bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The contribution of a global service provider's Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to staff retention in emerging markets
Authors: Beulen Erik
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the contribution of a global IT service provider's Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to staff retention in emerging markets. This includes a comparison of the relevant issues and implications derived from a study investigating six developing countries. The author of this paper concludes that the functionality of global HR systems should be supplemented with local adaptions in order to achieve the best support for staff retention management.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework for this paper is based on HR literature concerning staff retention and on the framework proposed by Martinsons for human resources management applications of knowledge‐based systems. The argument is illustrated by quotes from 16 semi‐structured expert interviews with Accenture HR executives and managers in Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Latvia and Slovakia.

Findings

HRISs contribute positively to staff retention for global IT service providers in emerging markets. Especially important in minimizing turnover is the support they can provide for the allocation of employees to international engagements, including scheduling and training. Culture and local labor market differences do of course influence the HR functionalities needed. This paper provides insight into the factors that necessitate local adaptions to a global HRIS.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the differences and similarities in a global IT service provider's staff retention management and the contribution of its HRIS – including global functionality and local adaptions – towards this goal in six developing countries.
Hotel management company forecasting and budgeting practices: a survey‐based analysis
Authors: Steed Emmett , Gu Zheng
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate and document current US hotel management company practices in budgeting and forecasting, and to recommend a process to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

Key corporate financial executives of hotel management companies operating in the USA were surveyed. Different from prior studies that surveyed the US property‐level managers, or European hotel operators, the study surveyed the authors of budget guidelines of US hotel management companies with at least ten units or 1,000 rooms, to discover and document the budgeting and forecasting practices of multi‐unit hotel management companies. Chi‐square and t‐tests for equality of means were used to identify the differences between large and small hotel management companies.

Findings

Many concepts were identified that are not found in hospitality management textbooks. Current budgeting and forecasting methods used in the industry present opportunities for improving accuracy. There are also opportunities for time efficiencies, which may lead to improved participant satisfaction. Some significant differences were identified in budgeting and forecasting processes between large and small management companies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may not apply to independently owned and operated hotels, or small hotel management companies. Future research may focus on identifying economic factors that most influence hotel revenues at the local or regional level. Also, future research may focus on corporate computer software that facilitates intranet consolidation of property level budgets and forecasts and also allows spreadsheet flexibility for exploring various scenarios.

Practical implications

The practical application of the study is the recommendation for a centralized budget process that enhances accuracy, improves efficiency, and reduces “gamesmanship”.

Original/value

There are four main contributions of the study: the obtaining of inputs from corporate officers of hotel management companies with operations in the USA; the documenting of forecasting and budgeting practices of hotel management companies operating in the USA; the recommending of a forecasting and budgeting process that may improve accuracy and participant satisfaction; and the identifying of differences between large and small companies in relation to forecasting and budgeting practices.
Disintermediation of hotel reservations
Authors: Law Rob
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate online buyers' views for and against disintermediation of hotel reservation.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed and a telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong in March 2008.

Findings

Empirical findings of 283 Hong Kong residents who had previously booked hotel rooms online showed that experienced online buyers were more positive towards technology‐assisted hotel room reservations and less positive towards travel agents than their less experienced peers.

Practical implications

Hoteliers should ensure that their rooms are marketed appropriately in different types of online and offline channels.

Originality

The study demonstrates the existence of significantly different views among different groups of online buyers based on their online purchase experiences. With the increasing popularity of internet applications, hotel managers and travel agents should set practical plans to meet the needs of online buyers.
Origins of the commercial hospitality industry: from the fanciful to factual
Authors: O'Gorman Kevin D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to explore some of the different historical roots of commercial hospitality in three distinct epochs with the intention of promoting further empirical research and beginning an informed debate into the origins and evolution of the contemporary hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a report on empirical research based on texts, artefacts and archaeological evidence. Wherever possible all the primary sources were consulted in the original languages; all translations are the author's own unless otherwise stated.

Findings

Contrary to established and often fanciful rhetoric, commercial hospitality has at least 4,000 years of history in the area of investigation. The rich and incredibly diverse heritage of the hospitality industry is illustrated and the conclusions emphasise that hospitality research should focus on deepening understanding of the industry through empirical research: learning from the past helps to inform the future.

Research limitations/implications

The particular focus of this article is restricted to reporting to empirical studies of three epochs: Mesopotamia (c.2000 BC), Pompeii (79 AD), and Middle Eastern Trade Routes (c.700 AD onwards). These distinct time periods illustrate the different roots and highlight the need for further research into the evolution of the commercial hospitality industry.

Originality/value

The origins of commercial hospitality is an under‐researched area in hospitality management and this paper highlights the rich data that is available through disciplined empirical study.
Hotels on fire: investigating consumers' responses and perceptions
Authors: Vassilikopoulou Aikaterini , Siomkos George , Chatzipanagiotou Kalliopi , Triantafillidou Amalia
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the consumer responses associated with crises in the hotel industry. More precisely, the current research explores the factors that affect consumer attitudes (i.e. impressions, perceived social responsibility, and future purchases) during a hotel crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted relying on four factors: the hotel's reputation, the extent of the crisis, external effects from regulatory agencies, and press and organisational response. Respondents were randomly assigned to 36 treatment groups (three levels of crisis extent×two levels of hotel corporate reputation×two levels of external effects×three levels of hotel response). Scenarios were developed, each describing one of the 36 treatments.

Findings

The results revealed that reputation, external effects and organisational response significantly influenced consumers. Specifically, consumers were more likely to have a positive impression of a hotel in crisis, to perceive the hotel as being more socially responsible, and to revisit the hotel when it was highly reputed, accepted responsibility, and was viewed favourably by the media. The extent of the crisis was found to be an insignificant factor.

Practical implications

Hotel managers could incorporate the results of this study into their crisis management plans. As consumer attitudes are explored, the hotel might begin to achieve more effective crisis management strategies.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research investigating hotel crisis management from the customer's perspective. By adopting effective crisis management practices, hotel managers could reduce the negative outcomes of crises such as fires.
Wine tourism development from the perspective of the potential tourist in Spain
Authors: Marzo‐Navarro Mercedes , Pedraja‐Iglesias Marta
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that could have an impact on intentions to participate in regional tourism activities related to wine, from the Spanish customer's point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyses the opinions of potential wine tourists. They are asked about the importance they give to various items regarding intention to participate in wine tourism. These items have been taken from a review of the relevant literature. The dimensions that could have an impact on participation in tourism activities related to wine are determined through a factor analysis. These dimensions, together with the barriers traditionally encountered to any kind of tourism activity, are used in a regression analysis. The predictors of the intention to participate in wine tourism are thus determined.

Findings

The services offered by wineries, the possibility of increasing knowledge about the wine product, the possibility of providing leisure activities, and interest in the wine product, are factors that positively affect the intentions of potential wine tourists. In the context analysed, neither cost nor time nor distance act as barriers to the development of wine tourism.

Practical implications

Tourism agents are provided with data for successfully developing wine tourism. Thus, in addition to elements that can be controlled by the provider – such as winery services, activities for children, wine therapy activities and activities to increase knowledge of wine – elements that cannot be controlled also have an influence, such as a tourist's interest in wine. This makes it necessary to develop communication strategies that increase interest in the wine product and in related activities.

Originality/value

A review of the existing literature on the approach to wine tourism development allowed the authors to establish that there are no papers examining the determinants that could have an impact on participation in tourism activities related to wine in Spain. Moreover, the tested model includes incentives for, and barriers to, the strategic development of wine tourism.
Dimensions of a high performance management system
Authors: Murphy Kevin , Olsen Michael
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The objective of this research is to conduct an exploratory study that will gain consensus among restaurant industry professionals, academics and outside industry experts on the set of work practice dimensions in a high performance management systems (HPMS) for restaurant managers in the US casual restaurant sector.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory case study method was employed that used a combination of data collection techniques: interviews for the pilot study, the Delphi method and secondary data collection. Restaurant experts were chosen to consider the components of an HPMS construct for unit management in the US casual restaurant business. Assumptions were made based on a review of strategic human resource management literature, then experts were interviewed and a Delphi was conducted to gain consensus.

Findings

The authors find thirteen dimensions of an HPMS, which are common to unit management in US casual restaurants. Three work practices that were not considered relevant dimensions to the casual restaurant industry were removed from the Delphi. This translates into a difference of seven work practices between a manufacturing work system and a restaurant work system, which are either excluded or included in a restaurant work system.

Originality/value

Previous strategic human resource management research has dubbed HR work practices “high performance work practices”. With few exceptions these studies have been conducted in contextual settings that do not possess similar operational characteristics to the restaurant service industry. That there are differences in the business models between these industries and hence in the work practices between them is apparent from the results. Additionally, this study was targeted to management in the restaurant industry, not overall employment as the other studies.
Nutritional information on restaurant menus
Authors: Josiam Bharath , Foster Charles
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Dining out is integral to the American lifestyle. Diners want to make informed choices. The purpose of this research is to measure consumers' need for, and attitudes toward, nutritional information (NI) on menus in full‐service restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 502 participants at a full‐service restaurant on a university campus, through a survey questionnaire. Correlations, ANOVA, and descriptive statistics were utilized for data analysis.

Findings

Some market segments would dine out more often in restaurants if NI was made available. Segments concerned about NI are females, those aged 35 to 65, and those belonging to the higher income and college‐educated strata. Consumers eating healthy food at home are more likely to use NI in restaurants, as are those who dine out as a necessity. NI that consumers are most concerned about concerns fat, saturated fat, and trans‐fat.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is limited by a one‐location cross‐sectional design. Future studies should be longitudinal and be conducted in multiple locations.

Practical implications

A deeper understanding of consumers' concern could permit restaurateurs to use NI on menus to their competitive advantage, by effectively deploying a market segmentation strategy.

Originality/value

This research adds new knowledge to the present body of hospitality literature. This paper will assist managers by providing insights into the specifics of the target markets of who needs NI, and the context in which they will use NI on menus.
Biometric technology: the future of identity assurance and authentication in the lodging industry
Authors: Jackson Leonard A.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provoke thought and perhaps response to a new form of identity assurance and security in the lodging industry. For a fact, biometric technology is quickly becoming a principal method of identification in today's fast‐paced networked and security‐conscious society. Increasingly, more and more organizations are adopting this form of technology to enhance security, improve business processes and increase productivity. The paper highlights the fundamentals of biometric technology, and its application in the lodging industry. The paper also addresses factors that should be considered to ensure successful deployment in the lodging industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the fundamentals of biometric technology at the discursive level and provides insights on its practical applications in the lodging industry.

Findings

Biometric technology offers the lodging industry new possibilities in the areas of identity assurance and authentication. These relatively new technologies hold promise for practical implementation for both employee‐ and guest‐related processes. The major advantage to using this form of technology over other forms is that users do not have to carry anything around such as magnetic keycards, which can be lost, compromised or stolen. However, there are several legal, social and cost‐related challenges that must be overcome before the technology can be universally accepted and implemented in the industry.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the use of biometric technology will continue to increase, and prudent hospitality executives should pay close attention to this trend so that they can adopt the technology into their operations and enjoy the benefits it offers. The paper provides insights about the technology and offers implementation guidelines for lodging technology officers. In addition, it is hoped that this paper will generate future research in the areas of adoption strategies and appropriate types of biometric technologies that are appropriate for lodging operations.

Originality/value

Both practitioners and educators will benefit from the information presented in this paper, as it provides insights about a relatively new form of technology. Further, the paper reviews the fundamentals of biometric technologies at the discursive level with the intent of generating future research on their application in the lodging industry.
Managing supply chains in times of crisis: a review of literature and insights
Authors: Natarajarathinam Malini , Capar Ismail , Narayanan Arunachalam
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to describe the current practices and research trends in managing supply chains in crisis. This paper also provides directions for future research in supply chain crisis management.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles published prior to August 2008 are analyzed and classified.

Findings

A unique five‐dimensional framework to classify the literature is provided. The study reveals that there has been extensive research done in this area in recent years. Much of the research is focused on proactive approaches to crisis in supply chains. Management during various internal crises such as supplier bankruptcy or loss of key clients is a new, challenging area that requires further investigation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not include articles that are not peer‐reviewed.

Practical implications

This paper will serve as a guide to supply chain managers who would like to know how crises, disasters, and disruptions in supply chains have been handled in existing academic literature.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first literature review in the area of managing supply chains during crisis that looks at both SCM and operations research/management science journals. This paper identifies the various methods that have been used to handle crisis situations and provides a framework to classify the literature. Additionally, this paper identifies gaps in the literature that can provide ideas for future research in this area.
Supply chain security practices in the food industry
Authors: Whipple Judith M. , Voss M. Douglas , Closs David J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper compares firms purchasing and/or selling food products internationally to those with domestic supply chains in order to determine if international firms: place greater managerial importance on security; and are more likely to engage supply chain partners in security‐related verification and information exchange. The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between security initiatives and firm performance in terms of security outcomes, product quality, and customer service.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of one‐way ANOVA tests are used to assess the differences between firms with international and domestic supply chains. Additionally, cluster analysis is conducted to group firms based on their performance levels.

Findings

Initial results indicate respondents with international supply chains perceive that their firms place more importance on security and are more likely to assess the security procedures of supply chain partners. Results further indicate that, in general, respondents in international firms perceive better security performance is achieved in terms of the ability to detect and recover from security incidents. Once firms are grouped by performance, respondents in the high‐performance cluster, represented predominantly by international firms, perceived significantly higher performance in the areas examined.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to compare, the differences in security measures employed by firms maintaining internationally oriented as opposed to domestically oriented supply chains and also relates the implementation of supply chain security measures to security and firm performance.
Why all the changes?
Authors: Williams Zachary , Lueg Jason E. , Taylor Ronald D. , Cook Robert L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The events of September 11, 2001 heightened the awareness of supply chain professionals to the threat of man‐made disasters on the security of supply chains. According to institutional theory, the environment in which an organization operates creates pressures (normative, coercive, and mimetic) to adopt “institutionalized” norms and practices in order to be perceived as “legitimate.” Using an institutional theory perspective, this paper identifies and explores the environmental drivers that motivate firms to engage in supply chain security (SCS) practices to thwart man‐made supply chain disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research in the form of 19 depth interviews with mid‐to‐high level supply chain management professionals is conducted.

Findings

The findings of the qualitative research indicate that four primary drivers of SCS exist: government, customers, competitors, and society. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative findings call for future empirical testing.

Practical implications

Practitioners will benefit from the research presented here by better understanding what environmental factors are causing improved security measures in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This paper investigates drivers of SCS, an issue that is currently having an impact on supply chain operations worldwide. This is the first SCS study to investigate the reason behind why supply chains are implementing security strategies.
Employee perceptions of service quality in a call centre
Authors: Ramseook‐Munhurrun Prabha , Naidoo Perunjodi , Lukea‐Bhiwajee Soolakshna D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess service quality of a call centre as perceived by its employees using the SERVQUAL model. It also aims to explore factors predicting front‐line employee satisfaction and behavioural intentions in a call centre. Behavioural intentions are to be measured in terms of employees' willingness to recommend the call centre and their intentions to stay.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by field study in a particular call centre in Mauritius using a modified SERVQUAL questionnaire. The study explored both perception and expectation levels of front‐line employees. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the gap scores (performance minus expectation‐based model) were examined. Regression models were used to test the influence of the service quality dimensions on satisfaction and behavioural intentions.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis uncovered three composite dimensions of call centre service quality: Assurance‐Empathy, Reliability‐Responsiveness, and Tangibles. The results for the regression model indicate that satisfaction is best predicted by tangibles, and intentions to stay and willingness to recommend are best predicted by reliability‐responsiveness.

Practical implications

Based on the results, service managers may consider measures in order to improve and diagnose service features in call centres.

Originality/value

The paper examines the structure and validity of the SERVQUAL model, given its wide use and criticism, and applies the model to an important set of related, yet distinct service organisations such as call centres.
Technical and functional determinants of customer satisfaction in the bank‐SME relationship
Authors: Lundahl Nicolaus , Vegholm Fatima , Silver Lars
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the technical and functional dimensions of service management on customer satisfaction in the bank‐SME relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

An ordinal logistic regression analysis is used to examine a total of 221 responses to a questionnaire distributed to small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden.

Findings

Both the technical and the functional dimensions of service management were shown to correlate with customer satisfaction. Thus, SMEs seem to evaluate their banking relationship not only on the basis of the effectiveness and quality of banks' service outcomes but also on the care and manner in which the bankers deliver services.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows that relationship variables, such as personal interaction is a strong determinant for customer satisfaction in the bank‐SME relationship. Hence, there is a need for banks to focus training on understanding the issues of SMEs on a broader scale rather than solely on the sale of individual products.

Originality/value

The study examines both the technical and functional dimensions of service management in the bank‐SME relationship. Because most researchers treat ordinal scales as continuous variables, stronger conclusions can thus be drawn from the ordinal regression analysis performed here.
Internal market orientation in Indian banking: an empirical analysis
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Sharma R.D. , Seli Nitasha
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the level of internal market orientation (IMO) in Indian banking as seen from the perspective of internal customers and suppliers, particularly with regard to the three components of market orientation: intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, and responsiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on primary research conducted with data gathered from 611 internal customers and 37 internal suppliers of an Indian private sector bank.

Findings

The results indicate that all the three components of market orientation mentioned above determine the IMO level. Furthermore, the continuous emphasis on IMO by internal suppliers results in organizational commitment and job satisfaction among internal customers.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the three main dimensions of IMO: intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, and responsiveness.

Practical implications

In order to ensure increased satisfaction of internal customers, internal suppliers have to give due cognizance to the three aspects of IMO as these influence the internal customers' commitment, loyalty and hence their retention.

Originality/value

The research findings should prove to be of immense help to bankers, academicians and policymakers. Bankers will be benefited to the extent of ensuring zero internal customer defection through the implementation of effective intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness to internal market needs. Policymakers can devote their energies and resources towards identifying the constraints that lead to lower internal customer satisfaction and accordingly formulate policies aimed at maximizing their satisfaction level, thereby enhancing both market and financial performance of an organization.
Optimal Hermite collocation applied to a one‐dimensional convection‐diffusion equation using an adaptive hybrid optimization algorithm
Authors: Ricciardi Karen L. , Brill Stephen H.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The Hermite collocation method of discretization can be used to determine highly accurate solutions to the steady‐state one‐dimensional convection‐diffusion equation (which can be used to model the transport of contaminants dissolved in groundwater). This accuracy is dependent upon sufficient refinement of the finite‐element mesh as well as applying upstream or downstream weighting to the convective term through the determination of collocation locations which meet specified constraints. Owing to an increase in computational intensity of the application of the method of collocation associated with increases in the mesh refinement, minimal mesh refinement is sought. Very often this optimization problem is the one where the feasible region is not connected and as such requires a specialized optimization search technique. This paper aims to focus on this method.

Design/methodology/approach

An original hybrid method that utilizes a specialized adaptive genetic algorithm followed by a hill‐climbing approach is used to search for the optimal mesh refinement for a number of models differentiated by their velocity fields. The adaptive genetic algorithm is used to determine a mesh refinement that is close to a locally optimal mesh refinement. Following the adaptive genetic algorithm, a hill‐climbing approach is used to determine a local optimal feasible mesh refinement.

Findings

In all cases the optimal mesh refinements determined with this hybrid method are equally optimal to, or a significant improvement over, mesh refinements determined through direct search methods.

Research limitations

Further extensions of this work could include the application of the mesh refinement technique presented in this paper to non‐steady‐state problems with time‐dependent coefficients with multi‐dimensional velocity fields.

Originality/value

The present work applies an original hybrid optimization technique to obtain highly accurate solutions using the method of Hermite collocation with minimal mesh refinement.
Human factors in traffic accidents in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Akanbi O.G. , Charles‐Owaba O.E. , Oluleye A.E.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors responsible for road traffic accidents among commercial commuter drivers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 188 commercial drivers, driving 18‐seater mass transit buses in inter‐city highways were studied. Their accident records for the previous three years collected from Police records, Federal Road Safety Commission records, self‐administered questionnaires and observation of driving habits of the drivers. Their eye status were measured and data also collected from the Driver Union's Insurance Agency. A total of 25 human factor variables, identified as possible contributors to road traffic accidents were studied.

Findings

Six variables were found as possible significant contributors to road traffic accidents. They are old age, overtaking, overspeeding, religious affiliation, bad brake conditions and use of bad tyres. When the variables were subjected to two‐way interactions, 44 variable combinations were significant (p < 0.05) with R2 of 0.994 and residual error of 1.165.

Research limitations/implications

Accidents are not usually caused by single variables but by a combination of variables.

Originality/value

Apart from variables commonly found in the literature as possible causes of road traffic accidents, there may be some factors that may be peculiar to some countries like religious affiliation, belief in use of charms to protect drivers from accident and eye problems that are not identified because of lack of regular tests among others.
Landslide hazard zonation in Hanuman Chatti area of Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Pande Ravindra K. , Burman Dhanjita , Singh Ravinder
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate landslide hazard problems in Hanuman Chatti area of Uttarakhand, India. Every year NH 58 experiences landslide activities, which disrupts the tourist traffic to Badrinath shrine and higher Himalaya.

Design/methodology/approach

An urgent need is being felt to have a comprehensive landslide hazard evaluation factor (LHEF). The major causative factors that influence the slope stability are lithology, structure, soil depth, soil texture, geomorphology, slope morphology, slope dip, slope aspect, slope magnitude, weathering, land use and land cover and anthropogenic activities. The present analysis is based on the rating scheme in which numerical ratings for different categories are determined on the basis of their estimated significance in causing instability.

Findings

In the study area, nine old landslides (0.238 sq.km) and five new landslides (0.086 sq.km) are recorded. On the basis of the various causative factors the study area is classified into five landslide hazard classes.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is based on the experience gained for the last seven years (1999‐2007). The period is short for developing any hypothesis but sufficient care has been taken to consider vital factors.

Practical implications

With the help of LHEF appropriate landslide hazard management tools can be adopted. Once a LHEF rating scheme in which numerical ratings for different categories are determined on the basis of their estimated significance in causing instability, is standardized it can be applied to the entire Himalayan region, which is very prone to landslide hazard.

Originality/value

Although the paper is an attempt to evaluate the efficacy of landslide hazard zonation techniques developed by various agencies in the past, some modification as per the requirement has been made in various stages of investigation.
Issues and lessons from fire inquiry tribunals
Authors: Aini M.S. , Fakhru'l‐Razi A.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to identify the phases associated with the development of disasters, understand their underlying causes and learn lessons from them.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a grounded theory approach, reports of the tribunal of inquiry into the three fire disasters in the country were used to analyze the data.

Findings

Data demonstrated that these disasters were not sudden cataclysmic events but developed in phases. Pre‐disaster period is found to consist of four phases, namely, operation, incubation period, forewarning and activation. The onset was found to be caused by active errors while the underlying causes are attributed to the latent errors. These latent errors accumulated within the organization during the incubation period. Emergency response was poor due to lack of knowledge on emergency response, inadequate safety and emergency planning and insufficient equipment. Ensuing these disasters, there were establishment of social entity, formulation of new legislations, or amendment of laws and regulations took place in the society.

Research limitations/implications

The disaster developmental and error model proposed was based only on three major fire disasters and future studies could corroborate the model using other types of socio‐technical disasters. the vast majority of incidents could be foreseen early and could have consequently been prevented by proper application of existing experience and dissemination of learning from past events. Understanding of the development and causes of the disasters provides a tool for organizational and institutional diagnosis of vulnerability and risks.

Practical implications

Besides the negative impacts of disasters to the life and properties, they present rare windows of opportunity to learn from past mistakes, make improvements for the future and prepare to avoid future crises or minimize the impacts if they occur.

Originality/value

The paper substantiates and extends the developmental theory of disaster and systemic approach of disaster error. The hindsight gained from these negative events could be utilized by government and enterprises, particularly the safety and emergency managers, to design organizational structures that will help reduce the likelihood of disaster as a nation progresses.
Incidents of fire outbreaks during fuel truck accidents in Oyo State
Authors: Dare A.A. , Oke S.A. , Olanrewaju K.L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of fuel‐truck accidents involving fire outbreaks in Oyo State, Nigeria. These accident explosions have mechanical‐induced actions on the road, with potential costly damages to structures and non‐structural property exposed to them, and loss of lives. The need to understand causes of these accident scenarios become important in order to properly plan to avoid them. The purpose of this paper is to reveal results of a survey is carried out to reveal important elements of fuel‐truck accident in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was carried out to determine the various causes of accidents and rollover fire outbreaks in fuel trucks in Oyo State, Nigeria, using primary data collected from field and secondary data obtained from the Nigeria Police, Road Safety Commission and Fire Services Agency.

Findings

From about 358 transport accidents recorded in Nigeria between 1999 and 2002, only 33 were due to cars while the rest involved trucks and heavy‐duty vehicles. The survey showed that about 32 per cent of truck drivers are below 30 years and probably immature. Also 62 per cent of fuel truck tanks manufactured are of inferior quality and may thus have been aiding fire outbreaks when there is an accident. The study also showed that about 54 per cent of tank leakages that may lead to fire outbreak are due to operators' carelessness.

Practical implications

The study established the need for more education among the drivers and adequate legislation for tank manufacturers.

Originality/value

The work is perhaps the first to investigate this important area of safety research in the study area. The work would be of value to safety practitioners.
Appraisal of farm tractor accidents occurrence and prevention in Nigeria
Authors: Jekayinfa S.O. , Ojediran J.O. , Adebiyi K.A. , Ol F.A. , Adeniran A.D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Agriculture remains the largest sector of Nigerian economy, generating employment for about 70 per cent of the population. With the ever‐increasing market demand for agricultural products, mechanisation of most farm operations is gradually on the increase. This new development has brought about an increase in the cases of accidents through the use of farm tractors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out in the south‐western part of Nigeria to investigate the safety measurement, effectiveness, and its contributions to farm tractor usage in the State. The study identified various causes of farm tractor accidents, consequences and different classes of farm tractor‐related accidents. The effectiveness of each accident prevention method and frequency of use were investigated and put into consideration in the data analysis.

Findings

It was revealed through the analysis that the use of safety protective wear gave the highest contribution (24.05 per cent) to total accident prevention on farms while the use of orientation training and seminars gave the least contribution (8.30 per cent) with the lowest frequency of use than the other methods.

Practical implications

The results of this study serve as baseline information for tractor manufacturers regarding the inclusion of certain parts in new or proposed tractor designs with particular peculiarity to Nigerian farmers.

Originality/value

This paper gives an estimation of the magnitude of farm tractor accidents in relation to the Nigerian farming situation and proposes remedial actions.
Parental participation and retention in an alcohol preventive family‐focused programme
Authors: Skärstrand Eva , Bränström Richard , Sundell Knut , Källmén Håkan , Andréasson Sven
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors predicting parental participation and retention in a Swedish version of the Strengthening Families Programme (SFP).

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on data from a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effects of the Swedish version of the SFP. The sample involves 441 parents of sixth graders, and the data are obtained from parents' questionnaires measuring demographics, parental warmth, rule setting, perception of norm‐breaking behaviours, knowledge of school performance, and parents' attitude towards adolescents and alcohol. Predictors of parental participation and retention are analysed with multiple logistic regressions.

Findings

There were two significant predictors for programme recruitment: having a low score on a scale measuring parents' emotional warmth and having a more restrictive attitude towards youth and alcohol. Retention was associated with being born in Sweden, and having a low score on the scale measuring warmth.

Practical implications

There are few predictors of participation and retention in the Swedish version of the SFP, indicating that the programme seem to attract all types of parents in the general population. The fact that a low level of warmth predicts participation indicates that parents with a stronger need for support are recruited. Retention was greater among those who were born in Sweden, which indicates that efforts might be needed to meet the needs of those coming from another country.

Originality/value

Recruiting and retaining parents into family programmes is challenging and it is important to identify the underlying factors for successful recruitment.
Injuries in preschool classrooms
Authors: Obeng Cecilia
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The primary purpose of this paper is to examine the kinds of injuries that preschool teachers working in Indiana, USA, believed to be the most common in their preschool (3‐6 year olds) classrooms, the causes of such injuries, and the most important precautions they take to prevent them. Also examined are the measures the teachers take when an injury occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 155 preschool teachers take part in the research by completing a questionnaire. The data are analyzed using basic descriptive statistics.

Findings

On the question of what constituted the most important classroom injury prevention measure, 26 percent of the respondents report “close supervision of children”, 24 percent select “ensuring classroom safety”, 23 percent pick “cautioning children”, 17 percent choose “setting and enforcing rules” in the classroom, 7 percent select “modeling for social behavior” and 3 percent “safe gross motor activities”. With respect to action taken when an injured occurs, 36.1 percent of the respondents report “first aid”, 15.5 percent “comforting children”, 11.6 percent “referring children to school nurse” and “writing injury report”, 10.3 percent “cautioning against running and pushing”, 8.4 percent “explaining injury to children” (8.4 percent) and 6.5 percent “checking the nature of injury”.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on injury causation in preschool classrooms as well as management of such injuries. Results from this data can be used in helping to improve preschool teachers' knowledge of injury in general and of classroom injury in particular.
Focus‐group evaluation of nutrition education displays by Hispanic adults who live in the USA
Authors: Chambers Delores H. , Muñoz Alejandra M.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the acceptability and effectiveness of visual displays of nutrition educational information for low‐income Hispanic adults in the USA and to determine whether this population have different perceptions of the same nutrition education displays or express different needs than low‐income Caucasian adults. Visual displays include information on calcium, folic acid, and fruits and vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

Six 90‐minute focus groups are conducted with 47 Spanish‐speaking Hispanic adults living in the USA for less than one year.

Findings

The results indicate that displays of nutrition information are an effective means to present information to low‐income Hispanics and to teach basic nutritional concepts. Participants are excited about receiving the information and using it for their families' benefit. Positive key characteristics of the displays are: pictures, bright colours, simplicity, text's characteristics, information relevance, and accompanying handouts.

Practical implications

The results show that displays of nutrition information such as the ones included in the study are effective means to present such information to low‐income Hispanics participating in food assistance programs. Although several changes are needed to make the displays more effective, the general format is well received, and participants' interest is stimulated enough that they request more information on nutrition. Participants want usable nutrition information and see it as a means to improve the health of their families.

Originality/value

These data suggest a need for interventions with respect to information about nutrition, particularly in low‐income demographics where knowledge may be minimal, and the need for effective use of available food resources is quite high.
Integrity: are your leaders up to it?
Authors: Leigh Andrew
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine what is meant by integrity and attempts to translate the concept into specific behaviors that can be taught and learned.

Design/methodology/approach

Highlights the topicality of integrity and shows why it is likely to become increasingly important in organizations.

Findings

Presents four basic leadership‐integrity behaviors – moral purpose, lawful and ethical, consistency and standing for something. Highlights the importance of discerning what is right and wrong, acting on what one has discerned, even at personal cost, and saying openly that one is acting on what one understands to be right or wrong.

Practical implications

Advances commercial arguments for developers to espouse and promote integrity and the importance of learning about it in their organizations. Shows that integrity underpins an organization's ultimate profitability and competitiveness, as well as increasing employees' pride, engagement with their jobs and customer loyalty. Claims that integrity has also been revealed to enhance company brand or reputation, improve efficiency, attract staff, conserve and sustain resources and mitigate business risk.

Originality/value

Emphasizes that, in communicating the need to focus on integrity and offering ways to help leaders to develop their performance in this area, it makes sense to focus on what is productive for both the individual and the organization.