bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can schools be autonomous in a centralised educational system?
Authors: Agasisti Tommaso , Catalano Giuseppe , Sibiano Piergiacomo 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the difference between formal and real school autonomy in the Italian educational system. The Italian case is characterised by low levels of school autonomy. It is interesting to consider whether heterogeneity of patterns is possible in this context. A description of this heterogeneity is provided through archetypes.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is a qualitative survey conducted among school principals. A non‐standardised questionnaire was completed by 35 principals. The collected data were examined in accordance with the framework dimensions (different features of school autonomy) and three archetypes were identified.FindingsThe three archetypes of schools identified are: first, entrepreneurial (the strategies followed and the tools used are broader than those that the law prescribes); second, chaotic (different actors express their opinions but, ultimately, there is no shared decision at the school level); and third, bureaucratic (the school's principal thinks that nothing can be done without legal prescription).Originality/valueThrough a new case (the Italian educational system), this paper contributes to the stream of literature on the disconnect between formal and real school autonomy. This paper can help policy makers to improve understanding of the characteristics and internal heterogeneity of the educational system.
Mitigating risks in a shared service relationship: the case of a Malaysian bank
Authors: Amiruddin Rozita , Aman Aini , Sofiah  , Hamzah Noradiva , Maelah Ruhanita 
Published: March 2013

PurposeA shared service (SS) arrangement involves an intra‐firm interrelationship, since the SS centre (SSC), operated as an independent business unit, provides services to clients who are other independent business units in the same company group. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of risks and controls used in mitigating SS risks.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative approach using a case study of a SSC in a bank group in Malaysia. The risks and control framework developed by Das and Teng was used to analyse the appropriate control mechanisms for mitigating internal outsourcing risks, namely relational risk and performance risk.FindingsThe main relational risk identified is the possibility of opportunistic behaviour. However, this risk could be mitigated through social control especially when both parties share norms and values. Performance risks in SSC are mainly related to unsatisfactory services in terms of incomplete information, system errors and human mistakes. These risks could be mitigated using either behaviour control or output control. Behaviour control can be exercised through performance reporting, while output control can be achieved through key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLA).Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to a single case study of a SSC with a certain type of arrangement and discusses business process outsourcing (BPO) in general. Future research may examine cases with other SS arrangements, detailed examination of each BPO and incorporate multi‐perspective views from both SSC and their clients. Issues concerning changes in control in the evolving situation of SSC and bargaining power and trust in mitigating SSC risks are also worth exploring.Practical implicationsThe study's findings enable practitioners to draw insights to develop effective control strategies to mitigate risks in intra‐organizational relationships such as SSC.Originality/valueThe paper adds to our knowledge of control mechanisms for mitigating risks in the SS relationship, which is a relatively new concept in the literature.
Skills for the management of turnaround maintenance projects
Authors: Obiajunwa Christopher C. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify and establish management skills/knowledge required for the successful management of turnaround maintenance (TAM) projects.Design/methodology/approachA mixed‐method research approach was adopted for this study involving questionnaire survey and case studies of major continuous process plants in the UK. Data were collected through questionnaires from 160 process plants and the case studies of six process plants in the UK. These data were triangulated to improve on the findings.FindingsThe findings show that there are specific management skills very specific towards ensuring the successful management of TAM projects. The findings also show that TAM managers are mostly at present appointed without assessing them with any specific skills set.Practical implicationsThis study developed a set of management skills required for turnaround maintenance projects. These specific appropriate management skills established for TAM management should help to reduce mismatching of skills and the job. This is of paramount importance in the selection of the TAM manager to ensure the individual with the right skills is given the responsibility of managing the project.Originality/valueOperators of process plants and hence engineering facilities still appoint their TAM manager without reference to any skill set. Most of the time, maintenance managers or project managers are appointed to manage TAM without considering any set of requirements. This study which is the first of its kind in this area is a major contribution to the field.
Production and maintenance performance analysis: manual versus semi‐automatic LHDs
Authors: Gustafson Anna , Schunnesson Håkan , Galar Diego , Kumar Uday 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate and analyse the production and maintenance performance of a manual and a semi‐automatic load haul dump (LHD) machine to find similarities and differences.Design/methodology/approachReal time process‐, operational‐ and maintenance data, from an underground mine in Sweden, have been refined and aggregated into KPIs in order to make the comparison between the LHDs.FindingsThe main finding is the demonstration of how production and maintenance data can be improved through information fusion, showing some unexpected results for maintenance of automatic and semi‐automatic LHDs in the mining industry. It was found that up to one third of the manually entered workshop data are not consistent with the automatically recorded production times. It is found that there are similarities in utilization and filling rate but differences in produced tonnes/machine hour between the two machines.Originality/valueThe originality in this paper is the information fusion between automatically produced production data and maintenance data which increases the accuracy of reliability analysis data. Combining the production indicator and the maintenance indicator gives a common tool to the production and maintenance departments. This paper shows the difference in both maintenance and production performance between a manual and semi‐automatic LHD.
Primary factors influencing bid mark‐up size decisions of general contractors in Kuwait
Authors: Jarkas Abdulaziz M. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeSince the construction industry in the State of Kuwait is further governed by a competitive environment, which is driven by the lowest cost mentality, the aim of this study is to identify and rank the relative importance of factors perceived to influence bid mark‐up size decisions among local general contractors bidding on construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThe effects of 40 identified factors, which were shortlisted based on previous relevant investigations and the input of local industry experts, were surveyed by a statistically representative sample of contractors. Using the “relative importance index” technique, the influence ranks of the factors explored were established.FindingsThe results reveal the following as the primary factors affecting general contractors' bid mark‐up size decisions: employer type and identity; project size; clarity of technical specifications; previous experience with employer; number and identity of competitors; previous experience in similar projects; design complexity level; current work load; design quality level; and tendering duration.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the outputs contribute to the overall body of knowledge related to bidding in the construction industry, it is further recommended to determine the relationship between the factors explored, especially those perceived as most significant, and their tangible effects on contractors' mark‐up decisions.Practical implicationsThe outcomes: demonstrate the importance of the “constructability” concept to construction costs; and assert that the conception of exerting pressure on designers to cut down design durations and fees, and further shortening tenders' durations to speed up the projects' development process, is “false economy”.Originality/valueThe findings fill a gap in knowledge of the factors affecting contractors' bid mark‐up decisions, which can be used to provide academics, employers, industry practitioners, and policy makers, direction for focusing, acting upon and controlling the primary factors perceived to impact the competitiveness level of the State's construction industry.
Managing knowledge for a successful competence exploration
Authors: Ahmed Dine Rabeh Hammady , Jimenéz‐Jimenéz Daniel , Martínez‐Costa Micaela 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis paper seeks to assess the importance of absorptive capacity and organizational memory in the process of internal exploitation for a higher organizational performance, and to develop an empirical framework to explain the effect of a firm's memory and its absorptive capacity on exploitation of internal resources and capabilities to generate incremental innovations and thereby improve firm performance.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was used to check the research hypotheses with a sample of 249 Spanish industrial companies.FindingsThe results show that organizational absorptive capacity and the firm's old knowledge positively affect exploitation of existing opportunities. In relation to the interaction between internal exploitation and firm performance, the results show a positive and significant effect. Finally, support was found for the hypothesis that there is a mediator effect of incremental innovation on the relationship between exploitation and organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsSelf‐reporting by the CEOs may be the most significant limitation since a single key informant provided the data; multiple informants would enhance the validity of the research findings. A second limitation is the cross‐sectional design of the research that does not allow observation of the short‐ and long‐term impact of the relationships among the variables; future research should use longitudinal studies. The study was also conducted in a specific national context with manufacturing firms.Practical implicationsCompetence exploitation has been argued to be less costly, highly rewarding and less risky that other orientations such as competence exploration. One of the main implications for managers is to assume that both absorptive capacity and organizational memory should be considered in parallel when conducting competence exploitation. The analysis sheds new light on the importance of incremental innovation in the process of enhancing performance.Originality/valueThis paper studies some insufficiently investigated relationships concerning important managerial factors. It also presents a new model attempting to participate in the scientific debate about crucial issues such as the factors that can affect performance generation within the company.
Engaging environments: tacit knowledge sharing on the shop floor
Authors: Nakano Davi , Muniz Jorge , Dias Batista Edgard 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify factors that facilitate tacit knowledge sharing in unstructured work environments, such as those found in automated production lines.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a qualitative approach, and it draws data from a four‐month field study at a blown‐molded glass factory. Data collection techniques included interviews, informal conversations and on‐site observations, and data were interpreted using content analysis.FindingsThe results indicated that sharing of tacit knowledge is facilitated by an engaging environment. An engaging environment is supported by shared language and knowledge, which are developed through intense communication and a strong sense of collegiality and a social climate that is dominated by openness and trust. Other factors that contribute to the creation of an engaging environment include managerial efforts to provide appropriate work conditions and to communicate company goals, and HRM practices such as the provision of formal training, on‐the‐job training and incentives.Practical implicationsThis paper clarifies the scope of managerial actions that impact knowledge creation and sharing among blue‐collar workers.Originality/valueDespite the acknowledgement of the importance of blue‐collar workers' knowledge, both the knowledge management and operations management literatures have devoted limited attention to it. Studies related to knowledge management in unstructured working environments are also not abundant.
A critical review of supply chain management frameworks: proposed framework
Authors: Soni Gunjan , Kodali Rambabu 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe literature of supply chain management (SCM) is burgeoning with frameworks but there has been no attempt in extant literature to highlight the inconsistencies present in existing SCM frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to identify these inconsistencies by critically reviewing 57 SCM framework articles. Based on the results of reviewing these articles, an attempt is made to propose a framework that possibly suggests a way to achieve coherency in use of SCM frameworks, and hence help researchers in reducing the inconsistencies that may occur in future frameworks.Design/methodology/approachReview of frameworks is based on certain criteria such as novelty of frameworks, participation of practitioners and consultants in making academic frameworks, verification of frameworks, modes of verification and degree of standardization of SCM elements (or constructs).FindingsThe analysis of selected frameworks reveals major inconsistencies, such as negligence of researchers towards adapting existing frameworks, lack of significant participation of practitioners/consultants in development of SCM frameworks and highly incoherent use of elements (or constructs) in development of SCM frameworks. The findings of this paper also establish that further research in SCM should be directed towards finding a “unified theory of SCM” which must lead to a set of coherent elements (or constructs).Originality/valueThe framework articles are selected from a large population of 1,807 articles. These frameworks are critically reviewed in this paper and a debate is initiated on what is a framework and what constitutes a framework in SCM.
Exploring the ambiguity: what faculty leaders really think of sustainability in higher education
Authors: Wright Tarah , Horst Naomi 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how a cohort of university faculty leaders in Canadian universities conceptualize sustainable development, sustainable universities, the role universities play in achieving a sustainable future, key issues facing the university, and the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on campus.Design/methodology/approachResearch was collected through in‐depth interviews with university faculty leaders from university members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Interviews included both closed and open‐ended questions and two checklists focused on sustainable development and sustainable universities. Interview transcripts are analyzed through the identification of respondent themes and using N'Vivo software.FindingsThe majority of participants demonstrated they had previously given thought to their own understanding of sustainable development, but less had thought about the term sustainable university. The majority of participants would like to see their institutions incorporate sustainability in the avenues of education, research and daily operations. Participants agreed that the most obvious barriers to sustainability were financial and that leadership, incentive and demand are required to move forward with improving sustainability at universities.Originality/valueThere are few studies that explore the conceptualizations of sustainability, what constitutes a “sustainable university” and what role universities should play in achieving sustainability held by major stakeholders, including faculty leaders. Higher education scholars share a reasonably common understanding of these concepts, but if universities are accountable for creating a sustainable future, all university stakeholders too must share a common understanding. This paper attempts to make a contribution to this significant gap in the literature.
Order imbalance and returns: evidence from India
Authors: Rastogi Nikhil , Reddy V.N. , Kotha Kiran Kumar 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the empirical relationship between order imbalance and returns in the backdrop of structural changes in the Indian market.Design/methodology/approachThe study makes use of hypothesis testing and dummy variable regression to investigate the relationship between order imbalance and returns during the period 1999‐2005, which saw definitive change in the structure of the Indian markets.FindingsOrder imbalance (buying or selling pressure) has significantly reduced post the structural reforms at the daily as well as intra‐day intervals across trade, as well as value measures of order imbalance. After controlling for the number of transactions, order imbalance and return correlations have fallen in the post‐2002 period as compared to the pre‐2002 period, at daily as well as intra‐day intervals. Further, after controlling for past high and low returns, order imbalance exhibits day of the week effect in the pre‐2002 period while no such effect is seen in the post‐2002 period.Originality/valueThe work brings out order imbalance and returns relationship for the Indian market, which has different structure from that of many developed, as well as developing, markets in the backdrop of changes in its own structure. This would provide a richer literature in the area of market structure and design.
Interpretative dimension of user‐driven service innovation
Authors: Pässilä Anne , Oikarinen Tuija , Parjanen Satu , Harmaakorpi Vesa 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore a possible way for service providers to learn from their customers' experiences and bridge gaps between their and their customers' perspectives. The research question is as follows: how can users' experiences be transformed through research‐based theatre, in particular Forum Theatre, into a utilizable format in the front‐end of interpretative, user‐driven service innovation in public health care organisations?Design/methodology/approachResearch‐based theatre (RBT) is introduced in the study as both an artistic intervention technique – aiming to develop public health care services – and as a qualitative research method for interpretative user‐driven innovation processes.FindingsThe study provides a path for the application of Forum Theatre in interpretative user‐driven innovation and highlights the role of “the Joker” as a host of the interpretation.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies could be based on international longitudinal participatory research and combine qualitative and quantitative research methods.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to the discussion on the potential of innovation triggered in practical contexts. The potential itself seems to be relatively widely understood, but practical measures to exploit it still seem to be missing to a great extent. This study provides an example of a Finnish application of RBT as it explores the role of Forum Theatre as a sensemaking process in a fuzzy front‐end of innovation.Originality/valueThe study improves the understanding of the implementation of artistic interventions within a user‐driven service innovation in public health care services.
Using interpretive structural modelling to identify and rank performance measures
Authors: Azevedo Susana , Carvalho Helena , Cruz‐Machado V. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to identify and rank a set of performance measures using the approach of interpretive structural modelling (ISM) to support the evaluation of automotive supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a framework to analyze the interactions among a suggested set of performance measures using the ISM approach. To identify the contextual relationships among the suggested measures, five experts from the automotive industry were consulted.FindingsUsing the ISM approach the performance measures were clustered according to their driving power and dependence power. Inventory level and lead time are the two performance measures at the bottom level of the hierarchy, implying higher driving power. Operational costs, business wastage, environmental costs, delivery time and customer satisfaction are identified as autonomous measures. This means that they are relatively disconnected from the other suggested performance measures. It is also observed that the cash‐to‐cash cycle is a weak driver but strongly dependent on the other performance measures.Practical implicationsThe proposed approach gives managers a better understanding of the performance measures that have most influence on others (driving performance measures) and those measures which are most influenced by others (dependent performance measures). This kind of information is strategic for managers who can use it to identify which performance measures they should concentrate on, and how they can manage the trade‐offs between measures.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the deployment of ISM as a management decision support tool in the identification and ranking of a set of performance measures to make part of a system for the measurement of supply chain performance.