bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies for sustaining the edge in offshore outsourcing of services: the case of India
Authors: Javalgi Rajshekhar (Raj) G. , Benoy Joseph W. , Granot Elad , Gross Andrew C. 
Published: August 2013

PurposeOffshore outsourcing offers competitive advantages when goods and services are produced economically and with acceptable or superior quality by suppliers located outside a firm's home country. The purpose of this paper is to focus on India as a destination for offshore outsourcing of services and the challenges it faces in maintaining its leadership in this area. The paper discusses the growth of services outsourcing and the economic and environmental forces that have contributed to the outsourcing of high‐end services, also known as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO).Design/methodology/approachThis article surveys the literature of offshore outsourcing and identifies strategic drivers and options that can help India to grow and consolidate its position as an exporter of services and build long‐term competitive advantages in its relationships with global partners. To understand why nations gain competitive advantage in certain industries, Porter's “diamond” model is utilized as a broad framework for examining policies and national strategies that can sustain India's competitive advantage in outsourcing of knowledge‐based services. The paper discusses India's current and prospective assets and liabilities that correspond to the model's four components.FindingsThe article discusses India's competitive edge as a leading supplier of knowledge‐based services and proposes a model for sustaining this edge. The model proposes key policy steps to move from the current position (e.g. supplier of business process outsourcing services) to a role of knowledge leader by providing advanced value added services to global clients. This model suggests ways in which a supplier nation can gain leverage in the value chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe article is conceptual, not empirical. Public and corporate policy implications are presented to strengthen India's competitive advantages in outsourced services.Practical implicationsThe article presents a strategic roadmap with policy implications that can help move India up the value chain from being primarily a destination for low‐end business process outsourcing (BPO) to that of a co‐equal, high value‐adding partner or principal who offers knowledge leadership in the design and delivery of services for global markets.Originality/valueThe article discusses a nation's technical strengths, as well as cultural and infrastructure weaknesses, that can contribute to volatility as a global outsourcing leader. The article also presents strategies that can reduce a nation's vulnerabilities to competitive actions.
Building an entrepreneurial network: the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs
Authors: Stephens Simon 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe importance of networks with respect to acquiring the resources needed for business creation is one of the main areas within entrepreneurship research. Although there is significant literature on the use of social capital and human capital by immigrant entrepreneurs, there is an absence of studies which report the impact of business networks. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study examining the process of business network development by immigrant entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachFor each of the 28 entrepreneurs, data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview. In completing the questionnaire, the entrepreneurs were asked to fill out a network audit, followed by a series of multiple‐choice questions. For the responses from the interviews, narrative structuring is used to create a coherent story of the entrepreneurs' experience of business networks.FindingsThis paper presents data characterizing the entrepreneurs, their experience in business networks, and enablers and disablers to the development of a business network.Practical implicationsThe outcome is multiple perspectives on the purpose, process, benefits and challenges of developing a business network, and the impact of participation in a formal business network.Originality/valueThe findings which emerge offer insights into the development of business networks by immigrant entrepreneurs.
The role of professional communities in governing patient safety
Authors: Turner Simon , Ramsay Angus , Fulop Naomi 
Published: August 2013

PurposeUsing the example of medication safety, this paper aims to explore the impact of three managerial interventions (adverse incident reporting, ward‐level support by pharmacists, and a medication safety subcommittee) on different professional communities situated in the English National Health Service (NHS).Design/methodology/approachSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with clinical and managerial staff from two English NHS acute trusts, supplemented with meeting observations and documentary analysis.FindingsAttitudes toward managerial intervention differ by professional community (between doctors, nurses and pharmacists) according to their existing norms of safety and perceptions of formal governance processes.Practical implicationsThe heterogeneity of social norms across different professional communities and medical specialties has implications for the design of organisational learning mechanisms in the field of patient safety.Originality/valueThe paper shows that theorisation of professional “resistance” to managerialism privileges the study of doctors' reactions to management with the consequent neglect of the perceptions of other professional communities.
Communities of practice and organizational learning: case study of a global IT solutions company
Authors: Pandey Satyendra C. , Dutta Andrew 
Published: August 2013

PurposeIn today's dynamic business environment knowledge is overturning the old rules of strategy and competition. In this context, communities of practice (CoPs) have recently found a distinct position as a learning and change tool. The aim of this paper is to understand the critical role that CoPs have been found to play in organizational learning and knowledge sharing.Design/methodology/approachThe study is built mainly around the “how” question related to organizational CoPs within a social context. It makes use of a case study approach to map and describe the relationships between CoPs and organizational learning and knowledge sharing in a midsized global IT solutions company.FindingsThe results show that CoPs could be significant for learning and sharing and gaining organizational competitive advantage. To achieve this, they require a supportive culture and management team.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the use of a single case study.Practical implicationsIt was found that businesses must guide and nurture CoPs thoroughly. If an organization ignores cultural support, CoPs will fail to promote organizational learning. Therefore, organizational culture plays a bridge role to connect CoPs and organizational learning.Originality/valueThe paper points to the need for starting and developing CoPs in a way that contributes to organizational learning. It adds empirical insight from an Indian point of view to the existing literature on CoPs and organizational learning.
Understanding sustainable development concept in Malaysia
Authors: Joseph Corina 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to explore the understanding of sustainable development and sustainability reporting concepts among Malaysian local authorities' personnel.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved interviews with 23 respondents from 16 selected councils in Malaysia. Interview results were analysed by using the interpretive textual analysis.FindingsThe meaning of the sustainable development concept is quite broad from the local authority's perspective in Malaysia. Local authorities' personnel view sustainable development as: societalist, ecologist and individualist. Only staff directly involved in the sustainable development activity implementation understood the meaning of the sustainable development concept. The respondents indicated the importance of educating people on the awareness of sustainable development in their understanding on this concept. Consistent with the western values, 13 councils (81 per cent) agreed with the definition by GRI.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is restricted to Malaysian local authorities and is descriptive in nature. The findings are limited to case studies in several states, thus generalizing the results is not possible at this stage.Practical implicationsThere is a deeper appreciation of where local authority personnel gain their understanding of sustainable development issues, and how they participate in the discourse around sustainable development.Originality/valueVery little research has been undertaken into how local authority personnel gain their knowledge, either about sustainable development and sustainability reporting or about their views on the subject. The research attempts to fill this gap and the way for similar work to be undertaken overseas. Accordingly, this paper calls for further discussion on local authorities' role in achieving sustainable development and on the public sector interpretation of sustainable development in general.
Uncertainties and presumptions about corruption
Authors: Dion Michel 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe paper aims to reveal some uncertain correlations and presumptions about corruption.Design/methodology/approachThe paper defines corruption as a social phenomenon. It presents two basic components of that phenomenon: unreasonable preferential treatment and abuse of power. The paper addresses the moral issue that is implied in any phenomenon of corruption. The author will use the Corruption Perception Index and the Bribe Payers Index of Transparency International as well as the International Country Risk Guide, in order to check to what extent some correlations or presumptions about corruption could be reliable, at least as hypotheses.FindingsUncertain correlations and presumptions about corruption actually create an effect of distorted interpretation. They could cause ideological biases that distort our perception of corruption in developing and developed countries.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not take into account the multiple expressions of gift‐giving practices around the world and the way such practices could be confused with corruption.Practical implicationsBeing aware of our “presumptions” about corruption will help us to choose relevant strategies to combat corrupt practices. This study has implications for business corporations, governments and IFIs. It reveals how the awareness of such uncertainties and presumptions about corruption is related to the CSR discourse.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper is to unveil some presumptions about corruption that have not been compared with the results obtained from the Corruption Perception Index, the Bribe Payers Index and the International Country Risk Guide.
An introspect into the Islamic roots of CSR in the Middle East: the case of Savola Group in Egypt
Authors: Darrag Menatallah , E‐Bassiouny Noha 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to look into Islamic CSR, a literature domain that is rarely researched. The article has three goals. First, it provides an overview of the varying conceptualizations and paradigms underpinning CSR. Second, it presents an analogy relating commonalities and deviations between Islam and some of the basic international CSR paradigms. Third, it proposes a novel model of Islamic CSR based on the Islamic legislation (shar'iah) and applies it to an MNC with explicit application of Islamic CSR.Design/methodology/approachA case study of an explicitly Islamic‐abiding corporation has been investigated to test for the applicability of the proposal model. Semi‐structured interviews have been employed with both the CSR and the HR Heads in Egypt. In addition, various corporate communications have been also utilized in this study.FindingsThe research reflects upon international paradigms of CSR versus the Islamic one, highlighting its origins and providing an analogy among both perspectives. Also, a new model is developed and further put into action by the case study employed. Further research is needed to assess further the generalizability of the proposed model, especially with companies operating in Muslim‐majority countries and, hence, with potential implicit application of Islamic CSR.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralization of the model cannot be generated at this stage of the model development. Further large‐scale empirical research is needed for further development of the proposed model.Practical implicationsThis research would prove useful for corporations operating in Muslim‐majority countries as well as for managers of companies interested in understanding the Islamic perspective on important contemporary world issues like CSR.Originality/valueThis article put forth a comprehensive Islamic CSR model based on the shari'ah while presenting the commonalities and differences between basic international CSR paradigms and the Islamic perspective on CSR.
Cu filling of TSV using various current forms for three‐dimensional packaging application
Authors: Roh Myong‐Hoon , Lee Jun‐Hyeong , Kim Wonjoong , Pil Jung Jea 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to overview the effect of electroplating current wave forms on Cu filling of through‐silicon‐vias (TSV) for three‐dimensional (3D) packaging.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a literature review.FindingsEffective TSV technology for 3D packaging involves various processes such as via formation, filling with conductive material, wafer thinning, and chip stacking. Among these processes, high‐speed via filling without defect is very important for applying the TSV process to industry with a lower production cost. In this paper, the effects of various current forms on Cu electroplating of TSV such as direct current (DC), pulse current (PC), pulse reverse current (PRC), and periodic pulse reverse current (PPR) are described in detail including recent studies.Originality/valueTSV is a core technology for high density 3D packaging. This paper overviews the recent studies of various current forms on Cu‐filling of TSV.
A study into the re‐processing of pure tin termination finishes into tin‐lead
Authors: Turner Ian C. , Dunn Barrie D. , Barnes Cathy 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a process (chemical stripping) that can be used to remove pure tin plating from component leads and propose this activity as a mitigation strategy for tin whisker risk reduction associated with spacecraft hardware. The problems associated with the nucleation and growth of tin whiskers are stated. Present contractual requirements, having the purpose of avoiding the selection of pure tin plating, are highlighted to those not familiar with spacecraft standards.Design/methodology/approachThe key issue here is that the process must remove pure tin from the entire length of terminations present on a wide range of component types. A resilient component can be dipped into liquid solder directly to the component's body in order to remove pure tin by alloying it with tin‐lead. However, delicate heat‐sensitive devices and those with glass‐to‐metal seals can suffer from the effect of thermal shock associated with immersion of their leads/terminations into molten solder. Solder dipping was performed on chemically stripped terminations but, in the specific case of the delicate components, the solder was prevented from wetting along the complete length of the exposed base metal or barrier layer metal. Any negative effect of the chemical stripping solution was assessed by inspection of each components' markings, their construction materials and, after tin‐dipping, a wide range of standard tests were performed on re‐processed devices in order to check that they had not degraded either physically or electrically.FindingsThe majority of components that were re‐processed by chemical stripping, and subsequently solder‐dipped, suffered no degradation from either of these processes. In order to avoid the removal of identification markings it was found that the bodies of certain components should not be completely immersed into the chemical stripping solution. Devices sensitive to heat or thermal shock could be stripped and their leads partially re‐tinned by immersion into liquid solder to a predetermined depth. A short length of exposed bare termination substrate adjacent to a seal is considered, for the purpose of this study, to be acceptable.Originality/valueThe European space industry has not previously utilized chemical stripping as a viable method for removing pure tin from components and other space hardware. The complete procedure for stripping and solder‐dipping will be of benefit to companies manufacturing products for industries that have exemption from the RoHS lead‐free directives.
SAC solder paste with carbon nanotubes. Part II: carbon nanotubes’ effect on solder joints’ mechanical properties and microstructure
Authors: Bukat Krystyna , Sitek Janusz , Koscielski Marek , Niedzwiedz Wojciech , Mlozniak Anna , Jakubowska Malgorzata 
Published: August 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to investigate the influence of carbon nanotube additions to solder paste on the solder joints mechanical strength and their microstructure. In our investigation, the basic solder paste contains 85 wt.% of the commercial Sn96.5Ag3Cu0.5 powder (with the particle sizes in the range of 20‐38 μm) and 15 wt.% of the self‐prepared middle activated rosin flux. To this paste we added the 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 wt.% of the self‐modified CNT by functionalized them by mineral acid and than esterificated by methanol (FCNTMet) or polyethylene glycol 400 (FCNTPG). After the pastes had stabilized, the reflow soldering process of “zero ohm” chip resistors on PCBs with Ni/Au and SAC (HASL) finishes was carried out and then shear strength of the solder joints was measured. The correlations between the mechanical strength of solder joins without and with the carbon nanotubes and their microstructure were analysed.Design/methodology/approachFor shear strength measurement of solder joints, the printed circuit boards with Ni/Au and SAC (HASL) finishes was applied. The SAC solder paste with different carbon nanotubes and the basic SAC solder paste as reference were used for this experiment. The automatic SMT line was applied for the paste screen printing; “zero ohms” chip resistors: 0201, 0402, 0603 and 0805 were placing on PWBs and then reflowing according to appropriate time – temperature profile. The shear strength of the solder joints was measured. For the solder joints microstructure analysis, the standard metallographic procedures were applied. Changes in the microstructure, the thickness of the intermetallic compounds and their chemical compositions were observed by means of the SEM equipped with EDS.FindingsAs the authors expected, the SAC solder paste with the carbon nanotubes addition improve the solder joints shear strength of the chip resistors mounted on PCBs with Ni/Au and SAC (HASL) finishes. The carbon nanotubes addition positive effects on IMCs thickness because of blocking their excessive growth.Research limitations/implicationsIt is suggested that further studies are necessary for the confirmation of the practical application, especially of the reliability properties of the solder joints obtained using solder paste with chosen carbon nanotubes.Practical implicationsTaking into account the shear strength data, the best results of the “nano” SAC solder pastes were obtained for the lowest addition of the carbon nanotubes modified by esterification process, especially by the methanol compared to the polyethylene glycol 400.Originality/valueThe obtained results made it possible to draw conclusions regarding the correlation between the output of the mechanical results and the amount of the added carbon nanotubes, and also the microstructure and thickness of the IMCs of the “nano” solder joints. It can be useful from practical point of view.
Improving the application of long‐term ecology in conservation and land management
Authors: Davies Althea L. , Colombo Sergio , Hanley Nick 
Published: August 2013

Summary

Significant effort is being made to develop more inclusive and systematic decision‐making frameworks in ecology, but these have yet to include palaeoecology. Doing so would address critical questions about long‐term ecological processes (spanning >50 years).

This paper outlines the main barriers to the integration of long‐term ecological data (LTE) into management. Using two UK upland case studies, it uses a choice experiment to assess the value placed on LTE by ecological researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Respondents were able to consider how selecting or excluding different sources of evidence might affect management decisions and their environmental outcomes.

The results suggest that LTE has the potential to become a valued part of the evidence base for guiding land‐management decisions.

Synthesis and applications. Placing more emphasis on site‐based approaches can help translate this potential into practice by demonstrating the practical benefits of using LTE. By working with managers to address site‐based issues, palaeoecology can provide additional insights into ecosystem dynamics and critical thresholds. Using LTE can also improve conservation effectiveness by ensuring that both rapid and lagged responses are anticipated and indicating the range of variability against which management responses can be evaluated.
The Efficacy of Shareholder Voting: Evidence from Equity Compensation Plans
Authors: ARMSTRONG CHRISTOPHER S. , GOW IAN D. , LARCKER DAVID F. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis study examines the effects of shareholder support for equity compensation plans on subsequent CEO compensation. Using cross‐sectional regression, instrumental variable, and regression discontinuity research designs, we find little evidence that either lower shareholder voting support for, or outright rejection of, proposed equity compensation plans leads to decreases in the level or composition of future CEO incentive compensation. We also find that, in cases where the equity compensation plan is rejected by shareholders, firms are more likely to propose, and shareholders are more likely to approve, a plan the following year. Our results suggest that shareholder votes for equity pay plans have little substantive impact on firms’ incentive compensation policies. Thus, recent regulatory efforts aimed at strengthening shareholder voting rights, particularly in the context of executive compensation, may have limited effect on firms’ compensation policies.