bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lean practices for quality results: a case illustration
Authors: Hwang Pauline , Hwang David , Hong Paul 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– Increasingly, healthcare providers are implementing lean practices to achieve quality results. Implementing lean healthcare practices is unique compared to manufacturing and other service industries. The purpose of this paper is to present a model that identifies and defines the lean implementation key success factors in healthcare organisations.

Design/methodology/approach
– The model is based on an extant literature review and a case illustration that explores actual lean implementation in a major USA hospital located in a Midwestern city (approximately 300,000 people). An exploratory/descriptive study using observation and follow-up interviews was conducted to identify lean practices in the hospital.

Findings
– Lean practice key drivers include growing elderly populations, rising medical expenses, decreasing insurance coverage and decreasing management support. Effectively implementing lean practices to increase bottom-line results and improve organisational integrity requires sharing goals and processes among healthcare managers and professionals.

Practical implications
– An illustration explains the model and the study provides a sound foundation for empirical work. Practical implications are included. Lean practices minimise waste and unnecessary hospital stays while simultaneously enhancing customer values and deploying resources in supply systems. Leadership requires clear project targets based on sound front-end planning because initial implementation steps involve uncertainty and ambiguity (i.e. fuzzy front-end planning). Since top management support is crucial for implementing lean practices successfully, a heavyweight manager, who communicates well both with top managers and project team members, is an important success factor when implementing lean practices.

Social implications
– Increasingly, green orientation and sustainability initiatives are phrases that replaced lean practices. Effective results; e.g. waste reduction, employee satisfaction and customer values are applicable to bigger competitive challenges arising both in specific organisations and inter-organisational networks.

Originality/value
– Healthcare managers are adopting business practices that improve efficiency and productivity while ensuring their healthcare mission and guaranteeing that customer values are achieved. Shared understanding about complex goals (e.g. reducing waste and enhancing customer value) at the front-end is crucial for implementing successful lean practices. In particular, this study shows that nursing practices, which are both labour intensive and technology enabled, are good candidates for lean practice.
Quality and price – impact on patient satisfaction
Authors: Pantouvakis Angelos , Bouranta Nancy 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to synthesize existing quality-measurement models and applies them to healthcare by combining a Nordic service-quality with an American service performance model.

Design/methodology/approach
– Results are based on a questionnaire survey of 1,298 respondents. Service quality dimensions were derived and related to satisfaction by employing a multinomial logistic model, which allows prediction and service improvement.

Findings
– Qualitative and empirical evidence indicates that customer satisfaction and service quality are multi-dimensional constructs, whose quality components, together with convenience and cost, influence the customer's overall satisfaction.

Originality/value
– The proposed model identifies important quality and satisfaction issues. It also enables transitions between different responses in different studies to be compared.
Improving operating room productivity via parallel anesthesia processing
Authors: J. Brown Michael , Subramanian Arun , B. Curry Timothy , J. Kor Daryl , L. Moran Steven , R. Rohleder Thomas 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– Parallel processing of regional anesthesia may improve operating room (OR) efficiency in patients undergoes upper extremity surgical procedures. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether performing regional anesthesia outside the OR in parallel increases total cases per day, improve efficiency and productivity.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data from all adult patients who underwent regional anesthesia as their primary anesthetic for upper extremity surgery over a one-year period were used to develop a simulation model. The model evaluated pure operating modes of regional anesthesia performed within and outside the OR in a parallel manner. The scenarios were used to evaluate how many surgeries could be completed in a standard work day (555 minutes) and assuming a standard three cases per day, what was the predicted end-of-day time overtime.

Findings
– Modeling results show that parallel processing of regional anesthesia increases the average cases per day for all surgeons included in the study. The average increase was 0.42 surgeries per day. Where it was assumed that three cases per day would be performed by all surgeons, the days going to overtime was reduced by 43 percent with parallel block. The overtime with parallel anesthesia was also projected to be 40 minutes less per day per surgeon.

Research limitations/implications
– Key limitations include the assumption that all cases used regional anesthesia in the comparisons. Many days may have both regional and general anesthesia. Also, as a case study, single-center research may limit generalizability.

Practical implications
– Perioperative care providers should consider parallel administration of regional anesthesia where there is a desire to increase daily upper extremity surgical case capacity. Where there are sufficient resources to do parallel anesthesia processing, efficiency and productivity can be significantly improved.

Originality/value
– Simulation modeling can be an effective tool to show practice change effects at a system-wide level.
IMRT utilization in Ontario: qualitative deployment evaluation
Authors: Bak Kate , Murray Elizabeth , Gutierrez Eric , Ross Jillian , Warde Padraig 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe a jurisdiction-wide implementation and evaluation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in Ontario, Canada, highlighting innovative strategies and lessons learned.

Design/methodology/approach
– To obtain an accurate provincial representation, six cancer centres were chosen (based on their IMRT utilization, geography, population, academic affiliation and size) for an in-depth evaluation. At each cancer centre semi-structured, key informant interviews were conducted with senior administrators. An electronic survey, consisting of 40 questions, was also developed and distributed to all cancer centres in Ontario.

Findings
– In total, 21 respondents participated in the interviews and a total of 266 electronic surveys were returned. Funding allocation, guidelines and utilization targets, expert coaching and educational activities were identified as effective implementation strategies. The implementation allowed for hands-on training, an exchange of knowledge and expertise and the sharing of responsibility. Future implementation initiatives could be improved by creating stronger avenues for clear, continuing and comprehensive communication at all stages to increase awareness, garner support and encourage participation and encouraging expert-based coaching. IMRT utilization for has increased without affecting wait times or safety (from fiscal year 2008/2009 to 2012/2013 absolute increased change: prostate 46, thyroid 36, head and neck 29, sarcoma 30, and CNS 32 per cent).

Originality/value
– This multifaceted, jurisdiction-wide approach has been successful in implementing guideline recommended IMRT into standard practice. The expert based coaching initiative, in particular presents a novel training approach for those who are implementing complex techniques. This paper will be of interest to those exploring ways to fund, implement and sustain complex and evolving technologies.
The gradual erosion of theultra viresdoctrine in English company law
Authors: Nyombi Chrispas 
Published: October 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the doctrine of ultra vires and its development over time, which is claimed to be one of gradual erosion.Design/methodology/approach– This paper discusses the doctrine of ultra vires and its development overtime, which is claimed to be one of gradual erosion.Findings– It shows how the abolition of the objects clause has signalled the end of ultra vires. Today, it remains nothing more than a ghost, but one which continues to haunt management.Originality/value– It builds on existing research literature.
Same-sex harassment: how hostile does it have to be?
Authors: Findley Henry , Dodd-Walker Eva , Edwards Judson , Pappanastos Ed 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– This paper relates to the recent media attention with respect to same-sex issues is leading to a rise in same-sex sexual harassment cases. Given its complicated burden of proof under case law interpretations of the Civil Rights Act, it would be helpful to review current case law governing the issue.

Design/methodology/approach
– This review was conducted at the appeals court level where the law is more settled. Over 40 relevant cases were identified and reviewed. Based on this review, guiding principles were derived for practitioners.

Findings
– The law is complex, however, several principles can be gleaned: same-sex harassment is only actionable under four specific conditions: sexual overtures, general hostility toward a particular gender, unequal treatment of the sexes and sex-role stereotypes. For those cases meeting these requirements, unwanted physical contact of an intimate nature is considered severe and only requires a few occurrences to be hostile. For conduct that is verbal or visual, it is viewed as less serious and must be more frequent, pervasive and occur over an extended period, often six months or more to be ruled illegal.

Originality/value
– There is little recent research on the issue. Administrators need direction on how to deal with these cases.
Clustering risk assessment method for shipbuilding industry
Authors: Romuald Iwańkowicz Remigiusz , Rosochacki Wlodzimierz 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop a risk assessment method for production processes of large-size steel ship hulls.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study uses a quantitative-probabilistic approach with involvement of clustering technique in order to analyse the database of accidents and predict the process risk. The case-based reasoning is used in here. A set of technological hazard classes as a basis for analysing the similarities between the production processes is proposed. The method has been explained using a case study on large-size shipyard.

Findings
– Statistical and clustering approach ensures effective risk managing in shipbuilding process designing. Results show that by selection of adequate number of clusters in the database, the quality of predictions can be controlled.

Research limitations/implications
– The suggested k-means method using the Euclidean distance measure is initial approach. Testing the other distance measures and consideration of fuzzy clustering method is desirable in the future. The analysis in the case study is simplified. The use of the method according to prediction of risk related to loss of health or life among people exposed to the hazards is presented.

Practical implications
– The risk index allows to compare the processes in terms of security, as well as provide significant information at the technology design stage of production task.

Originality/value
– There are no studies on quantitative methods developed specifically for managing risks in shipbuilding processes. Proposed list of technological hazard classes allows to utilize database of past processes accidents in risk prediction. The clustering method of analysing the database is agile thanks to the number of clusters parameter. The case study basing on actual data from the real shipyard constitutes additional value of the paper.
A decision support method for internal truck employment
Authors: Wang Z.X. , T.S. Chan Felix , Chung S.H. , Niu Ben 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that determines the strategy of owning and renting trucks in combinations with internal truck scheduling and storage allocation problems in container terminals.

Design/methodology/approach
– To deal with this complicated problem, a two-level heuristic approach is developed, in which the integration problem is decomposed into two levels. The first level determines the daily operations of the internal trucks, while the second level determines the truck employment strategy based on the calculation in the first level.

Findings
– The results show that: even if the using cost of owned yard trucks is much lower than the cost of rented yard tucks, terminal companies should not purchase too many trucks when the purchasing price is high. In addition, the empirical truck employment strategies, which are purchasing all the trucks or renting all the trucks, are not cost-effective when compared with the proposed yard truck employment strategy.

Originality/value
– The paper provides a novel insight for the internal truck employment strategy in container terminals which is the determination of the strategy of employing renting and outsourcing yard trucks to meet operational daily transportation requirements and minimize the long-term cost of employing yard trucks. A mathematical model is proposed to deal with the practical problem. Also, this study presents better solution than empirical method for employing different types of yard truck. Thus, in order to obtain more benefit, terminal companies should employ the proposed yard truck employment strategy.
Motivations of Facebook Places and store atmosphere as moderator
Authors: Cho Insu , Kichul Kim Joseph , Park Heejun , M. Lee Sang 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to derive and empirically test a theoretically grounded model of motivations (socializing, entertainment, self-expression, and information seeking) that lead to the use of Facebook Places. Store atmosphere factors (ambient, design, and social factors) were also investigated as moderators of the relationship between the motivation and use of Facebook Places.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on a survey of 504 South Korean Facebook users, this research applies a structural equation modeling approach to test the research hypotheses.

Findings
– The analysis revealed that motivations such as socializing, entertainment, and self-expression influence the use of Facebook Places, and design factors moderate the relationship between the motivations and the use of Facebook Places.

Practical implications
– This study provide insights that can help Facebook and store owners develop effective marketing strategies that could increase revenue. When users check-in at a location it creates free word of mouth advertising. Thus, identifying the factors that motivate users to check-in at a particular location will be an important way to advertise.

Originality/value
– While uses and gratification theory has mainly been used to study mass media, this study applied the theory to Facebook Places, a type of social networking sites-based location-based services. Additionally, this study added store atmosphere elements as moderators, which is an appropriate concept in the context of the Facebook check-in service.
Contextual factors affecting knowledge management diffusion in SMEs
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Fen 
Published: October 2014

Purpose
– Based on the knowledge management (KM) perspective, innovation diffusion theory and technology-organization-environment framework, the purpose of this paper is to develop a research model to investigate the influence of technological (information technology (IT) support and IT effectiveness), organizational (top management support, sharing culture, and reward system) and environmental (competitive pressure) contexts on the two-stage KM diffusion (KM adoption and implementation) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach
– Data gathered from 119 SME senior managers (including owner, vice president, and business manager) in Taiwan were employed to test the relationships between the research model constructs using the partial least squares approach.

Findings
– The results showed that technological, organizational, and environmental factors have different effects on KM adoption and implementation stages. Specially, IT support has the strongest effect on KM adoption stage, while sharing culture has the strongest effect on KM implementation stage.

Practical implications
– IT support continues to be positively related to the level of KM implementation after adoption. KM diffusion requires managers to invest time and effort to link specific IT support and knowledge-based work activities, since effective IT deployment for KM can help SMEs move toward a knowledge society, which is vital in the contemporary knowledge economy.

Originality/value
– Theoretically, the findings of this study contribute to empirical research on contextual factors that influence KM diffusion using a broad data set rather than a few isolated SME cases. From the managerial perspective, given the importance of KM diffusion in modern SMEs and also in the future, the findings of this study are designed to enable owner-managers and practitioners to understand how SMEs KM diffusion is influenced by contextual factors, and how the effects may vary across different stages.
Transformational leadership and teamwork improvement: the case of construction firms
Authors: Akhavan Tabassi Amin , Ramli Mahyuddin , Hassan Abu Bakar Abu , Hamid Kadir Pakir Abd. 
Published: October 2014

Purpose– A need for effective leadership and adequate managing the personnel is vital for every construction organization. Meanwhile, the dynamic and complex environments of the industry may be caused that not much research has been conducted on leadership practices in the industry. The purpose of this paper is to study the leadership style of the construction leaders in Iran and explore the correlation of transformational leadership practices with teamwork improvement in the construction companies.Design/methodology/approach– The research analysis was completed on a sample population of 107 managers within nominated construction firms in Iran. The analysis methods in this research were mainly descriptive and regression-based analyses and the type of investigation was a co-relational study.Findings– The research found the level of the leaders’ orientation for people and task in their leadership style, their transformational leadership qualities, and the relationship of transformational leadership with teamwork improvement in the respondents’ companies.Originality/value– The study is the first to investigate the leadership style of the construction leaders in Iran, and weather transformational leadership practices effects on teamwork improvement in the industry.
Beneficence as a source of competitive advantage
Authors: Caldwell Cam , Floyd Larry , Taylor Joseph , Woodard Bryan 
Published: October 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to define “beneficence” as a management concept that is the action associated with “benevolence” the intention. This paper explains how beneficence is a critical element for leaders in building trust. The authors identify how beneficence honors the ethical duties owed to followers and creates competitive advantage for organizations.Design/methodology/approach– The approach of this paper is to present an extensive conceptual review of beneficence as it relates to leaders and managers and to suggest eight propositions identifying how beneficence can create competitive advantage.Findings– The findings of this paper include eight propositions about beneficence as a source of competitive advantage.Practical implications– The practical implications of this paper are for practitioners and scholars. This paper provides an opportunity for leaders to recognize the importance of translating good intentions into specific action in acting virtuously toward others. For scholars, this paper provides testable propositions for learning more about beneficence as a source of increased commitment, greater trust, and competitive advantage.Originality/value– Although benevolence has been acknowledged to be a foundation of trustworthiness, benevolence is an attitude or intention. This paper explains the importance of beneficence as the action derived from benevolence as an attitude or intention to do that which benefits others.
Promoting transformational leadership practices of retail managers
Authors: Keevy Zondre , Perumal Juliet 
Published: October 2014

Purpose– The pursuit of knowledge should be the objective of managers in the workplace, both for the purpose of empowerment and to achieve financial objectives. It is important that retail managers have a need to solidify their transformational leadership knowledge, which ultimately could increase their capacity to excel. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– A structured management development programme (MDP), consisting of a comprehensive spectrum of retail management and leadership theory and practices, was designed to develop transformational leadership by using transformational teaching and learning strategies. The sample for this study consisted of seven retail managers from a group of 20 managers, employed by Retek, the largest independent retail pharmacy group in South Africa. A focus group interview identified the dominant themes and produced a landscape to understand the retail managers’ environment, their preferred teaching methodology and benefits experienced from attending the MDP.Findings– By transforming themselves, these managers have become more empathetic leaders, armed with self-awareness and a deeper awareness of team issues. The MDP created in a shift in their attitude towards attending training programmes and subsequently, has created a more accommodating philosophy towards workplace learning. The study added to the understanding of how transformational teaching and learning lead to more effective transformational leadership and the integration of theory into practice by retail managers. The conclusion was that by embracing and practising a transformational teaching and learning ideology, the managers would be better equipped with managerial and transformational leadership abilities.Originality/value– This research provided a landscape for future management development training in terms of selection of managers to attend, relevant curriculum, teaching and learning methodology as well as benefits of this type of professional development. This initiative was the first project in which such a programme has been designed, developed and instructed in this particular organisation and encompassed a unique experience in terms of training, professional development and the change in the willingness to engage in training and acknowledgement of the value of learning.