bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colombian police under fire: image, corruption and controls
Authors: Carlos Ruiz Väsquez Juan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the extent and impact of corruption on public trust and on the stability of the Colombian police. The effectiveness of public controls, civilian oversight, and overseeing bodies is evaluated to determine the degree of impunity and the level of independence from other agencies of control.Design/methodology/approachThe research in this study is based on data analyses of surveys, interviews, and an observational approach. This paper considers four general surveys, namely:Latinobarómetro,Iberobarómetro, Global Corruption Barometer, Corruption Perception Indexes, and World Values Survey. The observation consisted of accompanying Bogotá police department teams for two months during the evenings between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. This study draws upon 20 interviews with police officers of all ranks. Additionally, an informal observation of police activities during the night was carried out to discover the occurrence of corruption, which was impossible to reveal by a more formal observation.FindingsAlthough corruption in the Colombian police force is presumably a generalized phenomenon, it is still one of the most appreciated agencies among Colombians. However, scandals have been cleverly mitigated by rhetoric and apparent purges and the setting‐up of inoffensive mechanisms of control. Internal inspection and civilian oversight have been weakened – rendered ineffective by an increasingly powerful police leadership.Research limitations/implicationsSince corruption is a concealed phenomenon, its analysis always causes problems. Police officers are reluctant to talk about the problem and there is an organizational denial of the phenomenon.Originality/valueThe paucity of academic research on police forces in Latin America is still apparent and the field of study lacks a real degree of specialization. Similarly, there has been no empirical examination of issues pertaining to the study of the modern Colombian force. This paper thus attempts to compensate for the lack of empirical research on the Colombian police. It contributes to the overall literature on police corruption by explaining the organizational features of bribing and police corruption on the beat.
A context‐based process semantic annotation model for a process model repository
Authors: Mturi Elias , Johannesson Paul 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a model for semantically annotating business process models stored in a repository. The purpose of the model is to facilitate the searching of process models, to support navigating the process model repository and to enhance the understandability of process models.Design/methodology/approachThe annotation model has been developed by following a design science research approach. By analysing existing works the authors have identified the requirements for such an annotation model. Following these requirements the authors have designed a context‐based process semantic annotation model. As a proof of concept, the annotation model has been implemented in a repository prototype and its applicability demonstrated. Finally, the annotation model has been evaluated in two controlled experimental studies.FindingsThe proposed annotation model can be used to positively affect searching, navigation and understandability of process models.Practical implicationsApplication of the annotation model and clearly defined concepts in the process model repository is expected to improve the process of finding relevant process models in the repository for reuse.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper is both theoretical and practical. It provides a clear‐cut context‐based process semantic annotation model that can be implemented easily in any process model repository.
BPR complementary competence: definition, model and measurement
Authors: Emerie Kassahun Asmare , Molla Alemayehu 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define the skills, systems, and technologies developed post‐business process reengineering (BPR), which the authors refer to as BPR Complementary Competences (BPRCC), and develop and validate a model to evaluate the BPRCC of public sector organizations in developing economies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper, drawing from the complementary competence perspective of the resource‐based view, defines the BPRCC as a higher order construct composed of the BPR complementary transformational competences (BPRCTC) and managerial competences (BPRCMC). Based on Lewis et al.'s methodology of instrument development, an instrument is developed using survey data of 209 public sector organizations.FindingsThe finding produces a 13 item measurement model. Further, it shows that the BPRCTC is composed of three competencies, namely, BPR‐IS alignment, continuous process improvement and integration and information system delivery competences.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers can use the model and instrument as part of a nomological‐net of factors to explain the impact of BPR on public sector organizational performance. BPR practitioners can also use the instrument to identify and nurture those competences that are critical to enhance BPR's value.Originality/valueThe development of the BPRCC model and its accompanying measurement instrument for the public sector context of a developing economy represents an original contribution.
An empirical analysis on Six Sigma implementation in service organisations
Authors: Chakraborty Ayon , Kay Chuan Tan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeSince its introduction by Motorola in the 1980s, Six Sigma and its philosophy have found widespread application in many manufacturing and service industries. It is felt that there is a need to take stock of the spread of Six Sigma implementation in service organisations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate five main themes which have emerged from literature and to draw on those themes to reflect on wider applicability of Six Sigma in services.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves two exploratory questionnaire surveys. The small‐scale survey is conducted in service organizations in Singapore. The large‐scale survey was web‐based and involved service organisations throughout the world. The objective is to explore and understand the issues highlighted by the service organisations during Six Sigma implementation.FindingsThe findings confirm the inclusion of critical success factors, critical‐to‐quality characteristics, and set of tools and techniques as observed from the literature. In the case of key performance indicators (KPIs), there are different interpretations about them in the literature and also by industry practitioners. Some literature explains KPIs as performance metrics whereas some feel they are key process input or output variables, which is similar to interpretations by practitioners of Six Sigma. The responses of “not relevant” and “unknown to us” as reasons for not implementing Six Sigma show the need for understanding specific requirements of service organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe limited responses from the authors' surveys restrict the possibility of generalising the findings. Therefore, more extensive survey is required. The three‐phase approach with mixed method used in the overall study has been shown to be useful.Originality/valueAlthough much theoretical description is available about Six Sigma, there has been limited rigorous academic research on it. This gap is far more pronounced about Six Sigma implementation in service organizations, where the theory is not yet mature. Identifying this need, the paper contributes, by empirical research through surveys, to understand the issues involving Six Sigma implementation in service organizations.
The rubber industry of Thailand: a review of past achievements and future prospects
Authors: Weerathamrongsak Pornthep , Wongsurawat Winai 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the recent developments in the natural rubber industry and identify the major factors that will likely determine the sustainability of Thailand's competitive advantage in this area.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through in depth interviews with industry experts both in the private and public sectors. The obtained information was then analyzed under the standard framework of national competitiveness widely referred to as the Diamond Model.FindingsThe recent success of the Thai rubber industry stems from the competitiveness of local firms in the upstream industry and the leadership of foreign firms in the downstream sector. To further strengthen competitiveness, a more concerted effort to encourage innovation and technology absorption by local downstream firms is required.Originality/valueThis research provides a comprehensive overview of one of Thailand's most significant agricultural exporting industries. It systematically analyzes the sector's strengths and weaknesses and offers recommendations for policy makers to manage future opportunities and threats.
The coaching experience of four novice principals
Authors: James‐Ward Cheryl 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis study followed four novice principals in two urban school districts through one or two years of their leadership coaching experience. The purpose of this study was to determine principals’ perceived benefits of the coaching experience, principals’ beliefs regarding the most beneficial attributes of a coach, and the match between these findings and the core leadership practices that most dramatically impact student achievement.Design/methodology/approachThis study followed four novice principals in two urban school districts through one or two years of their leadership coaching experience.FindingsPrincipals in this study appeared to have had a successful coaching experience in part because of: the coach's knowledge of curriculum, schools, and districts; the practicality of the experience; and the coach's ability to collaborate and shape the thinking of principals without being authoritative or intrusive. Principals experienced success on the job as identified by the student achievement on state tests and their advancement to district principal leadership roles.Originality/valueThe focus of the coaching in this study appeared to be centered on the core leadership practices noted to have the most impact on student achievement. The results revealed that the skills sets and knowledge of a coach are critical to the coaching experience. The general effects of a coaching focus on core leadership practices may also play a significant part in principal success; however, more research is needed to make a full determination.
Coaching and mentoring for self‐efficacious leadership in schools
Authors: Rhodes Christopher , Fletcher Sarah 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis article aims to propose a three‐stage framework for on‐going professional development of aspirant and incumbent heads that is designed to increase their own self‐efficacy. It is suggested that continuity and progression in self‐efficacy development can be addressed via processes pertaining to acculturation, assimilation and actualisation. The on‐going work of Fletcher augments this conceptual framework with a new approach to action research ensuring an evidence‐based foundation to the growth of self‐efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe article offers an analysis of existing research evidence in coaching, mentoring, talent management, leadership development and self‐efficacy to propose a framework useful in research and in the development of self‐efficacy that may help secure transition between the potential to lead and high performance in leadership incumbency in schools.FindingsThe article points to the importance of coaching and mentoring as potential scaffolds to create an appreciation of self‐efficacy's value at all stages of the headship journey. It is suggested that active development of individual's self‐efficacy through mentoring and coaching relationships may serve to ensure that the loss of human potential of those who could lead but never completed the journey is reduced.Research limitations/implicationsThe article identifies new questions pertaining to the practice of high quality coaching and mentoring in the journey to leadership in schools and raises further questions pertaining to the conceptualisation of learning relationships and the interactions and feelings involved in such learning relationships.Originality/valueThis article suggests a phased approach, an integrated vision of mentoring and coaching for headteacher development that can span their professional lifetime. This generative approach is what distinguishes the authors’ proposal from others. An emphasis is placed on self‐study integrated in an Appreciative Inquiry approach, however, the authors’ proposal goes further in that they have realised that aspirant headteachers should be taught how to undertake self study integrated with action research not only for their own benefit as they journey towards incumbency but also so that they can become coach and mentor for others; for their staff, pupils and other aspirant headteachers.
Fostering trust in mentoring relationships: an exploratory study
Authors: Leck Joanne , Orser Barbara 
Published: May 2013

PurposeMentoring has been identified as a key strategy to career development and has been argued to be indispensable for women to advance to positions of power. For mentoring to succeed, it is imperative that mentors trust their protégés. However, recent research has suggested that male mentors trust their male protégés more so than their female protégés. Since women are frequently mentored by men, it is imperative that they gain the same level of trust as their male peers enjoy. According to an established model of trust, trust is shaped by the mentor's perceptions of protégé ability, benevolence and integrity, as well as perceptions of the risk inherent to mentoring. This exploratory research aims to examine what influences these perceptions to shed light on how protégés can gain the trust of their mentors.Design/methodology/approachBecause little research has been conducted in this area, an exploratory qualitative design was chosen. Mayer, Davis and Schoorman's model of organizational trust is used as the theoretical framework.FindingsThis research sheds light on what predicts how trust is formed, fostered and lost in a mentoring context by examining factors that may influence perceptions of ability, benevolence, integrity and risk. Several protégé behaviors were identified that influenced perceptions of ability. Perceptions of benevolence were described as “feelings”. Perceptions of integrity were influenced by keeping confidences. Finally contextual factors, such as gender, were also identified as influencing the level of trust.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size was based on only 24 mentors; as a consequence, the findings are exploratory in nature and not generalizable.Practical implicationsTrust has been identified as a critical component of an effective mentoring relationship. As a consequence, mentoring programs must include activities that assist in establishing and fostering trust between mentor and protégé.Social implicationsWomen are still under‐represented in positions of power. Mentoring has been widely adopted as a mechanism to help women climb the corporate ladder. The lack of female mentors frequently means that female protégés have to be mentored by men. If women are to break the “glass ceiling,” it is imperative that male mentors trust their female protégés to the same extent as their male protégés and provide them with the same career advancing opportunities.Originality/valueVery little research has examined the role of trust in mentoring, although trust has been identified as a critical element in other organizational activities, such as leadership, performance appraisal, labor‐management relations, interpersonal cooperation, e‐commerce transactions and self‐managing work teams.
Legal framework against disability discrimination at work in Cyprus
Authors: Parlalis Stavros K. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe legal system comprises one of the greatest tools for people with disabilities, in order to ensure and protect their fundamental rights. The present study aimed to focus on the scrutiny of the legal system of the Republic of Cyprus. More specifically, the focus was placed on those laws that refer to the employability of people with disabilities, aiming to present the extent to which disability discrimination at work is prevented in the Republic of Cyprus.Design/methodology/approachA brief presentation of the laws employed on the prevention of disability discrimination at work worldwide is made; then, a presentation follows on the specific laws employed in the Republic of Cyprus.FindingsThe conditions in Cyprus are quite similar compared to the international standards. Cyprus has already introduced numerous laws and regulations regarding the prevention of disability discrimination at work; also, a code of good practice and guidance against disability discrimination at work has been published. However, regardless of the differences between legislation in various countries, the importance of establishing new laws and regulations depends on the extent to which they find application in each society. Therefore, there is an imperative need to set up a national mechanism to monitor the application of these laws and regulations, in order to ensure that discrimination at work is prevented in practice and not only in theory (meaning the establishment of new laws).Originality/valueThe findings of this study are useful for policy makers regarding issues of disability discrimination at work for people with disabilities in the Republic of Cyprus.
Gender and careers: a study of persistence in engineering education in Bangladesh
Authors: Saifuddin Samina M. , Dyke Lorraine S. , Rasouli Maria 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe goals of this study were to examine the utility of social cognitive career theory in a South Asian context, extend SCCT beyond its individualistic roots to include social and contextual variables, and explore the possible differential validity of SCCT predictors for men and women.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved an in‐class survey of Bangladeshi undergraduate engineering students including 209 women and 640 men.FindingsDespite stronger relationships between persistence and two predictors – social aspirations and self‐efficacy – for men, self‐efficacy, the core construct of SCCT, was the most important predictor of persistence for both women and men thus supporting the applicability of SCCT in non‐Western contexts.Research limitations/implicationsSeveral new measures were developed for this study which provide a basis for future research but will require further validation. The results demonstrated the applicability of SCCT in a non‐Western context but the amount of variance explained was modest. Thus, additional research into context‐specific factors affecting persistence is warranted.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that interventions intended to enhance the participation of women in non‐traditional fields such as engineering should focus on enhancing self‐efficacy, potentially through creating a more supportive learning environment.Originality/valueThe current study is one of the first to assess the applicability of SCCT in a non‐Western context and to examine the differential validity of SCCT predictors for women and men.
Are Swedish houses overpriced?
Authors: Andreas Claussen Carl 
Published: May 2013

PurposeSwedish house prices have risen rapidly since the mid‐1990s. How can this be explained? Are houses overpriced? In this paper the author tries to answer these questions.Design/methodology/approachThe author estimates an error correction model (ECM), and sees if the model can explain the house price developments.FindingsThe model suggests that increasing household disposable income and falling mortgage rates are the most important factors behind the upswing in prices. There is no evidence of overpricing.Originality/valueCompared to earlier Swedish studies, this study is based on new data and new variables. Furthermore, the estimation period is restricted to the more recent period when Swedish credit markets have been unregulated.
Optimal ways for companies to use Facebook as a marketing channel
Authors: Hansson Linnea , Wrangmo Anton , Solberg Søilen Klaus 
Published: May 2013

PurposeSocial media has increased as a marketing channel, and Facebook is the biggest social media company globally. Facebook contains both positive and negative information about companies; therefore, it is important for companies to manage their Facebook page to best serve their own interests. Although most users are familiar with business and marketing activities on Facebook, they use it primarily for fun and personal purposes. The most effective methods for companies to use Facebook have not been clear. The personal nature of Facebook presents unique challenges for companies by raising ethical and social responsibility issues that are important to users. The purpose of this paper is to discover how companies can optimize their use of Facebook as a marketing channel.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted. The respondents were 158 users of Facebook in Sweden; complete answers were provided by all respondents. In a series of specific questions and comments, the respondents were asked to describe an optimal marketing solution on Facebook for companies. They rated different functions, which were illustrated with pictures, to help in the cognitive process and to avoid misunderstandings.FindingsMost users who have an opinion on the issue accept marketing on Facebook, but only in the right amount. There are basically two groups: those who think that companies have no place on Facebook and those who want companies to be active on Facebook. The latter group emphasizes the importance of meaningful posts without unsolicited sales messages, and would prefer to search for the companies themselves rather than being bombarded by company messages. By far, status updates and pictures/images were found to be the most important functions to respondents.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample consisted of only Swedish users. Another limitation was that, since many Facebook users do not normally think about the implications of being exposed to marketing on Facebook, they have difficulty taking a position on many issues related to the service.Practical implicationsThe results give companies a clear idea of how to effectively use Facebook in their marketing efforts.Originality/valueA large number of companies are currently asking themselves, “How can we use Facebook in an optimal way?” The results in this study answer this question and lead directly to saving time and resources for these companies.
From integrated library systems to library management services: time for change?
Authors: Yang Sharon 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to inform librarians about the advanced features of the next generation library systems called library management services. It is time to ask if and when a library should move on to the new system.Design/methodology/approachThe author looked into each new system for evaluation and analysis.FindingsThe next generation library systems include Alma from Ex Libris, Intota from Serials Solutions, Kuali OLE from the Kuali Foundation, Sierra from Innovative Interfaces, and Worldshare from OCLC. The new systems are designed with many advanced features such as electronic resources management, license management, user driven acquisitions, trial database management, statistic reporting, and more.Originality/valueA search for relevant literature from the past three years has yielded no publications or data on the evaluation and analysis of the new library systems. Therefore, the information in this article is original.