bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Six Sigma's critical success factors and toolbox
Authors: Ismyrlis Vasileios , Moschidis Odysseas 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put forward and classify the critical success factors (CSF) of Six Sigma implementation, as well as the tools‐techniques that it utilizes in all the phases of the Define‐Measure‐Analyze‐Improve‐Control (DMAIC) structured methodology.Design/methodology/approachA literature review of Six Sigma's CSF has been realized and also an attempt to connect them with the enablers of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). A literature review of the tools and techniques utilized follows and a categorization of them according to the phase of the DMAIC.FindingsThe paper has collected a list of 32 CSF which were classified according to the five EFQM enablers, and the soft‐hard differentiation. A list of 39 tools/techniques used in the different phases of DMAIC and the ISO 13053‐1 suggestions has also been referred.Originality/valueThe final classifications of CSF and techniques of Six Sigma methodology could be a valuable tool for Six Sigma academics and professionals to understand and implement the methodology in the appropriate way.
Lean Six Sigma and digitize procurement
Authors: Nicoletti Bernardo 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the lean Six Sigma method can be applied to procurement, processes where there is an extensive use of information technology and communication (ICT) systems. The paper defines a method to streamline, digitize and reduce waste in procurement processes by using the “lean Six Sigma and digitize” methodology.Design/methodology/approachA framework was developed and applied to the procurement processes, based on the analysis of best practices and on several implementations.FindingsIt was found that the digitization of a procurement process which is not streamlined can generate problems. A process must be mapped to highlight waste and low quality. Only when the new process is improved, taking into account also that it will be possible to use ICT supports, can it be digitized. The new process will digitize only value‐added activities recognized by the users and by the organization.Practical implicationsThe paper should be of interest to the academic world, as well as to management working in all types of organizations.Originality/valueWithin the field of lean Six Sigma and information and telecommunication technology, there has been a continuous debate as to whether both approaches are complementary or contradictory. This paper fulfils an identified need to study the interactions between a modern example of information technology and its role within procurement, making a valid contribution within this field of research.
Evaluating the economic sustainability of sanitation logistics in Senegal
Authors: Green Jennifer L. , de Weck Olivier L. , Suarez Pablo 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis research was performed with the aim of determining if the emptying of latrines in a flood‐prone urban slum area would be a sustainable and profitable business for private‐sector service providers.Design/methodology/approachMonte‐Carlo analysis was used to evaluate the economic sustainability of a proposed public‐private waste transportation service. A GIS‐assisted route analysis was also performed, with participation by private and public sector stakeholders.FindingsThe analysis also showed that if a low‐cost subscription service is implemented in the area, the commercial service providers will operate at a loss in all cases, unless changes are made in the truck fuel efficiency, the operating hours of discharge sites, and the transportation network.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was based on service provider operations costs extrapolated from previous studies and updated through informal interviews. A thorough and transparent review of cost accounting procedures is necessary to validate the results.Practical implicationsThis study identified challenges and potential solutions which must be addressed by practitioners in order to ensure success of a subscription‐based service.Originality/valueThis study adds to the existing literature by demonstrating the applicability of an analytic modeling technique based on Monte‐Carlo simulation and provides an example of how academic research can be tightly coupled with practitioner needs in order to have a direct impact on operational humanitarian projects.
Services operations management and humanitarian logistics
Authors: Heaslip Graham 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the nature of service operations management and its application to the field of humanitarian logistics. The purpose of this paper is to assess developments in the humanitarian logistics (HUMLOG) literature over the last six years and to lay out some opportunities for the HUMLOG academic community in the area of services operations management.Design/methodology/approachA systematic, quantitative review, consistent with suggestions that the methodological rigor of reviews of the management literature should be strengthened, was undertaken.FindingsThe paper suggests that there is an opportunity for HUMLOG academics to engage in the service operations management arena and apply their knowledge and skills to answer fundamental questions in the areas of servitisation, service developments, service standardisation, and the role of humanitarian aid (HA) organisations as logistics service providers and to apply their expertise in business services.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis was limited to 15 peer‐reviewed journals with the word “humanitarian” and/or any of the phrases “disaster”, “humanitarian aid”, “humanitarian logistics”, “humanitarian operations” or “humanitarian supply chains”, in either their titles, abstracts or full texts. The results of this review and analysis, however, provide sufficient evidence to support the main arguments advanced in the paper.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the knowledge and applications of services operations management in HUMLOG research.
An epidemiological study of common drugs in the health supply chain
Authors: Mohanty Amarendranath , Chakravarty Nayan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe study aims to provide insights into the availability of common drugs with respect to disease load, regarding three common childhood diseases, acute respiratory infection (ARI), diarrhoea and malaria. The study flags an important issue regarding the level of expertise of the present system to address humanitarian logistics in case of emergency.Design/methodology/approachA mixed‐method approach using both qualitative and quantitative study techniques was used to collect data. Hospital level data were collected from randomly selected primary health centers and community health centers. a cohort of three community health centers and nine primary health centers were selected for the study. The data collected were both on disease load and availability of drugs during the study period (2009‐2012), using a retrospective cohort. Expert interviews were conducted of practising medical practitioners on classification of drugs into Vital, Essential and Desirable categories.FindingsResults show that the month of September represents the highest morbidity (case loads of all three diseases taken together). Acute respiratory infection is most prevalent among the three diseases, with total case loads of 1,539 cases during the month of September (during 2009‐2012). However the Vital and Essential drugs availability for acute respiratory infection was found to be 7 per cent, 57 per cent for malaria and 98 per cent for diarrhoea. Drug supply was not only inadequate but also uneven and erratic, having weak correlation with the pattern of disease morbidity.Research limitations/implicationsCases who attended the government‐owned health centres were only considered for the study and it did not consider those who were attended by private practitioners. The study did highlight the capability of the system to manage ongoing health supplies and the extent of vulnerability it can pose in case of any humanitarian crisis but the latter remains outside the scope of the present study.Originality/valueThe study adds to the existing body of literature by demonstrating the gap that exists in availability of drugs against requirement, for common childhood illness. The study provides health policy makers with a useful guide to establish drugs requirement based on disease load, which holds policy implications across other low and middle income countries as well.
An activity theory perspective on peer coaching
Authors: Lofthouse Rachel , Leat David 
Published: May 2013

PurposeCoaching in educational settings is an alluring concept, as it carries associations with life coaching and well being, sports coaching and achievement and improving educational attainment. Although there are examples of successful deployment in schools, there is also evidence that coaching often struggles to meet expectations. This article aims to use socio‐cultural theory to explore why coaching does NOT transplant readily to schools, particularly in England, where the object of coaching activity may be in contradiction to the object of dominant activity in schools – meeting examination targets.Design/methodology/approachThe article is a conceptual exploration of peer coaching through the lens of cultural historical activity theory, using an empirical base for exemplification.FindingsIt is argued that the results agenda, or performativity culture, in many schools is so strong that coaching is either introduced as part of the dominant discourse which meets resistance from staff, or where it develops in a more organic, “bottom up” approach, it may well clash with managerial cultures which demand accountability and surveillance, which does not sit well with trust‐based coaching partnerships.Research limitations/implicationsThe contradictions described in the article suggest that more research is needed to explore how skilled coaches manage some mediation between the meta‐discourse of managerialism and the meso‐ and micro‐discourses underpinning meaningful professional learning.Practical implicationsThe article provides encouragement for peer coaches who manage the boundary between trust‐based coaching and performativity agendas.Originality/valueThe application of cultural historical activity theory offers a powerful analytical tool for understanding the interaction of peer coaching with organisational cultures, particularly through their emphasis on different motives or objects for professional learning.
Literacy coach effectiveness: the need for measurement
Authors: Taylor Rosemarye T. , Zugelder Bryan S. , Bowman Patricia 
Published: May 2013

PurposeLiteracy coaches can play a valuable role in the improvement of student learning outcomes. The authors’ purpose is to describe their time use, student learning, and principals’ understanding leading to advocacy for development of literacy coach effectiveness measures.Design/methodology/approachBy analyzing four related studies, the authors use quantitative and qualitative methods to develop five themes and the need for measures of effectiveness. Areas of role and use of time, principals’ understanding, and need for empirical, rather than perceptual research are explored.FindingsFindings on the relationship of use of time and student reading outcomes, and perceptions of impediments and enhancements to impact on effectiveness are discussed and lead to the identification of the need for effectiveness measures.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include the singular US region where the four studies were conducted and the small samples. The four studies did not use precisely the same methods so this is an additional limitation. Further research in various regions and with larger samples are needed to draw definitive conclusions.Practical implicationsGreater understanding of the context of literacy coaches, including understanding by principals, may lead to measurement. This measurement will inform principals and school directors on literacy coaches’ roles which may increase fidelity of the implementation of the position with the original intent. There has not been an accountability system for literacy coaches related to improved student learning, making this concept important to professionalization of literacy coach position.Originality/valueGiven that available research on the value of literacy coach positions is perceptual, rather than based on student outcome data, the need for development of effectiveness measures may result in greater fidelity of implementation of the position. Resulting role clarification and the extent to which implementation of literacy coaches can be expected to improve student achievement is a contribution.
Development of the Reflexive Antiracism Scale – Indigenous
Authors: Paradies Yin , Franklin Hayley , Kowal Emma 
Published: May 2013

PurposeReflexive Antiracism is an approach to antiracism that seeks to avoid the limitations of essentialism and negative emotional reactions through a focus on racialisation (a concept that encompasses both racism and antiracism) as well as the formation and maintenance of racialised identities. This paper aims to outline the construction and validation of a scale to measure this novel theoretical construct: the Reflexive Antiracism Scale‐Indigenous (RAS‐I).Design/methodology/approachIn the context of a cultural training course focused on Indigenous peoples in Australia, 20 items to assess attitudes were developed along with four hypothetical scenarios designed to assess behavioural intentions in specific situations. The survey formed by these items and scenarios was piloted to assess test‐retest, concurrent and construct validity as well as item endorsement and internal reliability.FindingsFindings suggest that an 11‐item scale based on this survey forms a valid and reliable measure of Reflexive Antiracism. Further research and applications are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper will prompt further exploration of Reflexive Antiracism as a concept that can be applied in a range of settings where a more nuanced understanding and approach to antiracism may be of benefit. Being aware of their position within a society that is racialised will allow antiracists to be reflexive (and realistic) about their ability as individuals to achieve antiracist ideals while continuing to strive towards them.
Slights, snubs, and slurs: leader equity and microaggressions
Authors: Offermann Lynn R. , Basford Tessa E. , Graebner Raluca , Basu DeGraaf Sumona , Jaffer Salman 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe present study aims to apply the construct of microaggressions to organizational contexts by examining perceptions of discrimination in ambiguous interactions between White supervisors and Black subordinates and their impact on work outcomes under varying conditions of leader fairness.Design/methodology/approachUS participants (N=387) responded to scenarios describing supervisor‐subordinate interactions involving subtle to blatant discrimination, after being told either that the supervisor had a history of fair, equitable treatment of subordinates or that the supervisor had a history of unfairness and inequity.FindingsLeader equity impacted discrimination perceptions, affording leaders greater benefit of the doubt in ambiguous interracial interactions. For all levels of microaggression severity, microaggressions were perceived less when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fairness; expected work outcomes were also better when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fairness at all levels of microaggression severity.Research limitations/implicationsAs blatant discrimination grows more and more unacceptable, examining the subtle and sometimes unintended aspects of workplace discrimination is increasingly important. The authors’ results suggest that a leader's reputation for equity and fairness may mitigate the effects of racial slights.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of leader equity on microaggressions and the first to empirically explore the impact of microaggressions on work outcomes. Their results suggest the importance of establishing leader reputations of fairness and training staff to recognize even subtle forms of discrimination and exclusion.
Contextual emotional labor: an exploratory of Muslim female employees in Pakistan
Authors: Syed Jawad , Ali Faiza 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine contextual emotional labor, which is a long‐term emotional experience in response to conflicting demands of societal and organizational contexts.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on qualitative interviews with Muslim female employees in two textile firms in Lahore, Pakistan, the paper explores the nature and extent of contextual emotional labor associated with these women's decision to step into “the male domain”.FindingsThe study identifies contextual emotional labor as an integral part of Muslim female employees' work in the formal employment sector resulting from an ongoing tension between the display rules of the workplace and Islamic female modesty.Research limitations/implicationsScholars may wish to investigate the nature and form of contextual emotional labor in diverse geographic, cultural and religious contexts in order to refine the findings and theoretical implications of this study.Practical implicationsOrganizations may consider placing Muslim women in those roles in which there is lesser likelihood of conflict between their organizational and societal display rules, while not compromising their career. On a societal level, policy makers and religious scholars may consider findings ways to promote an enlightened interpretation of religious principles and their gender egalitarian practices to alleviate the contextual emotional labor experiences by female employees and other relevant groups.Originality/valueThe paper offers original empirical research on an under‐explored topic and geographical area.
The value of a floor: valuing floor level in high‐rise condominiums in San Diego
Authors: Conroy Stephen , Narwold Andrew , Sandy Jonathan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the effect of floor level on condominium prices in San Diego, California. The authors determine whether “higher‐floor premiums” exist in the condominium market for a large California city. Further, they investigate how the floor premium varies throughout a building, particularly whether it is quadratic and whether there is a “penthouse premium” for top‐floor units.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a data set of 2,395 condominium sales occurring in San Diego between 2006 and the second quarter of 2011. Using hedonic pricing analysis, the authors model the housing price as a function of condominium, building and neighborhood characteristics.FindingsThe results suggest that there is a higher‐floor premium for condominiums in San Diego. Specifically, an increase in the floor level is associated with about a 2.2 percent increase in sale price. The higher‐floor premium appears to be quadratic in price, suggesting that price increases at a decreasing rate above the mean floor level. The authors also find evidence for a penthouse premium, though this effect disappears once “floor” is controlled for in the model.Originality/valueThere has been little direct research on the floor effect in condominium prices. The studies that have used floor level as an explanatory variable have been predominately in Southeast Asia. The results suggest that the floor effect is more complex than previously modeled.
The informational value of Toxics Release Inventory performance
Authors: Connors Elizabeth , Johnston Holly H. , Gao Lucia S. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe study aims to evaluate the informational value to investors of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) as an external outcome measure of corporate environmental performance. Emphasis is placed on the market response differences between three highly polluting industries.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses pooled cross‐sectional, time‐series data and an event study methodology to examine the effects of TRI emissions on abnormal market returns.FindingsThere is empirical evidence that market reactions to TRI emissions information vary by industry. Investors reward decreases in emissions in the electric utility industry, but do not penalize increases. In the chemical industry, increases in emissions are penalized, but decreases are not rewarded. Models do not capture any reaction to emissions changes in the pulp and paper industry. These results may be explained by the significant difference between industries in the US percentage of total firm sales.Research limitations/implicationsThis research analyzes only data from US firms in three industries and evaluates a single measure of environmental performance, TRI. The value of TRI information is measured for one stakeholder group. Future research should attempt to address these limitations.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that research on the effects of environmental performance on market‐based measures should estimate models by industry, whenever possible. From a public policy perspective, the results suggest that regulators may want to consider alternative methods of reducing chemical emissions beyond TRI disclosure in the chemicals and pulp and paper industries.Originality/valueThe study distinguishes between the value of TRI as a “message service” and the content of the “message”. TRI may provide information of value to investors, but performance changes may not be sufficient to merit a price response. The study also specifically addresses industry differences and clearly shows how average coefficients can be misleading relating to this one environmental performance indicator. The use of pooled industry coefficients may lead to inefficient resource allocation decisions within industries and ineffective policies at the regulatory level.
Sustainability as service
Authors: Wolfson Adi , Tavor Dorith , Mark Shlomo 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe authors aim to describe the mutual perspectives of sustainability and service science and characterize them for the design and development of more sustainable services and to promote an overall shift toward sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a novel model for the design of services that fulfill customer demands and that can be continued for long periods of time without having a negative impact on either the natural or the social environment. Sustainability was therefore incorporated into the service supply chain not only as a primary value, but also as a super value that enables the customer to deliver sustainability to the next generation.FindingsThe authors' findings suggest that a sustainable service should both imbue the core‐value of the service with sustainability and recruit the customer as a supplier of sustainability to future generations. Thus, sustainable service should mimic natural processes, in so doing achieving energy efficiency, using future‐oriented and life cycle perspectives, and evolving to smoothly adapt to changes in its environment. Moreover, sustainable service should account for the rational use of natural resources, technologies, and information and knowledge and integrate environmental, social, and economic elements together with the inclusion of services and of manufacturing and agricultural processes.Originality/valueThe authors present a novel approach and a model that conceptualizes sustainability as a service while exploring the benefit of doing so, both for sustainability and for service science.