bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Team and individual performance in the Tour de France
Authors: Prinz Joachim , Wicker Pamela 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of an athlete's body type, team characteristics, and pay on performance in the Tour de France (“the Tour”). Based on the concept of scaling and the concept of human capital, the paper aims to derive a set of hypotheses.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data were collected about all riders that finished the Tour in the years from 2002 to 2005 leading to a total number of n=600 observations. Random effects regression models are estimated with rank as the dependent variable.FindingsThe findings indicate that lighter riders perform better in the Tour than heavier cyclists. Better teammates were found to increase average riders' performances, whereas top riders did not benefit from top teammates. Experience (rider, teammates, coach) was a significant driver of performance.Research limitations/implicationsTeam managers should pay attention to the composition of the team. Having only one strong team captain and several good coworkers was more effective than having several star riders (i.e. potential captains) in a team.Practical implicationsThe findings with regard to team composition can be transferred to other sports and professions where teamwork plays an important role. Successful teams should consist of only one captain and several good coworkers.Originality/valueThe paper extends previous work on the determinants of performance in the Tour by using a longitudinal dataset that covers more variables than previous research.
Organizational change capacity and composition of management teams
Authors: Ketil Arnulf Jan 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to show that the presence of strong personality traits in management teams may have limiting effects on the teams' ability to adapt to critical changes in their business environments.Design/methodology/approachThe financial operations characterizing ten management teams have been traced over three years, and the personalities of all managers were measured during the first phase of the project. A critical incident in the market signalled a need to adapt after about 20 months. The ensuing adaptation was analysed and related to the presence of strong personality traits, plotting all data in two‐dimensional space to visualize the relationship between personality and business operations.FindingsThe intra‐team maximum traits were systematically related to a tendency to perform habitual business in the teams. Only intelligence and stability were related to better performance after the crisis, suggestion that other strong traits may impose rigidity.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited to ten management teams, but these are followed for three years through 33 observation points. Also, a visualization technique based on factor analysis is used in addition to regression equations as one of the main methodological tools.Practical implicationsManagers composing teams should observe the presence of strong traits and take action to prevent obstructing adaptation after crises. This knowledge may induce efforts to overcome rigidity and understand the value of reflection‐in‐action for teams.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new way of conceptualizing the role of personality in management teams and shows its immediate impact on business performance in a real‐life setting.
Integrated performance measurement system for firm's human capital building
Authors: Rompho Bunjongjit , Siengthai Sununta 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between performance measurement systems (PMSs) and organizational learning (OL) and the impact on firm human capital building.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a survey instrument. Then, a structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the proposed model.FindingsThe results reveal that PMS, which is designed with three main qualities – valid, comprehensive, and coherent with its environment – has an overall positive relationship with OL and firm's human capital (employee satisfaction and work‐related competencies). First, the validity of the individual performance measure is found to be positively linked to employee satisfaction. Second, the comprehensiveness of the PMS and work‐related competencies are positively associated. Third, the coherence of the PMS with its environment has a positive relationship with OL but not directly with the human capital indicators. Thus, OL, which is positively associated with both work‐related competencies and employee satisfaction, mediates the relationship between the coherence of the PMS and the work‐related competencies.Originality/valueThere are some linkages among these three concepts (PMS, OL and human capital) that have not been specifically explored in the existing relevant studies. Previous studies have asserted that human capital could not be utilized and nurtured without supporting infrastructure. Therefore, this study explores the relationships among the three constructs to uncover the additional benefits of PMS and OL for different purposes such as building firm's human capital. This could help firms to improve the utilization of their existing management tools and their competitiveness.
Intellectual capital and financial performance of Indian banks
Authors: Mondal Amitava , Ghosh Santanu Kumar 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate empirically the relationship between intellectual capital and financial performance of 65 Indian banks for a period of ten years from 1999 to 2008.Design/methodology/approachReserve Bank of India's database and Annual reports, especially the profit and loss accounts and balance sheets of the banks for the relevant years have been used to obtain the data. Value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC™) method is applied for measuring the value based performance of banks. Return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) are used to measure the profitability and productivity of Indian banks, measured by assets turnover ratio (ATO). The intellectual capital (human capital and structural capital) and physical capital of selected banks have been analyzed and their impact on corporate performance has been measured using multiple regression technique.FindingsThe analysis indicates that the relationships between the performance of a bank's intellectual capital, and financial performance indicators, namely profitability and productivity, are varied. The study results suggest that banks’ intellectual capital is vital for their competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses only 65 leading Indian banks, including foreign banks operating in India. The value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC™), introduced by Pulic, is used in this study as a basic methodology to measure the IC performance of banks.Practical implicationsThe VAIC™ method can be used as an important tool by the decision makers in the knowledge economy to integrate the intellectual capital in the decision making process.Originality/valueThis is one of the first empirical researches in India that examines the impact of IC on financial performance of the Indian banking sector in the long term.
Analyzing intellectual capital information in sustainability reports: some empirical evidence
Authors: Cinquini Lino , Passetti Emilio , Tenucci Andrea , Frey Marco 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the content, frequency and quality of intellectual capital voluntary disclosure (ICVD) and the changes that took place over two years (2005 and 2006) in a sample of 37 sustainability reports published by Italian listed companies.Design/methodology/approachThe intellectual capital framework consists of three levels: “IC categories”, “IC items” and “IC indicators”, while content analysis was performed using a quality multidimensional scheme composed of three disclosure profiles, namely, time orientation, nature of information and type of information.FindingsThe findings evidence a high and increasing incidence over time of ICVD, with strong emphasis on human capital disclosure, which represents the most reported category, followed by relational and organisational capital. ICVD is mainly expressed in non‐financial, quantitative and non‐time‐specific terms with a low level of forward‐looking information.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on a small sample of sustainability reports; the content analysis process entails some subjective judgments.Practical implicationsFrom a firm perspective, sustainability reports can be used in synergy with annual reports and other public and private documents to provide IC information. From a user perspective, sustainability reports can be used to acquire IC information over and above information acquired from other documents.Originality/valueSustainability reports and ICVD quality have thus far been investigated only to a limited extent. The paper also discusses the potential of ICVD in sustainability reports from a user perspective.
Some thoughts on interdisciplinarity in collaborative networks' research and manufacturing sciences
Authors: Kühnle Hermann , Dekkers Rob 
Published: October 2012

PurposeScientific progress in a field is mostly discussed within disciplines. Far less attention is paid to outside or between disciplines' work. To speed up research progresses for collaborative networks (CN) in manufacturing, a base for further grounded theory establishment is propagated, recalling some of the most relevant chapters of philosophy of science. The focus is put onto the roles of disciplines and their scholars involved in interdisciplinary contexts, in order to further motivate as well as to hint at a number of catalysing forces and fruitful impacts of outside disciplines' work.Design/methodology/approachThe intentions of this Special Issue are mirrored to important and well‐accepted findings in the philosophy of science. All papers that are included in this journal issue are positioned within a general framework of scientific disciplines and theory building understanding.FindingsInterdisciplinary work is speeding up theory building and innovation in CNs in general and in all applications for manufacturing in particular. In order to encourage publications of project work and solutions that do not neatly fit into the scientific disciplines set up, it is pointed out that exactly these papers have the potential to unveil unattended and valuable insights. This kind of outline often confirms both gut feelings of managers, as well as vague hypotheses of researchers and scientists.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that more attention might be paid to outside contributions and to mechanisms to increase their impact on theory building in manufacturing science.Originality/valueFor the field of CN, the paper represents a first and unique attempt to enhance scientific progress by emphasising theory contributions from other disciplines. The approach contributes to theoretically as well as methodically supporting the fast growing number of practical solutions beyond state of art.
Entropy assessment of supply chain disruption
Authors: Amoo Durowoju Olatunde , Kai Chan Hing , Wang Xiaojun 
Published: October 2012

PurposeManufacturing organizations and networks are heavily dependent on the flow of information within and across organization boundaries. A disruption in information flow might interrupt the operations of the organization and make management even more difficult. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate information theory approach to investigate the perturbation introduced into a manufacturing organization as a result of disruption in the flow of critical information needed in manufacturing operations.Design/methodology/approachThis study proposes the use of entropy theory to assess the level of risk introduced by different sources of perturbation into the material flow stream and the use of discrete event simulation to investigate the impact of the resulting disruption on collaborating members.FindingsThe result of the analysis carried out on the effect of system failure on supply chain performance revealed that the retailer experiences the most uncertainty in the supply chain while the holding cost constitutes the most unpredictable cost measure when a system failure breach occurs. For the manufacturer and wholesaler, the holding cost is responsible for most of the uncertainty in predicting the impact of the threat on inventory management cost, while the backlog cost holds the highest complexity level for the retailer.Practical implicationsOnce this methodology is well developed for use in industrial networks, it can serve as a risk assessment, risk monitoring and risk prediction tool. The paper also calls for a proactive approach to disruption risk management.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a novel approach to assess the impact of information disruption, using entropy theory coupled with simulation methodology.
A model to determine complexity in supply networks
Authors: Gerschberger Markus , Engelhardt‐Nowitzki Corinna , Kummer Sebastian , Staberhofer Franz 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to further advance an existing supplier evaluation model for the purpose of identifying those supplier relations which predominantly threaten or worsen a company's performance. A defined basic set of parameters to determine complexity facilitates the identification of critical locations within a supply network (SN) under certain business conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a structured literature review in scientific periodicals in logistics/supply chain management between 2000 and 2009. Articles are analysed based on a structured framework and the identified complexity parameters are operationalised using quantitative and summable measures. The conceptual model is applied within a multiple case study in the Austrian agricultural industry.FindingsThis paper illustrates how complexity in SNs can be operationalised in a company‐specific configuration in order to achieve concrete managerial recommendations. Hence, the model allows evaluating SN‐partners based on selected parameters to determine the contribution of a single partner to the overall complexity.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the literature review executed and the case study approach chosen, the research may lack generalisability. Therefore, continued validation by means of implementing a greater amount of use cases in other companies and industries is advisable.Practical implicationsApplying the model, a company is able to determine tier‐1 to tier‐n suppliers which are predominantly affecting its business from a complexity perspective.Originality/valueUnlike typical current complexity evaluation approaches, the proposed model respects rapid and continuous applicability, profound conceptualisation and practical feasibility.
Alignment prediction in collaborative networks
Authors: da Piedade Francisco Roberto , Azevedo Américo , Almeida António 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the alignment measurement in collaborative networks, using the fit concept and predictive performance measurement as its main enablers. A performance prediction approach is used in order to control a collaborative business network based not only in present and past performance measurements of each partner, but also taking into account the future behaviour of the intra‐ and inter‐organisational processes performance.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory case study was applied to a Brazilian collaborative network and mathematical approaches normally used in control theory were adopted to support alignment measurement.FindingsThe use of predictive measurements to manage the alignment between the results of inter‐organisational processes and performance targets set by the collaborative network.Research limitations/implicationsThis approach was applied in a specific supply chain network, based on three industrial companies. For other network typologies it will be necessary to evaluate the alignment that can be achieved.Practical implicationsThis predictive approach makes it possible to manage performance pro‐actively using feedforward and feedback control. Therefore, tools that consider performance estimation are used based on a data fusion approach, with a proper combination of leading and lagging measurements, which make it possible to use forecasting methods and tools to achieve good predictions.Originality/valueThe paper introduces an approach to alignment measurement leveraged by the new paradigm of performance prediction and presents an alignment metric for collaborative networks.
Habitual domain exploration in inter‐firm networks
Authors: Ma Lei , Shi Yongjiang , Zhao Wenwen 
Published: October 2012

PurposeBased on the theory of habitual domain, the purpose of this paper is to explore inter‐firm networks' mechanisms for coping with environmental change and for assisting firms to adapt to their collaborative networks. Business globalization is driving more and more individual firms to form inter‐firm collaborative networks. These networks need to develop new types of strategic capability in order not only to adopt a robust business process that will achieve high efficiency, but also to develop a network system for responding to external environmental changes.Design/methodology/approachWith insights gained from the case study, the paper develops an analytical framework for deconstructing the network behavioral changes based on the network habitual domain concept and discusses the dual roles of the network‐based habitual domain in network behavioral changes.FindingsThis paper demonstrates how a Chinese telecommunications service company and its inter‐firm network became the market leader in one of the provincial capital cities in China within six years.Originality/valueFrom an endogenous perspective, this paper contributes some useful concepts that may assist both academia and managers to identify network‐based habitual domains, improve the domains continuously, enhance their response capabilities, and formulate appropriate strategies according to the competition's requirements.
Speech and language therapy within a forensic support service
Authors: McNamara Nicola 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists recommend speech and language therapy intervention should be a key feature of approaches aimed at reducing re‐offending. This review seeks to analyse referrals received to speech and language therapy within a forensic support service (FSS) for adults with learning disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe review involved analysing data from the Forensic Support Service database for two six month periods (pre‐ and post‐introduction of the screen). Percentages of FSS cases referred to the speech and language therapist were analysed. Further data were gathered for service users not referred by asking their lead clinician to complete a retrospective communication screen. The screen also asked if the service user's communication difficulties were thought to be linked to their offending behaviour.FindingsA high percentage (79/80 per cent) of service users referred to the FSS had communication difficulties. These communication difficulties are not always being identified. When completed, the screening tool aids identification of communication difficulties but the limited number of returned screens was a problem. Between 79 per cent and 84 per cent of those service users identified as having a communication difficulty, are thought to have offending behaviours linked to this.Originality/valueThe review informs managers and commissioners of similar services of the importance of speech and language therapy provision and also highlights the perceived link between communication difficulties and offending behaviour.
Cultural consumers as “new cultural intermediaries”: manga scanlators
Authors: Lee Hye‐Kyung 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand participatory consumers who are involved in translating and distributing overseas cultural commodities, without the permission of copyright holders. It intends to conceptualize them as a new breed of cultural intermediaries and discuss implications of their activities for the cultural industries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper conducts a case study of “manga scanlators” who voluntarily translate manga (Japanese comics) to English and share translated manga online with other fans, without authorization from copyright holders. In addition to literature review and analysis of the text of selected scanlation web sites, the author interviewed ten manga scanlators and eight manga industry practitioners and experts in the UK, the USA and Japan.FindingsIt is found that participatory consumers, as new cultural intermediaries, challenge the cultural industries by transferring a substantial part of the industries’ intermediary work to the realm of cultural fandom and by developing their own logics of organizing the intermediation process and distributing fan‐translated products.Originality/valueConsidering the lack of research on fan‐translation and dissemination of cultural products, this paper's findings will be a valuable addition to the existing account of participatory cultural consumption. The copyright infringement aspect in manga scanlation is seen as part of the bigger picture of the gradual decoupling of intermediation activities, which are required to bring cultural products to overseas markets, from the market economy of translated manga production and distribution.
Late anti‐apoptotic effect of KATP channel opening in skeletal muscle
Authors: Farahini Hossein , Habibey Rouhollah , Ajami Marjan , Davoodi Sayed Hossein , Azad Nahid , Soleimani Mansoureh , Tavakkoli‐Hosseini Morteza , Pazoki‐Toroudi Hamidreza 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Necrosis and apoptosis caused by ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) result in myocyte death and atrophy. ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels activation increases tissue tolerance of IR‐injury. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of KATP channel activation on skeletal muscle apoptosis after IR.
Male Wistar rats were treated with 40 mg/kg, i.p., diazoxide (a KATP channel opener) or 5 mg/kg, i.p., glibenclamide (a KATP channel inhibitor) 30 min before the induction of 3 h ischaemia, followed by 6, 24 or 48 h reperfusion. At the end of the reperfusion period, the gastrocnemius muscle was removed for the analysis of tissue malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, Bax and Bcl‐2 protein expression, histological damage and the number of apoptotic nuclei.
Ischaemia–reperfusion increased malondialdehyde content (P < 0.01) and Bax expression (P < 0.01) and induced severe histological damage, in addition to decreasing CAT and SOD activity (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and Bcl‐2 expression (P < 0.01). Diazoxide reversed the effects of IR on tissue damage, MDA content, SOD and CAT activity (after 6 and 24 h reperfusion; P < 0.05) and Bax and Bcl‐2 expression (after 24 and 48 h reperfusion; P < 0.01). In contrast, glibenclamide pretreatment had no effect.
The number of apoptotic nuclei in the IR and glibenclamide‐pretreated groups increased significantly (P < 0.001 vs Sham). In contrast, diazoxide pretreatment decreased the number of apoptotic nuclei compared with the IR group (P < 0.01).
The results of the present study suggest that the KATP channel activator diazoxide attenuates lipid peroxidation during the first hour of reperfusion and modulates apoptotic pathways at later time points.