bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of market and organizational determinants on voluntary disclosure in Egyptian companies
Authors: Ismail Tariq H. , El‐Shaib Nesma M. 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of market and organizational determinants on the voluntary disclosure level of Egyptian companies.Design/methodology/approachUses a disclosure index of voluntary disclosure that is based upon the following information categories: strategic information; financial information; non‐financial information; and future prospect information to rate the level of disclosure. Multivariate analysis, voluntary disclosure determinants: earnings quality; ownership structure; competition intensity; information asymmetry, and possible relationships with disclosure level provide the basis for discussion.FindingsIt is found that the level of voluntary disclosure in the emerging market of Egypt ranges from low to moderate level. There is no significant relationship between a company's voluntary disclosure level and earnings quality and competition intensity, while this relationship is significant for information asymmetry and ownership structure.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are constrained by the proxies that represent non‐financial factors of the market.Originality/valueThis paper extends prior studies on voluntary disclosure in Egypt by looking at a comprehensive set of market and organizational factors that might affect the disclosure level, based on a structured disclosure index of strategic, financial and non‐financial, and future prospect information. The findings would help boards of directors to explain the adoption of certain disclosure strategies, and understand the corporate disclosure behavior.
Changes in sustainability reporting by an African defence contractor: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Samkin Grant 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the extent to which sustainability disclosures in a strategically important South African company have changed, in the light of the work by King.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a content analysis of the sustainability reports of a single reporting entity, Denel (Pty) Ltd (Denel), the largest manufacturer of defence equipment in South Africa. The computer assisted textual analysis software programme CATPAC II™ was used to undertake the investigation.FindingsThe paper finds that the emphasis of the sustainability reports changed each year over the period of the study. However, all the reports embody the principles and philosophical aspects of King (in 2002 and 2009). A year on year comparison of the 20 concepts identified as common to each data set over the period of the study found no substantial differences between them. This finding suggests an underlying consistency in their use by the prepares of the sustainability reports.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to the analysis of the sustainability reports contained within Denel's 2007 to 2011 annual reports.Practical implicationsThe use of research techniques such as those described in this paper has practical implications for future research. Where legislative requirement requires corporate social responsibility reports to be prepared by private and public sector entities, this technique would be especially useful to establish the similarities and differences between them. Differences and the extent of the differences will be of interest to stakeholders groups, preparers and researchers as they will indicate how organisations in the different sectors view sustainability.Originality/valueAlthough sustainability reporting has been the subject of extensive research, longitudinal studies are limited. This longitudinal study contributes to the limited CSR literature focusing on developing countries and, in particular, African countries, as well as on the defence or armaments industry.
Commentary on “Almost invisible – providing subtle support in community settings”
Authors: Jones Edwin 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Bates et al.'s discussion of the importance of subtle support and some of the pitfalls and potential of supporting people on a one to one basis in their community.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reflects on Bates et al.'s account in the context of a wider consideration of the meaning of support and key research findings, especially for people with more severe intellectual disabilities.FindingsSubtle support is important, but it is necessary to be clearer about what it entails.Originality/valueThe paper welcomes the debate about subtle support and calls for the inclusion of a focus on the quality of support provided for people with more severe intellectual impairments. Further, the lessons should be used from empirical research regarding the distribution of assistance and the effectiveness of active support particularly the component known as positive interaction.
The People in Control Conference at City University, London: “We have opinions to share about our lives”
Authors: Harding Celia , Bukhari Saboohi , Hickin Julie , Harrison Kirsty 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the benefits of service users contributing to university teaching and having opportunities to present at a conference, both for student learning and clinical development objectives as well as for the service users themselves.Design/methodology/approachWith reference to current policies and good practice guidelines, the article reflects on the experiences of both the students and the service users in relation to the literature and the events that led to the People in Control Conference.FindingsStudents valued the experience in terms of developing knowledge and insight into different techniques to facilitate both receptive and expressive communication. Students also had opportunities to think about their own perceptions of disability. Service users have gained in communication confidence and competence as well as getting opportunities to have their voices heard.Originality/valueIncreased opportunities for service users have cultural and clinical benefits for all involved.
Commentary on “The People in Control Conference at City University, London: ‘We have opinions to share about our lives’”
Authors: Bradshaw Jill 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a commentary on Harding et al.'s article about the involvement of people with learning disabilities in university teaching and conference presentations.Design/methodology/approachThe article reviews research into communication strengths and needs and into communication partnerships between service users and members of staff with a view to identifying communication barriers to the involvement of people with learning disabilities.FindingsThe generally poor communication environments in which people are supported are likely to limit opportunities for involvement.Originality/valueIt is suggested that increased involvement is likely to result from increased quality of daily communication. This may best occur as part of general service‐wide approaches to improving service quality, such as person‐centred active support.
Struggling with involuntary expressive behaviours
Authors: Ma Songge 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore what Chinese doctors have learned in authentic medical practice, what they want to learn, and the dynamics behind their professional learning in working contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses Narrative Inquiry, qualitative data which were collected by open‐ended face‐to‐face interviews and participative observation. Seven doctors from three hospitals in Shandong province were purposefully invited. Each participant was interviewed at least once, and all interview recordings were transcribed into research texts. The author narrated and re‐narrated stories of one chosen participant named Li Hengyang (pseudonym).FindingsThe paper finds that Chinese doctors divided their learning into two kinds: “professional” and “non‐professional”. The intrinsic‐motive‐driven learning of medical knowledge and techniques was attributed to “professional” and the extrinsic‐motive‐driven learning of “other things” was treated as “non‐professional”. The resultant force of intrinsic and extrinsic motives caused a performance disorder, a vague sense of professional identity, and involuntary expressive behaviours. The author finally pointed out that Chinese doctors' professional learning in working contexts is, to some extent, identity‐oriented.Research limitations/implicationsSingle theoretical perspective constrained the analysis; future research may use different theoretical perspectives besides Goffman's theatrical performance theory.Practical implicationsThe paper presents identity‐oriented learning of Chinese doctors and the dynamics behind it, which have practical implications for Chinese doctors, medical professional educators and national medical policy makers.Originality/valueAlthough Chinese doctors' training and education have been explored a lot, their professional learning in working contexts was rarely studied before.
“Who am I supposed to let down?”
Authors: Lippke Lena 
Published: September 2012

PurposeBecause of high drop‐out rates among the students entering vocational education in Denmark retention of students has become pivotal to Danish educational policy. Thus vocational educational training (VET) colleges have been asked to work on implementing different kinds of retention initiatives and as a result, most colleges have established extended basic courses aimed at students with personal, social and/or academic difficulties. This paper aims to explore the emotional aspects of vocational educational teachers' work and present a preliminary analysis of the notion of care as socially situated within the vocational educational system.Design/methodology/approachThis paper derives from a study based on fieldwork at a VET college offering extended basic courses. During the fieldwork nine weeks of participating observations and 13 interviews with teachers were conducted.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights into the emotional practices and the management of emotions related to prevention of dropout within an educational setting. It shows how emotional practices can provide both teachers and students with positive identities and make out a productive force that prevents students from dropping out. However the management of emotions also involves a range of dilemmas and ambivalences revealing the difficult limitations related to an institutionalization and professionalization of human care.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the chosen research design more studies on the emotional aspects of prevention of drop‐out from both the perspective of teachers and students are needed.Practical implicationsThe emotional dimension of retention remains to be recognized and critically discussed more widely among stakeholders at different levels within the VET system and policy makers within education. Handling both the possibilities and the pitfalls of emotional practices requires that teachers are not left alone feeling responsible for the fate of their students.Originality/valueThe paper contributes with descriptions of how emotions can be productive forces preventing students from dropping out of education. At the same time it identifies a need for further critical examination of the emotional aspects of teachers' working life.
The use of virtual prototyping to rehearse the sequence of construction work involving mobile cranes
Authors: Li Heng , Chan Neo K.Y. , Skitmore Martin 
Published: September 2012

PurposeRehearsing practical site operations is without doubt one of the most effective methods for minimising planning mistakes, because of the learning that takes place during the rehearsal activity. However, real rehearsal is not a practical solution for on‐site construction activities, as it not only involves a considerable amount of cost but can also have adverse environmental implications. One approach to overcoming this is by the use of virtual rehearsals. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an approach to simulation of the motion of cranes in order to test the feasibility of associated construction sequencing and generate construction schedules for review and visualisation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a system involving two technologies, virtual prototyping (VP) and four‐dimensional (4D) simulation, to assist construction planners in testing the sequence of construction activities when mobile cranes are involved. The system consists of five modules, comprising input, database, equipment, process and output, and is capable of detecting potential collisions. A real‐world trial is described in which the system was tested and validated.FindingsFeedback from the planners involved in the trial indicated that they found the system to be useful in its present form and that they would welcome its further development into a fully automated platform for validating construction sequencing decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe tool has the potential to provide a cost‐effective means of improving construction planning. However, it is limited at present to the specific case of crane movement under special consideration.Originality/valueThis paper presents a large‐scale, real life case of applying VP technology in planning construction processes and activities.
Need for innovation in supplying engineer‐to‐order joinery products to construction
Authors: Forsman Samuel , Björngrim Niclas , Bystedt Anders , Laitila Lars , Bomark Peter , Öhman Micael 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe construction industry has been criticized for not keeping up with other production industries in terms of cost efficiency, innovation, and production methods. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge about what hampers efficiency in supplying engineer‐to‐order (ETO) joinery‐products to the construction process. The objective is to identify the main contributors to inefficiency and to define areas for innovation in improving this industry.Design/methodology/approachCase studies of the supply chain of a Swedish ETO joinery‐products supplier are carried out, and observations, semi‐structured interviews, and documents from these cases are analysed from an efficiency improvement perspective.FindingsFrom a lean thinking and information modelling perspective, longer‐term procurement relations and efficient communication of information are the main areas of innovation for enhancing the efficiency of supplying ETO joinery‐products. It seems to be possible to make improvements in planning and coordination, assembly information, and spatial measuring through information modelling and spatial scanning technology. This is likely to result in an increased level of prefabrication, decreased assembly time, and increased predictability of on‐site work.Originality/valueThe role of supplying ETO joinery‐products is a novel research area in construction. There is a need to develop each segment of the manufacturing industry supplying construction and this paper contributes to the collective knowledge in this area. The focus is on the possibilities for innovation in the ETO joinery‐products industry and on its improved integration in the construction industry value chain in general.
Transportation infrastructure development in the UAE
Authors: Al Nahyan Moza T. , Sohal Amrik S. , Fildes Brian N. , Hawas Yaser E. 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the major management issues that impact on mega transportation infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and identify the factors that cause unsuccessful project completions. The paper further seeks to identify the changes that can be made to improve project success.Design/methodology/approachThis is a qualitative study that involved face‐to‐face interviews with 20 key experienced transportation construction stakeholders who had been involved in a number of different projects in the UAE. This was followed by a focus group discussion involving ten key stakeholders who had been involved in the construction of a mega project – the Dubai Fujairah Highway. Analysis of the interview data was conducted using NVivo.FindingsThe findings highlight the complexity involved in managing mega transportation infrastructure projects in the UAE. Multiple stakeholders (government agencies, sponsors/clients, management firms, consultants and contractors) influence the various stages of projects. The need for effective communication, coordination, knowledge sharing and decision making amongst the stakeholders, especially during the planning and design stages, is highlighted as critical.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the small numbers interviewed for each stakeholder group. Nevertheless, the sample of interviews provides a good representation of the transport infrastructure construction industry in the UAE.Practical implicationsThree major practical implications relate to: improving communication and coordination amongst government departments and key stakeholders to streamline effective knowledge sharing and decision making, leading to successful project outcomes; improving the skills and competencies of professional staff at all levels and subsequently delegating authority to lower levels; and the adoption of global international standards to improve planning, design and construction activities.Originality/valueThe paper describes the first study of its kind conducted in the UAE that provides valuable insights with respect to transportation infrastructure project management.
Strategic branding roadmap for SMEs operating in business‐to‐business sector
Authors: Roy Dilip , Banerjee Saikat 
Published: September 2012

PurposeOperating as a commodity disables the scope of differentiation. In turn, the organization becomes vulnerable to competition. A strong brand ensures the selling company to get premium prices and in the best case rejection of competitive products by the buyers. Branding was often seen as the province of business‐to‐consumer (B2C) products. But in reality, the role of brand in business‐to‐business (B2B) market is also important. B2B sector is fiercely competitive in nature and in the recent past a strong need has been felt by small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in this sector to elevate from commodity construct to brand for sustainable competitive advantages. Products from SMEs, in the B2B market, have nearly identical physical looks and performance specifications. As a result, it is difficult to achieve differentiation. In this backdrop, the purpose of this paper is to study branding readiness of SMEs which are operating in a B2B market and a strategic road map has been proposed.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical analysis has been made to understand relevance, objectives, benefits and hindrances of branding in this industry. In the second stage, a verbal conceptual model has been proposed to explain strategic steps of branding for SMEs which are operating in the B2B sector.FindingsFrom the research it has been found that SMEs having different motivations behind branding based on criticality of the components and their market orientation. A strategic branding roadmap has been proposed in this section. Construction of the “Brand Initiative Framework” involves plotting of a “degree of product criticality” and “degree of market orientation” in the matrix form, each made of two states – high and low. The objective of this decision matrix is to guide SMEs operating in B2B sector to opt for requisite branding initiatives.Practical implicationsThe proposed “Brand Initiatives Framework” can be of immense use to SMEs for managing branding initiatives to ensure clutter free differentiation with target segment.Originality/valueThis paper presents a generic approach that may work beyond country boundaries. The conceptual model of “Brand Initiative Framework” is of immense help to manage branding activities in a strategically profitable way.
New approaches to heuristic processes and entrepreneurial cognition of the market
Authors: Guercini Simone 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution that the study of heuristic processes can make to a better understanding of the gap between marketing theory and practice, particularly in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The term entrepreneurial marketing is used to refer to the marketing content of the entrepreneurial role.Design/methodology/approachThe literature review is supplemented with the results of an empirical research study conducted by the author over the last ten years on SMEs in the fashion industry.FindingsThe paper investigates how entrepreneurs generate and share heuristics to produce and use knowledge about markets. Based on an in‐depth review of the literature, the paper develops the idea that this evolution of heuristics studies is of prime interest to an understanding of the specific features of the marketing content of the entrepreneurial role.Originality/valueThe paper provides a conceptual perspective based on the study of heuristics with the aim to provide a new basis to the debate on bridging the gap between theory and practice of marketing.
Relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and performance
Authors: Oly Ndubisi Nelson , Iftikhar Khurram 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and quality performance in small and medium‐size enterprises (SMEs), and if such relationships differ between the two groups of enterprises.Design/methodology/approachSpecifically, the study investigates whether there is (or not) any moderating effect of organisation size (i.e. small versus medium firms) in the hypothesized relationships. A total of 124 SMEs provided the data for the study. The data were analysed using factor and hierarchical multiple regression analyses.FindingsThe results indicate a significant direct relationship between entrepreneurship, innovation and quality performance. Specifically, the three dimensions of entrepreneurship namely, risk taking, proactiveness and autonomy are significantly associated with innovation and quality performance. Innovation is directly related to performance and mediates in the entrepreneurship‐performance link. These relationships do not differ between small and medium‐size enterprises, thus size is not a key factor in explaining the contributions of entrepreneurship to innovation and performance of SMEs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's sample is limited to service SMEs in Pakistan. Although the objectives of the study were met, more studies are needed that compare or contrast small and medium enterprises, in other sectors and contexts.Practical implicationsThe study underscores the importance of entrepreneurship to innovation and firms' quality performance in both small and medium‐size enterprises. This link is not dependent on the size of the enterprise. Management should promote risk taking, proactiveness and autonomy in order to enhance innovation and performance.Social implicationsThe ratio of female to male entrepreneurs in Pakistan's IT sector is very low. This is clearly demonstrated in the sampling frame composition and the eventual responses received from both genders – out of 124 respondents, only two are females, this is less than 0.02 percent. The paper suggests some policy interventions that could change such asymmetric representation of women in entrepreneurial activities in Pakistan.Originality/valueThere is limited research comparing or contrasting small and medium‐size firms. Studies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have often used pooled data, thereby assuming inherent similarity, yet there is hardly any empirical basis for such. This study provides such basis/justification. It further argues that entrepreneurship and innovation are robust determinants of quality performance in both small and medium firms.