bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lean production and business performance: international empirical results
Authors: Losonci Dávid , Demeter Krisztina 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to identify factors that considerably impact business performance of lean manufacturers (companies with extensive use of lean tools and excellent operational performance).Design/methodology/approachIMSS IV (International Manufacturing Strategy Survey) data bank is used for statistical analysis. It contains 711 valid observations from 23 countries from the time period between 2005 February and 2006 March. Out of the 711 responding organization data of 453 firms are analyzed. Quantitative analyses are done by cluster, ANOVA, and regression analyses.FindingsMany factors influencing business performance of lean producers are outside of the scope of Operations Management (e.g. market dynamics, new entrants, and customization). Production's contribution to business performance is limited to product/service positioning, supplier and capacity management.Research limitations/implicationsThe most important limitation is that the database used in the study was created for more general purposes. Although our results do not show any difference among industries, we only consider cultural impact at regional level. The explanatory power of our model reveals that we could have overlooked many important factors (e.g. innovation capability of business unit, firm role in the supply chain), so further research (e.g. review of strategic management literature) is required to enhance the reliability of variables.Originality/valueEmpirical results regarding improvements in business performance of lean companies are ambiguous. The study highlights key areas of lean production that contribute to superior business performance. It will help managers to explore both operational and business benefits of lean implementation.
New approaches for new media: moving towards a connected methodology
Authors: Barden Owen 
Published: May 2013

PurposeDefining and describing research methodologies is difficult. Methodologies have similarities and resonances, and overlapping characteristics. Familiar labels of case study, action research and ethnography may not be adequate to describe new and creative approaches to qualitative research. If we simply transfer old ways to new contexts, we risk limiting our understanding of the complexities of real life settings. The call to set aside old dualisms and devise new methodological approaches has been sounded. Accordingly, this article sets out to describe a fledgling new methodological approach, and how it was operationalized in a small‐scale study of digitally‐mediated classroom learning.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology combines elements of action research and case study with an ethnographic approach. It was devised for a study of the use of Facebook as an educational resource by five dyslexic students at a sixth form college in north‐west England. Its flexibility and attention to detail enabled multiple data collection methods. This range of methods enabled meticulous analysis of many of the group's online and offline interactions with each other and with Facebook as they co‐constructed their group Facebook page.FindingsReflexively combining elements of case study, action research and ethnography thus helped capture the “connected complexities” (Davies) of this contemporary classroom setting. This is necessary if researchers are to obtain any meaningful understanding of how learning happens in such contexts.Originality/valueThe author hopes to contribute to the discourse on qualitative methodology and invites other researchers studying similar contexts to consider a similar approach.
To an audience of “I”
Authors: Duggan Shane 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper attempts to conceive the “narrated event” by considering the use of open‐ended a‐synchronous “blogs” in a current PhD study looking at the perceptions of 30 senior secondary students over their final year of secondary schooling.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the role of identity‐play in the construction of narrative accounts and specifically, how those accounts, when solicited in a blog study, might come to represent a “performance” of the narrator.FindingsThe implications of how we, as qualitative researchers, obtain our data places limitations on what kind of voice we allow the subjects of our enquiry. “Agency” requires dialogic interaction which “brings self and other together so that they may question, debate, and challenge one another” (Conquergood). Not only the ear, but also the voice of the listener thus bind the extent to which the subject can narrate their own stories. Thus, the subject is reflective, she constructs a dialogue where “underneath the self which acts are little selves which contemplate and which render possible both the action and the active subject” (Deleuze).Originality/valueBy employing dialogic/performative narrative methods (Riessman), along with online methods (Fielding), this paper positions online blogs within the broader methodological discussions around identity and narrative by facilitating a conversation between subjectivity, trustworthiness, the value of blogs as meaningful data, and how a conceptualisation of blogs as narrative performance helps give agency to those “tellings”.
Facing the methodological challenges of re‐using previously collected data in a qualitative inquiry
Authors: Foster Dennis James , Hays Terrence , Alter Frances 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to assist researchers considering the benefits and constraints of re‐using previously collected data (sourced from media in the public domain) as the sample for a grounded theory qualitative research inquiry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies what were perceived by the researchers as methodological challenges, encountered in the context of a study using grounded theory methodology. The seven areas included: the re‐use of qualitative data, forming the research question, developing the research approach, refining the methodology, ensuring data quality, maintaining methodological integrity, and developing ethical boundaries. It outlines the process of working through these challenges and explains the solutions adopted throughout the course of the research project.FindingsThe findings from this study indicate that while re‐using data can be perceived as a constraint in qualitative research, what is not adequately taken into consideration is the actual quality of the archival material that forms the body of collected data. The researchers also illustrate the benefits of using rich archival material in the context of a single research project and caution that the re‐use of previously collected data is not a soft option, nor does it offer a fast track to completion.Research limitations/implicationsSolutions to challenges described in the article may not be immediately applicable to other research contexts or archives of data.Practical implicationsResearchers can adopt approaches similar to those outlined in the paper to assess the applicability of archives of previously‐collected qualitative data as the sample for complementary or supplementary research.Originality/valueThe paper presents solutions to seven commonly perceived challenges to the re‐use of previously collected data as the sample for qualitative research.
Visual ethnography and refugee women: nuanced understandings of lived experiences
Authors: Lenette Caroline , Boddy Jennifer 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to reinforce the significance of visual ethnography as a tool for mental health promotion.Design/methodology/approachVisual ethnography has become an established methodology particularly in qualitative studies, to understand specific themes within participants’ everyday realities. Beyond providing a visual element, such methods allow for meaningful and nuanced explorations of sensitive themes, allowing richer sets of data to emerge rather than focussing on conversations alone. The participants in this study evaluated how far they had come by exploring complex circumstances using visual ethnographic means.FindingsResearch with single refugee women in Brisbane, Australia, demonstrates how discussing photographs and creating digital movies yielded a sense of achievement, pride and accomplishment, health and wellbeing, and ownership for some women, while for others it was a burden.Originality/valueStudies with single refugee women have been scarce with limited use of visual ethnographic methods. Visual ethnography is particularly suited to understanding refugee narratives, as complex experiences are not always conveyed through textual representations alone.
E‐Shariah in Malaysia: technology adoption within justice system
Authors: Satirah Wan Mohd Saman Wan , Haider Abrar 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe marriage between information and communication technology (ICT) and law has brought forward a significant change in the administration of justice. This paper aims to present the scenario of technology adoption in the court of law with special reference to Malaysia. It also aims to illustrate the intelligent use of technology to advance the pace of the administration of court reflected in w‐Shariah project in Shariah Court systems in Malaysia through various electronic applications, and finally propose an ICT adoption framework based on an information systems (IS) theory.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopts a qualitative case study approach to explore the scenario of information technology (IT) adoption in the court of law in Malaysia through semi‐structured interviews, observation and document reviews. Data gathered provide an understanding of how technology is used in the court workflow as well as the whole life‐cycle management of records in Shariah Court. This case study covers the management of records in Shariah courts of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. It involves personal observations on the whole life‐cycle of court room technology management.FindingsFive e‐Shariah modules were applied in 110 Shariah courts in Malaysia in 102 locations nationwide, using the electronic government network called EG*Net. E‐Shariah applications managed to standardize work environment in Shariah courts and link all the business processes on a single channel. Case clearance rate has risen significantly since then.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to the electronic applications in Shariah Court system, the secondary legal system in Malaysia after the Civil Court system. It is suggested that the future research is done to the Civil Court system, to complement the current research; in order to have a complete IS perspective on the overall legal system in Malaysia.Social implicationsThis paper proposed a technology adoption framework for electronic court management, which can be used by the policy makers for the enhancement of justice system. This research provides a foundation for practical technology adoption in courts.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates how ICT allow for better management of court management within institutionalization theory. It presents various kind of technology adoption in courts, including video conferencing with high‐tech video presenters and monitors, recreation of crime scene, electronic filing system, electronic case management and electronic court records management and systematic information storage and retrieval system. It discusses the three isomorphic pressures (coercive, normative and mimetic) that influence the technology adoption process. A research framework is presented which is expected to benefit the policy makers and judicial practitioners.
Livelihoods or ecopreneurship? Agro‐economic experiments in Hambantota, Sri Lanka
Authors: Palmås Karl , Lindberg Jonas 
Published: May 2013

PurposeIn the context of contemporary debates on ecopreneurship and sustainable livelihoods, this article seeks to compare two programmes to promote a certain type of agro‐economic practice among rural farmers. By following the successes and failures of these programmes, the text interrogates how such initiatives are evaluated by the surrounding community of aid agencies and governmental bodies.Design/methodology/approachDeploying the theoretical notion of “performativity”, as used within economic anthropology, the article posits that the above‐mentioned programmes can be construed as economic experiments. More specifically, the text compares two concurrent initiatives: One ecopreneurial experiment instigated by a social entrepreneur, and one livelihoods‐focussed experiment instigated by an aid agency. The case study is based upon material from a three‐year ethnography of entrepreneurship‐promoting programmes in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.FindingsWhile the ecopreneurial venture fails, the livelihoods‐based initiative proves successful in demonstrating its economic validity. The case study indicates that, in the context of modes of evaluation focusing on day‐to‐day incomes of farmers, it may be difficult for ecopreneurs to make room for ecological experimentation.Originality/valueHaving identified this “ecopreneur's dilemma”, the article prompts scholars and policy‐makers to investigate it further, and potentially re‐examine how the livelihoods agenda is implemented in practice.
Bank regulation and supervision in 180 countries from 1999 to 2011
Authors: Barth James R. , Caprio Gerard , Levine Ross 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss and provide new data and measures of bank regulatory and supervisory policies in 180 countries from 1999 to 2011.Design/methodology/approachThe authors' approach is based upon the quantification of hundreds of questions, including information on permissible bank activities, capital requirements, the powers of official supervisory agencies, information disclosure requirements, external governance mechanisms, deposit insurance, barriers to entry, and loan provisioning, to form indices of key bank regulatory and supervisory policies.FindingsIt is found that the regulation and supervision of banks varies widely across countries in many different dimensions. Furthermore, there has not been a convergence in bank regulatory regimes over the past decade despite the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are based on survey responses and this requires that the answers be accurate. To better ensure this is the case, several checks were made to ensure greater accuracy in all the answers. Using this database one can perform various statistical analyses in attempt to determine which bank regulatory regimes work best to promote well‐functioning banking systems.Originality/valueThe authors' data and measures are new and unique so as enable policy makers and researchers to examine cross‐country comparisons and analyses of changes in banking policies over time.
Exchange rate flexibility in Latin America
Authors: Ghosh Amit 
Published: May 2013

PurposeExchange rate regime decisively impacts key policy objectives such as financial stability, inflation control, etc. The purpose of this paper is to overview the evolution of exchange rate regimes spanning 12 nations in the Latin American region over the last two decades and estimate the degrees of influence of other major currencies on each nation.Design/methodology/approachUsing the methodology developed by Frankel and Wei, the de facto extent of exchange rate flexibility is discerned for these nations and put into perspective with that of the IMF exchange rate regime classifications.FindingsAn increase in flexibility is found from the 1990s to the 2000s, especially for inflation targeting nations. However, the results reveal these nations adopt a policy of “guarded caution” and follow more of a de facto managed floating regime that is far from pure floats. The smaller economies of the region still pursue more fixed regimes. While the results correlate, to an extent, with the IMF's classifications, several areas of discrepancy are noted. The findings are robust to several sensitivity analyses.Originality/valueA discrepancy between the IMF regime categorization and the true regime a country actually follows may cause IMF financial assistance programs to be less effective. Do countries follow regimes they are classified into? The present study gleans deeper into the issue and discerns this. The comparative analysis includes the relatively larger economies of the region as well as the seldom researched smaller ones.
“A big part of my life”: a qualitative study of the impact of theatre
Authors: Walmsley Ben 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that theatre can have on its audiences, both immediately and over time.Design/methodology/approachThe article evaluates the existing literature on impact and critically reviews a number of benefits models. Through a textual analysis of 42 semi‐structured depth interviews, the paper deconstructs the concept of impact and rearticulates it in audiences’ terms.FindingsImpact emerges as a personal construct articulated by audiences in terms of emotion, captivation, engagement, enrichment, escapism, wellbeing, world view and addiction. Impact is ultimately described as a relative concept, dependent on audience typology and perceived by audiences in holistic terms, incorporating both intrinsic value and instrumental benefits. While catharsis is confirmed as a key enabler of impact, flow emerges as both an enabler and a benefit in itself.Research limitations/implicationsAs this is a qualitative study with a sample of 42, the results are not representative of theatre audiences in general. Future research might test the findings of this study in a larger, quantitative survey, which might also test the relationships between the emerging variables.Practical implicationsThere are significant implications here for theatre‐makers and venues. From a marketing perspective, more sophisticated segmentation of audience databases could uncover ‘value ambassadors’ to spread positive word of mouth about the impact theatre has on their lives. Venues and touring companies could also consider how to prepare audiences for impact more effectively and how to minimise distraction and facilitate audience interaction with artists and theatre‐makers. Obvious solutions here are mood enhancing atmospherics and well trained front‐of‐house staff.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in its audience‐focussed approach. Impact has tended to be constructed from the perspective of producers, marketers and academics, whereas this study invites audiences to describe it in their own, authentic vernacular. These authentic insights are of value to academics, producers, policy advisors, funders and marketers working in the arts, because they help shed light on why people attend the arts and the benefits they derive from them.
Plant roles
Authors: Feldmann Andreas , Olhager Jan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic role of plants, in terms of the type and level of site competence, the relationship with the strategic reason for location, and the impact on operational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a survey of 103 Swedish manufacturing plants that belong to global production networks and analyze patterns within this context to identify potential archetypes of plants with respect to plant roles, based on factor analysis and cluster analysis.FindingsIt is found that the areas of site competence can be grouped into three bundles, characterized thematically as production‐related, supply chain‐related and development‐related. The plants fall into three categories: some plants have only production‐related competences, some have competences concerning both production and supply chain, and the third group of plants possesses all three bundles of competences.Research limitations/implicationsThe results provide empirical evidence that site competences come in bundles in three steps according to themes rather than individually. No significant relationship was found between the level of site competence and the strategic reason for site location.Practical implicationsThe results provide empirical support for the co‐location of product development and production, since plants with full responsibility for all competence bundles significantly outperform plants having only production‐related competences on cost efficiency, quality, and new product introductions.Originality/valueThe authors research patterns of site competence at a more detailed level than before in the related literature, as well as study the impact on performance, which has not been done before.
Cross‐functional integration and functional coordination in purchasing and supply management
Authors: Foerstl Kai , Hartmann Evi , Wynstra Finn , Moser Roger 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a set of nine hypotheses linking four purchasing and supply management (PSM) practices directly to purchasing performance and indirectly to financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected data in a global cross‐industry survey of 148 companies, combining primary interview and survey data with secondary data on firm performance, in order to minimize the impact of common method variance.FindingsSupport was found for eight of the nine hypotheses. In particular, a positive impact was found of cross‐functional integration and functional coordination on purchasing performance, and of purchasing performance on firm performance. Both talent management and performance management have a positive impact on cross‐functional integration and functional coordination. Talent management also has a direct impact on purchasing performance, in contrast to performance management.Originality/valueThe association of enhanced PSM maturity levels with financial performance metrics collected from secondary data sources provides robust empirical support for the stated but to this point largely untested positive impact of PSMmaturity on the firm's competitive position.
Supply governance structures for reverse logistics systems
Authors: Aitken James , Harrison Alan 
Published: May 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in governance structures that evolved as reverse logistics systems were developed. The UK car crash repair sector was used as a case study.Design/methodology/approachThe value‐chain governance framework proposed by Gereffi et al. was used to assess changes in governance systems as firms developed a reverse logistics flow and three transactional variables were used to determine how supply chains are governed and change. Both forward and reverse product flows for two supply chains were assessed to determine what changes in governance of the supply chain took place as reverse logistics operations developed.FindingsThe authors' analysis documents how relationships between the focal firm and other supply chain members altered as the new reverse logistic system developed. The modular governance structure that developed through increased supplier capability coupled with higher levels of knowledge and information codifications were shown to be important factors in the establishment of a reverse logistics system. Supplier capability, knowledge codification and transaction complexity were found to be moderating variables which can enrich the traditional models on buyer‐supplier relationships based on trust and ongoing commitment.Practical implicationsReverse logistics continues to be a major issue for business. Our findings provide an insight into some of the governance and knowledge management developments as focal firms respond to growing pressures to re‐use materials and parts. In total, six factors were identified which can assist firms in assessing their current governance structures and the development of a pathway for implementation of reverse logistics.Originality/valueLittle research has been conducted into supply chain governance structures needed to manage the new reverse logistics systems for the re‐use, recycling and repair of products.