bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promises from SOA
Authors: Van den Bergh Joachim , Viaene Stijn 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to support the application of a combined BPM (business process management)/SOA (service‐oriented architecture) approach and contribute to the body of knowledge on the business value of SOA.Design/methodology/approachThis case study highlights the promising results of a process reengineering project at Belgacom Mobile, Belgium's largest mobile telecommunications operator. The reengineering effort centered around a key automation pillar involving in particular the optimization of the SIM card ordering process. SOA principles were applied to ensure both the flexibility of the redesigned process and its capability of dealing with newly emerging SIM card types. This case demonstrates the potential benefits of combining BPM and SOA concepts to establish IT‐enabled process innovation.FindingsIn terms of performance improvement, the studied project resulted in: increased process flexibility and consistency, considerably shorter lead times, and enhanced process control.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings from this case study present useful insights for other companies trying to reap the benefits of combined BPM and SOA. However, the single case study approach presents some limitations to the generalizability of the proposed learning points and concepts. Some case specific features such as the sector or company size might influence the generalizability. Nevertheless, the paper rather intends to trigger conceptual thinking about IT‐enabled process innovation and an architectural approach.Originality/valueThe added value of this project, which contributes to the general understanding of SOA potential for BPM, lies in its innovative approach, whereby product and process are separated by means of production process ID creation. The redesign approach thus provides a sustainable answer to the ever shortening life cycle of products and technologies. In particular process practitioners will find value in reading the learning points from this paper.
Smart business networks: interaction‐coordination aspects and risks
Authors: Pau L.‐F. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarize key interaction‐coordination attributes and the uniqueness of smart business networks.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology analyzed is smart business networks, encompassing all three traditional business process life‐cycle stages between dynamically interacting enterprises. Emphasis is put on the business aspects and the related risks.FindingsSmart business networks open the possibility to configure business processes and stakeholders on the fly. This implies some key paradigm changes, both of a technical and of a business nature, which are offered here for discussion via a set of propositions.Research limitations/implicationsBy economic and risk analysis, such as that summarized in this paper, one can progress towards the analysis of interacting heterogeneous enterprises.Practical implicationsThe implementation involves, amongst others, the embedding of business logic specific to a network of business partners, inside the communications control networks. It also involves the definition of business protocols between these partners and the joint management of some common functions relying on open networking standards. Examples are given from the wireless communications industry.Originality/valueAs quick‐connect/quick‐disconnect business networks and processes become more prevailing based on unique resources or competences, the paper introduces the missing risk analysis this requires at an architectural and business level.
The binding power of the contract
Authors: Zoll Fryderyk 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to investigate the role that the principle of pacta sunt servanda plays in consumer contracts under the Common European Sales Law (CESL).Design/methodology/approachThe new proposal for the CESL resembles quite closely other global and European instruments and collections of rules on contracts, such as the CISG, PECL, and DCFR. At a closer look, the concept of contract, and in particular the consumer contract, differences between the CESL and its predecessors becomes readily apparent. This article will point out these differences and thereby analyse the role of the pacta sunt servanda principle in consumer contracts.FindingsThe question must be answered whether the consumer protection provisions that weaken the bindingness of contracts will discourage traders from opting into CESL? The Article also shows the inconsistencies in the CESL in business‐to‐business (B2B) contracts in the areas relating to mistake and lack of conformity.Originality/valueThe article poses a question which is of such relevance that it should be more comprehensively discussed by European legislators before the CESL is adopted as an EU regulation.
Interpretation and gap‐filling in the CISG and in the CESL
Authors: Magnus Ulrich 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to compare the methods of interpretation and gap filling in the United Nations Sales Convention (CISG) and in the Draft Common European Sales Law (CESL). In particular, it aims to examine whether the established interpretation and gap filling method of the CISG can and should be used for the CESL.Design/methodology/approachThe article looks at the method by which international case law and doctrine interpret the CISG and fill its gaps. The article compares this method with the method that is provided for in the CESL instrument but has to be implemented.FindingsIt is suggested that despite its nature as European community law, CESL should be interpreted in a broad international way since it does not only cover internal EU sales, but also transactions involving parties from outside the EU. For this reason its interpretation and gap filling should follow the method of the CISG so as to interpret similar provisions in a similar way in order to harmonize law within and outside the EU.Research limitations/implicationsBoth the CISG and CESL intend to unify legal traditions or different legal systems; the CISG tries to harmonize globally what CESL tries to harmonize regionally. It is important that these two instruments complement one another by the avoidance of divergent interpretations of similar provisions. It would helpful for further research to assess whether and how two decades of experience with the CISG can be used in the interpretation and application of CESL.Practical implicationsCESL's interpretation provision, if it is enacted, is unlikely to change from the current version. The way CESL is interpreted and how its gaps filled will determine its practical significance as a viable opt‐in national law. It is therefore necessary to develop in advance the right interpretive methodology if CESL is to become a meaningful alternative instrument.Originality/valueThe article suggests that the CESL should not be interpreted in the traditional way European community law is interpreted, but, instead, be interpreted under a broad international perspective. It also advances the idea of interconventional interpretation by which the CISG would guide the interpretation of similar provisions found in CESL.
Capacity and availability management by quantitative project management in the IT service industry
Authors: Bairi Jayachandra , Murali Manohar B. , Kundu Goutam Kumar 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and implement an efficient capacity and availability management tracker for information technology (IT) service delivery management that can be applied by analyzing base‐lined data, using quantitative project management and knowledge discovery techniques, for taking decisions on a monthly basis in resource allocation, optimum resource utilization and efficient service level management.Design/methodology/approachA ticket forecasting model has been developed. Also data were collected from fixed price running IT service delivery programs with about 200 or more full‐time employees working in each program, limited to four large service lines. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the data were base lined and applied to a capacity and availability management tracker. The results were then analyzed and conclusions drawn.FindingsThe findings suggest that the service provider was able to share the resources across the organization as needed based on demand, and overall the bench strength of the organization was drastically reduced. Also they were able to achieve better service level management. This has contributed to profit margin improvement in the organization.Research limitations/implicationsThe relatively small sample size (three programs and four service lines in one IT service organization) has impact on research implications.Practical implicationsThe results have implications for practice in promoting IT tools and technique for capacity and availability management in an IT service provider. It is suggested that senior management may need to concentrate on adapting a positive approach promoting the usage of new IT tools and techniques in order to achieve IT service improvement, better performance and margin improvement.Originality/valueThis study has addressed the consequences of initiating an organization‐wide knowledge‐based process performance model for a popular strategic IT initiative. The study has answered the questions on better resource utilization and efficient service level management.
Designing quality for the higher educational system
Authors: Sahney Sangeeta 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe growing popularity of quality management has left no sector untouched, and educational services are no exception. In the face of the innumerable demands that the stakeholders place, educational institutions like other organizations are realizing the significance of customer‐centered philosophies. The enhancement of quality and the attempt to define, conceptualize, implement and measure it are areas of focus, and are being addressed by policy makers, educational planners and administrators. This paper is an attempt towards identification of the elements that would help design quality for the higher educational system.Design/methodology/approachBased on a theoretical foundation, this paper is an empirical study conducted on select higher educational institutions to identify the various design characteristic constructs which would form the quality element/components for an educational system, and which, if implemented, would help design quality in education. The literature review helped conceptualize the variables that would constitute quality components for education. These were empirically tested and a comparative assessment made between internal and external customers of the educational system, the internal customers being the faculty and the administrative staff, and the external customers being students and the industry. Such an emphasis on customers of the educational system would assure a customer‐centric design of the educational system, something which is prima facie to “quality management”.FindingsThe study helped identify the quality components, which would help design quality for institutes of higher education.Practical implicationsThe paper could be useful to policy makers, educational planners and administrators in developing a system that could lead to customer satisfaction.Originality/valueWhile studies have been conducted on customer requirement and the constructs, research on what would comprise the quality components is lacking. A study on this could help design an educational system that would lead to quality management in education and thereby lead to customer satisfaction.
Cabling renovation concept in large‐scale renovation of rural area networks
Authors: Haakana Juha , Lassila Jukka , Kaipia Tero , Partanen Jarmo , Lohjala Juha , Niemelä Hanna 
Published: August 2012

PurposeUnderground cabling has become a true alternative in construction of electricity distribution networks, even in rural areas. The increasing amount of underground installations requires strategic work that helps to define the most profitable cabling targets. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology to consider the underground cabling process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper proposes a cabling concept that covers the issues on how cabling should be carried out. The analysis is based on techno‐economic and reliability analyses. The methodology consists of several steps that together constitute the concept.FindingsThe underground cabling concept comprises several steps that can be simplified into questions: where, what, when and how the network cabling process is carried out. The analysis of these questions and the related features of the network show that different approaches to the renovation can cause significant differences in profitability between the renovation strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe underground cabling concept provides a method to analyse the cabling process, and it contains several alternatives for applying the concept. Thus, the applicability of a certain method depends on the network and the objectives of the distribution system operator.Practical implicationsRenovation planning of the network has become common in distribution companies. Traditionally, ageing of the network has been the driver for the renovation. However, in the future, the scope of renovation planning should also include other renovation drivers, such as reliability.Originality/valueThe methodology proposed in the paper can be applied in the renovation and development process of distribution networks. The results are universal in the electricity distribution.
Natural gas demand and supply modeling with geo‐spatial technologies
Authors: Naqi Syed Ali , Jamil Hassan Kazmi Syed , Seong Jeong C. 
Published: August 2012

PurposeNatural gas makes up about 50 per cent of Pakistan's energy consumption, which is decreasing at an alarming pace, making Karachi – the largest city of Pakistan – one of the major victims of natural gas shortfall. The purpose of this paper is to model natural gas demand and supply using geographic information systems.Design/methodology/approachSui Southern Gas Company datasets were used to derive annual per capita gas usages and to analyze the capacity of gas supplies. Union Council is taken as a smallest and basic analytical administrative spatial unit for appraisal of badly affected, with insufficient, low and better gas supply regions.FindingsResults show that the per capita demand for natural gas is higher in high class residential areas while supply is lowest for upper middle and lower middle class residential area populations. Only 19 per cent of the total residential areas are expected to be free from gas shortfalls. About 53 per cent of residential areas are facing the problem of low gas availability; and 3 per cent and 11 per cent areas are under stress of badly affected and insufficient gas supply, respectively.Originality/valueThis research shows an example of constructing a Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based gas demand and supply model that can be used for building strategic guidelines for top‐level planners, engineers and decision makers at the micro‐level. This is not a “deep” paper, but it works in identifying a problem and presenting a quantitative way forward. This paper will have significant impact both on society and academia, as this innovative technology and its implementation on gas utility has happened for the first time in Pakistan. Furthermore, in the international literature this has also been in infancy and will open new avenues of research, especially in developing countries. The work would certainly be applicable for other consumer‐based utilities such as electricity, telecommunication, sewerage and municipal water and they would all benefit from it substantially.
Gender differences and audit committee diligence
Authors: Thiruvadi Sheela 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the presence of females on the audit committee and the number of audit committee meetings.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a multivariate regression model to examine the association between gender on the audit committee and the number of audit committee meetings used as a proxy for audit committee diligence. The paper uses a sample of 254 firms from the S&P SmallCap600, with a December 31, 2003 fiscal year‐end.FindingsThe author finds consistent evidence to show that audit committees with at least one female director were likely to meet more often than all‐male audit committees.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research suggests that it may be fruitful to examine the effects of gender on other aspects of audit committee and board activities and the interaction between audit committees, management, and the external auditor. Furthermore, the results of the paper have strong implications for regulators and policy makers, since the presence of a female director on the audit committee may bring many positive outcomes, thereby leading to better corporate governance practices. Hence, the appointment of more females on the audit committee should be strongly emphasized.Originality/valueThis research paper contributes to the contemporary literature regarding the increased awareness of good outcomes associated with having women on the audit committee in various ways. First, this research encourages the appointment of more females on the audit committee. Second, increased diligence of the audit committee leads to enhanced corporate governance practices. Third, the presence of females on the audit committee could lead to good corporate decision making. Fourth, the presence of a female on the audit committee could lead to increased confidence of the public. Fifth, this research also serves as an influencing power to encourage equal opportunities for both men and women.
Envisioning female entrepreneur: leaders anew from a gender perspective
Authors: Patterson Nicola , Mavin Sharon , Turner Jane 
Published: September 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the convergence of female entrepreneurship, women in management and leadership fields from a gender perspective to bring a gender consciousness to the development and construction of the emerging entrepreneurial leadership theory base.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual paper that argues for the convergence of the entrepreneurship and leadership fields to enable an interchange of ideas, and learn from the developments within each field from a gender perspective. Whilst scholars have recently begun to explore the concept of entrepreneurial leadership, these early developments have remained gender blind, gender defensive and gender neutral.FindingsA central argument is that female entrepreneur leader's experience social role incongruity. In order to be perceived by their followers as credible and legitimate entrepreneurial leaders, women are expected to manage their dual presence across the symbolic spaces of femininity and masculinity, doing gender well and doing gender differently to meet social role expectations of being a woman, whilst also meeting dominant masculine constructions of leadership and entrepreneurship.Practical implicationsThis paper extends understandings of entrepreneurial leadership, highlighting the importance of foregrounding gender, to make visible and integrate the historical developments of gender within the entrepreneurship and leadership fields. Both scholars and practitioners must “unlearn” and “rethink” our learnt state of being in relation to gender, leadership and entrepreneurship in order to move beyond the “given” and disrupt masculinities' hierarchical superiority.Originality/valueThe paper argues that blends of agentic and communal behaviours must be recognized as accessible to both women and men for effective entrepreneurial leadership. This will provide female entrepreneurial leaders the fluidity to do both and be something else as a person. Offering understandings of gender to extant gender blind, gender neutral and gender defensive constructions of entrepreneurial leadership will progress understandings of the framework emerging from this conceptualization.
Examining the marketing‐corporate social responsibility nexus
Authors: Ebo Hinson Robert , Kodua Prince 
Published: August 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how corporate social responsibility is incorporated into marketing strategy for a leading telecommunications firm (MTN) in Ghana. The paper examines the corporate social responsibility practices of this firm by focussing on various dimensions of stakeholder interests, norms and values.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework was adopted from the extant literature and used as the basis for the single case study analysis. The authors interviewed senior management of the company and also analysed corporate social responsibility (CSR) information posted on the company's website.FindingsMTN has a strong commitment to social responsibility programmes. A separate independent unit, dubbed, “MTN Foundation”, has been established with its own Board of Directors and management team to manage CSR‐related programmes. However, there seems to be lack of coordination of activities of other departments such as marketing and human resources which are of equal interest to major stakeholders. Again, in an effort to identify stakeholders' interests, there appears to be a lack of a proactive approach in examining the actual needs of prospective beneficiaries of CSR programmes of the company.Originality/valueThe paper serves as a guide to managers in the planning and implementation of social responsibility programmes within the context of developing countries and also adds to the relatively parsimonious literature on CSR practices of firms operating in Africa.
An exploration of ISO 14001 uptake by New Zealand firms
Authors: Cassells Sue , Lewis Kate V. , Findlater Alec 
Published: August 2012

PurposeNew Zealand firms display reluctance in embracing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. The low adoption rate suggests that the benefits of doing so are not adequately understood by New Zealand firms. The purpose of the paper is to report success factors for the implementation of ISO 14001, as well as the barriers to, and benefits of, adoption.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on data from a survey of all ISO 14001 certified firms in New Zealand.FindingsThe key factors reported as being critical to the successful implementation of an ISO 14001 driven EMS for the respondent firms are planning and strategy, and capability building, with process management of lesser importance. Factors recognised as potential barriers to successful ISO 14001 adoption are primarily implementation processes and costs, with external engagement, information and infrastructure, and contractor commitments deemed lesser barriers. Perceived benefits of ISO 14001 adoption are reported as environmental operating performance, compliance related performance, environmental outcomes and perceptions and, lastly, competitive orientation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to data from externally certified firms (i.e. it excludes any data from firms who “self‐declare”). The data are also post‐implementation (i.e. there is no measurement of whether the reported benefits, barriers and success factors were what the firm had expected pre‐implementation).Originality/valueThe paper is one of few that explore the phenomenon of ISO 14001 adoption by firms in the New Zealand context.