management attitudes and behaviours from conflictual relations to trust‐based relations.
Defining relationship marketing: an international perspective
Authors: Palmer Adrian
Published: July 2002

Relationship marketing has emerged as a big new idea for many Western companies. Relational, as opposed to transactional exchange is the norm in many countries. However, an exchange method which has worked well at home may fail in a culture with different values. While companies may reconfigure their product and promotion for a foreign market, failure to adapt methods of exchange may bring about a marketing failure. Reviews the complexity of cultural priorities and makes suggestions for methods by which firms can sensitively adapt the basis of their relationship with customers.
Managerial attitudes towards strategic decisions: maximizing versus satisficing outcomes
Authors: Harrison E. Frank , Pelletier Monique A.
Published: July 2002

Presents and compares two contrasting managerial attitudes towards strategic decisions. The first attitude is called maximizing behaviour, and it is founded on a set of assumptions that are unattainable in real‐world decision making. The use of this attitude invariably results in a failed strategic decision. The second managerial attitude is called satisficing behaviour, and its use is demonstrably conducive to strategic decision success. Applications of real‐world successful and failed strategic decisions tend to confirm the case for satisficing behaviour in quest of successful strategic outcomes.
TQM and BPR: symbiosis and a new approach for integration
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Asllani Arben
Published: July 2002

Total quality management (TQM) and business process re‐engineering (BPR) are two management approaches designed to improve organizational performance and quality. Because of the pace, time required, and initiatives for change, TQM and BPR are regarded as two completely different improvement programmes. They also share common features, which create the basis for a possible integration of TQM and BPR under the endless quality improvement concept. Organizations that can effectively combine TQM and BPR would be very successful in gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. In the context of the system approach, introduces a BPR life cycle model. Answers two main questions: when should a re‐engineering programme be undertaken?; and how long should the period of gradual improvement last before a new re‐engineering programme is implemented? Provides an implementation example of this model through a real organization.
The memetics of firms, entrepreneurship and the new body politic: the memetics of the marketplace
Authors: Carney D. Philip , Williams Russell
Published: July 2002

If business success were the elixir of life, there have been, and will always be, many who claim to have its formula. Each attempts to sell a new generation this complex, ever‐changing solution, and does so with concepts and ideas which are, perhaps, inordinately simplistic in relation to the problem, but which nevertheless can be comprehended. Considers the selling of solutions via abducted concepts and ideas as entrepreneurship. It is a skill to be valued, but it is not without its problems for the business practitioner, as its outcome in terms of downsizing is subsequently proving.
The cost of capital: perspectives for managers
Authors: Groth John C. , Anderson Ronald C.
Published: July 2002

Describes the conceptual meaning of the cost of capital (COC) and relates its use of COC in decisions that add value to a company. Illustrations provide the basis for an intuitive feel of the crucial role of COC in the pursuit of generating value. Explains the meaning of true economic value added (TEVA) and relates TEVA to COC and economic returns. Relates COC to the value generating cycle of a firm. Supplements the conceptual and intuitive notions of COC with pragmatic guidelines useful to the practising manager. Capital and the employment of capital have an especially crucial role in emerging and transition economies. Outlines the vital nature of COC in these economies and in decision making. Addresses issues at a level appropriate for professional managers regardless of their area of expertise and functional assignment.
Are you managing your vinyl effectively?
Authors: King Lesley A.
Published: July 2002

All organizations produce, use and disseminate their own information during the course of their business, but most organizations do not manage this internal information very effectively. Looks at the need for records management, i.e. the management of an organization’s internal information at a strategic level. Examines why records management is necessary for the continued effectiveness, success and competitiveness of an organization and looks at the implications of implementing a strategic records management policy. Presents two scenarios of the potential effects of bad records management practice.
TQM, BPR, JIT, BSCs and TLAs: managerial waves or drownings?
Authors: Grint Keith
Published: July 2002

Suggests that the progress made towards the acquisition of quality through TQM, ISO 9000, BPR, BSCs (balanced score cards) and all the other related TLAs (three letter acronyms) and techniques is in danger of consuming itself through a process in which the goal is displaced by the means: quality by measurement. This form of development, defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, failure constructed from precisely those features that generated success in the first place, has a long and distinguished career whose theoretical origins we can trace at least as far back as Hegel.
Foundations of strategic decision effectiveness
Authors: Harrison E. Frank , Pelletier Monique A.
Published: July 2002

Strategic decisions represent the most important product of managerial endeavors; and strategic choice is the most critical variable in strategic management. This article advances a set of foundations in which the effectiveness of a total organization may be ascertained from the effectiveness of the strategic decisions made by its senior executives. A categorization of strategic decision effectiveness is presented that is derived from managerial attitudes toward a given strategic choice and the process from which it originates.
Management consultancy: a modern folly?
Authors: de Burgundy Jak
Published: July 2002

Reflecting on the growth of state spending on management consultancy this brief article argues that much of this spending has been wasteful or misdirected. Observing that in Britain much of the state’s spending on consultancy has taken place during periods of recession the article argues that spending on consultancy may be likened to spending on public works, or the “follies” commissioned by private benefactors, which traditionally have been designed to maintain levels of economic activity and employment.
Integrating ethics into the strategic management process: doing well by doing good
Authors: Key Susan , Popkin Samuel J.
Published: July 2002

Using ethical considerations in strategic decision making will result in the development of the most effective long term and short term strategies. Specifically, ethical criteria must be included as part of the strategic process in before‐profit decisions rather than after‐profit decisions in order to maximize corporate profits and improve strategy development and implementation. This paper presents a system of decision making to achieve this integration which uses an “interest assessment” that involves the analysis of the ethical, social and legal obligations of an organization.
Exporting assistance and guidelines for exporters: a regional survey
Authors: Lin Binshan , Hinson Walton
Published: July 2002

This paper reports the results of a regional survey of exporting assistance and guidelines. It analyzes four major issues essential to the exporting process. Implications for managers are provided as well.
A multidimensional approach to the adoption of innovation
Authors: Cooper Juett R.
Published: July 2002

A major emphasis of modern strategic thinking involves the role innovation plays in the profile of the organization. Academics and practitioners alike have devoted significant amounts of time and organizational resources for nearly four decades to the identification of organizational and individual correlates of innovation. This work calls into question the practice of researchers, which treats innovation unidimensionally, such as a process innovation or a product innovation. A model is presented which encourages practitioners and academics alike to treat innovations as they exist, possessing multiple dimensions, such as product, radical and technological.
The identification of factors affecting change towards best practice in manufacturing organisations
Authors: Barker Bob
Published: July 2002

Whilst many papers focus upon development strategies and results of positive change, few report company failure or the characteristics of organisations that are failing to identify the untapped potential within their manufacturing systems. Successful change is arguably dependent upon the management mindset, vision, and a knowledge of best practice. The availability of proven concepts such as lean manufacturing and just‐in‐time techniques are however of little use if management and indeed all employees fail to embrace even a basic understanding of their impact and cannot direct or manage the change process. This paper discusses the factors that have been found repetitively to affect change towards best practice and act as a barrier to development. With findings gathered from 13 companies this paper is intended to be of assistance to industrial managers attempting to restructure their organisations. To maintain autonomy no company names or products are reported, but the visible and recurring key negative traits that have been observed by the writer are discussed.
Developing trust: the importance of cognitive flexibility and co‐operative contexts
Authors: Roy Matthew H. , Dugal Sanjiv S.
Published: July 2002

This research investigates relationships between group cognitive make‐up, co‐operative context, and the development of interpersonal trust. Results show that groups composed of individuals with similar cognitive processes are more trusting and achieve higher levels of performance than heterogeneous groups. Outlines the motivation and results of this study. Technological advancements are changing the competitive landscape in most industries. Many organizations are modifying both inter‐ and intra‐organizational structures to address the resultant competition. These modifications largely focus on increased small group co‐operation. In the execution of these changes managers frequently assume that employees will adapt to new co‐operative forms. In the adaptive process, previous research documents the importance of trust for successful co‐operation during organizational changes. Recognizes the importance of evaluating and considering two important factors prior to assigning groups to change teams: cognitive flexibility; and front loading group activities with collaborative decision processes.
The process of subsidiary strategy: a study of Ciba‐Geigy Classical Pigments
Authors: Taggart James H. , Harding Mark S.
Published: July 2002

This paper analyses the strategy of Ciba‐Geigy′s industrial division at three hierarchical levels, concentrating on subsidiary strategy in the Classical Pigments business. The analysis makes use of a number of models: the BCG matrix, White and Poynter′s model of subsidiary strategy, Porter′s configuration‐co‐ordination paradigm, and Prahalad and Doz’s integration‐responsiveness framework. The strengths and weaknesses of each are evaluated within this particular industrial environment. The main conclusion of the paper is that use of these four alternative analytical perspectives yields a more holistic view of strategy in the Classical Pigments business.
Stressful situations? The case of management buyout/buyins
Authors: Baruch Yehuda , Woodward Sally
Published: July 2002

An investigation was undertaken into the important, yet neglected area of the people aspects of management buyout (MBO/MBI). Since prior work suggests that management is, by far, one of the most crucial factors in the success of MBOs an in‐depth study focused on the characteristics of buyout managers, the culture of management buyout teams, and influences on behaviours during the transaction. This paper reports one part of the study ‐ that relating to management buyout stressors. The aspect of the transaction that generates the most stress was found to be time pressure. Generally, however, the results suggest that stressors, identified by the literature and through focus groups, were not perceived as stressful by this group of buyout managers. Related to this, was the finding that the majority were able to cope with these stressors. Regression analysis indicated that a key factor in manager’s ability to cope was the open/interactive nature of the management team culture.
The seven habits of highly defective people
Authors: Matejka Ken , Dunsing Richard J. , Walat Bryce
Published: July 2002

Steven Covey had tremendous success with his seven habits for success in business in particular and life in general. This article takes a light‐hearted, irreverent look at analyzing the habits of the people who do not have such great prosperity. Chronically less than successful people suffer from seven diseases (or habits) including: playing the victim, failure to see the bigger picture, a lack of priorities, destructive competition, blind spots, a lack of creativity and resistance to change. The article really explores how some people stop themselves from becoming all that they could be.
Personnel evaluation with AHP
Authors: Taylor Frank A. , Ketcham Allen F. , Hoffman Darvin
Published: July 2002

One of the more difficult problems facing academic, business and government institutions is that of evaluating job and/or promotion candidates. A typical evaluation consists of several tasks. First, applications must be gathered. Then, they must be evaluated using a number of criteria such as education, experience, personality, etc. Finally, a weighted average of the various criteria must be developed for each applicant or promotion candidate which represents the individual’s overall desirability. Two of the chief difficulties in the above process are: rating individuals for each of the criteria; and developing a logical and consistent set of weights for the various criteria. In this paper we will present Saaty’s Analytical Hierarchy Process as a means of dealing with these difficulties. We will also discuss some of the practical problems encountered in applying the method.