bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Informational intermediation: a tool to assess SMEs’ ability to access financing
Authors: Levratto Nadine , Paranque Bernard 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight a typology of small firms which, beyond the criteria of size or industrial field, makes it possible to distinguish the quality of firms according to their internal organisation and the type of market on which they act with the objective of reducing the capital gap and credit rationing.Design/methodology/approachBased on a global approach using qualitative and quantitative data.FindingsStill at the experimental stage, this method of assessing the ability of small firms to access financing from their various external partners could, if widely used, offer a means of increasing the transparency of small businesses and thereby enhancing their positioning and their chances of survival.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is at an early stage and needs to be validated empirically.Originality/valueWhile this paper describes a method of assessing an economic policy intended to benefit SMEs in France, its main purpose is to show how such a tool can help to target assistance and financing for small businesses more effectively.
The relationship between pay contingency and types of perceived support
Authors: Pazy Asya 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis study aimed to test how the effects of types of support on employees’ performance and commitment were moderated by structure of pay, namely by the degree to which pay was contingent on level of performance. The constructs of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Perceived Supervisor Support (PSS) were decomposed into two types, according to whether the support was directed at doing the task or at the welfare of the person. The study proceeded to examine how each type influenced performance and commitment under different pay structures.MethodologyThe survey was conducted in Israel. A self‐report questionnaire was administered to a sample of managers and professionals. The questionnaire consisted of new scales for person‐focused and task‐focused support along with measures of performance, commitment and structure of pay. The main interaction predictions were tested with regression analyses.FindingsPay contingency interacted with task‐focused POS and with person‐focused PSS in affecting performance. The interactions related to commitment were not significant. The results justify the differentiation of support to the two types. They indicate that different kinds of support that are perceived to be provided either by the organization or by the supervisor boost performance under different pay structures. The effect of support on commitment is not affected by the structure of pay.Research limitations/implicationsSimilar surveys should be conducted in additional cultural contexts and with samples representing diverse populations, so that the conclusions from this research can be further generalized. In order to establish causality, a longitudinal design should be used in future research. It is also advised that performance should be measured through outside agents, for example through supervisor evaluation.Practical implicationsIn contexts where employees’ pay is contingent upon their level of performance, employers should emphasize task‐related organizational support and supervisors should exert person‐related support in order to boost performance. A reverse pattern is effective when pay is relatively invariable, namely when it is not contingent on performance.Originality/valueThe study is a first attempt to differentiate organizational support, which so far has been studied as one global construct. It introduces further differentiation by proposing that features of the pay structure influence which support type is effective in influencing performance at work.
Bank branch‐level DEA to assess overall efficiency
Authors: Tsolas Ioannis E. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the research presented in this paper is to provide a new approach related to the definition of variables in disaggregating branch expenses and income for evaluating the overall technical efficiency of bank branches by means of data envelopment analysis (DEA).Design/methodology/approachBy applying an input minimization DEA model to a sample of bank branches of a large commercial bank in Greece, this study identifies pure technical and scale inefficiencies, efficiency and size relationship and returns to scale patterns. Moreover, it explores target setting strategies for inefficient branches.FindingsResults indicate that branch size has an important influence on efficiency and that superior insights can be obtained by pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE), as constituent components of global technical efficiency (TE) than the information obtained from the analysis based on selected key performance indicators (KPIs) used by the bank under study.Research limitations/implicationsA direction of future research would be to extend the analysis to incorporate environmental factors, such as branch location, local competitive environment, investment portfolio risk, among others, into the DEA assessment.Practical implicationsThe study shows that DEA which provides an overall summary measure with respect to global TE and its constituent components PTE and SE can be used to complement the in‐house performance management system of the bank under study for the evaluation of its branch network.Originality/valueFrom a policy perspective, this study highlights the use of DEA combined with statistical analysis to support the reduction of burden by means of either expense reduction or revenue enhancement.
Risk‐reducing regulatory strategies for protecting minors in social networks
Authors: Lievens Eva 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present the preliminary results of a research project which aspires to identify requirements for risk‐reducing regulatory strategies aspiring to protect children and young people in social networks. It aims to provide an insight into the changing role of law in today's networked society and the innovative regulatory solutions that will be able to deal with the paradigm shift from mass media and passive, vulnerable consumers to media for mass self‐communication and active “prosumers”.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the legal impact of social networking sites (SNS) risks for children and young people that have been identified in social science research is assessed, as well as the applicability of existing legal instruments. Second, legal trends in this field and a number of recent (alternative) regulatory initiatives and their implementation are discussed. In a final part, the use of such alternative regulatory instruments and their compliance with the broader legal (human rights) framework are analysed. To conclude, a number of elements for risk‐reducing regulatory strategies for the protection of minors in online social networks are identified.FindingsThe first research results point towards the importance of multi‐stakeholder involvement, proportionality of measures, procedural guarantees (such as transparency) and the careful combination of regulatory strategies targeted at illegal as well as harmful conduct and content risks for a balanced protection of minors in social networks.Originality/valueAlthough social networks are very popular among young users, the risks that are associated with these networks are not at all or not appropriately addressed by existing legal or regulatory instruments. This article aims to contribute to developing innovative regulatory instruments which are effectively addressing these risks.
The bill of lading as a document of title
Authors: Schmitz Torsten 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyse the different characteristics a bill of lading holds as a document of title, including the proprietary effects a transfer of goods in transit can have and the bill's use as a means of security as well as its limitations in mo6dern international commerce.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the document's nature and the evolution of its traditional legal functions. The analysis includes, among other things, the implications different types of bills have as an instrument in commercial trade. Special attention is given to the attributes that are likely to limit the bill's application in modern international trade, concerning both its scope and value. Finally, the paper offers a set of conclusions and suggests reform measures.FindingsThe paper shows how technological innovations in recent years have resulted in the emergence of new forms of transport documentation that might challenge the bill's role in the future. The paper provides a clear understanding of the problems associated with the bill's current form and outlines the main approaches proposed to meet its need for reform.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a conceptual analysis of the bill's weak points and discusses how simplification and standardisation, a central registry system and electronic transmission of information may be able to increase efficiency.Originality/valueCritical assessment undertaken may pave the way for an open discussion on the subject. Legal culture and mercantile customs should be taken into consideration if a successful and sustainable reform is to be achieved.
Determining the throughput of a CONWIP system using adjusted ARM
Authors: Lee Carman K.M. , Hu He , Lin Danping , Lianfeng Zhang Linda 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an adjusted approximate regenerative model (ARM) for a constant‐work‐in‐process (CONWIP)‐based production system that solves the problem of deciding the number of intermediate bulk container in a pharmaceutical company to hold the work in process.Design/methodology/approachThe problem was modeled as a CONWIP system and the ARM was adjusted to estimate the throughput.FindingsBy comparing the results from the original ARM and adjusted ARM, a clear superiority of the proposed method is shown for the real case. In addition, the robustness of the adjusted ARM is demonstrated in terms of the violation of rigid assumption and the impacts brought by the limitation of buffer space before the bottleneck station.Originality/valueThe novelty of the proposed model is to take the long transportation time between machines into consideration.
How to improve the use of industrial robots in lean manufacturing systems
Authors: Hedelind Mikael , Jackson Mats 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify how industrial robotics fits into lean manufacturing systems. This paper presents results from case studies where Swedish and Japanese manufacturing industries have been compared in order to identify differences on how advanced manufacturing technologies and industrial robotics are utilized.Design/methodology/approachThe research has been conducted via case studies where researchers from academia have worked together with industrial companies. During the case studies, the results of interviews, observations and data collection in the form of performance measures and historical production data have been analyzed.FindingsThis paper highlights some of the differences between how Swedish and Japanese companies work with industrial robotics. It also proposes some key areas where development could lead to better integration of industrial robotics into lean manufacturing systems.Originality/valueThis research has been performed with the intention of identifying how manufacturing industries could increase their competitiveness through industrial robot automation. The companies involved in the research project have received feedback on their automation solutions. The overall goal is to create a guideline for how to design industrial robotic work cells that can easily be integrated into lean manufacturing systems. This research area is important in order to increase competitiveness in industry. It is thus of value for both industry and the scientific community.
Application of object‐oriented framework on manufacturing domain
Authors: Pullan Thankachan T. , Bhasi M. , Madhu G. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the capture and documentation of essential design for manufacture (DFM) pieces of information to make design decisions. Essential manufacturing information is that which can affect the fulfilment of functional requirements and product constraints. The hierarchical structure of the main components for the open architecture‐process planning model (PPM), manufacturing activity model (MAM) and manufacturing resource model (MRM) are discussed The aim of the approach is to define manufacturing knowledge structures and develop a knowledge‐based application for DFM.Design/methodology/approachThis work addresses the capture and documentation of essential DFM pieces of information to make design decisions. Essential manufacturing information is that which can affect the fulfilment of functional requirements and product constraints. The hierarchical structure of the main components for the open architecture‐PPM, MAM and MRM are discussed. The aim of the approach is to define manufacturing knowledge structures and develop a knowledge‐based application for DFM.FindingsThis paper gives details of the application framework development by integrating object‐oriented technology and component‐based development. This will help to achieve large‐scale software reuse for manufacturing application development projects. This paper also gives an overview of a computer system for automated concurrent engineering, and more particularly, to a method for the concurrent design of parts, tools and processes.Originality/valueThe workability of this approach was tested in a machine‐tool manufacturing firm and the same has been presented as a case.
Servitization within manufacturing
Authors: Baines Tim , Lightfoot Howard , Smart Palie 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe debate about services‐led competitive strategies continues to grow, with much interest emerging around the differing practices between production and servitized operations. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this discussion by investigating the vertical integration practice (in particular the micro‐vertical integration, otherwise known as the supply chain position) of manufacturers who are successful in their adoption of servitization.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this the authors have investigated a cross‐section of four companies which are successfully delivering advanced services coupled to their products.FindingsManufacturers who have embraced the servitization trend tend to retain capabilities in design and production, and do so because this benefits their speed, effectiveness and costs of supporting assets on advanced services contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThese are preliminary findings from a longer term research programme.Practical implicationsThrough this research note the authors seek to simultaneously contribute to the debate in the research community and offer guidance to practitioners exploring the consequences of servitization.Originality/valueSuccessful servitization demands that manufacturers adopt new and alternative practices and technologies to those traditionally associated with production operations. A prevailing challenge is to understand these differences and their underpinning rationale. Therefore, in this research note, the authors report on the practices of four case companies, explore the rationale underpinning these, and propose an hypothesis for the impact on vertical integration of successful servitization.
Innovation and dynamic capabilities in a traditional service sector
Authors: Tsekouras George , Poulis Efthimios , Poulis Konstantinos 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the types and the nature of innovations developed by small companies in a traditional service sector, as well as the ways that innovations impact their strategic capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides evidence from three case studies captured through a number of interviews with senior managers within the companies. The paper adopted a comparative analysis, selecting two cases that have managed this process with great success and one showing evidently less success.FindingsOrganisational and process innovations are critical aspects of a dynamic strategy in small service companies. Although a successful innovation strategy does not require the development of technological systems and knowledge intensive services, it does necessitate their sophisticated usage. Innovation enables the firms to access new markets and the reconfiguration of strategic capabilities in the long term.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper identifies the existence of strong linkages between organisational and process innovation and dynamic capabilities in the small companies in a traditional service sector. The research has used qualitative methods and a case study methodology. Further research (e.g. other service industries) and ideally statistical evidence are required to generalise these findings into the wider service sector.Practical implicationsThis work calls for managers in small companies in a traditional service sector which wish to grow to pay more attention to their active involvement in organisational and process innovations and the sophisticated usage (or development) of knowledge intensive services.Originality/valueThe paper brings together a number of concepts from the innovation studies and the strategic management literature to investigate management practices and strategies of small companies in a traditional service sector, the tramp shipping sector.
“It's a forced separation […] and we've got used to this kind of life”: changing dynamics of HIV risk in the context of immigration
Authors: Rachel Zhou Yanqiu , Coleman William D. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impacts of immigration processes on the HIV risk faced by mainland Chinese immigrants in Canada.Design/methodology/approachDrawn from a larger qualitative study on the vulnerability to HIV of recent immigrants to Canada, the data presented were collected through individual, face‐to‐face, semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with 34 mainland‐Chinese immigrant adults who perceived themselves as facing sexual health risks (including HIV infection) through engaging in unsafe sex.FindingsImmigration processes have not only exposed these immigrants to a HIV risk that they did not face in China; they have also compromised their capacity to effectively respond to it. In light of various settlement difficulties, HIV risk is neither the only nor the most urgent challenge that they have faced in their post‐immigration lives.Research limitations/implicationsThe HIV risk under discussion must be understood by situating it in the processes of immigration, settlement, and transnational connections, all of which have shaped not only the dynamics of HIV risk but, also, these individuals' capacities to respond to that risk. Owing to its small‐size purposive sample, the results of this study may not be generalizable for Chinese immigrants in Canada as a whole.Practical implicationsGreater attention should be given to the intersections between immigrants' vulnerability to HIV and settlement processes and to holistic approaches that take into account the changing contexts and dynamics of HIV risk.Originality/valueThis exploratory study will contribute to knowledge of the HIV risk Chinese immigrants in Canada face – a little‐known topic.
Nah We Yone – a grassroots community‐based organization in New York City: successes, challenges, and lessons learned
Authors: Akinsulure‐Smith Adeyinka M. , Jones Wilma L. 
Published: September 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the development of a unique, grassroots, community‐based organization, Nah We Yone (NWY), designed specifically to provide support to African refugees and asylum seekers, with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses, who have fled to the New York City area.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the background to, the challenges faced and the services available at NWY.FindingsDescribed in this paper are the rationale for developing this type of organization; specific programs designed to promote well‐being; and various challenges faced and lessons learned, while offering an alternate type of therapeutic intervention.Practical implicationsNWY demonstrates the importance of drawing on cultural and community strengths and resilience when using limited resources to serve traumatized and displaced peoples who are struggling to adjust to a new cultural setting.Originality/valueThis paper seeks to contribute to the literature on culturally informed therapeutic interventions developed by community‐based organizations to enhance well being in forced migrants.
Assessment of emission trading impacts on competitive electricity market price
Authors: Singh S.N. , Saxena D. , Østergaard Jacob 
Published: September 2011

PurposeBesides organizational changes in the electricity supply industry there are growing concerns about environmental issues derived from the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as promoting renewable energies. The purpose of this paper is to address the source side emission trading impact on electricity prices in the competitive power market.Design/methodology/approachVarious schemes are suggested and are being implemented to achieve this objective. It is expected that electricity price will increase due to imposition of emission taxes. This paper analyzes the impact of electricity prices in the competitive electricity markets having a uniform market clearing price mechanism.FindingsIt is found that the electricity prices depend on the system loading, generation mix, etc. at a particular hour. Various emission trading instruments are discussed with a special emphasis on the European market.Research limitations/implicationsBlock bidding of the suppliers is considered whereas the demand is assumed to be inelastic.Originality/valueThe emission trading impacts are analyzed on a simple example.