bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Content analysis of corporate blogs as a relationship management tool
Authors: Cho Soyoen , Huh Jisu
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how major corporations in the USA utilize corporate blogs for building and maintaining relationships with various publics.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the relationship management framework, a longitudinal content analysis of corporate blogs is conducted in 2006 and 2008. The blogs are identified by a thorough search of blogs operated by corporations listed on Fortune 500 companies or Interbrand Top 100 global brands. A systematic coding scheme is developed based on the existing research on relationship maintenance strategies and corporate communication.

Findings

A growing number of major corporations in the USA have adopted blogs as a corporate communication tool and the popularity of topic‐oriented blogs appears to have increased over time. While corporate blogs tend to apply various relationship maintenance strategies, the application of such strategies tends to be concentrated on a certain type of strategies.

Practical implications

Despite the increasing adoption of the corporate blogging practice, many corporations still do not seem to harness the unique potential of a blog to the fullest extent. To maximize the relationship management efforts, practitioners should consider expanding the scope and level of relationship management strategies. For researchers, this paper proposes a new approach for examining corporate blogs as a public relations tool by applying the relationship maintenance strategy framework.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to provide a longitudinal overview of the state of corporate blogs and strategies. In addition to offering descriptive information about the corporate blogging practice, this paper proposes a new research framework for studying corporate blogs.
Actor‐networking stakeholder theory for today's corporate communications
Authors: Luoma‐aho Vilma , Paloviita Ari
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a need to widen stakeholder theory to include non‐human influences to better describe the complex corporate environment. Drawing from actor‐network theory, non‐human entities may “translate” new, unexpected stakeholders to support their aims.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a theoretical conceptual approach with three illustrative examples.

Findings

The examples provided show that corporate crises result partly from previously unacknowledged non‐human spheres of influence and cause corporations serious losses. Corporations that take a proactive stance and monitor the weak signals of change are able to improve their standing and maintain legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications

The framework created requires more testing with different examples across contexts and cultures. Future studies should examine the process of translation more deeply and examine who can potentially be translated into a stakeholder.

Practical implications

Corporate communication should play “the devil's advocate” on issues and analyze not only stakeholders, but also non‐human entities that may be able to translate others into joining their cause.

Originality/value

This paper broadens stakeholder theory to better describe the current corporate environment by highlighting the process of translation among stakeholders and non‐human entities.
Financial resources and corporate reputation
Authors: Siano Alfonso , Kitchen Philip J. , Giovanna Confetto Maria
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify convergent elements between corporate reputation and financial resources. The paper seeks to draw parallels between corporate reputation management and corporate financial management in order to define common management principles.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the analogy‐based approach is used to identify similarities in the functions and risks between corporate reputation and financial resources. This approach is the prerequisite for defining common management principles.

Findings

The paper proposes some arguments in favour of common functions and risks thesis of corporate reputation and financial resources. The finding of common functions and risks opens the way for an analysis of common principles in corporate reputation management and corporate finance management.

Research limitations/implications

Cross‐fertilization between corporate communication and reputation and corporate finance can encourage effective evolution over time of the common management principles. The limitation of the research is the parallelism between two types of resources which traditionally belong to different subjects/disciplines. Cultural barriers may oppose the acceptance of this unusual juxtaposition of resources.

Practical implications

The use of these common principles allows for the development of an appropriate cultural background of managers. It could create advantages both for large companies and small businesses. The shared cultural background and language should serve to improve interaction and dialogue among managers on an intra‐ and inter‐organizational levels.

Originality/value

The parallels between corporate reputation and financial resources; the common management principles of these different resources; and their theoretical‐conceptual and practical implications, are entirely new topics in literature.
Positioning and differentiation by using brand personality attributes
Authors: Ingenhoff Diana , Fuhrer Tanja
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of mission and vision statements on corporate web sites and to analyze differentiation strategies through the use of online brand personality attributes in order to find if and how the attributes are effectively used to build up a unique corporate identity.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis is used to investigate similarities and differences between sectors and industries in Switzerland, based on the brand personality scale of Aaker. Also, the paper focuses on the impact of the communication of brand personality elements, in terms of positioning and differentiation, using correspondence analysis.

Findings

The claim that companies do present brand personality by frequently communicating respective attributes through mission and vision statements published on their web site are supported. However, top management does not seem to be geared towards industry norms when phrasing the statements, as a considerable similarity in statement content is found across industries. The results show that companies position themselves using their competitors as a frame of reference.

Research limitations/implications

The results may lack generalizability to small and medium‐sized businesses and other industries.

Practical implications

As most companies in the study position themselves using the same attributes and specifically emphasize “competence,” the results include practical implications for the need to develop uniqueness and differentiation by other means.

Originality/value

This paper discovers a gap between the claim that organizations seek uniqueness in their personality attributes and the reality of their involvement in mutual coorientation when defining their identity, forcing them to adapt to each other.
Creatingesprit de corpsin times of crisis
Authors: Agerholm Andersen Mona
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the communication processes from both a management and an employee view during a corporate value implementation process within a Danish windmill company. The purpose of this paper is to develop further understanding of the potential problems that may occur during such a process within an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study based on a social constructionist approach. A multi‐dimensional model of reception analysis is proposed in order to capture employees' readings of value statements.

Findings

The study shows that the distance between top management's views on the values and employees' perceptions is noteworthy. This distance is primarily caused by circumstances in the case company's historical and situational context. One of the questions this paper raises is whether values are an ideal management tool in times of an organizational financial crisis.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only focuses on one organization. Additional research is needed in other organizations attempting to communicate values internally in times of crisis.

Practical implications

Managers need to take newer communication theory into consideration in order to be aware of what might go wrong in a communication process. They also need to consider both the daily working context of the employees and the historical and situational context of the organization before they launch a value project. The communicative competences of middle managers and their capability to enter in dialogue with the employees should also be taken into consideration.

Originality/value

The research illuminates the potential problems that may occur during an organization's value process and offers recommendations for future value implementation efforts in organizations.
Searching for corruption in Serbia
Authors: van Duyne Petrus C. , Stocco Elena , Bajovic Vanja , Milenović Miroslava , Lojpur Elizabeta E.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the state of corruption in Serbia, based on available empirical evidence produced by the penal law‐enforcement agencies themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an analysis of available documents, criminal cases of the Municipal Court of Belgrade, data from the Public Prosecution Office and the National Statistical Bureau. Given the scarcity of research in Serbia, the usual inaccessibility of judicial sources, the study is a first reconnaissance based on what is available at present.

Findings

The basic finding is a huge gap between what the people experience about corruption and what is eventually prosecuted. The law‐enforcement agencies address this phenomenon haphazardly and in a fragmented manner, displaying a fundamental lack of data management, resulting in lack of transparency.

Research limitations/implications

Research in such a sensitive area and within a political culture of opacity, addressing incomplete data, will in its first stage yield limited results. The project will be continued with additional interviews with knowledgeable people, extension of the statistics and validation and comparison of other anti‐corruption bodies as far as they have a measurable output.

Practical implications

The short‐term practical implication is that researchers “got over the threshold” and entered the law enforcement “chambers”. Practical applications concern the contribution to transparency, which is required for doing research and impacts on the way the practitioners address their own practice.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a certain field in a country that has so far been only scantly researched.
Accession blues: modest successes and major difficulties in Romania
Authors: Neagu Norel
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the legislation and case law relevant to preventing and combating fraud affecting the European Union (EU)'s financial interests in Romania.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores how the legislation is implemented in the process of Romania's accession to the EU, how it has been interpreted in case law, the reasons for the results achieved so far and the link between these specific offences and the general fraud offences provided for in the Criminal Code and other special laws.

Findings

The analysis examines the deficiencies in the legislation and in practical implementation thereof, focusing on the penalties and on recovery of funds.

Practical implications

The research highlights the need for practitioners clearly to distinguish between the common legislation applicable to fraud offences, on the one hand, and offences affecting the EU's financial interests, on the other, thus contributing to a fair trial.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the linkages between the common legislation applicable to fraud offences and offences affecting the EU's financial interests, which are still blurred even for Romanian legislators, especially in the field of Community revenue.
Fighting EU fraud: why do we make life difficult for ourselves?
Authors: Quirke Brendan
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the arrangements and institutions that have been put in place at both the transnational and the national levels to fight fraud against the European budget. It also seeks to consider the experiences of two new Member States, Romania and the Czech Republic, in seeking to build effective anti‐fraud structures and to co‐operate effectively with Brussels.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews are undertaken with officials of the European Anti‐Fraud Office (OLAF), as well as with officials in both Romania and the Czech Republic. A review of secondary materials such as official reports and academic articles is also undertaken.

Findings

The fight against European Union (EU) fraud is hampered by a number of factors. Fragmentation occurs at different levels, transnational, national and legal. The lead transnational agency OLAF has not been given the support it requires and has been subjected to a long period of uncertainty regarding its powers and responsibilities. New Member States have been admitted to the EU, but some of them have not been ready in terms of their ability to tackle fraud effectively. These problems are to a large extent self‐inflicted, and make the fight against fraud all the more complex and difficult.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight into the difficulties facing both OLAF and the agencies of new Member States in terms of fragmentation and seeking to acquire investigative and other technical skills in a very short period of time. It is an addition to a body of literature which is not particularly extensive.
EU anti‐fraud enforcement: overcoming obstacles
Authors: White Simone
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which the (changing) European Union (EU) constitutional context impacts on the investigation of fraud affecting the EU budget, with a focus on fraud affecting expenditure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on legal issues perceived by a European law specialist working within OLAF. The legal framework and several cases are used to illustrate various difficulties in operational work. First of all, the paper argues that cooperation between EU bodies such as Europol, Eurojust, the European Judicial Network and European Anti‐Fraud Office (OLAF) is not yet optimal. Nor is the legal framework for OLAF's work. Internal blockages exist. This is illustrated in relation to a number of operational issues.

Findings

The paper argues that much has been achieved through secondary legislation in the criminal law sphere under the Treaty of Nice but real difficulties continue at the operational level. As far as operational cooperation, effectiveness and defence rights are concerned, some of the legal problems and internal blockages identified here can be removed regardless of the eventual situation in relation to the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on legal problems and blockages experienced by OLAF investigators in the present legal framework.

Practical implications

The paper should be of interest to anyone engaging in the study of anti‐fraud enforcement and to investigators and prosecutors.

Originality/value

The paper provides an insight into European Commission anti‐fraud enforcement.
Databases as a means of combating organised crime within the EU
Authors: Stefanou Constantin
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of EU‐wide databases as a means of combating organised crime.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at three specific examples of proposed databases: networking national criminal records; the creation of a European criminal record; and a database for investigations and prosecutions.

Findings

The paper concludes that, while such databases are feasible and useful tools in combating organised crime, until there is progress in harmonising criminal law and procedure they will be resisted by Member States.

Practical implications

EU‐wide databases are feasible and can assist in combating organised crime.

Originality/value

The paper has value for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.
Hitting the suite spot: sentencing frauds
Authors: Levi Michael
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to generate data on sentencing within a framework that enables clearer understanding of the sentencing policy options.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics on sentencing, and the relationship of this to principles of sentencing and sub‐types of fraud/organised crime offenders.

Findings

Fraud cases seldom attract severe sanctions where, as in the case of frauds against the EU, there are institutional victims and no apparent systemic risk, despite the prevalence and incidence of such frauds and the high value to offenders.

Originality/value

Data on sentencing fraud not readily available, placed within a framework of the purposes and effects of sanctions on different sorts of fraudster.
What is EU fraud? And can OLAF really combat it?
Authors: Xanthaki Helen
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the real reasons behind the widely accepted view that the European Anti‐Fraud Office (OLAF) is not performing to its full potential.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of consideration of the main points of the regulatory framework and analysis of lacunae in the current and proposed framework.

Findings

The paper attributes ineffectiveness, in part, to the conflicting and vague regulatory framework within which OLAF is requested to operate.

Originality/value

The paper provides a list and an analysis of the main lacunae in OLAF's regulatory framework, an operation which has been neglected in the academic literature.
Keeping under the radar: watch out for “Smurfs”
Authors: Tupman William
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that small‐scale, low‐value but high‐volume fraud should be pursued as seriously as high‐value, organised crime‐related fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the consequences of profiling offenders and offences involving fraud against the European Community budget. It also looks at ten years of the body tasked with investigating such fraud and suggests that it has become bogged down with too many responsibilities and too few resources. It ends by describing the requirements for a successful investigative environment.

Findings

The political nature of the fight against fraud means that measures based solely on economic criteria are a mistake; measures against political and social harm need to be developed to assist in prioritization.

Practical implications

Public education is required to change the image of those who commit fraud against the Community budget. A different institutional set‐up is also advisable.

Originality/value

The paper applies the lessons learned from targeting frequent offenders in the UK who are being ignored because each individual offence is not worth pursuing but, once the offences in total are recognised, much harm could be prevented.
Concluding reflections: towards a new strategy for anti‐fraud cooperation
Authors: Howse Tricia
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the prevalence of fraud in the EU, the weaknesses of the current system in combating it, and to suggest recommendations for a more effective effort in this respect.

Design/methodology/approach

The recent (post‐won) history of European fraud is chronicled and the observations of authors in this issue (JFC, Vol. 17 No. 1) are noted.

Findings

EU fraud has so far received low priority in the law enforcement's hierarchy of prosecutable offences. However, it is possible, even of this late juncture, to co‐ordinate efforts effectively to pursue, detect, try, convict and punish offenders.

Originality/value

The paper, at last, makes concrete suggestions for combating EU fraud – a move long‐awaited and sorely needed.
Using Six Sigma to improve replenishment process in a direct selling company
Authors: Wei Chun‐Chin , Sheen Gwo‐Ji , Tai Cheng‐Ting , Lee Kuo‐Liang
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a Six Sigma project to improve the replenishment process in the logistic center of Amway Taiwan Company.

Design/methodology/approach

This study elucidates the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) methodology of Six Sigma, using qualitative and quantitative tools. Numerous improvement actions are implemented. A control plan is developed to sustain and enhance the performance of the replenishment process.

Findings

The project has substantially benefited the logistic center, including reducing replenishment frequency and urgent shipping rate, decreasing cost of transportation, lowering the inventory of service centers and shortening the replenishment planning time.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology that is employed in this study can be adopted by the logistic centers of other direct companies. However, they can modify the detailed contents and tools according to their organizational conditions.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates a project in which Six Sigma is adopted to improve the replenishment process of the logistic center in Amway Taiwan. It describes how the project was specified, how the tools were employed in the different phases and how the improvement actions were implemented. In conclusion, the key benefits of, and experience gained from this project are emphasized.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to academic researchers and practical managers. The structured methodology of Six Sigma integrated logistic techniques was applied in a leading direct sales company. The project in the logistic center of Amway Taiwan provides a good reference for other companies that plan to implement Six Sigma management.
Building the supply chain to enable business alignment: lessons from British American Tobacco (BAT)
Authors: Godsell Janet , Birtwistle Andy , van Hoek Remko
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on experiences from BAT's major supply chain reconfiguration program; it details practices, lessons learnt and do's and do nots. There is little research that reports on how to manage major supply chain reconfiguration programs, despite the fact that it is widely acknowledged that this can be challenging.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports insights from industry, directly captured from the responsible managers in workshops and through co‐author involvement.

Findings

Seven key lessons are shared, including how to use S&OP, measurement and other specific change management tactics and practices.

Practical implications

The findings reported in this paper are “straight from the horses mouth” and are very much informed by all the experience developed inside BAT. Coupled with the focus on overall lessons, the findings will be useful for many other supply chain executives engaged in major reconfigurations.

Originality/value

This paper provieds an insight into a major supply chain design project in BAT over a six year period. This included access to senior decision makers and those actually running the change program. Case studies of this scale, scope and longitude are a rarity in supply chain strategy.
Teleological approaches in supply chain management: illustrations
Authors: Svensson Göran
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights and describe teleological approaches in the context of Supply Chain Management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework is outlined derived from complexity sciences to widen and enhance the exploration and understanding of SCM.

Findings

Research and literature in the field of SCM have to a large extent neglected the possible underlying formative and rationalist nature of it, rather than considering or highlighting its potentially transformative nature.

Research limitations/implications

Teleological approaches of SCM provide valuable insights in managing supply chains. They also provide innovative and challenging opportunities for further research in the field of SCM.

Practical implications

The application of teleological approaches in supply chains may encourage and lead to managerial ideas and insights to anticipate and avoid deficient or erroneous grounds in the planning, implementation and evaluation of SCM.

Originality/value

Teleological approaches make a contribution to the ongoing exploration and discussion of SCM, such as: incorporating a frame of reference from complexity sciences. The author believes that it also provides a timely topic in times of crisis as it compares different teleological approaches – some more dynamic and flexible than others.
Enhancing reverse auction use theory: an exploratory study
Authors: Hawkins Timothy G. , Gravier Michael J. , Wittmann C. Michael
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a sourcing professional arrives at a decision to use an electronic reverse auction (eRA) to source a particular requirement by examining eRA appropriateness.

Design/methodology/approach

Past eRA research findings are synthesized into a summary table. From a comprehensive review of the literature, theories of technology adoption, social influence, referent‐dependence theory, and planned behaviour are discussed and synthesized into a model that explains the antecedents of eRA appropriateness. A case study methodology using structured interviews resulted in a refined model that sheds light on some of the controversial findings regarding electronic reverse auction appropriateness.

Findings

Expected savings, buyer confidence, and prior eRA sourcing satisfaction are identified as new constructs that help explain the decision to source via eRAs. Additionally, perceived eRA appropriateness is proposed as a new construct that mediates the influence of external, strategy factors on the decision to source via eRAs.

Research limitations/implications

Recent literature suggests that the benefits of reverse auctions are overstated and reverse auctions constitute a fundamentally coercive use of buyer power. Reconciling the conflicting supplier perceptions of reverse auctions as use of coercive power with buyer perceptions of cost savings requires an explanation for the factors that lead to the decision to source via eRAs.

Practical implications

The modern competitive supply chain environment entices businesses to explore all avenues for cost savings. Explaining the drivers of reverse auction use illuminates the advantages and pitfalls of reverse auctions as a strategic sourcing venue.

Originality/value

From an extensive review of the eRA literature and eight case studies, the authors propose a model that integrates and extends previous eRA research. Key insights from the model are the mediating effect of perceived eRA appropriateness and the integration of individual level variables with the strategic decision to source via eRA. Additionally, a table is provided summarizing the findings from relevant eRA research that reveals key insights into the phenomenon.
Exploring reverse supply chain management practices in Turkey
Authors: Erol İsmail , Nurtaniş Velioğlu Meltem , Sivrikaya Şerifoğlu Funda , Büyüközkan Gülçin , Aras Necati , Demircan Çakar Nigar , Korugan Aybek
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the current state of reverse supply chain management (RSCM) initiatives in several Turkish industries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on an exploratory research regarding RSCM activities of Turkish automotive, white goods, electric/electronics, and furniture industries. The sample consists of all the companies included in the Top‐500 Industrial Enterprises List of The Assembly of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO).

Findings

The research findings show that the RSCM initiatives in the considered industries are still in a very early stage. Companies' involvement in product returns is mostly due to the legislative liabilities, and system inadequacies are emphasized as the most important reason for not being able to implement an efficient RSCM.

Research implications/limitations

This paper investigates the reverse supply chain practices of selected industries in Turkey and aims to enable researchers to use this study as a building block in understanding these practices and related problems. The limitation of this study is to solely include the medium and large‐sized companies in the industries.

Practical implications

Reverse supply chain operations contribute to the economic sustainability by reducing waste and saving energy and material. In this research, an empirical study in the electronics, white goods, automotive and furniture industries is conducted, and potential research opportunities are discussed to streamline reverse supply chain activities in the industries. Hence, this study can be viewed as an attempt to increase the level of awareness on reverse supply chain issues.

Originality/value

No field study has been conducted to analyze reverse supply chain activities of the industries in Turkey. This research is a pioneering study and will provide a benchmark for the various research activities on related topics.
Development of lean supply chains: a case study of the Catalan pork sector
Authors: Perez Catalina , de Castro Rodolfo , Simons David , Gimenez Gerusa
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the characteristics and the performance of the Catalan pork supply chain, with the objective to assess whether this operates according to the parameters of a lean chain. Moreover there is a tentative lean supply chain model contribution.

Design/methodology/approach

To test lean approaches in the Catalan pork supply chain we have used case research methodology. The research strategy started with a conceptual model proposal as a tool to carry out the assessment. The research went on a multiple case studies in a large‐scale sample of the population and developed a semi‐structured interview as a basic instrument to apply it.

Findings

The article shows the pork sector has actively adopted the productive techniques associated with lean management. The structure of the specific chain in the Catalan pork sector is suitable to implement lean supply chain strategies according to the presented model.

Research limitations/implications

This paper should be of value to researchers in this area as it contributes in a tentative generic lean model for the pork sector. Further research to affirm the cultural support for lean collaboration is recommended as a precursor to the application of the five lean principles.

Practical implications

It provides empirical evidence from a significant pork producing region indicating that the model proposed has applicability. These findings support industry wide business associations' efforts to initiate actions which will reinforce these techniques and improve the competitiveness of the sector.

Originality/value

A review of this literature ascertained that there were no existing published works centred on the study of the pork supply chain development in Spain and particularly nothing focussed on the applicability of the “lean” discipline in this area. This gap in research along with the importance of the pork sector at national and regional levels demonstrates the necessity and importance of the study.
The complexities of e‐reverse‐auction‐facilitated aggregated procurement in digitally clustered organisations
Authors: Adebanjo Dotun
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study into aggregated procurement in digitally clustered organisations. It brings together key principles including business clustering, e‐procurement, aggregation and buyer‐seller relationships. The paper identifies complexities associated with conducting reverse auctions for clustered organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a reverse auction carried out by an independent intermediary forms the basis of the paper. Data presented and analysed include pre‐auction and auction performance of participants.

Findings

Aggregating company spend and sourcing through reverse auctions poses several challenges. These include a selection of suitable products and services, the behaviour of buyers and sellers in a clustered environment and the identification of a suitable business model for the independent intermediary. It also indicates that not all participants may benefit or benefit significantly from clustered auctions.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding of participant behaviour before, during and after e‐reverse auctions in single and clustered organisations needs to be better understood. Differences in the mechanisms between single buyer and multiple buyer auctions also need more clarity.

Practical implications

For clustered reverse auctions, there is a need to identify products with low build complexity and significant value‐add. Otherwise, it may be necessary to form “clusters within the cluster” in order to attain true aggregation.

Originality/value

This study examines participant actions in intermediary‐facilitated multi‐buyer and multi‐seller e‐reverse auctions. It identifies a number of behavioural issues that relate to this context and that impact on the success of auctions in a digital cluster context.
Supply chain leagility in professional services: how to apply decoupling point concept in healthcare delivery system
Authors: Rahimnia Fariborz , Moghadasian Mahdi
Published: January 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to show how leagility can be applied in professional services, especially hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach was used to consider the concept of leagility in professional services. Therefore, it studies a specialized hospital in Iran as a professional service provider.

Findings

The specific condition of the patients forces the hospital to be highly agile and at the same time it can benefit from lean strategies. By grouping healthcare services into three pipelines, it identifies decoupling points for the supply chain. It also argues that while discussing leagility in a professional service organization, the important role of human resources should be highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

The paper considers leagility in a specialized hospital. There is a need to discuss this concept in generalized hospitals with multiple pipelines. It is also limited because it considers one specialized hospital, thus the results of this research cannot be generalized to other specialized hospitals.

Originality/value

Leagility in professional services is something rarely dealt with in the literature. Thus, this research expands on the concept of leagility in professional service, particularly in hospitals, and the paper fills this gap in the literature which could be further explored.
Getting NICE guidelines into practice: can e‐learning help?
Authors: Walsh Kieran , Sandars John , Kapoor Susheel S. , Siddiqi Kamran
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of e‐learning resources based on NICE guidelines in improving knowledge and changing practice among health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

NICE in collaboration with BMJ Learning developed a series of e‐learning modules based on NICE recommendations relating to osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infection in children, and antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis. The impact of these modules was evaluated by looking at the knowledge and skills of the learners before and after they did the modules and also asking the learners about resultant practice change.

Findings

A total of 5,116 users completed the modules. Completing them enabled users to increase their knowledge and skills score from the pre‐test to the post‐test by a statistically significant amount (p < 0.001): from a mean of 65 per cent to 85 per cent. Qualitative feedback to the modules was overwhelmingly positive. To test long‐term effectiveness, users were e‐mailed six weeks after they had completed the modules to assess practice change. The response rate to the survey was 22.2 per cent. In total 88.6 per cent of those who had cared for patients with these problems since completing the module said that it had helped them put NICE guidelines into practice.

Research limitations/implications

E‐learning modules have high uptake, are popular and effective at helping health professionals learn about NICE guidelines and help them to put these guidelines into practice.

Originality/value

The study is valuable as it shows how interactive and multimedia resources help health professionals learn about guidelines. No previous studies have been identified.
Implementing a venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention strategy
Authors: Brockbank K. , Snoxall S. , Beaumont A. , Davies P. , Kershaw M. , Kirman R. , Murray E. , Pheby A. , Webb I. , Willman E. , Everington T.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

In March 2007 the Chief Medical Officer called for a major improvement in public and professional engagement with venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention. Key to his recommendations for hospitals was a new requirement for a documented mandatory (VTE) risk assessment on every hospitalised patient. The purpose of this paper is to describe how one acute Trust responded to this call using regular Trust‐wide audit as a driver for change. The Trust now has evidence of sustained and ongoing improvement in compliance with documented VTE risk assessment and this has been associated with a reduction in the number and severity of VTE events.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the approach that one Trust took to ensure that a documented VTE Risk Assessment is carried out on all hospitalised patients and that appropriate measures are taken to reduce the incidence of VTE events.

Findings

In March 2008, prior to the project, audit demonstrated that 15 per cent of patients had a documented risk assessment for VTE. After a VTE Implementation Working Group was set up and new assessment tools were piloted, evaluated, amended and re‐launched together with Trust‐wide education and general awareness‐raising sessions, the number of patients receiving a documented risk assessment has risen to a cross‐institutional average of 75 per cent.

Originality/value

The paper gives evidence that a planned approach, with simple practical tools, broad clinical engagement and intensive education delivered “at the coal‐face” can result in a systematic change in professional practice across a Trust.
Chest drain insertion: a real risk to patient safety
Authors: Hutchinson Tom , Brown Alex
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss the implications to individuals and organisations of the National Patient Safety Agency rapid response report on the risks of chest drain insertion, published 15 May 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper represents the opinion of the authors based strongly on a structured review of the literature on this topic.

Findings

Chest drain insertion is a clinical risk to patient safety. There is a need for individuals and organisations to review and consider changes to their practice of chest drain insertion.

Practical implications

The paper gives ideas on how to change practice based on recommendations from recognised bodies such as the British Thoracic Society.

Originality/value

The paper provides a discussion on what needs to be changed in response to the National Patient Safety Agency report on the risks of chest drain insertion. It can be used as a guide for those involved in clinical governance on this issue.
Health system reform
Authors: Spigelman Allan D.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe Health Reform proposals in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach to this subect is observational.

Findings

A total of 123 recommendations amounting to significant reform are proposed. It remains to be seen how many of these recommendations survive an extensive consultation process.

Originality/value

The paper describes one nation's attempt to address universal challenges in healthcare delivery and gives an update of health reform proposals.
GTA‐based framework for evaluating the feasibility of transition to FMS
Authors: Raj Tilak , Shankar Ravi , Suhaib Mohammed
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Today's volatile condition of the market is forcing the manufacturing organizations to adapt the flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) to meet the challenges imposed by international competition, ever‐changing customer demands, rapid delivery to market, and advancement in technology. There are certain enablers, which help in the implementation of FMS or in the transition process from traditional manufacturing system to FMS. The utmost need is to analyze the behavior of these enablers for their effective utilization in the implementation of FMS. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a methodology based on graph theoretical approach for finding the feasibility of transition to FMS for any industry. A universal feasibility index of transition (FIT) is proposed that evaluates and ranks different organizations according to their capability to be converted into FMS. This FIT value is obtained from a permanent feasibility function obtained from an enablers' digraph of FMS.

Findings

The major finding of this paper is that one can judge whether a particular industry is fit for FMS or not by calculating its FIT value. This FIT value can also be utilized in ranking different industries for their possible transition to FMS.

Practical implications

The FIT obtained from a permanent function indicates the strength of enablers and their inter‐relations. More is the value of this index; more will be suitability of that organization for FMS adoption. In this way, managers can judge that a particular organization is suitable or fit for FMS implementation or not, without making the huge investments for such a complex production system and thus, minimize their risks.

Originality/value

Identification, classification of enablers into some important categories, and their analysis is a unique and innovative effort in the area of FMS.
The importance of information and communication design for manual skills instruction with augmented reality
Authors: Fox Stephen
Published: January 2010

Purpose

There are guidelines for information and communication technology (ICT) applications which are already established in manufacturing. These guidelines include recommendations such as: alignment of ICT applications with strategy, involvement of the full range of stakeholders, and careful planning and monitoring. A recommendation from outside of manufacturing is that information and communication design should be carried out in conjunction with ICT applications. The purpose of the research reported in this paper is to investigate the relevance of information and communication design to applications of advanced ICTs used in the instruction of manual skills.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review, interviews, and five quasi‐experimental studies are used.

Findings

The design of information and its communication is relevant to the instruction of manual skills with ICTs and, in particular, important for instruction with augmented reality (AR).

Research limitations/implications

There are only 92 participants in the five quasi‐experimental studies.

Practical implications

This paper provides an overview of information and communication design issues. Examples are provided of how these issues manifest themselves in the application of advanced ICTs, such as virtual reality and AR, which can be used in the instruction of manual skills.

Originality/value

The originality of the research reported in this paper is that it goes beyond further investigation of established guidelines for ICT applications. The value of this paper is that it draws attention to the potential of information and communication design to improve ICTs implementations. It also draws attention to the need for balanced comparisons in the assessment of all ICTs prior to their implementation.
The examination on the drivers for green purchasing adoption among EMS 14001 certified companies in Malaysia
Authors: Khidir ElTayeb Tarig , Zailani Suhaiza , Jayaraman Krishnaswamy
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of four drivers, namely regulations (RG), customer pressures (CP), social responsibility (SR), and expected business benefits (EBB) on green purchasing (GP) in the Malaysian manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Directory 2007 and SIRIM organization, Malaysia, are the two sources provided the population units of 569, International Organization for Standardization 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Malaysia. Out of 569 firms, 132 (23.2 percent) positively responded for the mail survey on GP.

Findings

The empirical findings of the study suggest that GP is affected by the drivers namely RG, CP, EBB, and firm ownership. The results also suggest that, although Malaysian firms show a high level of SR, it does not constitute a genuine driver for these firms to adopt GP.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is considered as one of the first attempts to empirically investigate the drivers for GP. Further research in this area may focus on the other drivers such as supplier pressures, competitive pressures, community pressures, and employee pressures that motivate firms to adopt GP initiatives.

Practical implications

The Malaysian firms place a high consideration on external pressures and business benefits as the main criteria for deciding whether to adopt GP or not. Therefore, the high sense of SR, exhibited by these firms, does not constitute the true motivator for them to adopt GP activities.

Originality/value

The results of the paper provide insights into why Malaysian firms adopt GP activities. It also provides policy makers and managers with a list of drivers that can be used as directions for setting up appropriate policies that encourage firms to adopt GP initiatives.