bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New service development in India's business‐to‐business financial services sector
Authors: Alam Intekhab (Ian)
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Few research studies have been done to investigate the issue of new service development (NSD) in an emerging market. To address this gap in the literature the aim of this paper is to document a study of the NSD process and the strategy of business‐to‐business financial service firms in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted surveys of 148 multinational service firms operating in India and 126 local and indigenous Indian service firms belonging to the financial services industry.

Findings

The findings suggest that significant differences exist between multinational service firms operating in India and local/indigenous Indian firms. That is, service firms belonging to these two varied groups use different strategies to compete in the industry and emphasize different sets of development stages in service innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis has been restricted to one emerging market, i.e. India. This suggests the need for further studies of NSD in other emerging markets of the world.

Practical implications

The findings of this research validate the initial contention that NSD practices vary from company to company, and thus there cannot be a “one size fits all” approach to service innovation. The insights from this study can help service managers to better understand and manage their NSD programs in an emerging market such as India.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, this research represents the first attempt to investigate empirically the NSD practices of financial service firms in India.
It was 20 years ago today
Authors: Gray Rob , Laughlin Richard
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the special issue of Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal which was published in 1991 and which sought to stimulate the “green accounting” debate, to evaluate that issue and, in particular, to examine what we might learn about the development of the social and environmental accounting literature in the last 20 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a discursive, polemical essay.

Findings

The special issue exhibited a wide range of approaches and possibilities; it also exhibited some theoretical naivety and a charming optimism and fetching trust in the power of reasonable argument. Retrospectively, the field has expanded considerably and has made many advances in theoretical and empirical understanding but researchers appear to be less willing to examine the fundamental issues that originally motivated the development of the field.

Research limitations/implications

The implications and limitations stem from the ambitions of this discursive attempt to encourage debate of a more direct and confrontational nature – both within and at the margins of social, environmental and sustainability accounting.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the paper is in its critical engagement with the literature and ideas of social accounting, which is the generic descriptor used in the paper to include “green accounting”. It provides not only an analysis of the achievement of the work to date but some critical pointers to the work that still needs to be done.
We've come a long way! Maybe! Re‐imagining gender and accounting
Authors: Lehman Cheryl
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Transforming gender research in accounting is possible, desirable, and promising: the past few decades have included prescient work and expansive theories. The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the legacy of the 1992 special issue “Fe[men]ists' account” and urge new linkages and contexts for a continuation of visionary inquiries.

Design/methodology/approach

By reviewing pioneering feminist research in various disciplines, the author opens the margins and boundaries of gender‐in‐accounting research. Innovative multidisciplinary works from different regions of the globe reveal methods for challenging entrenched premises and recasting new meanings.

Findings

Reflecting on our embedded ideas, expanding boundaries, and imagining new areas of inquiry are not only plausible, they are essential, for contesting repression and discrimination and advancing social justice.

Research limitations/implications

Tying the current rhetoric of global neo‐liberalism to contemporary feminist struggles, the paper illustrates the significant consequences of economic globalization on women, and accounting's connection. As there is no single story regarding gender, research exploring the unexplored has precedent in accounting literature, providing a foundation for new insights and enhanced possibilities for advancing and transforming the field.

Originality/value

The paper re‐imagines the accounting‐gender dilemma, offering practical yet expansive research concepts regarding values, class, the construction of gender, and the impositions of economic structures.
Environmental performance accountability: planet, people, profits
Authors: Burritt Roger L.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide comment on the contribution of the Environmental performance accountability special issue ofAccounting, Auditing & Accountability Journalpublished in 1997 towards the innovation through a personal reflection developed from the perceived need to move academics and practitioners into the same space on environmental improvement by organisations. In addition, the paper will offer future directions for environmental performance accountability research, including the potential for tools such as integrated reporting, the need for theoretical pragmatism and importance of a transdisciplinary approach to research.

Design/methodology/approach

The diegetic method used for this article allowed for the provision of a narrative about actions, characters and events of interest to an audience. This method facilitated the intersection between the biographical and the historical content and context, and a hypodiegesis provided the ability for an embedded story within the larger history. The approach allowed for a hypodiegetic as the story within the story of developing the relationships between academic accountants and practitioners.

Findings

Contained in the special issue is a set of articles marking the extremes of academic and practitioner perspectives on what is broadly termed environmental performance and accountability. Review of the content of the special issue reveals that the bias is towards academic rather than practitioner appreciation. Review of the context providing the setting for the special issue shows the need for publishers to engage in the social media mechanisms needed to commence dialogue and convey the messages of academics to practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

Subjective assessment is overtly recognized rather than subsumed in the research methods adopted.

Practical implications

The embedding of articles in special issues within a broader communications portfolio for practitioner understanding is suggested.

Originality/value

The nature of the personal reflection means that thoughts recorded are novel and unique.
Dialogue and deliberation as expressions of democratic leadership in participatory organizational change
Authors: Raelin Joseph A.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make the case, firstly, that democratic leadership, referred to as “leaderful practice,” should be the fundamental form of leadership that characterizes participatory organizational change. The parties affected by change are those engaged who seek to reflect upon their own tacit collective practices. Their mode of communication is a dialogue or deliberation that involves the responsible parties to decision making without privileging particular stakeholders because of their status or authority. Thus, it is purported, secondly, that the three practice elements of democratic leadership, dialogue, and deliberation should be included among the bedrock principles of participatory organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical conceptual examination is undertaken of the contribution of three alternative literature streams – leaderful practice, dialogue, deliberation – to participatory organizational change.

Findings

Dialogue, an authentic exchange between people, and its decision‐making cousin, deliberation, can become the communication modes associated with participatory organizational change. They are each characterized by equality of participation; thus they are inherently democratic processes that should substitute for top‐down or monologic discourses, which are inimical to participatory practice.

Practical implications

If organization development and comparable participatory change processes claim at their core to be democratic processes, their exponents would endorse a leadership and communication that would preferably match their value system. There would be a shared communication by all those who are involved in the change activity, wherever they may sit within the organizational bureaucracy. The communication would become a multiple‐party reflective conversation that is captured in the mode called dialogue.

Originality/value

By focusing on critical reflection, the dialogic perspective with its emancipatory interest challenges common sense assumptions that are likely to be historical and cultural as psychological. Ultimately, dialogue supports democratic leadership at a core interpersonal level in which participants learn to engage through a reflective practice that allows them to observe and experiment with their own collective tacit processes in action.
Love Me Tender: new entry in popular music
Authors: Mol Joeri , Ming Chiu Ming , Wijnberg Nachoem
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate new entry as a process of organizational change against the background of the digital revolution in the music industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes questionnaire data gathered from 131 companies active in the Dutch music industry that collectively engaged in 215 new entries in the wake of the introduction of new information and communication technologies.

Findings

The most salient finding concerns a strong positive relationship between financial performance and having access to the dominant set of institutional gatekeepers, i.e. radio DJs.

Originality/value

This investigation prompts rethinking the concept of new entry, highlighting the importance of the institutional context in which it takes place. Beyond entry modes and new entry motivations, special consideration is given to specific resources that grant new entrants access to institutional gatekeepers because they are key predictors of performance upon new entry.
Transformational change in organisations: a self‐regulation approach
Authors: Kuntz Joana R.C. , Gomes Jorge F.S.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to advance a testable model, rooted on well‐established control and self‐regulation theory principles, explaining the causal links between change‐related sensemaking, interpretation, readiness and subsequent behavioural action.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a review of the two motivation theories and clarification of change‐related sensemaking, interpretation, and readiness concepts, the paper proposes a series of research propositions (illustrated by a conceptual model) clarifying how these concepts interact with self‐regulating mechanisms. In addition, the feedback model exemplifies how cognitive processes triggered by new knowledge structures relate to behavioural action.

Findings

The model expands upon other existing frameworks by allowing the examination of multi‐level factors that account for, and moderate causal links between, change‐related sensemaking, interpretation, readiness, and behavioural action. Suggestions for future research and guidelines for practice are outlined.

Practical implications

The variables and processes depicted in the model provide guidelines for change management in organisations, both for individuals and for groups. By eliciting important self‐regulating functions, change agents will likely facilitate sensemaking processes, positive interpretations of change, change readiness, and effective change behaviours.

Originality/value

This paper makes two contributions to the literature. First, it offers a comprehensive and dynamic account of the relationships between change‐related sensemaking, interpretation, readiness, and behavioural action decision‐making. Second, it elucidates the impact of human agency properties, namely the interplay of efficacy perceptions, social learning, and self‐regulating mechanisms on these change‐related cognitive processes and subsequent behavioural outcomes.
Analogical foundation of the scope of organizational change
Authors: Fuentes‐Henríquez Fernando , Del Sol Patricio
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to attempt to analyze how the distance of analogies used during the strategy formulation process is a critical driver used to explain the different scopes of implemented changes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was based on field research using primary data gathered from 70 firms by means of an 83‐item survey. The questions were carefully constructed and answered by top managers according to a four‐point scale. The three hypotheses were analyzed using multiple linear and quadratic regression analysis.

Findings

The study defines a new concept of analogy's distance. Firms implement incremental changes when top managers use either short‐ or long‐distance analogies within the strategic formulation process, whereas radical changes are implemented when top managers apply medium‐distance analogies.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the response rate was higher than recommended by specialists (21.5 percent), the sample was small, and also, more valid and reliable measures of different analogical distances and scopes of change are needed. The findings of this study allow us to make theoretical extensions to the cognitive theory of the strategy formulation process, strategic renewal theory, knowledge‐based view of the firm, storytelling theory of organizations, and the upper echelon theory.

Practical implications

Scholars from various disciplines and practitioners agree that analogies are a useful tool for many organizational matters (i.e. design strategy, renewal strategy, conflict management, understanding complex environments, facilitating communications, creating the need for change, and so on). If the firm's upper managers are familiar with external business models, they may use those as analogies in order to obtain strategic recommendations and advice which can be used to design an effective strategy, understand complex management issues, create the need for change, exploit new opportunities to achieve competitive advantages, and so on. Thus, managers have an advantage when they have accumulated a wealth of knowledge about other business models along with life experiences that may come from their past job experiences, participation in development programs with case‐oriented methodology, and being part of business workshops and congress. This information could be used as analogies for undertaking organizational changes to meet daily challenges faced by the firm.

Originality/value

The current literature does not address the different distances of analogies and how they are related to the magnitude of organizational changes. This study emphasizes the importance of the type of analogy being used as a tool to build the firm's business model. The concept of analogical distance has not been discussed in management literature.
Task and relationship conflict in short‐term and long‐term groups
Authors: Curşeu Petru L. , Boroş Smaranda , Oerlemans Leon A.G.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the triple interaction of task conflict, emotion regulation and group temporariness on the emergence of relationship conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

A field study was conducted to test the interaction of emotion regulation and task conflict on the emergence of relationship conflict in 43 short‐term (temporary) groups and 44 long‐term groups.

Findings

The results show that the highest chance for task conflict to evolve into relationship conflict is when groups (both short‐term and long‐term) have less effective emotion regulation processes, while task and relationship conflict are rather decoupled in long‐term groups scoring high on emotion regulation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper concludes with a discussion of the obtained results in terms of their implications for conflict management in groups. Further research should explore the moderation effects in longitudinal studies in order to fully test the variables in the model.

Originality/value

The paper answers the call for contingency models of intra‐group conflict and tests the moderating effect of two such contingencies in the relationship between task and relationship conflict.
Conflict management and emotions
Authors: Posthuma Richard A.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The five studies included in this special issue focus on emotions and conflict management. These studies highlight how conflict management research can help managers, employees, and organizations more effectively manage the emotional aspects of conflict. This paper aims to summarize these studies.

Design/methodology/approach

Five studies were selected and combined in this single issue so that researchers could have an integrative review of recent research on emotions in the workplace. The studies were chosen to highlight the relationships between emotions and key conflict variables, such as task, relationship, and process conflict; trust; venting; and forgiveness. The studies were also chosen to represent a broad range of samples, including participants from more than 14 countries and cultures.

Findings

These studies indicate that a broad range of positive and negative emotions, such as anger, enthusiasm, excitement, guilt, and remorse, are significantly related in complex and varied ways to various aspects of conflict management. The studies highlight not only the importance of understanding specific emotions in conflict situations, but also the need to understand how and when the regulation of emotions can facilitate effective conflict management.

Research limitations/implications

These cutting‐edge studies demonstrate how emotions are a needed and important addition to the field of conflict management research – above and beyond cognitions and behaviors. Such findings highlight the need for additional research on emotions in conflict situations. Although these studies represent many different countries, more research is needed that specifically compares and contrasts the influence of emotions on conflict management across various cultures.

Originality/value

This special issue is the first publication to focus on the influence of conflict management in many different countries and cultures.
The influence of emotional and social competencies on the performance of Peruvian refinery staff
Authors: Vito Aliaga Araujo Segundo , Taylor Scott N.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of emotional and social competence (ESC) on job performance by considering self‐ratings and the ratings of others (supervisor, peer and subordinate) using a multisource feedback assessment of ESC.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilized the 2004‐2006 performance evaluations of 36 staff members of the Ilo Copper Refinery, owned by the Southern Peru Corporation. To assess ESC, the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI 2.0) was administered to the Ilo staff.

Findings

The study reinforces the importance of ESC to workplace performance and provides evidence of ESC's positive influence. The results reveal that 70 percent of the variance of working performance is explained linearly by the total average of ESC, with four significant competencies – self‐confidence, achievement orientation, optimism, and teamwork & collaboration – accounting for 63 percent of the variance.

Research limitations/implications

As an initial study in Peru, the authors had a small sample size. There is limited independence in the performance evaluations because the evaluators of performance were repeated in several cases. Job performance ratings were based on the following computerized objective assessment: use of abilities, work organization planning, interpersonal relations, results, initiative, aptitude to the work, and creativity.

Originality/value

The paper is aimed at improving understanding of the links between ESC and performance. It is the first study the authors are aware of to examine these relationships in a Peruvian organization. The approach used in this study contributes to and provides evidence of the importance of emotional competence in the workplace.
Competencies matter: modeling effective entrepreneurship in northeast of Italy small firms
Authors: Camuffo Arnaldo , Gerli Fabrizio , Gubitta Paolo
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore if and to what extent the competency portfolio of entrepreneurs affects firm's performance, controlling for a set of individual and organizational variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying nonparametric statistical analysis on data from behavioral event interviews and survey questionnaires to a sample of 53 entrepreneurs (small firm owners), this study investigates: the type, scope and depth of the entrepreneurs' competence portfolio; and the relationship between the entrepreneurs' competence portfolio and their firm performance. The empirical setting is a sample of northeast Italian small family businesses.

Findings

The authors' research shows which are the functional, emotional and cross‐functional competencies that differentiate entrepreneurs' performance and identifies which are the threshold competencies (Self‐control, Information gathering and Visioning) and the distinctive competencies (Planning, Empathy, Business bargaining, Organizational awareness, Directing others and Benchmarking).

Originality/value

The existing literature on the determinants of successful entrepreneurship mostly focuses on technological, financial and institutional factors, even if entrepreneurs' skills, knowledge, creativity, imagination, and alertness to opportunities are at least as much important in shaping small firms' performance. Building on competency modeling techniques and emotional intelligence literature, this study explores the link between personal characteristics and competencies of entrepreneurs and the performance of their firms. The study offers some managerial implications, provides direction to practitioners and policy makers on how to support entrepreneurship and small business development, and suggests future research directions.
Thinking globally, leading locally: Chinese, Indian, and Western leadership
Authors: Gutierrez Betzaluz , Spencer Signe M. , Zhu Guorong
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine senior leadership behaviors across samples of Chinese, Indian, and Western chief executive officers (CEOs).

Design/methodology/approach

In this exploratory study, 101 CEOs from three different business contexts were interviewed to understand the leadership demands of widely different business and cultural contexts and the competencies associated with effective performance. The specific situations addressed by leaders were identified.

Findings

The authors found some common characteristics of outstanding CEOs across contexts, such as results orientation/achievement drive and forward thinking. There are also distinctive competencies manifested in the three cultures. While Indian CEOs are more likely to display consideration of the welfare of their nation in business decisions, Chinese CEOs uniquely influence for mutual benefit as well as criticizing themselves. Western CEOs, use interpersonal understanding and talent management.

Research limitations/implications

Although the competencies observed are linked to performance by comparisons within each group of outstanding leaders, the authors were unable to obtain contrast groups of more typical leaders in India or China. The Western group was less rigorously defined, perhaps accounting for the less focused nature of their competencies and situations. This study nevertheless suggests that the cultural context is an important variable in leadership.

Practical implications

Leaders may use the paper's insights to suggest how they might expand their own repertoires, either in their own context or in dealing with organizations from other cultures.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of cross‐cultural management by identifying competencies that are unique to particular business contexts, as well as some that are common to the role.
Changes in the provision of residential care for adults with an intellectual disability: a national longitudinal study
Authors: Kelly Fionnola , McConkey Roy
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The move from congregated living arrangements to more homely, community‐based accommodation is a policy objective in many developed countries but its implementation is rarely monitored. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The National Intellectual Disability Database in Ireland provided the data to explore the changes in provision that occurred from 1999 to 2009 for nearly 8,000 adults resident in either congregated or community‐based accommodation.

Findings

Over the ten years, there was a marked rise in the numbers living in community group homes and by 2009 just under 50 per cent of persons resided in community settings. Although there was a reduction in the number of places in congregated options over the decade, this was not uniform in that increased numbers of persons were living in new forms of congregated provision designated as specialist units. Moreover, the estimated annual turnover of 2.4 per cent vacancies per annum meant that nearly half of the new admissions were to congregated settings. Over the ten years, a few people moved to a different type of accommodation although more people moved from congregated to community settings than vice versa. A few moved to more independent living arrangements. Despite unprecedented increased investment in services in this period, on average only 70 new places were created per annum – a 1 per cent increase on total places.

Research limitations/implications

Outmoded models of residential provision are likely to persist unless there is sustained investment in new forms of provision largely through a planned transfer of resources.

Originality/value

This national study illustrates how policy changes could be monitored in other countries.
Commentary on “Changes in the provision of residential care for adult persons with an intellectual disability: a national longitudinal study”
Authors: Turnpenny Agnes
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the previous paper in this issue “Changes in the provision of residential care for adults with an intellectual disability: a national longitudinal study”.

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary outlines some of the challenges and potential drivers of deinstitutionalisation and community living including the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Findings

The paper finds that the UN Convention and the practice of international organisations that fund investments in social care can potentially drive the replacement of institutions with community‐based services for people with intellectual disabilities.

Originality/value

The argument for deinstitutionalisation and community living needs to be maintained more broadly rather than being focused on certain countries or regions. Community living for people with intellectual disabilities should be a global agenda with an emphasis on the human rights of people.
Commercial service charge management: benchmarking best practice
Authors: Eccles Timothy , Holt Andrew , Zatolokina Anastasia
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The paper benchmarks compliance for 2010‐2011 with the RICS Code of Practice for Commercial Service Charges 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

Whether the proxy adopted is measured by floorspace or number of commercial office buildings, the sample size conforms to Kreycie and Morgan's determination for representative sample size. Data are generated directly from the original documents provided to commercial leaseholders to ensure authenticity and remove the need for third party reporting of said data. This guarantees the data are valid.

Findings

The research discovers that compliance with the RICS Code of Practice for commercial service charges is poorly, if variably, implemented. This contrasts with claims by the professional body.

Research limitations/implications

The work only concerns 17 corporate tenants operating principally in the financial services sector and data are drawn from the clients of one property services company. Content analysis is utilised in order to interpret the data and requires some subjective judgement by the researchers. The work only refers to multi‐let office space in England and Wales.

Originality/value

Data are original and the paper offers a unique benchmarking test. This contrasts markedly with the anecdotal evidence offered by the profession in defending their standards of practice and whilst the paper has limitations, it is the largest and most accurate study yet carried out in the field.
Corporate site selection and acquisition in a Nigerian GSM communication company
Authors: Tunde Oladokun Timothy
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the corporate site selection and acquisition process in a Nigerian global system for mobile (GSM) communication company, using a case study approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study integrates a literature review and a case study. The researcher made use of semi‐structured interviews to obtain information about the process of site selection and acquisition from the personnel of the property management department (property managers/SAQ managers) of the studied organisation. Beside the interviews, there was a series of follow‐ups for further clarification through telephone conversation and e‐mail. On average, the interview took about 45 minutes with each respondent, aside from prior occasional discussions undertaken to obtain some data.

Findings

Data obtained indicated that the process of site acquisition follows the global trend of outsourcing of non‐core services by organizations to consultants who have the technical ability to handle such assignments. The case study also revealed an arrangement of successful collaboration between multinational companies and local/indigenous firms.

Research limitations/implications

The approach is subject to data distortion as there is no yardstick for comparison in the industry.

Practical implications

The study has major implications for real estate practice in Nigeria. Real estate practitioners need to acquire the technical ability to meet real estate/site acquisition service requirements of multinational companies. The profession also needs qualified and competent members who can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, who have hitherto been providing site acquisition services for the foreign companies in their overseas branches.

Social implications

The method of outsourcing breeds competitiveness for site acquisition service provision and enhances efficient service delivery. It helps indigenous contractors to favourably compete for jobs of international standard.

Originality/value

The study explores the case study approach to provide a guide for foreign investors towards meeting their real estate needs.
A process approach to distribution channel re‐engineering
Authors: Groznik Ales , Maslaric Marinko
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to propose a methodology for distribution network reengineering since for the last few decades there has been growing interest in making more integrated business decisions across larger segments of the logistics and distribution networks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a methodology to assist distribution networks reengineering by integrating logistic processes within the distribution supply chain is developed. The emphasis of methodology is on business processes modeling and reengineering in distribution network.

Findings

The results confirm that distribution network reengineering needs to be a balanced, methodological process that integrates business process reengineering in combination with information technology. Case study findings presented illustrate that the recommended methodology has resulted in considerable cost savings and enhancing effectiveness of distribution networks.

Originality/value

The paper has extended reengineering theory and information technology into a supply chain context. Moreover, it is among the first empirical papers that specifically investigate the relationship between reengineering, information technology and distribution channel management practices; thus the paper fills an important gap in the supply chain literature. The case study provides important insights for both, academia and practitioners, to understand the importance of broader context of distribution channel management in order to better leverage reengineering context by exploiting information technology.
Organizing for post‐implementation ERP
Authors: Gallagher Kevin P. , Coleman Gallagher Vickie
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The importance of involving subject matter experts (SMEs) in ERP implementations is well established. SMEs' knowledge of business and system processes are critical to conducting gap analyses and configuring enterprise systems. But what happens to SMEs on completion of the implementation phase? Prior qualitative research found that some organizations return SMEs to their old department, which can contribute to knowledge transfer; while other organizations retain the services of SMEs, to assist in ongoing efforts with support and enhancement of the systems. The purpose of this study is to understand post‐implementation organizational choices – when SMEs are retained and returned. The aim is to understand these choices relative to the goals of their project. Theoretically, organizations that return SMEs move toward a distributed or hybrid model, while organizations that retain SMEs employ a centralized functional‐support structure. In accordance with contingency theory, these structural choices should align with an organization's goals and measures of success.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conceptually builds on prior qualitative research, but is still exploratory in nature. The authors report on findings from an online survey conducted with 65 organizations. The sample included small, medium and large firms. Respondents were key decision‐makers in their organization's ERP initiatives (directors and managers) recruited from two user‐group associations (higher education and health care), primarily from the USA and Canada. Descriptive statistics and t‐tests (when appropriate) were utilized to analyze and report the findings.

Findings

The hybrid structure (neither completely centralized nor decentralized) was utilized most often (66 percent of the organizations in the sample). The organization's original goals and measures of success did not seem to dictate the final organizational structure, as would be predicted by contingency theory. The authors interpret this as an indication that the choice of structural form is not easily explained based on goals and objectives. They conjecture that devising a structural approach to supporting such a complex inter‐functional system such as ERP requires solving many complex simultaneous organizational problems.

Research limitations/implications

This research involves a small sample of 65 organizations and is exploratory in nature; hence, it may not be projectable to a larger population. Future research should supplement this study with more industry user groups, expand the sample size, and utilize more advanced statistical methods.

Originality/value

Previous research has focused on successfully implementing ERP, neglecting post‐implementation design. This study contributes to a growing body of work with regard to post‐implementation design, taking into consideration SMEs and reporting structure, goals, and measures of success utilizing contingency theory as the backdrop.
Denise versus Jean‐Jacques
Authors: Jardat Rémi
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate to what extent Denise Rousseau's psychological contracts in organizations and Jean‐Jacques Rousseau's social contract present superficial or profound similarities. Having localized more precisely the lines of gaps between both works, “transgressive” research directions are proposed to enrich each of both thoughts of contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

This work consists in an analysis in the sense of Descartes, dividing conceptual difficulties into smaller and smaller parts. More precisely, that analysis is a semiotic one, as defined by linguist Hjelmslev, considering each step of the analysis a “level” and assessing the depth of similarities between two works: On the Social Contract and Psychological Contracts in Organizations. The parallel study of both works consists in analyzing the “grammar of use” of concepts at each level, establishing semantic comparative tables. This digging into parallel strata of sense is metaphorically considered as the tectonic study of two continents of thought.

Findings

It is established that common ideas and concepts are similar up to the depth of level three but radically differ at level four. At level one, nine main common ideas and concepts are raised. Analysis at level two allows considering those superficial similarities as nine more profound homologies in the sense of Greimas and Courtes. At level three, two different groups of homologies are established, binding, on the one hand, an isomorphism between spheres of contracting and, on the other hand, an isomorphism between substances of contract. At level four a deep tectonic fault is unveiled between Jean‐Jacques' and Denise's thought of contract: the sovereignty/exchange gap. This fault corresponds to two universal different syntaxes of subjects and objects defined by Greimas: the participative communication vs closed circulation of the objects of value.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis is based on a corpus of two major works. However, every grammar of use relies on the study of a finite corpus.

Social implications

The liberal assimilation of every social contract to exchange dynamics is radically denied by such work. The challenge of raising “sovereignty‐like” dimension in psychological contracts is all the more so critical since those contracts are pervasive in organizational and social life.

Originality/value

This paper proposes rigorous criteria for every trans‐cultural and trans‐disciplinary use of concepts in an original manner. A comparative “geology of thought” is made possible through semiotic instruments.
The metric exhaustion of the psychological contract
Authors: de Rozario Pascale
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore epistemic conditions to make a comparative anthropology on contract thinking, regarding what could be defined as normative principles of democracy in organisations. Also to examine the influence of seminal works to contract thinking today, i.e. Psychological contract (Denise M. Rousseau) and Social contract (Jean‐Jacques Rousseau).

Design/methodology/approach

Use of a Seven normative criteria comparative framework discriminating forms of democratic contracts today.

Findings

The paper presents a grid to assess later works on psychological contracts; and criteria defining a “democratic contractualism”.

Research limitations/implications

The paper assesses the initial theory of psychological contracts and its reception from 1995 to 2005.

Originality/value

The paper strengthens the psychological contracts' framework with historical and external comparisons.
The scholarship of researcher development: mapping the terrain and pushing back boundaries
Authors: Evans Linda
Published: February 2012

Purpose

This paper represents a written, expanded, version of a keynote address presented at the Vitae Researcher Development International Conference, at the midland Hotel, Manchester, UK, in September 2011. It is intended both to contribute towards defining researcher development as a field of research and scholarship, and to motivate those with an interest in the field to go beyond mere description and to incorporate clarity, rigour and analytical depth into their work. Its specific objective is to propose a research agenda for researcher development and to present the case for this agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an analytical and conceptual paper. It presents the author's subjective views, illustrated, where appropriate, with examples of the author's conceptual and theoretical work. These underpin the research agenda for the field of researcher development.

Findings

There are no “findings” as such, only the author's perspective and observation that, as an emerging field of research and scholarship, researcher development must follow the path of academic rigour (e.g. analytical depth, conceptual clarity, definitional precision, and the development of theory and theoretical perspectives) if it is to achieve credibility within the academic community. The field also needs to widen its focus, it is argued, reflecting a broad interpretation of the concept of researcher development.

Originality/value

This is the first paper dedicated to an attempt to define the field. Its value also lies in its definitions and conceptualisations of researcher development, and its presentation of a taxonomy that deconstructs researcher development, revealing it to be multidimensional.
Towards a framework for research career development
Authors: Bray Robert , Boon Stuart
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of a framework and planner for researcher development introduced into the United Kingdom in 2010 by Vitae: an organisation whose purpose is to support the development of UK researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative and quantitative data from two cohorts participating in an accredited researcher development course designed and delivered by the Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement at the University of Strathclyde were analysed.

Findings

Participants reported that the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) personal development planner (PDP) was useful in facilitating career development. Most found it relatively easy to use once initial perceptions of the tool as being overly detailed and complex were overcome. In addition, some technical problems with the software were identified. There was great variation in the manner in which the RDF was used (for instance in the number of descriptors selected). Although use was highly individualised, the full range of descriptors was used between the course participants.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the RDF PD planner has great potential in supporting researcher development, provided certain specified conditions are met – in particular the need to ensure individualisation, support, and researcher ownership of the outcomes. Further evaluation is necessary.

Originality/value

This is the first report on the RDF PDP being used in a researcher development course.
History researcher development and research capacity in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Evans Terry , Brailsford Ian , Macauley Peter
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present data and discussion on history researcher development and research capacities in Australia and New Zealand, as evidenced in analysis of history PhD theses' topics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on two independent studies of history PhD thesis topics, using a standard discipline coding system.

Findings

The paper shows some marked differences in the Australian and New Zealand volumes and distributions of history PhDs, especially for PhDs conducted on non‐local/national topics. These differences reflect national researcher development, research capacities and interests, in particular local, national and international histories, and have implications for the globalisation of scholarship.

Research limitations/implications

Thesis topics are used as a proxy for the graduate's research capacity within that topic. However, as PhD examiners have attested to the significance and originality of the thesis, this is taken as robust. The longitudinal nature of the research suggests that subsequent years' data and analysis would provide rich information on changes to history research capacity. Other comparative (i.e. international) studies would provide interesting analyses of history research capacity.

Practical implications

There are practical implications for history departments in universities, history associations, and government (PhD policy, and history researcher development and research capacity in areas such as foreign affairs).

Social implications

There are social implications for local and community history in the knowledge produced in the theses, and in the development of local research capacity.

Originality/value

The work in this paper is the first to collate and analyse such thesis data either in Australia or New Zealand. The comparative analyses of the two datasets are also original.
Student‐led research training within the PhD: “PhD experience” conferences
Authors: Mercer Theresa , Kythreotis Andrew , Lambert Carol , Hughes Gill
Published: February 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of student‐led initiatives in PhD development.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study is presented utilizing Kolb's model of learning from experience to identify with student‐led research training within the PhD process.

Findings

The experiential role of the student in the development of their personal doctoral training and the resultant social interactions thereof, remain as important as the more structured supervisor‐student relationship and other forms of doctoral training within the PhD research process.

Originality/value

This paper contributes new insights into the process of how PhD students can become more empowered by the process of “doing” a PhD, rather than being confined to their own specific discipline, whilst offering future recommendations for students embarking upon PhD research.