bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shop‐floor communication and process management for quality performance
Authors: Zeng Jing , Chi Anh Phan , Matsui Yoshiki 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis study empirically examines the effect of shop‐floor communication on implementation effectiveness of process management practices, and on the corresponding quality performance gained through process management implementation. It deals with four types of communication on the shop floor (small group problem solving, feedback, instructive communication, supervisory interaction facilitation) and three process management practices (process control, preventive maintenance, housekeeping).Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression techniques were used to test the hypothesized relationships. Data were collected from 238 manufacturing plants through a questionnaire survey conducted in eight countries to develop reliable and valid measurement scales for operations management.FindingsThe statistical results demonstrate the positive effect of shop‐floor communication on the implementation of process management practices and the resultant quality performance. The results also suggest that each type of shop‐floor communication differently affects the way in which process management practices are implemented to influence quality performance.Originality/valueAlthough the existing literature of quality management highlights the importance of communication and information management for the successful implementation of quality management, little detailed study has been conducted on how specific types of communication support quality management practices to obtain quality performance. This study contributes to the literature by breaking down communication into four types and providing specific empirical evidence on the relationship between each type of communication, process management practices, and quality performance.
Immigrants and welfare receipt in Ireland
Authors: Barrett Alan , Joyce Corona , Maître Bertrand 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the rates of receipt of welfare for immigrants and natives in Ireland, to see if the outcome is consistent with the operation of a policy which was designed to limit immigrant access to welfare.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use micro‐data from the Irish component European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions for 2008, also published data on the numbers of people claiming unemployment related payments in Ireland. Descriptive statistics and results from probit regressions are presented.FindingsThe analysis generally shows that in the years preceding the recession, immigrants were less likely to be in receipt of welfare payments, whether one looks at adjusted or unadjusted data. The recession, and the consequent job losses among immigrants, gave rise to a possible surge in the numbers of immigrants receiving welfare benefits. While this seemed to happen at the outset of the recession, the more recent trends in the numbers receiving payments would suggest that the numbers of non‐nationals stabilised, even as the number of nationals claiming payments continued to rise.Research limitations/implicationsAs the data used do not give an indication of the length of time an immigrant has been in Ireland, the authors are unable to assess whether the observed patterns change with length of stay.Social implicationsThe results suggest that Ireland's policy of limiting access to welfare for immigrants has been successful in its primary goal.Originality/valueNo other papers have considered the issue of immigrant welfare receipt in Ireland in the context of the massive migratory inflow after EU expansion in 2004.
The development of managerial skills in MBA programs
Authors: Varela Otmar , Burke Michael , Michel Norbet 
Published: April 2013

PurposeBusiness schools have been under fire for their alleged inefficacy in developing students’ managerial skills in MBA programs. On the basis of extant learning theories, the purpose of this paper is to propose a reconsideration of learning goals and assessment procedures for managerial skill development within MBA education.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review the literatures on stage, experiential, social, and action learning theories to identify pedagogical suggestions for optimal skill development and to highlight the constraints program administrators and teachers face in efforts to advance students’ acquisition of complex managerial skills in MBA classrooms.FindingsConceptually, the authors argue that an emphasis on mastering complex managerial skills – as an expected learning outcome – might be an overly ambitious goal that can lead to neglecting early attainments in skill acquisition and create false impressions of MBA program failure. Furthermore, the authors discuss how MBA programs could consider the use of newer evaluation procedures for evaluating skill development.Originality/valueThe paper calls for greater attention to intermediate stages of managerial skill development for establishing learning goals, the consideration of knowledge structures for assessing the degree of skill development, and a focus on managerial skill development as a life‐long process.
Robustness analysis of urban transit network based on complex networks theory
Authors: Zou Zhiyun , Xiao Yao , Gao Jianzhi 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to attempt to realize the optimization of cascading failure process of urban transit network based on Load‐Capacity model, for better evaluating and improving the operation of transit network.Design/methodology/approachRobustness is an essential index of stability performance for urban transit systems. In this paper, firstly, the static robustness of transit networks is analyzed based on the complex networks theory. Aiming at random and intentional attack, a concrete algorithm process is proposed on the basis of Dijstra algorithm. Then, the dynamic robustness of the networks, namely cascading failure, is analyzed, and the algorithm process is presented based on the Load‐Capacity model. Finally, the space‐of‐stations is adopted to build the network topology of Foshan transit network, and then the simulation analyses of static and dynamic robustness are realized.FindingsResults show that transit network is robust to random attack when considering static robustness, but somewhat vulnerable to intentional attack. For dynamic robustness analysis, a large‐scale cascade of transit network may be triggered when the tolerance parameter α is less than a value, so that the robustness of transit network can be improved through some reasonable measures.Practice implicationsThe results of this study provide useful information for urban transit network robustness optimization.Originality/valueAn effective method for analyzing the static and dynamic robustness of transit network is provided in this paper.
Design and optimization of key control characteristics based on improved fruit fly optimization algorithm
Authors: Xing Yanfeng 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe key control characteristics (KCCs) are very important to control dimensional quality of the final product. The purpose of this paper is to propose optimization algorithm and rules of design KCCs by optimizing KCCs of 2D and 3D workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes optimization process of 2D and 3D rectangle workpieces based on equations and candidate locating points by using fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA). For decreasing variables of the algorithm, the improved fruit fly optimization algorithm (IFOA) is presented. Moreover, the Euclidean norm of inverse Jacobian is used as the objective function of optimizing KCCs by comparing different objective functions. Finally, a case of side frame assembly is presented to illustrate design and optimization of KCCs through IFOA, and results show that the method proposed in this paper is efficient and precise.FindingsThe paper provides some reasonable conclusions for the design and optimization of KCCs.Originality/valueThis paper designs and optimizes KCCs of fixtures and parts to improve dimensional quality of the final product.
Multi‐objective linear programming with interval coefficients
Authors: Hossein Razavi Hajiagha Seyed , Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Sadat Hashemi Shide 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend a methodology for solving multi‐objective linear programming (MOLP) problems, when the objective functions and constraints coefficients are stated as interval numbers.Design/methodology/approachThe approach proposed in this paper for the considered problem is based on the maximization of the sum of membership degrees which are defined for each objective of multi objective problem. These membership degrees are constructed based on the deviation from optimal solutions of individual objectives. Then, the final model based on membership degrees is itself an interval linear programming which can be solved by current methods.FindingsThe efficiency of the solutions obtained by the proposed method is proved. It is shown that the obtained solution by the proposed method for an interval multi objective problem is Pareto optimal.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed method can be used in modeling and analyzing of uncertain systems which are modeled in the context of multi objective problems and in which required information is ill defined.Originality/valueThe paper proposed a novel and well‐defined algorithm to solve the considered problem.
Keypoint based automatic image orientation and skew investigation on tie points
Authors: Altuntas Cihan 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe relative orientation (RO) is an important step on photogrammetric processes of stereoscopic images. The relationship between the stereoscopic images is constructed by tie (conjugate) points. Many automatic tie point selection methods have been introduced by photogrammetry community so far. The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) and speeded‐up robust features (SURF) are frequently used for automatic tie point selection from stereoscopic images. However, any research has been performed related to RO errors (y‐parallaxes) on SIFT and SURF extracted tie points. The purpose of this paper is to compute errors on tie points and investigate their distributions on the model area in terms of size.Design/methodology/approachThe experimental studies were performed on an historical building as it enables more tie points for investigation. While a couple of the stereoscopic images include rich details, the other has poor details. The image orientation and tie point selection accuracy were evaluated by root mean square and y‐parallaxes, respectively. The relationship between y‐parallaxes of tie points and their distances from centre of the images were investigated.FindingsSIFT and SURF have a large number of tie points according to manual method. The y‐parallaxes on tie points have uniform distribution for two methods. There are relations between the precision of the SIFT and SURF keypoints and their distances from the centre of the image. Moreover, the accuracy of the RO and size of the y‐parallaxes on tie points depend on matching accuracy of the keypoints. Furthermore, although there are a few tie points that have large y‐parallax especially by the SURF, RO could be performed with high accuracy thanks to numerous tie points.Originality/valueStereoscopic images of close‐range photogrammetry have different scale and rotations, unlike aerial photogrammetry. Manual selection of tie points is time consuming and tedious. Furthermore, if the measurement surface has no implicit entities, enough tie points from the images cannot be selected by manually. However, tie point selection can be performed by SIFT and SURF automatically, even if there are scale, noise and rotation between the images.
Human resource integration in subsidiary mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Łupina‐Wegener Anna A. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed light on challenges faced in human resource (HR) integration in subsidiary mergers of western corporations in Poland. The paper seeks to investigate the central themes in HR integration in terms of the role of the HR function and the implications for the local workforce.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method research design was adopted with semi‐structured formal and informal interviews, participant observation, and secondary/primary data analysis.FindingsFindings provide insights into the challenges of integrating the subsidiaries of western corporations based in transition economies and why problems might emerge from the collaboration between local and foreign managers. Specifically, the analysis suggests that a success of the HR integration might be particularly at stake in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor.Research limitations/implicationsThe main study limitation concerns the fact that investigations concerned perspectives of local managers. It would be interesting in future research to observe the HR processes as perceived by both local executives and foreign parent decision‐makers.Practical implicationsThe paper's findings may help managers and change agents to understand the specific challenges to HR integration of subsidiary mergers.Originality/valueThe results shed light on HR integration in subsidiaries of corporations from western economies based in emerging or developing regions. Specifically, in circumstances of a low HR power in a subsidiary and a low multiculturalism of the foreign investor, officially proclaimed friendly mergers may turn to hostile takeovers and drastic changes risk implemention without a clear understanding of the local context. Then, HR integration risks having a dysfunctional impact on the workforce and consequently, failing to deliver expected synergies and, in the long‐term, cause M&As failure.
Qualitative research methods in international organizational change research
Authors: Garcia Dominie , Gluesing Julia C. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe central purpose of the research presented in this paper is to synthesize the current state of the field in qualitative methods in international organizational change research and to provide a call to researchers to use this type of methodology more frequently. The intent is to provide readers with an overview of how and when qualitative research methods should be used for investigating important theoretical and empirical questions in management research.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed several working hypotheses based on their own experiences in using an extensive array of qualitative methods in organizational change research. They coupled this with an extensive literature search to understand how these methodologies have been used to date. The findings from the literature search were analysed to uncover where there are gaps in the work and how organizational change and other management scholars can effectively use qualitative methods to advance their understanding of international change phenomena, given the unique questions and situations confronted in various contexts. The authors include an array of examples to show how qualitative research has been used to successfully test theories, uncover new phenomena, find connections between various situations, and provide a deep understanding of contextual influences on organizational change.FindingsThe authors' findings include several examples and ideas of how and when scholars can use qualitative methods to advance understanding of international change phenomena. This provides a much richer, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of many of the phenomena and issues under investigation by employing the more observational and human‐centric techniques available through the use of qualitative methods. Several of the implications of context are only observable through some of the qualitative methods discussed, such as ethnography, case studies, interviews, observations, and their respective analysis methods. Qualitative research can be employed successfully and fruitfully in organization studies' contexts to: help uncover new organizational phenomena; build and test theories of change; and create new methods that researchers can use specifically in international change studies.Originality/valueThe paper is the only one of its kind, bringing a cohesive and focused review of qualitative methods studies in international organizational change research. It provides readers and the field with a menu of ways to effectively use qualitative methods and a description of where and how to bring in these methods to answer questions and uncover new themes that are not effectively dealt with through the use of more commonly employed quantitative methods and analyses.
Impacts of learning orientation on product innovation performance
Authors: Calisir Fethi , Altin Gumussoy Cigdem , Guzelsoy Ezgi 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe present study aims to examine the effect of learning orientation (commitment to learning, shared vision, open‐mindedness) on the product innovation performance (product innovation efficacy and efficiency) of companies in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation‐modeling approach was applied to identify the variables that significantly affected the product innovation performance. Using LISREL 8.54, the data collected from 150 companies were used to test the proposed research model.FindingsEmpirical testing of the research model revealed that open‐mindedness was the sole predictor of product innovation efficacy as well as efficiency. However, the effects of shared vision and commitment to learning on the product innovation performance were found to be insignificant.Practical implicationsRelevant implications are provided for management as to how to improve product innovation performance.Originality/valueThe present study puts forward a theoretical model that identifies and explains the relation between the learning orientation and product innovation performance of companies operating in Turkey.
Social business: an opportunity to transform work and create value
Authors: Korsten Peter J. , Lesser Eric , Cortada James W. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis is a report on an IBM Institute for Business Value study, based on responses from more than 1,100 individuals and interviews with more than two dozen executives from leading organizations, that aims to suggest ways organizations can use social approaches to create meaningful business value.Design/methodology/approachIBM conducted interviews of key executives of companies learning to embed their external social tools into core business processes and capabilities.FindingsThe paper reveals that leading firms are using social approaches not only to communicate better with their customers, but also to share knowledge with their suppliers, business partners and, perhaps most important, their employees.Practical implicationsSocial business tools facilitate engagement in extensive discussions with employees, customers, business partners and other stakeholders and allow sharing of resources, skills and knowledge to drive business outcomes. Executives are concerned because social business represents a different way of thinking about employees, customers and how work is accomplished, as well as the potential risks of increased organizational openness and transparency.Originality/valueLeading firms are rapidly progressing to a substantive transformation in how they work, an approached called social business. Social business can create valued customer experiences, increase workforce productivity and effectiveness and accelerate innovation.
A continuous‐learning process that updates and enhances planning scenarios
Authors: Harris Gerald 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to describe how, during the period after the scenarios have been sketched out but before the company leadership reaches the strategy‐development or investment‐decision stage, a continuous learning process can help planners and senior decision‐makers identify and track the unfolding events that are most relevant to the challenges and big issues facing their organization.Design/methodology/approachIn the case example, a web‐connected Event, Pattern, Structure (EPS) tool allows all members of a multi‐stakeholder Scenario Planning Steering Group, as well as invited experts, to submit news articles, conference reports, research, scholarly articles and other published information into a database that is organized with links to four scenarios and their driving forces.FindingsAs the case demonstrates, an ongoing EPS process related to the scenarios and key drivers can support strategic monitoring of the business environment with the scenarios serving an organizing structure.Practical implicationsThis continuous learning tool is particularly useful for companies that develop scenarios that evolve over long periods of time, a practice that is usually determined by the investment window or marketing cycle of an organization.Originality/valueResearch collected in the EPS system can be used to watch for developments that portend operating‐environment changes. Planners can generate early indicators that signal whether a particular scenario or trends within a scenario are emerging.
Aftermath of the VAT fraud on carbon emissions markets
Authors: Frunza Marius‐Cristian 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to recognize the effect of the VAT fraud upon the market prices and to assess the occurrence of money laundering on the carbon emissions market. The paper presents an analytic breakdown of the MTIC pocketed funds and estimates the bearish impact of the VAT trade on the carbon prices. The VAT carousel could also be used for all the steps of money laundering given the lack of control and surveillance of various trading firms.Design/methodology/approachIn a previous work by Frunza and Guégan it was shown that the European carbon market is strongly influenced by fundamentals factors such as oil, energy, gas, coal and equities. Using public market prices and volumes for both futures and spot exchanges, the model allows us to assess and quantify the spread between the observed carbon prices and the theoretical fundamental prices. The dataset analysis reveals that the spot volumes remained abnormally high compared to an empirical economic level, even after the end of the VAT fraud on the organised exchange. These abnormal volumes could be explained by the occurrence of speculative trading linked to the money laundering.FindingsFindings present an analytic breakdown of the MTIC pocketed funds and a bearish impact of 2‐3 euros upon the carbon prices. The paper also explains the origin of a relative persistence of high volumes on the spot market by proposing a model of placement, layering and integration steps on the carbon emissions market, similar to the VAT carousel.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study that quantifies the market manipulation effect due to VAT fraud. The work is also unique as it provides the first estimation of money laundered on the carbon emission market.