bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Appointment system design with interruptions and physician lateness
Authors: Klassen Kenneth J. , Yoogalingam Reena 
Published: March 2013

PurposePhysician lateness and service interruptions are a significant problem in many health care environments but have received little attention in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to design appointment systems that reduce waiting times of the patient while maintaining utilization of the physician at a high level.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data from time studies and surveys of medical professionals from multiple outpatient clinics are used to motivate the study. Simulation optimization is used to simultaneously account for uncertainty and to determine (near) optimal scheduling solutions.FindingsAs lateness increases, it is shown that, in general, appointment slots should be shorter and pushed later in the session. Conversely, as interruptions rise, appointments in the middle of the session should be longer. These findings are fairly consistent over a variety of environmental conditions, including clinic sizes, service time variance, and costs of physician time compared to patients' time.Practical implicationsThis paper demonstrates that the dome/plateau‐dome scheduling patterns that have been found in prior studies work well under many of the new factors modeled here. This is encouraging because it suggests that a generalizable pattern is emerging in the literature for the range of environments studied in these papers and this research provides guidance as to how to adjust the pattern to account for the factors studied here. In addition, it is shown that some environments will perform better with a different pattern, which the authors denote a “descending step” pattern.Originality/valueThis paper differs from most prior studies in that the complexity of environmental variables and stochastic elements of the model are simultaneously accounted for by the simulation optimization algorithm. The (very few) prior papers that have used simulation optimization have not addressed the factors studied here.
Reliability in lean systems
Authors: Keyser Robert S. , Sawhney Rapinder S. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a contemporary reliability model for lean systems through the development of an innovative lean system reliability model (LSRM).Design/methodology/approachLSRM models the reliability of lean subsystems as a basis for determining the reliability of lean systems as a whole. Lean subsystems, in turn, consist of reliability measures for lean components. Once principal components analysis techniques are employed to determine critical subsystems, Monte Carlo simulations for lean components, subsystems, and the overall lean system are then compared with historical data to determine the adequacy of the LSRM model. If simulation results are accurate to within the researcher's objective of 2.5 per cent of historical data results, the LSRM model is determined to be a validated model.FindingsA literature search shows limited practical methodologies to assess the reliability of lean systems.Research limitations/implicationsReliability computations involve many tedious calculations and, hence, require reliability software.Originality/valueThis paper defines lean system reliability, develops a conceptual model to assess the reliability of lean systems, demonstrates how to decompose a lean system into subsystems and components, and compares simulation results versus actual results to validate the LSRM model.
Developing a Six Sigma framework: perspectives from financial service companies
Authors: Chakraborty Ayon , Leyer Michael 
Published: March 2013

PurposeSix Sigma is considered to be an important management philosophy to obtain satisfied customers, but financial service organisations have been slow to adopt Six Sigma issues so far. Despite the extensive effort that has been invested and benefits that can be obtained, the systematic implementation of Six Sigma in financial service organisations is limited. As a companywide implementation framework is missing so far, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a conceptual framework derived from literature and evaluated by experts, with a focus on financial services.FindingsThe results show that it is very important to link Six Sigma with the strategic as well as the operations level. Furthermore, although Six Sigma is a very important method for improving quality of processes, others such as Lean Management are also used. This requires a superior project portfolio management to coordinate resources and projects of Six Sigma with the other methods used.Research limitations/implicationsThe developed framework provides a new contribution to the theory of applying Six Sigma in financial service institutions.Practical implicationsBeside the theoretical contribution, the framework can be used by financial service companies to evaluate their Six Sigma activities. Thus, the framework grounded through literature and empirical data will be a useful guide for sustainable and successful implementation of a Six Sigma initiative in financial service organisations.Originality/valueThe paper contributes, by empirical research through expert interviews, to develop a Six Sigma implementation framework for financial institutions.
Do auditors perceive that there exists earnings management in goodwill accounting under IFRS?
Authors: Pajunen Kati , Saastamoinen Jani 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore auditors' perceptions of goodwill accounting under international financial reporting standards (IFRS). More specifically, the authors surveyed auditors to see if they believe that IFRS enables earnings management in goodwill accounting. Further the paper explores background factors behind opinions.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a survey of KHT certified Finnish auditors. The electronic questionnaire was sent to 523 KHT‐auditors. The authors received 123 responses yielding a response rate of 23.5 percent.FindingsThe survey indicates that there are two lines of thought regarding goodwill accounting under IFRS. According to the first line of thought, managers of listed Finnish companies behave opportunistically in goodwill write‐off decisions. The other line of thought suggests that there is a favorable attitude towards the IFRS procedures of goodwill accounting. Big Four auditors seem to favor goodwill accounting under IFRS.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conducted in Finland. Larger data collection would enhance the reliability of the results.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by providing the perspective of auditors on fair value and goodwill as very few studies have examined goodwill issues from this viewpoint.
A study of voluntary disclosure of listed Chinese firms – a stakeholder perspective
Authors: Qu Wen , Leung Philomena , Cooper Barry 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate stakeholder power changes and their impact on firms' disclosure decisions in the Chinese stock market. Using legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory, the paper identifies newly emerged stakeholder groups for listed Chinese firms during three distinguished periods of the development of the Chinese stock market.Design/methodology/approachPanel data analysis was undertaken over a period from 1995‐2006 with an aim to examine the influence of stakeholder power changes on voluntary disclosures made by 297 listed firms in their 12 years of annual reports. A voluntary disclosure checklist has been used for hand‐collecting data from annual reports.FindingsThe finding shows that different stakeholder groups exert different degrees of influence on firms' decision‐making in respect of information disclosure during different stages of the development of the Chinese stock market.Research limitations/implicationsThe impact of a stakeholder power changes on corporate disclosure has not been well addressed and how listed Chinese firms respond to these changes is still a significant gap in the Chinese corporate disclosure literature. In this study, the paper uses proxies to represent each stakeholder group, discuss power changes of each group and predict the impact of power changes on firms' voluntary disclosure.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the new content of the “social contract” between listed firms and Chinese society and identifies various stakeholder groups of listed Chinese firms in the context of a new “social contract”. The paper predicts that voluntary corporate disclosure is the result of stakeholder pressures and firms use voluntary disclosure as one of their strategies to manage the firm‐stakeholder relationship.
Influence of curcumin natural dye colorant with PMMA‐acrylic polyol blended polymer
Authors: Abidin Z.H.Z. , Naziron N.N. , Nasir K.M. , Rusli M.S. , Lee S.V. , Kufian M.Z. , Majid S.R. , Vengadaesvaran B. , Arof A.K. , Taha R.M. , Yahya R. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to investigate the influence of curcumin dye natural colorant on adhesion, mechanical, thermal and electrochemical properties of blend poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) – acrylic polyol.Design/methodology/approachExtracted curcumin yellow dye colorant from Curcuma Demostica was mixed with PMMA‐acrylic polyol blended polymer in the volume ratios of 9:1, 8:2 and 7:3. The mixtures were applied on pre‐treated cold‐roll mild steel panels. All of the paint coating samples were subjected to potential time measurement (PTM), rapid impact deformation, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), cross hatch and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests.FindingsThe addition of curcumin dye colorant was able to improve the adhesion, flexibilities and resistance against electrolytes penetration of the blended poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) – acrylic polyol polymer paint system. Cross hatch test studies showed that high amount of curcumin dye colorant (AP30 paint system) had the lowest peel‐off coating area from the substrate. The FTIR test had confirmed the high concentration of hydroxyl group in the AP30 sample. The hydroxyl group was able to promote hydrogen bonding between coating substrate interface. The AP30 sample had the highest coating flexibilities when tested with rapid impact test. This was due to the lowest glass transition value Tg which indicated lowest cross linking density in the coating molecules structure. In the PTM test, AP30 paint system had shown the highest rate electrolytes penetration within the AP sample.Research limitations/implicationsThe composition of curcumin dye colorant in the polymer blend is limited from 10 percent to 30 percent pigment volume concentration. Increasing the amount of lawsone pigment will result inhomogeneous mixtures.Originality/valueThe AP paint system is suitable for interior applications. This paint system has to be mixed with suitable additive materials to improve its performance for exterior purpose.
The characteristics of a coating system containing lawsone dye colorant and PMMA‐acrylic polyol blended resin
Authors: Abidin Z.H.Z. , Nasir K.M. , Jamari S.K.M. , Saidon N. , Lee S.V. , Halim N.A. , Yahya R. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to investigate the correlation characteristics in mechanical, thermal and optical properties of PMMA‐acrylic polyol polymer blends mixed with lawsone natural dye for coating paint application.Design/methodology/approachNatural brownish dye colorant was extracted from Lawsonia Inermis leaves used as a dye colorant in this paint coating system by using ethanol as the solvent. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), blended with acrylic polyol was used as the binder system. The ratio of PMMA to acrylic polyol was varied with PMMA dominance. The dye colorant was fixed at 10 wt percent.FindingsThe potential time measurement tests showed that the dye colorant paint system with 10 wt percent of acrylic polyol has the highest coating resistance against electrolyte penetration. The dye colorant paint system with 30 wt percent acrylic polyol performed better in mechanical tests such as cross‐hatch and impact resistance. The dye colorant paint system molecular crosslinks were analysed by using the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy.Research limitations/implicationsThe ratio of lawsone dye colorant in the polymer blends is found limited to 10 percent. Increasing in the percentage of lawsone dye colorant will cause inhomogeneity in coating paint sample.Originality/valueA new formulation of natural dye colorant paint system with 10 percent wt dye volume concentration of lawsone as pigment was obtained.
The effect of PMMA on physical properties of dammar for coating paint application
Authors: Nasir K.M. , Halim N.A. , Tajuddin H.A. , Arof A.K. , Abidin Z.H.Z. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe the preparation and characterisation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (Mw: 996,000) and dammar mixtures to obtain a new series of natural coating materials for application on mild steel substrates. Dammar is a natural resin extracted from Dipterocarpus Grandiflorus sp., or kruing trees, which grow mainly in the tropical Asia Pacific forest.Design/methodology/approachNatural dammar resin was mixed with PMMA at different weight percentages in xylene as a solvent and dammar as dominant component. The mixtures were applied on mild steel Q‐panels to form dry coating films. The coating films were investigated under Attenuated Total Reflection‐Fourier Transforms Infrared (ATR‐FTIR) technique to observe the presence of functional groups from PMMA and dammar. Resistivity of coating films against corrosive agents from electrolytes was measured by using potential time measurement (PTM) technique. ASTM D3359 (cross‐hatch) technique was used to measure the coating film adhesion strength on the substrate. The entire tests were conducted at 28°C.FindingsNatural dammar resins is potentially applicable for coating on cold rolled mild steel Q‐panel when mixed with PMMA. Blended dammar resin with PMMA in 5:5 ratio (coded as DP50) was found to give the highest energy of rapid impact indenter. Cross‐hatch test under ASTM D3359 revealed that 50 percent w/w of dammar in PMMA had increased the adhesion strength of the coating film where there was no coating area peeling off from the substrate after the test. DP50 also had the longest time to resist penetration of electrolytes through the coating film when immersed in salt water.Research limitations/implicationsDecreasing the amount of dammar lower than 50 percent weight ratio with PMMA will cause high viscosity and inhomogeneous mixtures.Originality/valueNatural dammar resin mixed with PMMA (behaviour naturally in free standing film) for coating paint application was formulated.
Characterisation of poly(vinyl alcohol) coating mixed with anthocyanin dye extracted from roselle flower with different nitrate salt
Authors: Lee S.V. , Halim N.A. , Arof A.K. , Abidin Z.H.Z. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a new water‐based coating system composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and anthocyanin colourant extracted from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and to characterise the system.Design/methodology/approachAnthocyanin from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) calyxes was extracted by using distilled water and filtered to remove insoluble particle. Salts introduced into the extract were 5wt percent calcium nitrate, 5wt percent magnesium nitrate, and 5wt percent zinc nitrate. The solution was mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) in ratio of 3:1. The mixtures were coated on glass substrate and allowed to cure for approximately one day. Colour of the extract systems was determined by CIELab colourimetry. FTIR spectroscopy was conducted on the samples to identify their functional groups and changes upon addition of salt. Thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to measure the glass transition temperature Tg of the samples. XRD was employed to determine the amorphous properties of the coating samples.FindingsFrom FTIR spectroscopy, shifting in the OH stretching and CH2 bending bands was attributed to hydrogen bonds formation between PVA and nitrate salt. Shifting in the main decomposition step in samples with addition of nitrate salts in TGA was due to interaction of PVA and nitrate. Increase in glass transition temperature of samples with salts was attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonding. From XRD study, increase in the amorphous properties was due to the incorporation of nitrate salts into PVA coating.Research limitations/implicationsLimitation of implementating poly(vinyl alcohol) as coating is caused by its weak water resistance and hydrophilic properties. This study could bring about research towards incorporation of different natural colourant with different binder materials to form coatings which are environmental‐friendly and low cost.Practical implicationsMixture of PVA and anthocyanin colourant from roselle for use as coating has been developed. The coating can find usage in various applications such as coloured coating for furniture and wooden materials for decorative purposes, biodegradable design materials for interior purposes. It can be practically applied on a variety of substrates such as glass and wood.Originality/valueDevelopment of water‐based coating from PVA binder with anthocyanin colourant is introduced in this study.
Corporate social responsibility, upward influence behavior, team processes and competitive intelligence
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe cumulative pool of data piling through the empirical expedition around hospitals in Vietnam provides the clue on whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences upward influence behavior, which in turn catalyzes team processes and competitive intelligence scanning. The aim of this paper is to journey through the review of the constructs of CSR, upward influence behavior, and team processes.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling (SEM) approach served as an analyst for 349 responses returned from self‐administered structured questionnaires despatched to 522 hospital members in the middle‐management position.FindingsA model of team processes and competitive intelligence evolved along the process of hypothesis testing. Ethical CSR was found to cultivate organizationally beneficial upward influence behavior in the healthcare service organizations.Originality/valueThe research findings provide the insight into the CSR‐based model of team processes which underscores the role of ethical CSR initiatives and organizationally beneficial upward influence tactics in the activation of competitive intelligence scanning deeds in hospitals in Vietnam business setting.
Starting new team operations: lessons from greenfield managers
Authors: Becker Wendy S. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeGreenfields are new plants, typically but not exclusively manufacturing, that belong to an existing organization; as such, they offer an organizational strategy for understanding knowledge transfer. Greenfields are important to understand because they offer advantages for expansion into new economic and labor markets. But the overall challenges starting up a new greenfield cannot be overlooked. The aim of this paper is to try to better understand how knowledge transfer occurs in these interesting team operations.Design/methodology/approachPlant and human resource managers representing 33 greenfield organizations from food and beverage, consumer products, heavy manufacturing, pharmaceutical and automotive industries were contacted. Managers discuss greenfield rationale, vision, work practices, and business characteristics. Both opportunities and risks are described, along with examples from the research literature.FindingsGreenfields can be successful as experiments in knowledge transfer but are unlikely by themselves to create large‐scale organizational change. Greenfields offer long‐term potential if team work practices and culture can be sustained and ultimately transferred to other parts of the organization, but this requires strong senior management support.Practical implicationsOpportunities and risks involved in greenfield start‐ups are discussed, along with practical examples from managers from diverse industries.Originality/valueThis paper helps to fill the gap between greenfield promise and reality.
Linking Six Sigma to business strategy: an empirical study in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Jung‐Lang 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Six Sigma and business strategy. The Six Sigma approach requires managers to examine processes from the customers' perspective, thus ensuring long‐term success.Design/methodology/approachThis study reviews the literature on the relationship between Six Sigma and business strategy, and examines how integrating business strategy with Six Sigma improvement action planning can produce competitive advantages. Moreover, a preliminary exploratory framework for linking Six Sigma to business strategy is presented, based on an empirical study of a Taiwan firm.FindingsSix Sigma implementations must be integrated with a company's business strategy. Six Sigma is a structured and disciplined way of solving critical business problems that cannot be addressed using other methods.Research limitations/implicationsThe linking of Six Sigma and business strategy framework is an advanced and coherent form of strategic thinking, which extends a strategic vision throughout all units of an organization and to meet core customer requirements.Originality/valueThe paper shows that, as a strategic‐oriented initiative, the context of Six Sigma activities must be adapted and modified to fit a firm's organizational strategy, Consequently, Six Sigma is central to the strategic drive of a company.
Trust among supply chain partners: a review
Authors: Tejpal Gaurav , Garg R.K. , Sachdeva Anish 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to develop a context‐dependent, multi‐perspective and multilevel concept called “trust” among supply chain members (SCM); second, to classify trust; third, to classify available literature and finally, to propose areas for future research. The field related to trust among supply chain partners has historically been collected through studies in micro‐ functional areas. While some effort towards producing a broader organizational perspective has been made, nonetheless, trust in SCM continues to be largely eclectic, with little consensus on its conceptualization and research methodological bases. This paper seeks to clarify aspects of this emerging perspective.Design/methodology/approachA total of 100 papers/articles were systematically perused and analyzed.FindingsA number of key findings emerged: the field is a relatively “new” one for supply chain management; several disciplines claim ownership of the field; consensus is lacking on the definition of the term; research on trust emphasizes to focus on characteristic trust and negligible attention is given to other forms of trust, such as, rational and institutional trust, and decision to trust‐required multiple judgments. Contextual focus is mostly on the buyer‐supplier trust development and the predominant key perspectives of trust in supply chain relationship are; characteristic trust, rational trust (cost and benefit, dynamic capabilities, technology) and institutional trust/security system; lack of theories related to economic aspect and competitive advantages of trust.Practical implicationsThis review paper has attempted to identify various conceptual and research methodological characteristics of trust. It has also developed a context to comprehend a multi perspective, multilevel concept called trust for the complex multi‐dimensional construct of supply chain partner's relationship.Originality/valueThis review may be one of the first to develop a context for multi‐perspective multilevel concept and trust among supply chain members.