bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relative performance of TV sponsorship versus television spot advertising
Authors: Olson Erik L. , Mathias Thjømøe Hans
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the relative performance of TV sponsorships with the industry standard 30‐second TV spot advertising on achieving common communication goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The two media are tested with an experiment using realistic stimuli and target market representative samples and employing six brands as both TV sponsors and TV advertisers.

Findings

Ten seconds of TV sponsoring works almost equally as well as 30‐second spots across all measures and brands. While the outright performance differs by type of brand (i.e. high fit versus lower fit, known versus unknown), the relative performance between media does not vary.

Research limitations/implications

The stimuli only gave subjects a brief exposure to each medium. The six stimuli brands, four effect measures, and the Norwegian sample may also not be representative for all types of TV sponsoring/advertising contexts.

Practical implications

Marketing managers can use the results to better allocate their communication spending between TV spot advertising and TV sponsorships, by determining which medium offers better value in achieving communication goals.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, the comparison is the most realistic and controlled experiment in this area, with high levels of internal and external validity.
European football teams' CSR engagement impacts on customer‐based brand equity
Authors: Blumrodt Jens , Bryson Douglas , Flanagan John
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Brand management is a central issue for the sports industry in general, and professional football clubs (usually called soccer teams in the USA) are the archetypal branded sport in that industry; the brand is their most important asset. Match attendance equates with financial return; patently it is a preoccupation of senior management. Metrics of brand performance need be up to date, and include contemporary issues such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a reflection of consumer expectations. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology aims to evaluate consumers' perceptions and purchase behaviours. A sample survey of consumers' brand evaluations has been collected and factor and regression analyses have been employed.

Findings

Recent models based on Keller's conceptual approach have not emphasized the evolution of societal concerns. Brand management in the football industry has to change to meet customer expectations better.

Practical implications

This research demonstrates that professional football clubs may be different from other businesses. The research method used enables the evaluation of customer‐based brand equity. Findings suggest clubs' involvement in community activities influences brand image and customer behaviour. The sport entertainment industry requires a specific type of brand management and customer perceived ethicality has to be an integral part of the approach.

Originality/value

Brand theories tend to stem from marketing and they are inclined to emphasize the same kind of product‐oriented concerns. However, customers expect more than watching an exciting game in a pleasant environment; they are affected by clubs' community involvement which impacts on the affect towards the brand. This is demonstrated through purchase behaviours of spectators. This research determines and evaluates these issues for the cases of two professional football clubs.
Thirty years of information technology
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This issue of Library Hi Tech aims to offer a retrospective over the last 30 years of information technology as used in libraries and other memory institutions, particularly archives and museums. This Editorial will add the Editor's reflections.

Design/methodology/approach

The method uses historical documentation and relies heavily on personal recollection.

Findings

Thirty years ago information technology in libraries largely had to do with ways in which libraries could make their ordinary operations more efficient. Today the information science frontier has broken out of the comfortable institutional paradigm of the past and made libraries aware that they need to redefine themselves in a world where their buildings no longer represent a storehouse of knowledge unavailable elsewhere.

Originality/value

This paper reveals that information technology advances have not made libraries obsolete, but they have made it imperative that libraries redefine their role to be digital information managers and service providers for their readers.
The first 30 years of the internet through the lens of an academic library
Authors: Sandore Namachchivaya Beth
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the internet both precipitated and facilitated significant shifts for academic libraries in the kinds of services they provide, and the ways in which they provide access to content. It aims to view this evolution from the perspective of one academic library in an institution that has been at the center of internet and technology development worldwide for over 30 years, the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign.

Design/methodology/approach

The first 30 years of the internet in libraries are explored in decade time segments. Each of the three decades is characterized by significant and unique internet developments. Key internet‐based innovations in libraries are explored, in the areas of service, digital libraries, search and discovery. The reasons for the relative impact of these innovations are explored and discussed.

Findings

The internet is both foundation and incubator for myriad new social, technical, organizational and legal constructs, including policy and best practices, governance, intellectual property, whole new categories of services, industries, and areas of research. Since diverse stakeholders can participate with little or no investment, the pace of growth and innovation is unpredictable. This pace is sustained over time, occurring on multiple levels. For this reason, the internet does not “grow” simply in one direction, such as exponential user growth, or the systematic installation of infrastructure. In the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, the internet has fundamentally altered, and continues to enable significant shifts in the direction of the library's programs, services and resources.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a group of invited papers that addresses the first 30 years of the internet in libraries.
The paradox of our age
Authors: McLeod Julie
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This editorial briefly aims to consider the implications of the words of the poem The Paradox of our Age attributed to HH The 14th Dalai Lama and a former pastor in the USA for information and records managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a viewpoint based on a personal reflection of the powerful image and clear message conveyed in the words of this poem about what people have and do, what they have lost and do not do.

Findings

For those in education the words “we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement” question whether academics and teachers, developing and discovering new knowledge are sharing it but not enabling and encouraging others to make best use of it to make appropriate judgements. For those working in information sciences the words “we build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication” echo the information overload syndrome but question if, with all the present technology, people – academics and teachers – communicate appropriately?

Originality/value

The editorial highlights the “paradox of our [information] age” captured in the 117 words of a poem from religious figures. Its value is in making academics and teachers stop and think, reflect on how well they are succeeding as information managers, records managers and archivists, in capturing, organizing, preserving or destroying the increasing quantities of information and copies in digital form. Are they supporting the appropriate communication and use of information to make decisions or judgements?
Sustainability strategies in an EPQ model with price‐ and quality‐sensitive demand
Authors: Glock Christoph H. , Jaber Mohamad Y. , Searcy Cory
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a mathematical model that illustrates the trade‐offs between sustainability, demand, costs, and profit in a supply chain with a single supplier and a single manufacturer.

Design/methodology/approach

It is assumed that a single product is produced and sold on a market where demand is sensitive to price and quality. Sustainability is treated as a quality attribute and is measured in terms of the levels of scrap and emissions generated in the supply chain. It is assumed that the emissions and scrap can be controlled by varying production rates or by investing in production processes. The impact of cooperative and non‐cooperative behaviour between the supplier and the manufacturer is explored. Numerical studies are used to illustrate the behaviour of the model.

Findings

The analysis shows that the supplier and the manufacturer can attract additional customers by controlling scrap and emissions. The behaviour of the supplier and the manufacturer are dictated by the decision criteria, such as changes in the level of sustainability, used by customers to evaluate the product. It is shown that the profit of the system is higher and that the level of quality is lower in the case of cooperation than in the case of non‐cooperation.

Research limitations/implications

Several areas for future work are highlighted. The study of alternative demand functions, linking sustainability to a monetary component, including additional players, and incorporating additional sustainability indicators all offer possibilities for extending the model.

Originality/value

There is an identified need for analytical models that consider sustainability in the supply chain. The results are especially important for companies operating in markets where customers perceive the sustainability of a product as a quality criterion.
Operational routines and supply chain competencies of Chinese logistics service providers
Authors: Ding Ming J. , Kam Booi H. , Lalwani Chandra S.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Though resource based view (RBV) has been applied extensively in supply chain studies to examine how firms utilize logistics resources to attain superior performance, relatively little attention has been directed to exploring the effects of operational routines on logistics and supply chain (L&SC) competencies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the causal linkages between operational routines and L&SC competencies of Chinese logistics service providers (LSPs).

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model on the relationships between operational routines and L&SC competencies was developed based on RBV. In total, 76 valid responses from a survey of Chinese LSPs provided the empirical data for the testing of the formulated hypotheses. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to develop the constructs for the model and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Not all operational routines were drivers of L&SC competencies in the Chinese logistics market. Processes for increasing responsiveness are most important in contributing to building positioning, distribution support and agility competencies. Processes for increasing flexibility are only effective in developing positioning competency, while performance benchmarking has little contribution to competency building in the Chinese market. ICT support strengthens the relationship between performance benchmarking and distribution support, but weakens that between processes for increasing flexibility and distribution support as well as that between processes for increasing responsiveness and agility.

Research limitations/implications

This study raises more questions than it attempts to answer, opening up a number of horizons for further research into the logistics market of China. Several follow‐up studies have been suggested, including a multiple case study on how Chinese LSPs contrive their operational routines to respond to the exigencies of market situations.

Practical implications

Findings from this study have significant managerial implications in resource investment and competency building to generate competitive advantage in the Chinese logistics market.

Originality/value

This research sheds new insights on the routine‐capability‐competency building chain in China's fragmentary logistics industry. It indicates that despite over three decades of economic reform, and ascension to the World Trade Organization, China remains a distinctively unique market environment with ingredients for operation success vastly different from those of the developed economies.
Retail service‐based operant resources and market performance
Authors: Skinner Beitelspacher Lauren , Tokman Mert , Adams Frank G. , Glenn Richey R.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The service‐dominant logic (SDL) concept is reshaping the view of business‐to‐business research and practice. Thus, understanding the role of knowledge‐based operant resources, a key component of the SDL paradigm, in the ability of supply chains to shape competitive advantage and performance outcomes is vital. Further, operant resources have a hierarchical structure, with differing effects in building value for a supply chain. This research seeks to explore the effects of different levels of hierarchical operant resources in a retail supply chain setting.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was collected from 300 retailing informants who deal with both key suppliers and customers. The data were examined using hierarchical regression to explore the influence of internal and external operant resources on market performance, subject to the moderating effects of top management support and relationship quality.

Findings

There is a positive relationship between internal and external operant resources with market performance outcomes, but those relationships are subject to support from top management toward retailing supply chain relational initiatives. Thus, intangible, dynamic, customer‐oriented resources play an important role in developing retail supply chains’ ability to achieve a market advantage.

Originality/value

This research addresses a need to explore the implications of SDL in a supply chain context by examining the implications of influences of retailer operant resources on the supplier. Further, this research explores the question of operant resources by analysing those resources at various levels within supply chain relationships.
Anbar Abstracts Issue
Authors: Sandelands Eric
Published: November 2012

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of Women in Management Review is split into five sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Leadership Styles and Personality; Recruitment and Career Management; Job Evaluation, Appraisal and Equal Pay; Dependant Care and Health/Family Issues; Discrimination and Equal Opportunities.
Productivity losses in smoking breaks on construction sites: a case study
Authors: Yung Ping , Agyekum‐Mensah George
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent of productivity losses in smoking breaks on construction sites.

Design/methodology/approach

The smoking behaviours of workers in a small/medium‐sized construction company were examined for a period of four months. Construction workers were targeted due to their higher prevalence in smoking. The exact time losses through smoking breaks were measured and calculated. The productivity losses were then evaluated and compared with the estimates of productivity losses and wage penalties found in the literature.

Findings

It is found that a smoker on average smokes 5.6 cigarettes, which takes a total of 73 minutes, representing 15.2 per cent of productivity loss in an eight‐hour shift. This productivity loss is much higher than productivity losses through increased sick leaves or the wage penalties for smokers found in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

Variations of smoking behaviours throughout the year have not been considered. The study has focused on a renovation and rehabilitation project, it has not considered the workers from other trades who might have different smoking behaviours.

Originality/value

This paper is a contribution to the limited literature on the productive time losses through smoking breaks. Most studies on productive time loss attributable to smoking focused on the additional sick leaves taken by the smokers, without realizing that productive time losses through smoking breaks far exceeds those additional sick leaves.
Computer use ethics among university students and staffs
Authors: Mohamed Norshidah , Shahriza Abdul Karim Nor , Hussein Ramlah
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which individual characteristics, which are gender, religious (Islamic) work value, and organization level (students and staff), are related to attitudes toward computer use ethics. This investigation is conducted in an academic setting in Malaysia, among those subscribing to the same religious value.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a cross‐sectional survey approach in an attempt to achieve the objective. A total of 550 responses were collected from academic staff and students in an institution of higher learning in Malaysia. Respondents were given several scenarios of ethical behavior to rate their attitudinal directions in computer work ethic. Their perceptions would indicate whether they are inclined towards ethical or unethical types of computer use behaviors based on the action in the scenarios.

Findings

The findings indicate that individual characteristics consisting of individuals’ value for Islamic work ethics and level in the organizational hierarchy are linked to attitudes toward ethical computer use. However, there was no support to suggest that attitudes toward ethical computer use are related to gender.

Research limitations/implications

This exploratory study may spark more investigation into the area of computer ethics, which is in need of more research. This study also contributes significantly in confirming findings in similar research on individual characteristics and ethics in computer use, and in providing a methodological approach for measuring the construct of ethical computer use attitude and personal ethical work values by using behavioral scenario measures.

Practical implications

This research should contribute significantly in the area of Business Ethics and Management Information Systems courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate business programs. The fact that individual characteristics contribute significantly in the ethical use of computers may lead to better insights into computer misuse and allow better preventive measures to be taken by organizations through Ethics and Management Information Systems curricula in business education.

Originality/value

The research provides a unique perspective of computer use ethics, which is not much covered in the literature. The measurement produced can be used as a research tool for more exploratory and explanatory research in computer use ethics, and as an evaluative tool for organizations in hiring the right personnel and providing training and motivation for more productive and ethical employees.
Technology and ethical/moral dilemmas of higher education in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Clark Lisa D.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to plan a relevant, professional development conference for the faculty of a small, private, suburban college in upstate, New York. The Provost and Senior Vice‐President led a college‐wide committee of faculty, administrators, and staff in a survey method to discover the priorities of the faculty, in further development of excellence in teaching and learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The committee designed 20 essential questions, and asked faculty to select three questions, in order of priority, to be used to guide the theme of the conference. Faculty members were also given the option to write their own question, if their choices were not reflected in the original list. Of the 207 full‐time faculty members, 155 responded to the survey within a two‐week period.

Findings

Of the 155 survey respondents, 22 selected question 11, “In what ways do we weigh the political, ethical and economic implications of technological platforms against their pedagogical potential, and how can we model these kinds of complex decisions for our students?”, as one of three choices.

Social implications

In this second decade of the twenty‐first century, there is a strong sense of urgency to examine and revise current public policy, so that society may connect with the realities of the present.

Originality/value

The paper addresses those needed changes in greater depth, and provides a framework for exploring issues of ethics, and the dilemmas faced by educators in the twenty‐first century, with regard to teaching and learning in higher education.
Measuring, archetyping and mining Olea europaea production data
Authors: Theodosiou Theodosios , Valsamidis Stavros , Hatziliadis Georgios , Nikolaidis Michael
Published: November 2012

Purpose

A huge amount of data are produced in the agriculture sector. Due to the huge number of these datasets it is necessary to use data analysis techniques in order to comprehend the data and extract useful information. The purpose of this paper is to measure, archetype and mine olea europaea production data.

Design/methodology/approach

This work applies three different data mining techniques to data about Olea europaea var. media oblonga from the island of Thassos, at the northern part of Greece. The data were from 1,063 farmers from three different municipalities of Thassos, namely Kallirachi, Limenaria and Prinos and concerned the year 2010. They were analysed using the classification algorithm OneR, the clustering algorithm k‐means and the association rule mining algorithm, Apriori from the WEKA data mining package. Also, new measures which quantify the performance of the productions of olives and oil are applied. Finally, archetypal analysis is applied in order to distinguish the most typical/stereotype farms for each region and describe their specific characteristics.

Findings

The results indicate that organic cultivation could improve the production of olives and olive oil. Furthermore, the climate differences among the three municipalities seems to be a factor involved in production efficacy.

Originality/value

It is the first time that data from the island of Thassos have been analysed systematically using a variety of data mining methods. Also, the measures proposed in the paper in order to analyse the data are new. Furthermore, archetypal analysis is proposed as a method to extract sterotypes/representative farms from the dataset.
Achieving at university and beyond: does it help to be good looking?
Authors: Zubcevic Nives , Mavondo Felix , Luxton Sandra
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between attitudes to academic achievement and post university success using perceptions of attractiveness, gender, ethnic identity, personality, and social acceptance as antecedents.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was completed by male (N=116) and female (N=126) university students from various cultural backgrounds. To evaluate the proposed relationships, multiple regression analysis was used.

Findings

The findings suggest that attractiveness is related to attitudes to academic achievement and success through its association with social appeal and acceptance. Ethnic identity is also related to both academic achievement and post university success. Personality is not positively related to academic achievement. Finally, social acceptance is positively related to academic achievement for males and to success for females.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst the survey targeted students from various cultural backgrounds studying in Australia, it did not look at university students from other countries. A cross‐cultural perspective could reveal further differences in attitudes.

Originality/value

This study links attractiveness and academic achievement theories. The findings have implications for tertiary institutions and suggest academics and policy‐makers to vigorously promote core personality and values such as intelligence, communication skills, and sincerity, rather than allow superficial values such as attractiveness to be placed at the centre stage of students' endeavour.
Will credit rating agency reforms be effective?
Authors: Boylan Scott J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential effectiveness of government reforms aimed at improving the accuracy of ratings issued by credit ratings agencies in US financial markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies unconscious bias as a source of inaccuracy in the credit ratings process. It examines prior behavioral research on unconscious bias, and uses this research to identify structural issues within the credit ratings industry that give rise to biased judgments. Finally, it examines whether government reforms will be effective in improving the accuracy of credit ratings, and offers additional reforms aimed at combating unconscious bias.

Findings

Recent government reforms will be most effective in curbing intentional decisions to compromise the ratings process. However, the reforms will be less effective at mitigating unconscious biases in judgments underlying credit ratings, because they do not adequately address relevant structural issues. To combat unconscious bias, changes need to be made to ratings agencies' fee structures, business models, and risk management functions.

Practical implications

The analysis is of use to regulators who are contemplating the need for reforms aimed at improving the accuracy of credit ratings. While focusing on events in the USA, the analysis is relevant to any country in which credit ratings are influential in financial markets.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the performance of credit ratings agencies through the lens of behavioral psychology, and to introduce the concept of unconscious bias as a determining factor in the accuracy of credit ratings.
Recruitment to personality disorder treatment trials
Authors: McMurran Mary , Delport Juan , Wood Katherine , Jenkins Serenna , Wall Mie , Day Florence
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Randomised controlled trial (RCT) methodology is viewed as the gold standard in evaluating the impact of interventions. Recruitment problems present one threat to the validity of RCTs, yet the barriers to recruitment are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to identify obstacles to recruitment in a personality disorder (PD) treatment trial, with a view to suggesting ways of overcoming these obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

A discussion group of 13 staff involved in the trial was held to identify barriers to recruitment. The information was subject to thematic analysis.

Findings

Eight themes were identified, and three overarching themes: reluctance to diagnose and preference for treating symptoms; increasing the burden and jeopardising other services; and lack of confidence in treatment and in treatment as usual.

Practical implications

Suggestions for minimising recruitment obstacles include careful site selection and protocol negotiation; education and training about PD; continued promotion of both research in general and the specific trial; and assurances about good research practice.

Originality/value

Recruitment is a common problem in RCTs, and the paper addresses this issue, not only in identifying obstacles to recruitment but also in offering suggestions to other trialists for minimising the obstacles.
The perceived value of networking through an EMBA: a study of Taiwanese women
Authors: Chen Aurora , Doherty Noeleen , Vinnicombe Susan
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the perceived value of an executive MBA (EMBA) to the development of knowing‐who competency for Taiwanese women managers.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research drew on in‐depth interviews with a sample of 18 female alumni across three business schools in Taiwan. Analysis, using NVivo 8.0, focused on individual perceptions of the development of knowing‐who, through networks.

Findings

Women emphasized the benefits of acquiring and developing networks from undertaking the EMBA. Cultural values impacted women's perceptions of networking.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory piece with limited generalisability, however, it indicates the perceived importance of networking to female EMBA students within the Asian context.

Originality/value

Findings extend previous research on the acquisition and development of networks through the EMBA experience. The salience of networking for women is established. The clarification of age or career stage in research on women's careers is needed.
Transformational leadership, work engagement, and occupational success
Authors: Vincent‐Höper Sylvie , Muser Clara , Janneck Monique
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of the present study is to give insights into the interplay between leadership, well‐being and occupational success by examining the indirect effect of transformational leadership on subjective occupational success mediated by work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A gender‐sensitive approach was applied in order to reveal possible differences in the relations and to deduce gender‐specific recommendations. Data were retrieved from 530 women and 602 men. The participants were questioned on their leader's behavior, their work engagement, and occupational success.

Findings

Results show significant positive relations between transformational leadership, work engagement, and subjective occupational success for men and women. Work engagement is found to partially mediate the relation between transformational leadership and subjective occupational success. A significantly higher mediation effect was found for women, although the mediation is present in both gender groups.

Practical implications

Both for men and women transformational leadership training, as well as interventions promoting work engagement, are promising approaches for the enhancement of occupational success.

Originality/value

The findings advance the understanding of how leaders enhance employees' occupational success and provide gender‐specific insights into the mediating mechanism of work engagement regarding this relation.
Cognitive and affective processes underlying career change
Authors: Muja Naser , Appelbaum Steven H.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Aligning social identity and career identity has become increasingly complex due to growth in the pursuit of meaningful careers that offer very long‐term personal satisfaction and stability. This paper aims to explore the complex cognitive and affective thought process involved in the conscious planning of voluntary career change.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of recent findings relevant to voluntary career change decisions was performed in order to develop a better understanding of psychological and sociological processes contributing to the pursuit of an MBA degree and subsequent employee mobility.

Findings

Complex rational and emotional thoughts contribute to the definition and pursuit of proximal and distal career goals which stimulate self‐efficacy drives as they are achieved.

Practical implications

Because realistic forecasting of very long‐term distal goals is extremely challenging, career seekers must carefully consider how proximal and distal goal pursuit, such as an MBA degree, contribute to personal identity. Goal pursuit merely for the sake of advancing self‐efficacy will likely prove insufficient to anchor individuals within a career and cement their identity.

Social implications

As part of their career change strategy, individuals frequently chose to enrol in an MBA program to rapidly develop competencies and experiment with new career options. Consequently, there is a growing disconnection between the career options offered by employers and the choices that employees are seeking.

Originality/value

The paper explores the psychological processes that contribute to the pursuit of “boundaryless” careers. Boundaryless career growth is attainable through improvements in communication that aid the definition of “reality”.
Regression modelling of risk impacts on construction cost flow forecast
Authors: Odeyinka Henry , Lowe John , Kaka Ammar
Published: November 2012

Purpose

Significant risk factors inherent in construction cost flow forecast were identified in this study. The aim of this paper is to develop regression models to assess the impacts of the identified risks on the baseline forecast at the in‐progress stage of construction.

Design/methodology/approach

Two stages were involved in data collection. The first was a structured questionnaire survey administered on 370 UK contractors to identify significant risk factors inherent in cost flow forecast. The second stage was the collection of forecast and actual cost flow data from 55 case study projects. Variations between these pair of data sets were measured at 30 per cent, 50 per cent, 70 per cent and 100 per cent completion periods. Respondents were then requested to score on a Likert type scale, the extent of occurrence of the significant risk factors in the case study projects. This pair of data sets were used in regression modelling.

Findings

Significant risk factors were identified from the questionnaire survey analysis as: changes to initial design, variation to works, production target slippage, delay in agreeing variation/dayworks and delay in settling claims among others. Using the identified significant risk factors and the periodic variability measurements, multiple linear regression models were developed. The models were promising in that they helped to establish the fact that the phenomenon under consideration could be modelled. They also provided some insights in explaining the observed variability between the baseline cost flow forecast and actual cost flow based on risk impacts.

Research limitations/implications

The developed models showed a promising level of accuracy but also indicated that the phenomenon under consideration is not strictly linear and may need to explore some other form of modelling.

Practical implications

The developed models provide invaluable information to the construction contractors regarding the likely impacts of significant risk variables on cost flow baseline forecast at different stages of construction so that a pro active risk response can be put in place.

Originality/value

This study makes an original contribution of providing a modelling insight into the phenomenon of how risks inherent in construction could impact the baseline cost flow forecast at different stages of construction. The information is invaluable in making pro active risk response.
The potential of artificial neural networks in mass appraisal: the case revisited
Authors: McCluskey William , Davis Peadar , Haran Martin , McCord Michael , McIlhatton David
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate the comparative performance of an artificial neural network (ANN) and several multiple regression techniques in terms of their predictive accuracy and capability of being used within the mass appraisal industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology first tested that the data set had neglected non‐linearity which suggested that a non‐linear modelling technique should be applied. Given the capability of ANNs to model non‐linear data, this technique was used along with an OLS regression model (baseline model) and two non‐linear multiple regression techniques. In addition, the models were evaluated in terms of predictive accuracy and their capability of use within the mass appraisal environment.

Findings

Previous studies which have compared the predictive performance of an ANN model against multiple regression techniques are inconclusive. Having superior predictive capability is important but equally important is whether the technique can be successfully employed for the mass appraisal of residential property. This research found that a non‐linear regression model had higher predictive accuracy than the ANN. Also the output of the ANN was not sufficiently transparent to provide an unambiguous appraisal model upon which predicted values could be defended against objections.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides an informative view as to the efficacy of ANN methodology within the real estate field. A number of issues have been raised on the applicability of ANN models within the mass appraisal environment.

Practical implications

This work demonstrates that ANNs whilst useful as a predictive tool have a limited practical role for the assessment of residential property values for property tax purposes.

Originality/value

The work has taken forward the debate on the usefulness of ANN techniques within the mass appraisal environment.
Knowledge management in SMEs: a literature review
Authors: Durst Susanne , Runar Edvardsson Ingi
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to review research on knowledge management in small and medium‐sized enterprises to identify gaps in the current body of knowledge, which justify future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consists of a systematic review of 36‐refereed empirical articles on knowledge management and small and medium‐sized enterprises.

Findings

The areas of knowledge management implementation, knowledge management perception, and knowledge transfer are relatively well researched topics; whereas those of knowledge identification, knowledge storage/retention and knowledge utilisation are poorly understood. Given the prevalence of small and medium‐sized enterprises there is a strong need for more research on this important topic. The future research directions proposed by the authors may help to develop a greater understanding of knowledge management in small and medium‐sized enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

By only using the ProQuest database this study may not have allowed a complete coverage of all empirical articles in the field of knowledge management in small and medium‐sized enterprises. Yet, it is believed that the findings provide a valuable understanding of the current situation in this research field. The study proposes a number of future research directions, which may stimulate more intensive research in this important field.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no systematic literature review on this topic has previously been published in academic journals.
Using storytelling to elicit tacit knowledge from SMEs
Authors: Whyte Grafton , Classen Selwyn
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This paper seeks to report on research investigating storytelling as a means of eliciting tacit knowledge from retiring subject matter experts (SMEs) within a large South African organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 64 stories were collected over a 12‐month period covering a varied range of technical disciplines and were analysed using grounded theory principles combined with expert reviews.

Findings

Despite the diverse nature of the stories they were able to be coded and categorised into 21 knowledge management constructs which were further refined by expert review down to 14 final constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the generalisability of the findings, which may be limited by the fact the study was conducted in one large South African organisation.

Practical implications

A common language is a key prerequisite for sharing knowledge. Every discipline within an organisation has its own language by which it communicates with insiders; this is particularly true of the ICT field. Through the common language of KM, tacit knowledge from SMEs can be elicited and classified for future access by people of all levels within the organisation.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge this is the first attempt at classifying organisational stories using a knowledge management (KM) frame. The work presented in this paper is a step towards a KM taxonomy of organisational stories.
Knowledge‐based perspectives of innovation and performance improvement in health care
Authors: Lerro Antonio
Published: November 2012

Purpose

This editorial of the special issue of Measuring Business Excellence is devoted to introduce and discuss a knowledge‐based perspective of innovation and performance improvement in health care (HC).

Design/methodology/approach

The approaches, evidences and insights discussed in this introduction are based on the discussion of the topics of the conference “International Forum on Knowledge Assets Dynamics” organised in June 2012 in Matera, Italy. After a brief analysis of the importance of the HC for research and practice related to the reform of HC sector that encompassed most OECD countries in the last 15 years and the diffusion of the new public management philosophy, the article presents a rationale explaining the roots and the meanings of a knowledge‐based perspective of innovation and performance improvement in HC. The model of the innovation cycle is introduced and discussed. Finally, the article provides an overview of the papers of the special issue.

Findings

At the conference, leading experts discussed the importance of identifying and managing new key‐value drivers in order to face emergent competitive scenarios, and research and management practices for addressing complexity, uncertainty and changes of today's business landscape. This article as well as all the contributions to the special issue provide useful implications both for research and practice. In particular they support the analysis about the resources, the assets, the processes, the factors and the contingency conditions playing a role in determining the improvement of the innovative capacity and consequently the global performance of the HC organisations.

Originality/value

This article – and the contributions to the special issue – deal with different aspects which are important in the discussion about how fostering innovation and performance improvement in HC organisations exploiting knowledge‐based factors. The articles also deal with the approaches, tools, methods and techniques that disentangle the mechanisms by which different knowledge‐based factors, separately or interdependently, contribute to improve HC organisations' innovation dynamics and organisational performance.
Managing the knowledge interdependence with electronic medical record
Authors: Reina Rocco , Cristofaro Concetta , Lacroce Assunta , Ventura Marzia
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The aim of the paper is the study of information systems as mechanisms to manage existing and widespread knowledge in health care organizations; this is a platform that supports the processes of communication and knowledge sharing. The paper seeks to focus on the electronic medical record (EMR) as a tool to manage the integration of knowledge and operational information among health care through the coordination of the interdependencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a methodology characterized by a mixed theoretical and analyzing the key documents on the context and literature on health information systems and an empirical part based on the use of semi‐structured interviews and questionnaires to the working group responsible for the project “medical records”.

Findings

The contributions of research can be found in the descriptive analysis obtained by the process of implementation of integrated medical records (IMRs) within the structures investigated. This can lead to highlight possible areas for improvement in the management of the construction and operation of the EMR.

Originality/value

The originality lies in the possibility of verifying the conditions of effective integration of knowledge to manage health problems, through the use of IMR as a mechanism for additional information. Possible value added is the description and encoding of knowledge available within the health departments.
A process‐based operational framework for sustainability reporting in SMEs
Authors: Arena Marika , Azzone Giovanni
Published: November 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in overcoming the difficulties they encounter in initiating sustainability reporting, proposing a “general” process for identifying a standard set of key sustainability indicators, that is specifically tailored on SMEs characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper moves from the analysis of the existing international frameworks for sustainability reporting, and it discusses the main motivations whereby they are hardly applicable for SMEs. Then, it proposes a theoretical approach, which derives the set of key sustainability indicators starting from GRI, but explicitly considering SMEs specificities.

Findings

The paper presents and discusses the application of the proposed approach to a network of Italian steel SMEs.

Practical implications

The approach proposed can support SMEs to face the problems they face in implementing sustainability reporting (resource and capability constraints and lack of operative instruments to support them), helping them to derive financial benefits arising from more sustainable choices.

Originality/value

Contrary to most existing international reporting guidance, this work does not seek to identify a set of general purpose key sustainability indicators (KSIs). Instead, the paper sets out a “general” process for obtaining a standard set of KSIs for use by any promoting organisation, whether a public administration seeking to reinforce sustainability strategies, or a trade association looking to support proactive SMEs.