bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of environmental performance of cement plants
Authors: Ulubeyli Serdar 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to reveal the impact of five industry forces (IFs) on implementing input‐based competitive strategies (CSs) and to determine relationship of these CSs on cement plants' environmental performances (EPs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from cement manufacturers in Turkey. This study employed structural equation methodology to examine relationships between IFs, CSs, and EP.FindingsCement plants with the advantage of low buyer bargaining power, low threat of new entrants, and few rivalries exhibit strong energy and raw material strategies. Also, an advantage of low supplier bargaining power and low threat of substitutes causes competitive raw material strategy. Finally, competitive energy and raw material strategies enhance EP, while competitive human resource strategy has no influence on it.Research limitations/implicationsThe model should be tested on other organizations in supply chain. Future researches can also investigate the difference of findings to other industries and in other countries and examine reasons behind hypothesized relationships. Moreover, additional factors may be incorporated into the model. However, a larger participation could provide a different perspective of issues in consideration.Practical implicationsThis paper can serve as a valuable framework for top managers to draw the direction of their companies in terms of IFs, CSs, and EP. In this context, practitioners should focus on production inputs to withstand external environment and to experience better EP practices.Social implicationsA better EP can both enhance sustainability of the overall environment and affect society positively. For such benefits, sustainability of EP should be a subsequent step to be taken to possess long‐lasting societal advantages.Originality/valueThis study is first to propose a model that integrates competitive IFs and input‐based approaches to measure cement plants' EPs. These are relevant issues for competitiveness of cement manufacturers willing to increase their EPs.
TQM, innovation and the role of cultural change
Authors: Moreno‐Luzon Maria D. , Gil‐Marques Maria , Valls‐Pasola Jaume 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to better understand the influence of total quality management (TQM) practices on incremental and radical innovation, examining the role of diverse cultural change as a mediator, particularly in firms where ever‐increasing competitive pressure demands a combination of quality and innovation.Design/methodology/approachFrom previous research on the influence of TQM practices on innovation, the paper proposes a model which is tested through a survey carried out on a sample of 72 Spanish firms that have been drastically hit by competition from Asian companies, achieving a 51.42 percent valid return rate.FindingsNone of the sets of TQM practices directly affects radical innovation, while all of them have a significant and positive relationship with incremental innovation. However, when the paper introduces cultural change as a mediating factor, the model's goodness of fit improves substantially, and all the relations are significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe results reveal the power of cultural change to connect the diversity of the TQM practices and incremental and radical innovation. Further research is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the role of cultural change in these relationships and to test the model in a longitudinal study.Practical implicationsManagers can use the potential inherent in TQM to stimulate a paradoxical cultural context that favours innovation. This is especially relevant for enhancing radical innovation.Social implicationsGiven the extent to which TQM has been applied over the last 20 years, the social impact of this study is relevant, particularly in the current environment of economic crisis which calls for an increase in efficiency and innovation, adaptation and change.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a multidimensional analysis of TQM and a broad perspective of innovation. The paper also develops an original definition of cultural change made up of apparently contradicting values, including exploitation and exploration, and introduces it as a mediating variable in the TQM‐innovation model.
Managing strategy and production through hybrid simulation
Authors: Jovanoski Bojan , Nove Minovski Robert , Lichtenegger Gerald , Voessner Siegfried 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe new extremely demanding environment forces the enterprises to use more sophisticated tools/methodologies. Strategy alignment and modelling and simulation are some of those tools/methodologies that are growing in their complexity in order to respond to the new challenges. Applying the principles of strategy alignment to modelling and simulation leads to creation of vertical hybrid simulation models. This paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper shows the justification of building a hybrid simulation model for a complex scenario in a production example. In general, system dynamics (SD) is used for simulation of strategic issues and discrete event simulation (DES) is used for simulation on the operational level. Attempts to build holistic models only with SD or only with DES usually end in design of simplified models. This paper shows an approach how to combine SD with DES in order to get better models than using either modelling paradigms exclusively.FindingsThe results so far have shown that this approach is justified (meaning that it gives more accurate and reliable results with reasonable efforts) in even relatively simple cases.Practical implicationsThis kind of modelling and simulation can generally help the (industrial) engineers in optimization of different problems like optimization of the warehousing space, batches, manpower, etc. holistically and with higher accuracy.Originality/valueAlthough several researches on hybrid models have been reported (treating only very few industries), they very rarely tackle the justification of the implementation of such models. This paper justifies the hybrid approach through an example of optimization of the sales force in the pharmaceutical industry.
Supply chain tracking: aligning buyer and supplier incentives
Authors: Hinkka Ville , Främling Kary , Tätilä Jaakko 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to present how the success of inter‐organizational systems (IOS) implementation projects can be increased by aligning the different incentives of buyers and suppliers.Design/methodology/approachThe research method employed is case study and its unit of analysis is a network of supplier and wholesaler (buyer) companies acting in the Finnish technical trade industry, which are implementing inter‐organizational tracking. The implementation project followed an implementation process model developed to execute the case study.FindingsFor a buyer, the challenge in IOS implementation is that suppliers feel the adoption more difficult and have less identifiable benefits. However, in the case study, suppliers were ready to implement tracking solution because they understand that improvements in IOS help to apply common industry data exchange standards and will lead to better supply chain collaboration, which also increases their operational performance in the long run.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper concentrates on supplier and buyer incentives but also the role of other supply chain members such as logistics providers could be analyzed to examine different factors for IOS implementation.Practical implicationsIf the buyer takes a cooperative approach to IOS integration, suppliers can be motivated to integrate tracking as a part of their own operations. This high‐level integration offers more options to improve the management and hence the performance of the whole supply chain than low‐level integration.Originality/valueIOS implementation projects are seldom studied from the perspectives of buyers and suppliers in the supply chain.
Shaping the learning environment of first-year students
Authors: Agherdien Najma 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe the conceptualisation and implementation of learning communities (LCs) at two selected female residences. I argue that learning is mediated by collaborative, social interaction and that learning does not only happen in the classroom, but rather in the everyday living spaces. I therefore propose the implementation of LCs as another alternative to help students navigate the educational landscape.

Design/methodology/approach
– The author employed a qualitative case study design located in the socio-constructivist paradigm. Such a perspective values participants’ perspectives as knowledge is viewed as being constructed collaboratively. Thus, to evaluate the first implementation cycle at Residence X (in 2010), the author conducted semi-structured interviews to hear participant voices on what worked, what did not and what should be improved.

Findings
– The findings suggest that the engagement in LCs was valuable for learning since it could assist students to cope with university life. However, careful conceptualisation and implementation, and more specifically, a critical examination of the entire context is required. Students cannot operate in a system that is failing them. Enabling opportunities that will foster a safe space for collaborative engagement is desirable.

Research limitations/implications
– This study was conducted at two residences only and only a few students participated. A longitudinal study is required at residences as the formation of LCs is a process and does not happen over night.

Practical implications
– Third generation cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) can be used to guide a revision of the five-pillar model framework and study time implementation at residences.

Social implications
– An openness to change and seeing the context as a fluid space will aid a transformation agenda.

Originality/value
– This paper shows how complementary lenses – CHAT and communities of practice – allowed a critical examination of the entire context and further highlights the complexity of conceptualising and implementing LCs.
eTextbook access, usage, and beliefs: implications for adoption in higher education
Authors: deNoyelles Aimee , Seilhamer Ryan 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– Dynamic features of eTextbooks, such as taking interactive quizzes and sharing notes can make the practice of reading a textbook more supportive and engaging than before. While promising, challenges exist regarding the integration of eTextbooks in higher education, such as cost, usability, and lack of instructor development. There is a need for a more informed understanding of how instructors and learners are integrating eTextbooks to revolutionize learning spaces, in order to formulate next steps of action on a university level. While studies exist regarding universities with eTextbook initiatives, there is little empirical data concerning universities that offer eTextbooks without a focussed initiative. This paper aims to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this paper, the results of a university-wide student survey are shared, which provide insight into factors such as the selection and use of eTextbooks, access, and beliefs regarding eTextbook use and learning.

Findings
– Generally, we found that in a university setting without an eTextbook initiative, eTextbook use is relatively low and their features are not being effectively utilized by students or instructors. In any university that offers eTextbooks, instructor development is critical.

Originality/value
– Findings from this survey guide the instructional design of instructor development. The findings also identify pertinent issues that any university is likely to face when considering an eTextbook initiative, such as raising student awareness, working with publishers, and providing effective technical and pedagogical support.
Presumed cultural similarity paradox
Authors: Vromans Pauline , van Engen Marloes , Mol Stefan 
Published: September 2013

Purpose– To introduce the presumed cultural similarity paradox as a possible explanation for the findings that adjusting to a culturally similar country is just as difficult as adjusting to a culturally dissimilar country. We provide a conceptual framework, enabling further understanding and research into this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approach– Expatriates moving to a country that shares common characteristics may presume more cultural similarity and easier adjustment than is actually the case. During their stay abroad, expatriates may find that these expectations are not met. While the smaller cultural distance may facilitate adjustment, the undermet expectations inhibit adjustment and performance.Findings– A first preliminary test compared Dutch expatriates in Belgium (culturally similar) and in China (culturally dissimilar). The expectations of cultural similarity and adjustment difficulty of the expatriates in Belgium were significantly more undermet than those of the expatriates in China and this had a negative influence on affective adjustment. The larger cultural distance of China was negatively related to intercultural adjustment. Better adjustment, both affective and intercultural, led to better job performance.Research limitations/implications– Future research should try to replicate and extend our findings to other cultural contexts.Practical implications– Expatriates and their employers must consider and prepare for the increased chance of undermet expectations and the negative consequences this can have on adjustment and job performance, when moving to a culturally similar country.Social implications– Expatriates and their employers must consider and prepare for the increased chance of undermet expectations and the negative consequences this can have on adjustment and job performance, when moving to a culturally similar country.Originality/value– This paper conceptualizes and provide a theoretical framework that should allow future research to empirically test the psychological process that occurs in this paradox, accommodate the contrasting effects of cultural distance and met expectations of cultural similarity and investigate which characteristics of countries lead expatriates to presume more cultural similarity than is the case.
From e‐tourism to f‐tourism: emerging issues from negative tourists' online reviews
Authors: Pantano Eleonora , Di Pietro Loredana 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to advance their knowledge on the extent to which tourists use social networks for both achieving information on possible destinations and for expressing negative judgements, in order to figure out the main consequences for tourism marketers and possible solutions, as well as to describe and detail the current shifting from e‐tourism to f‐tourism (from tourism based on e‐channel to a new tourism based on Facebook).Design/methodology/approachA qualitative analysis was conducted in order to make the tourists' perspective emerge. The content analysis of respondents would figure out important data on the phenomenon for outlining possible organization practices for replying to negative tourists' reviews posted online.FindingsFindings show the still limited usage of social networks like Facebook as an informative channel, but a large usage of this medium as a direct complaining channel.Practical implicationsThis paper addresses some lines for supporting tourism managers to improve their usage of social networks in order to enhance their relationships with tourists.Originality/valueThe emergence of a new phenomenon involving tourism: the shifting from e‐tourism to f‐tourism.
Linking affective commitment to supervisor to work outcomes
Authors: Chughtai Aamir Ali 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between affective commitment to the supervisor and three work outcomes: innovative work behaviour and two types of learning behaviours, namely, feedback seeking for self‐improvement and error reporting. Additionally, it seeks to examine the mediating role of work engagement in these relationships.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 192 research scientists from six science research centres in Ireland completed self‐reported questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses.FindingsResults indicated that as hypothesised, work engagement fully mediated the link between affective commitment to the supervisor and the three employee outcomes included in this study.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross sectional design of this study does not permit causal inferences. Additionally, all data were self‐reported and therefore common method variance may be an issue. Despite these limitations, the results suggest that affective commitment to the supervisor is likely to enhance employees' work engagement, innovativeness and learning. These findings imply that building employees' commitment to their supervisors can be a potent strategy for increasing individual and organizational effectiveness.Originality/valueThis is the first study which has linked supervisory commitment to innovative work behaviour, feedback seeking and error reporting. Furthermore, it highlights one potential mechanism in the form of work engagement through which supervisory commitment relates to these work outcomes.
How top management team diversity fosters organizational ambidexterity
Authors: Li Ci‐Rong 
Published: September 2013

PurposePremised on the information‐processing perspective, this paper attempts to examine whether diverse top management team can simultaneously pursue contradictory innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a questionnaire survey and analysis of a sample of 113 firms in China.FindingsTeam heterogeneity has an ambiguous nature which may not only facilitate building paradoxical mental models or cognitive frames, but also harm the exchange of information and integration of differential knowledge within top management teams. Therefore, the paper argues that the most important issue in this research field is to address the dilemma and to find the governance mechanism to effectively manage the dual impact of team diversity on attaining organizational ambidexterity. The findings show that the social capital among top executives, including connectedness, trust and shared vision, can moderate the link between team diversity and organizational ambidexterity.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that building social capital among top executives may be a useful way or approach to information sharing and knowledge integrations within senior teams.
Modeling of daily REIT returns and volatility
Authors: Asteriou Dimitrios , Begiazi Kyriaki 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the US real estate investment trusts (REITs) for the 2000‐2012 period using GARCH models that include the day‐of‐the‐week effect and the stock‐market index as explanatory variables. This technique documents the return and volatility of equity, mortgage and hybrid REITs.Design/methodology/approachThe study starts with a CAPM model and continues with GARCH(1,1), TGARCH(1,1) and EGARCH(1,1) models for each of the REIT subcategories with and without the days of the week as dummy variables.FindingsThe results show that the best‐fitted model is EGARCH except the equity REIT series without the dummy variables that is better described with the GARCH. The stock market has a significant impact on REIT returns but no remarkable significance in respect of the day‐of‐the‐week effect.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that there is not a significant risk diversification potential between REITs and common stocks. In the scope of the credit crisis which originated in the real estate market it must be taken seriously into consideration that REITs, except of the equity REITs, are more sensitive to bad news.Originality/valueThis paper uses daily returns for each of the three main REIT subcategories opposed to the monthly that are commonly used. We point out the evidence of asymmetric responses, suggesting the leverage effect and differential financial risk depending on the direction of price change movements.
Migrating to e‐book: a study on perceived usefulness and ease of use
Authors: Letchumanan Malathi , Muniandy Balakrishnan 
Published: September 2013

PurposeIn this study the technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to investigate non‐users' acceptance of e‐books. This study evaluates the relationships between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, perceived usefulness and intention, and attitude and behavioral intention towards using e‐books.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized a quantitative approach where questionnaires were used to collect data from 119 undergraduates from the mathematics department of University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia.FindingsThe result shows that perceived ease of use is positively related to attitude. Perceived usefulness has a significant effect on attitude towards using e‐book. Perceived ease of use also has a significant effect on perceived usefulness. However, perceived usefulness has no significant effect on intention to use.Originality/valueThis study has provided some useful factors based on TAM model on non‐users' intention of using e‐book.
We are all aggregators (and publishers) now: how discovery tools empower libraries
Authors: Shapiro Steven David 
Published: September 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that the new generation of discovery technologies empower libraries to behave like “aggregators” and “publishers”. The paper summarizes Montclair State University's experience with the EDS discovery service and also includes examples from other institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the experiences of several institutions to show the value of discovery tools and other technologies like institutional repositories in enhancing the role of academic libraries in higher education. Statistics and surveys culled from a variety of sources are cited in support of this contention.FindingsMany institutions are successfully incorporating discovery and other technologies (i.e. institutional repositories) in repositioning and reinvigorating the academic library.Practical implicationsAcademic libraries willing to make the investment in these technologies can capture the interest of their faculty, staff, and students.Originality/valueThe paper provides an innovative perspective on the use of discovery and other complementary technologies that act in a synergistic way to strengthen the bond between libraries and their users.