bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital and performance within the banking sector of Luxembourg and Belgium
Authors: Mention Anne‐Laure , Bontis Nick 
Published: May 2013

PurposeIntellectual capital is widely acknowledged as the most critical resource of modern organizations. Nevertheless, empirical evidence on its actual contribution to the dynamics of the value creation process remains scarce, especially within certain sectors and geographic regions. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by investigating the effects of intellectual capital and its components on business performance in banking institutions within Luxembourg and Belgium.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical research is conducted using a dedicated survey instrument administered to over 200 banks. Data analysis is achieved through structural equation modeling.FindingsResults indicate that human capital contributes both directly and indirectly to business performance in the banking sector. Structural and relational capital are positively related to business performance, though results are not statistically significant. Surprisingly, relational capital has been evidenced to negatively moderate the effect of structural capital on performance.Research limitations/implicationsTraditional limitations of a cross‐sectional study apply with respect to the attribution of causality and the time lag effects.Practical implicationsA set of reliable items to capture intellectual capital has been identified and represents actionable knowledge for implementing an intellectual capital dashboard in banks. The dominant role of human capital also provides insight to managers with respect to business performance levers.Originality/valueDisentangling the effects of intellectual capital on business performance is of the utmost importance in service firms, as they are heavily reliant on intangible resources and capabilities. This research contributes to develop current understanding of these effects. Moreover, interaction effects between human, structural and relational capital have also been uncovered, thus extending prior knowledge on these complex relationships.
A taxonomy of manufacturing strategies in manufacturing companies in Ireland
Authors: Grant Noeleen , Cadden Trevor , McIvor Ronan , Humphreys Paul 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to replicate the taxonomic study of Miller and Roth and to validate its applicability in a small newly industrialised country.

Design/methodology/approach
– An empirical survey of manufacturing companies in Ireland was conducted using a research instrument that replicated the questions asked in the original 1994 study. Data was collected using mail questionnaires posted to 874 manufacturers. A total of 199 respondents were used for this study. The study tested two central hypotheses using advanced statistical data analysis techniques, such as canonical discriminant analysis.

Findings
– The results of the research identified three clustered strategic groups (Best Value, Budget and Multi Focus) which were different from those of Miller and Roth: caretakers, marketeers and innovators. The study supported the dynamic nature of manufacturing strategy, and shows how new manufacturing strategies evolve over time and differ between regions.

Research limitations/implications
– Further research should replicate this study in other small newly industrialised countries. Given the recently changed nature of the economy within Ireland, a longitudinal study would provide useful insights into the dynamics of manufacturing capabilities.

Practical implications
– The study provides important insights into manufacturing strategy within a small newly industrialised country. The results suggest that manufacturing strategies appear to change depending on the country of plant location. The manufacturing strategies may be attributed to the unique business environment, challenges and constraints of the country.

Originality/value
– There is a scarcity of taxonomy studies in general, and there is a dearth of such studies in small newly industrialised countries such as Ireland. Through identifying a new taxonomy the study contributes to the existing literature on manufacturing strategy, and challenges the global applicability of taxonomies developed in the USA.
Does the organizational culture act as a moderator in Indian enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects?
Authors: Annamalai C. , Ramayah T. 
Published: May 2013

Purpose
– There is significant evidence of increasing global implementation failures in enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects; and, for this reason, critical success factors (CSF) on implementation success (IS) are of notable concern to manufacturing organizations. This paper aims to focus on these factors and the role they played toward implementation success of ERP projects in India. Furthermore, this paper will also seek to explore whether the implementation success is moderated (i.e. influenced) by the organizational culture. This will help other manufacturing organizations take appropriate decisions about the ERP implementation.

Design/methodology/approach
– In the proposed model, the authors propose organizational culture as the moderator toward the implementation success of ERP projects in India. A survey methodology is used for the study, and a structured questionnaire was developed to get the information.

Findings
– Through this study, it has been found that the organizational culture acts as a moderator and moderates the relationship between CSF and implementation success of the ERP projects in India.

Research limitations/implications
– This study offers both academicians and practitioners a model to research, assess, and identify the appropriate CSF such as Setting up ERP business goals and objectives (SEB), Cross-Functional Teams (CFT), Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Projects Tracking (PTG), and Data Analysis and Conversion (DAG) on IS of ERP projects in India and moderated by the organizational culture. The research is targeted on manufacturing organizations in India, and hence it has limitations in terms of scope. However, the results are quite encouraging with very good response (n=223) from the manufacturing organizations. Other manufacturing organizations planning to implement ERP soon will be highly benefited from the results of this study.

Originality/value
– Unfortunately, few research studies define the issues related to the moderator namely the organizational culture. This paper demonstrates how this moderator played an important role in ERP implementation. The findings will encourage Indian manufacturing organizations to implement ERP when facing challenges of the competitive market for their competitive advantage. For India, this research could be among the first to its nature.
Climate projections for southern Africa using complementary methods
Authors: Lutz Julia , Volkholz Jan , Gerstengarbe Friedrich‐Wilhelm 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe Orange River is one of the largest river basins in southern Africa. Since it plays a crucial role in the region's ecology and economy, it is important to estimate future developments in its hydrology. A necessary means to this end are climate projections. This paper seeks to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachIn this work the authors present projections obtained by two complementary methods; they use a Statistical Analogue Re‐sampling Scheme (STARS) and a dynamical regional climate model (CCLM – COSMO in Climate Mode). In order to determine the viability of these methods, the authors perform cross‐validations for the years 1976‐2000.FindingsCCLM shows good performance regarding the 2 m temperature but the reproduction of precipitation is rather poor. STARS, on the other hand, produces very good results for both variables. The climate projections of both models show a considerable temperature increase for the future (2036‐2060, SRES A1B scenario), especially in the inland of the simulation area. However, while CCLM projects a general decrease in precipitation, STARS indicates a strong precipitation decrease in the already dry western part of the region and a moderate decrease resp. no change in the east during the rain season.Originality/valueFor the first time the statistical approach used gridded data as its input. Therefore, it was possible to apply complementary methods in order to generate the climate projections and to compare them.
Climate change adaptation and EIA studies in Kenya
Authors: Kamau Julius W. , Mwaura Francis 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe paper is an excerpt from a bigger study with an overall aim of examining the extent to which climate change adaptation has been integrated in the EIA studies undertaken in Kenya since the process inception in 2000. The purpose was to establish whether adequate attention is given to the issue of climate change mitigation as major challenge in the world during the 21st century.Design/methodology/approachThe research design is based on qualitative research involving a review of EIA reports approved by the national environmental authority and also based on key informant consultations with licensed EIA experts in the country. Thereafter, the findings were analyzed through standard statistical procedures.FindingsThe findings showed that climate change integration in all the reviewed EIA reports was mainly restricted to mere consideration of historical climate change information in the project areas and totally weak in terms of climate change prediction scenarios and their likely impacts on the proposed development projects. However, consultations with most EIA practitioners indicated that integration of climate change adaptive capabilities into the EIA process was a relevant issue but admitted that the implementation modalities were unclear.Originality/valueThe study is the first in evaluating the level of integration for climate change in EIA studies in Kenya and the findings will inform EIA implementation in the country. It also forms a good basis for comparative studies with EIA studies in other countries of the world.
An assessment of climate variation risks on agricultural production
Authors: Teka Oscar , Laurent Houessou Gbenato , Oumorou Madjidou , Vogt Joachim , Sinsin Brice 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the local communities' perception of climate variation effects on crop production and the adopted strategies by farmers in order to cope with the negative effects of climate on the agriculture in the coastal zone of Benin.Design/methodology/approachA total of 290 agricultural households were sampled and surveyed through structured interviews. The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the relative frequencies citation of perceived climate variation indication in order to describe the relationship between risk perceptions according to socio‐demographic characteristics. The relative frequency of citation was calculated according to age, gender, ethnic group and agro‐ecological region.FindingsResults showed that almost 83 per cent of the respondents already perceived the climate change risks through several indications. Climate variation perception varied with respect to age. Respondents' opinion regarding climate variation causes depended generally on their age, religion and level of education. As far as climate variation risks impact on crop production is concerned, the respondents' opinions diverged.Originality/valueThe assessment of local communities' perception is important to design participatory and sustainable measures to cope with harmful effects of climate variation on crop production.
Supporting local adaptive capacity to climate change in the Congo basin forest of Cameroon
Authors: Youssoufa Bele Mekou , Jean Sonwa Denis , Tiani Anne Marie 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims at assessing the vulnerability of local communities in the Congo basin forests of Cameroon; to help them identify their specific needs for adaptation, and to facilitate knowledge sharing with the aim of enhancing adaptive capacity.Design/methodology/approachUsing participatory‐action research approach, research was carried out in two project sites in Nkol‐evodo and in Yokadouma in the Center and South‐East Regions of Cameroon, respectively. The authors shared participatory‐research (PAR) steps and processes to assist other researchers and local stakeholders to jointly assess, monitor and adapt to climatic and other changes.FindingsThis study shows that the adverse effects of climate conditions to which study communities are exposed are already being felt and exerting considerable stress on most of the important activities to their livelihoods such as agriculture and exploitation of national resources. PAR tools and processes led to participatory diagnosis, conceptualizing of change, participatory identification, prioritization and implementation of specific strategies for climate change adaptation in the study sites. However, further studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of these strategies.Practical implicationsThe PAR experiences show that stakeholders' involvement throughout the project needs to be considered by researchers who wish to enhance the adaptive capacity of the communities they work with.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the description of the process for enhancing adaptive capacity of forest living communities. Findings in this research may provide a crucial foundation for community‐based adaptation measures and complement broader‐scale scientific research with local precision.
Relationship quality in sports: a study in football teams and fitness centres
Authors: Athanasopoulou Pinelopi , Kalogeropoulou Dora , Douvis John 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the antecedents and dimensions of relationship quality (RQ) between customers and providers of athletic services.Design/methodology/approachData collection involved in‐depth, personal interviews of fitness centre customers and year‐ticket holders of football clubs in order to determine the similarities and differences between the two contexts. RQ is approached from the point of view of the customer since no other study has investigated that part of the dyad. Data were analysed with thematic content analysis.FindingsIn fitness clubs, RQ is perceived as a relationship that involves trust, customer satisfaction and commitment; social bonds with employees; effective cooperation and communication, and adaptation of services to suit customers’ needs. In contrast, the relationship of football club year‐ticket holders is simpler and is perceived as trusting; satisfying for customers and one where customers feel committed to the team. The antecedents of RQ identified do not differ between the two types of relationship studied and include the quality of the servicescape; the power of entertainment; the quality of personnel; customer experience and knowledge; customer relationship orientation; relationship duration, and circumstantial or personal factors such as free time shortage, family obligations or bad weather conditions. Based on these findings a conceptual framework is developed for analysing RQ and its antecedents in athletic services.Research limitations/implicationsThe study extends findings regarding RQ in athletic services. However, it is qualitative in nature. Future research should quantify the constructs identified and test them in quantitative studies.Practical implicationsThe implications of the study are wide and include appropriate methods of selecting and training staff; the effective management of service portfolios; customer training; providing an entertaining experience for customers, and designing a good quality servicescape.Originality/valueThe conceptual framework developed can serve as a guide for sport managers in enhancing the value of relationships with customers.
A model of sporting event tourism as economic development
Authors: Roche Sarah , Spake Deborah F. , Joseph Mathew 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a moderated model of sport tourism as an economic development generator from a destination marketing perspective. The model takes into account the differing roles of sport tourism segments on the relationship between motivators of sport tourism and destinations outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper presents a framework for explaining the differential impact of factors that influence sport tourism based on the tourist segment attracted to the destination.FindingsThe proposed model, supported by extant literature, presents sport tourist types as moderating a variety of influencing factors that determine sport tourists’ interest in visiting a destination and the resulting economic impact on a destination.Practical implicationsPractical implications are discussed for managing and marketing destination‐specific factors to appeal to different segments of the sport tourism market in order to maximize the economic impact of sport tourism.Originality/valueThis conceptual model provides a contribution to tourism researchers by providing a comprehensive view of the complex nature of the factors that influence destination choice for different types of sports tourists and the possible economic outcomes that can result.
Towards autonomous localization and mapping of AUVs: a survey
Authors: Chen Ling , Wang Sen , McDonald‐Maier Klaus , Hu Huosheng 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to investigate two key elements of localization and mapping of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), i.e. to overview various sensors and algorithms used for underwater localization and mapping, and to make suggestions for future research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors first review various sensors and algorithms used for AUVs in the terms of basic working principle, characters, their advantages and disadvantages. The statistical analysis is carried out by studying 35 AUV platforms according to the application circumstances of sensors and algorithms.FindingsAs real‐world applications have different requirements and specifications, it is necessary to select the most appropriate one by balancing various factors such as accuracy, cost, size, etc. Although highly accurate localization and mapping in an underwater environment is very difficult, more and more accurate and robust navigation solutions will be achieved with the development of both sensors and algorithms.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides an overview of the state of art underwater localisation and mapping algorithms and systems. No experiments are conducted for verification.Practical implicationsThe paper will give readers a clear guideline to find suitable underwater localisation and mapping algorithms and systems for their practical applications in hand.Social implicationsThere is a wide range of audiences who will benefit from reading this comprehensive survey of autonomous localisation and mapping of UAVs.Originality/valueThe paper will provide useful information and suggestions to research students, engineers and scientists who work in the field of autonomous underwater vehicles.
Heuristic path planning of unmanned aerial vehicle formations
Authors: Hino Takuma , Tsuchiya Takeshi 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to propose a novel method to plan paths of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formations. This is to make use of the aerodynamic advantage of formation flight to reduce energy consumption of UAVs.Design/methodology/approachThe method proposed in this research make use of the fact that, under certain conditions, the regions where if a UAV rendezvous or separates with another UAV would save energy by formation flying can be analytically calculated. The intersections of these regions are used to decide which UAV are to fly in the same formation. This combination of which UAV are to fly together and what order they join/part from the formation is called the topology of the problem.FindingsThe proposed method was proved to be effective in identifying efficient topologies, with the majority of the topologies selected falling below 5 percent error rate in terms of energy.Originality/valueThe originality of this research lies in the fact that the proposed method is completely visualised – all the necessary information to organise formations is visualised in the envelopes. Still, the proposed method was proved to be effective in selecting efficient topologies.
Evaluation of quad ducted‐fan helicopter
Authors: Miwa Masafumi , Uemura Shinji , Ishihara Yasuyuki , Imamura Akitaka , Shim Joon‐hwan , Ioi Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2013

PurposeWith the purpose of clearing up the risk to rotor blades, this paper develops a quad ducted‐fan helicopter using four ducted‐fans instead of four rotor blades in a quad rotor helicopter.Design/methodology/approachAuto hovering test, auto cruise test, and altitude control simulations were conducted to estimate the flight performance of the quad ducted‐fan helicopter.FindingsFlight performance of the test quad ducted‐fan helicopter is almost same as a commercial quad rotor helicopter, and it succeeds to decrease the risk to the rotor blade. However, endurance is shorter than that of the quad rotor helicopter, because of the ducted‐fan characteristics.Research limitations/implicationsThe test quad ducted‐fan helicopter can fly for about four minutes with two packs of fourcell (16.8 V)‐2200 mAh Lipo batteries, and it needs about 3.3 times as much energy as quad rotor helicopter. The authors will improve the performance of quad ducted‐fan helicopter by aerodynamics analysis and design of ducted‐fan systemPractical implicationsThis is expected to reduce the risk of rotor blade mounted on multi rotor helicopter.Social implicationsThe research will facilitate the development of safety autonomous multi‐copters in various civilian applications.Originality/valueThe research purpose is to realize safety multi‐copter flight using ducted‐fan instead of rotor blade.
Religion as a coping mechanism for global labor
Authors: Mir Raza A. 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyze the manner in which an immigrant community (South Asian Shia Muslims) deploys religious institutions as a coping mechanism to survive in a demanding and culturally alien environment.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is derived from an ethnographic examination of a community of South Asian Shia Muslims in the United States.FindingsThe paper focuses on three elements of organizational coping. First, communities struggle with the promises and perils of transnationalism. Second, the coming of age of children, whose life experiences do not involve dislocation, produce interesting generational engagements. Finally, the community is often challenged by the nuanced task of political engagement with the broader society.Research implicationsAn in‐depth focus on employment‐related experiences of Shia Muslim diaspora in the West may be a fruitful area for future research.Practical implicationsEmployers and governments ought to pay attention to internal heterogeneity of Muslims in understanding and managing diversity.Originality/valueThis is a seminar paper on Shia Muslim diaspora in the USA and relates the study to the realm of workplace diversity.