bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoters in a matrix organization's social network during industrial project sales
Authors: Ryynänen Harri , T. Salminen Risto 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding about the key persons (promoters) in project business organizations. By doing this, the managers may enhance the communication flow by connecting the experts and the executives more efficiently.Design/methodology/approach– The paper is an in-depth single case study in which the case represents a typical industrial project sales process. The case is analysed through content analysis and social network analysis that offers a structured and rigorous method of analysing social networks.Findings– The findings indicate that during project sales there may be numerous process promoters with the dual roles of power and process promoter. In addition, this study demonstrated the appearance of process promoters in the project supplier's social network. The findings of the present study contribute to the literature on promoters by focusing especially on process promoters during project sales.Practical implications– The results of the present study suggest that the process promoters need to be identified and supported in order to build an effective cross-functional project sales team in project business.Originality/value– While the extant literature identifies the promoters in organizations, there appears to be a dearth of studies that relate to the early phases of project sales, despite the fact that these phases have a substantial impact on subsequent phases. This study is a rare example to study empirically the promoters in the project business organization's social network.
Does regional currency integration ameliorate global macroeconomic shocks in sub-Saharan Africa? The case of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis
Authors: N. Price Gregory , U. Elu Juliet 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to consider whether regional currency integration in sub-Saharan Africa ameliorates global macroeconomic shocks by considering the impact of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis on economic growth. This suggests that Central Africa Franc Zone (CFAZ) eurocurrency union membership amplifies the effects of global business cycles in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors estimate the parameters of a quantity theory model of economic growth within a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) Framework.

Findings
– Parameter estimates from GEE specifications reveal that the contraction in credit during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 had larger adverse growth effects on sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union. The authors also find that sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union were more likely to experience a contraction in credit.

Originality/value
– As far as the authors can discern, no existing empirical growth models use a GEE framework to estimate parameters of interest. The GEE parameter estimates are distribution-free, robust with respect to unknown forms of heteroskedasticity, and control for a wide variety of error structures that can induce bias in panel data parameter estimates.
Firing tax vs severance payments – an unequal comparison
Authors: Wesselbaum Dennis 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to compare two elements of lay-off costs in a dynamic model of the labor market and analyze the differences for business cycle dynamics and welfare.Design/methodology/approach– The paper builds a general equilibrium Real Business Cycle model and introduces firing costs and severance payments. Labor market frictions are assumed to follow the famous search and matching approach.Findings– The paper finds that firing costs imply a higher volatility over the cycle and have stronger negative welfare effects. Severance payments have a lower volatility, reduce unemployment, and reduce welfare by a smaller amount.Practical implications– Policy reforms should be aimed to use severance payments and reduce the ring cost component of lay-off costs.Originality/value– Increasing welfare and a more stable business cycle could be supported by using severance payments instead of firing costs.
Modeling drivers for successful adoption of environmentally conscious manufacturing
Authors: Kumar Mittal Varinder , Singh Sangwan Kuldip 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims at developing an interpretive structural model of drivers for environmentally conscious manufacturing (ECM). It will demonstrate how interpretive structural modeling (ISM) supports policy makers in the government and industry in identifying and understanding interdependencies among drivers for ECM. Interdependencies among drivers will be derived and structured into a hierarchy to derive subsystems of interdependent elements with corresponding driving power and dependency.

Design/methodology/approach
– ISM has been used to identify hierarchy and inter-relationships among drivers for ECM adoption and to classify the drivers according to their driving and dependence power using MICMAC analysis. The drivers for ECM adoption are identified through the review of literature followed by developing a model of drivers using ISM.

Findings
– The main findings of the paper include the development of an ISM model of drivers for ECM adoption. The developed model divided the identified drivers into five levels of hierarchies showing their inter-relationship and depicting the driving-dependence relationship. These five levels have been classified into four categories – awareness, external, organizational and benefits.

Originality/value
– The developed ISM model is expected to provide a direction to the policy makers in the government and industry and the top management of the organizations to leverage their resources in a timely manner to adopt ECM successfully.
Logistics service quality and its effects on customer satisfaction in the manufacturing companies’ supply chains
Authors: Politis Yannis , Giovanis Apostolos , Binioris Spyridon 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to implement a multi-criteria preference disaggregation approach to measure logistics service quality (LSQ) of manufacturing companies’ supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach
– A total 216 Greek manufacturing companies took part in a survey with the use of a dedicated questionnaire. They were asked to assess the LSQ of their primary supplier regarding a predefined set of criteria and sub-criteria. The data were analysed with the multi-criteria satisfaction analysis method, which represents an ordinal regression based approach used for customer satisfaction measurement.

Findings
– Weak points of the suppliers as well as dimensions that drive satisfaction were identified. Furthermore, the competitive advantages of the suppliers as well as their priorities for improvement were spotted.

Research limitations/implications
– The sampling framework, including only the manufacturing companies operating in a specific area of Greece, does not ensure the full generalisation of the results. A larger sample of manufacturing companies from all over Greece would be useful to obtain more reliable results and would enable the comparison of LSQ for different manufacturing sectors.

Practical implications
– The method used to assess LSQ of manufacturing companies can be installed as a permanent customer satisfaction barometer to measure, control and improve the LSQ provided to manufacturing companies as well as to other business sectors.

Originality/value
– This paper proposes a method to explore the relationships between LSQ and industrial customers’ satisfaction to prioritise strategic plans of companies in the supply chains.
The impact of industrial clusters on human resource and firms performance
Authors: Hsu Maw-Shin , Lai Yung-Lung , Lin Feng-Jhy 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the formation of industrial clusters on the obtainment of professional human resources, to verify the impact of human resources on clustering relationships and firm’s performance and to understand whether the formation of clusters can contribute to the obtainment of professional human resources and the improvement of competitiveness of enterprises. It was expected that solutions could be found to make new contributions through the verification of special economic zones (SEZs).Design/methodology/approach– Using manufacturers in Taiwan’s SEZs as the subjects, this study explored the impact on the obtainment of professional human resources after the formation of industrial clusters in SEZs, through conducting and empirical study with a questionnaire survey.Findings– The professional human resources are the essential factor for the formation of industrial clusters and the improvement of competitiveness. This study also confirmed that industries can have professional human resources by industrial clustering and that this will produce a positive impact on the enterprise clustering relationships, which can also have a positive impact on firm’s performance and can enhance the enterprise’s competitive advantage.Practical implications– Industrial clustering is the key factor to attract professional human resources; industrial clusters can enhance firm’s performance; and professional human resources affect firm’s performance of enterprises.Originality/value– No study has discussed the topic of clusters from the perspective of SEZs also including six export processing zone (EPZ) parks in Taiwan. This study discussed the topic using theories relating to clustering and human resources. The formation of industrial clusters can result in higher competitiveness in the face of the global market. The EPZ industrial cluster provides an excellent investment environment. Coupled with one-stop express services and geographic advantage, the land-use rate is up to 97 per cent and the per hectare output value amounts to NTD 3.2 billion, setting a successful example of an industrial cluster.
Mindfulness, indigenous knowledge, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship
Authors: Capel Celine 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to highlight the role of mindfulness in the development of indigenous knowledge (IK), indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship or new entry.Design/methodology/approach– Through an extensive analysis of extant mindfulness and indigenous entrepreneurship literatures, the paper argues for the facilitating role of individual mindfulness in IK, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship and generates several propositions as a result.Findings– The paper argues that mindfulness encourages the appreciation of other forms of knowledge and practices distinct from the more prevalent Western forms, and by so doing, promotes indigenous innovation and indigenous entrepreneurship (or indigenous new entry or new business venture).Research limitations/implications– It is reasoned that indigenous communities around the world have rich experiences and accumulated knowledge that have enabled them develop explanations of their environments and economic development and sustainability, and by recognizing and valuing such knowledge and experiences, mindfulness facilitates innovations and entrepreneurship.Social implications– The facilitating role of IK in developing indigenous innovations and indigenous entrepreneurship is clearly evident, at least in indigenous societies; however, researchers are yet to recognise and explore this dynamics as deserved. Mindfulness not only opens up the mindset of researchers to further explore this phenomenon but also helps society to recognise the contributions and value of IK.Originality/value– This work is a pioneer in the effort to integrate mindfulness concept into the indigenous entrepreneurship research. By using mindfulness lens to view the relationship between IK, indigenous innovations and entrepreneurship, the study locates mindfulness as both antecedent to and moderator of these relationships.
Global research status in leading nuclear science and technology journals during 2001-2010
Authors: Hosein Mardani Amir , Abdiazar Shahram 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment of the global status of research in nuclear science and technology (NST) publications.

Design/methodology/approach
– The present bibliometric study is based on bibliographic data that were retrieved from the Web of Science during 2001-2010. In all, 85,198 records published by the 35 journals under the category of NST in the database of Journal Citation Reports were assessed in terms of many aspects. A further assessment has been made using advanced bibliometric indicators such as field citation scores and collaboration network analysis using the NetDraw software.

Findings
– Unlike research-prolific countries, the annual growth rates of publications for most developing countries have experienced an evident leap. The highest scientific impact and productivity among the publications belonged to the International Journal of Radiation Biology (10.46). A limited group of prolific authors produced a considerable portion of the publications, among whom, Japanese authors had the most contributions. The USA is in the centre of the international collaborative network illustration and is also the main partner of most of the research-prolific countries. Nuclear physics has the greatest field normalised measured impact ratios (CPP/FCSm = 4.2) among the publications, which signifies its inherent impact on NST research. In general, like the inter-institutional collaborative publications, the internationally collaborative publications are more frequently cited and therefore have a higher scientific impact.

Originality/value
– The paper could aid to show collaborative research in the NST journals and assess the research performance of the NST.
In transition: academic e-book reading in an institution without e-books
Authors: Lopatovska Irene , Slater Aimee , Bronner Caitlin , El Mimouni Houda , Lange Leanora , Ludas Orlofsky Victoria 
Published: August 2014

Purpose
– This paper aims to report the results of a study that examined the ways in which graduate-level library and information science students make use of e-books and e-readers at an institution that does not offer e-books through its library. The paper can be used as a case study in the adoption of emerging technology.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study used three research methods – a survey, focus groups and interviews – to investigate library and information science students’ reading habits and preferences.

Findings
– The findings suggest that despite the barriers of access and usability, the students have generally incorporated e-books into their academic routines. The results also suggest the factors that contribute to reader preferences for e-book technology.

Research limitations/implications
– The study sample was limited to one academic institution without e-book collection.

Originality/value
– The article presents one of the very few studies that examine e-book reading of an academic population that does not currently have access to e-books through their academic library. Understanding the ways in which such a population accesses, uses and values e-books would help many academic libraries make decisions with regard to the selection, integration and marketing of e-books. Additionally, such a study could serve as the basis of a case study that seeks to understand the ways in which people who do not have ready access to technology through their institutions find ways to work around that obstacle.
Understanding workplace meetings
Authors: A. Allen Joseph , Beck Tammy , W. Scott Cliff , G. Rogelberg Steven 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to propose a taxonomy of meeting purpose. Meetings are a workplace activity that deserves increased attention from researchers and practitioners. Previous researchers attempted to develop typologies of meeting purpose with limited success. Through a comparison of classification methodologies, the authors consider a taxonomy as the appropriate classification scheme for meeting purpose. The authors then utilize the developed taxonomy to investigate the frequency with which a representative sample of working adults engaged in meetings of these varying purposes. Their proposed taxonomy provides relevant classifications for future research on meetings as well and serves as a useful tool for managers seeking to use and evaluate the effectiveness of meetings within their organizations.Design/methodology/approach– This study employs an inductive methodology using discourse analysis of qualitative meeting descriptions to develop a taxonomy of meeting purpose. The authors discourse analysis utilizes open-ended survey responses from a sample of working adults (n= 491).Findings– The authors categorical analysis of open-ended questions resulted in a 16-category taxonomy of meeting purpose. The two most prevalent meeting purpose categories in this sample were “to discuss ongoing projects” at 11.6 per cent and “to routinely discuss the state of the business” at 10.8 per cent. The two least common meeting purpose categories in this sample were “to brainstorm for ideas or solutions” at 3.3 per cent and “to discuss productivity and efficiencies” at 3.7 per cent. The taxonomy was analyzed across organizational type and employee job level to identify differences between those important organizational and employee characteristics.Research limitations/implications– The data suggested that meetings were institutionalized in organizations, making them useful at identifying differences between organizations as well as differences in employees in terms of scope of responsibility. Researchers and managers should consider the purposes for which they call meetings and how that manifests their overarching organizational focus, structure and goals.Originality/value– This is the first study to overtly attempt to categorize the various purposes for which meetings are held. Further, this study develops a taxonomy of meeting purposes that will prove useful for investigating the different types of meeting purposes in a broad range of organizational types and structures.
Information selection by managers: priorities and values attributed to the dimensions of information
Authors: Osvaldo De Sordi José , Meireles Manuel , Carvalho de Azevedo Marcia 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of the paper is to understand the values perceived and the priorities attributed by the managers to four dimensions of information quality associated with meta-information commonly used in the initial selection (scanning) of content by managers: source credibility, comprehensiveness, timeliness, and confidentiality.Design/methodology/approach– The study involved conducting simulations of information selection for decision making with 124 professionals from 11 different companies. The results were analysed with content analysis techniques, nonparametric statistics, and cluster analysis.Findings– Three levels of priority were found in the managers’ information selection process: the credibility and timeliness dimensions were the most highly prioritised, the comprehensiveness dimension was the least prioritised, and the confidentiality dimension occupied an intermediate position. The preferences of the managers are for current information and a well-known source with respect to the timeliness and source credibility dimensions, respectively. Regarding the confidentiality dimension, the preference is for restricted information, valued for the desire to know. For the comprehensiveness dimension, there was no well-defined preference for managers with respect to the quantity of text in a managerial report.Practical implications– The knowledge of priorities and values attributed to the dimensions of information quality is critical for the definition of characteristics to be incorporated into information projects.Originality/value– This study's contribution is related to the process of information selection in a dynamic situation in which little time is available to information analysis.
Understanding news sharing in social media
Authors: Ma Long , Sian Lee Chei , Hoe-Lian Goh Dion 
Published: August 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to draw from the diffusion of innovations theory to explore multi-levels of influences (i.e. individuals, networks, news attributes) on news sharing in social media.Design/methodology/approach– A survey was designed and administered to 309 respondents. Structural equation modelling analysis was conducted to examine the three levels of influential factors. These included self-perceptions of opinion leadership and seeking at the individual level, perceived tie strength and homophily at the network level, and finally, perceived news credibility and news preference at the news attribute level.Findings– The results revealed that the influences of self-perceptions of opinion leadership, perceived tie strength in online networks and perceived preference of online news had significant effects on users’ news sharing intention in social media. However, self-perceptions of opinion seeking, homophily, and perceived news credibility were not significant.Originality/value– This is one of the first studies on news sharing in social media that focus on diverse levels of influential factors. In particular, the research suggests the viability of the diffusion of innovations theory to explain this pervasive global phenomenon. Further, the influential factors identified may help to stimulate active participation in social media platforms and ultimately enhance the sustainability of these platforms.
Deciphering the uniqueness of Mucoromycotina cell walls by combining biochemical and phylogenomic approaches
Authors: Mélida Hugo , Sain Divya , Stajich Jason E. , Bulone Vincent 
Published: August 2014

SummaryMost fungi from the Mucoromycotina lineage occur in ecosystems as saprobes, although some species are phytopathogens or may induce human mycosis. Mucoromycotina represent early diverging models that are most valuable for understanding fungal evolution. Here we reveal the uniqueness of the cell wall structure of the Mucoromycotina Rhizopus oryzae and Phycomyces blakesleeanus compared with the better characterized cell wall of the ascomycete Neurospora crassa. We have analysed the corresponding polysaccharide biosynthetic and modifying pathways, and highlight their evolutionary features and higher complexity in terms of gene copy numbers compared with species from other lineages. This work uncovers the presence in Mucoromycotina of abundant fucose‐based polysaccharides similar to algal fucoidans. These unexpected polymers are associated with unusually low amounts of glucans and a higher proportion of chitin compared with N. crassa. The specific structural features are supported by the identification of genes potentially involved in the corresponding metabolic pathways. Phylogenomic analyses of genes encoding carbohydrate synthases, polysaccharide modifying enzymes and enzymes involved in nucleotide‐sugar formation provide evidence for duplication events during evolution of cell wall metabolism in fungi. Altogether, the data highlight the specificity of Mucoromycotina cell walls and pave the way for a finer understanding of their metabolism.