bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of environmental management systems in New Zealand wineries
Authors: Forbes Sharon L. , De Silva Tracy‐Anne 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of formal environmental management systems (EMSs) in wineries. It reports on the implementation of EMSs amongst New Zealand wineries and explores whether environmental, social, economic and marketing benefits can be gained through the implementation of one or more EMSs.Design/methodology/approachWineries which had implemented the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme were surveyed in order to evaluate their environmental performance and the benefits they received from implementing the SWNZ programme and any additional EMSs.FindingsThis study found that New Zealand wineries experienced improved environmental performance when implementing an EMS but disappointingly achieved few social, economic or marketing benefits. Further, almost half of the SWNZ programme wineries surveyed had also implemented additional EMSs, suggesting that wineries find the SWNZ programme is not sufficiently effective in meeting their environmental needs. Supporting this, the findings suggest that wineries with multiple EMSs have better environmental performance than those with a single EMS.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that NZ winegrowers need to make some improvements or additions to their SWNZ programme in order for it to more fully deliver benefits for wineries and reduce the need for implementation of additional EMSs.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to examine the environmental, social, economic and marketing benefits arising from implementation of one or more EMSs in wineries.
The conflicts of interest inside theShari'asupervisory board
Authors: Nathan Garas Samy 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the relation between the conflicts of interest in theShari'aSupervisory Board (SSB) in the Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) and six independent variables: the SSB executive position, the SSB remuneration, the relation between the SSB members and the Board of Directors (BoD), and the multiple memberships in Islamic funds, issuers of Islamic bonds (Sukuk), and companies trading in capital markets.Design/methodology/approachThe variables are articulated in six hypotheses and tested by ordinary least square regression. The data were collected via a questionnaire which was sent to the shareholders, the BoD, and the SSB members of all of the IFIs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.FindingsThe results indicate that the SSB executive position, the relation between the SSB members and the BoDs, and the membership in Islamic funds and issuers of Islamic bonds are significantly related to the conflicts of interest, whereas remuneration and membership in companies trading in capital markets have insignificant relation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper does not address the impact of SSB ownership in the IFIs, or the relation between the SSB and the shareholders, or the impact of the corporate governance codes on the relationship between the IFI and the SSB.Practical implicationsThe study recommends testing the hypotheses in other geographies to generalize the results, and measuring the impact of the SSB ownership on the conflicts of interest as well as its relation with shareholders, regulators, and clients.Social implicationsThe paper provides practical implications to the SSB members and the BoD in the IFIs and calls for setting a maximum number of SSBs for each SSB member.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature gap of the SSB role in the governance of IFIs. It is believed to be one of first studies that provide empirical evidence about the SSB conflicts of interest in the IFIs of the GCC region.
Scales and technical efficiencies in Middle East and North African (MENA) micro financial institutions
Authors: Kabir Hassan M. , Sanchez Benito , Ngene Geoffrey 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate technical and scales efficiencies of MFIs in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries in provision of financial services. This study also aims at tracing the source of inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the non‐parametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach to estimate the production technology for the set of MENA MFIs. The paper uses DEA because it allows us to perform analyses with small samples, which is the case for MENA, and also allows us to calculate Malmquist indexes to characterize productivity changes. Moreover, DEA does not require a production function to calculate the efficiency. It attempts to determine the efficiency of the firm against some imposed benchmark through mathematical programming.FindingsThe paper finds low technical efficiency for all MFIs under both intermediation and the production approaches of DEA methodology. This means that MFIs are wasting input resources (input oriented inefficient) and are not producing enough outputs (making loan, raising funds, and obtaining more borrowers per staff). The paper also does not find any improvement in those efficiencies during the period 2000‐2005.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing MFIs literature by pursuing an empirical and decomposition analysis of efficiency by employing two approaches of DEA methodology to trace the sources of inefficiencies which the managers, practitioners and policy makers need to focus on. DEA has been used as a tool to select the right mix of inputs and outputs to assist in tracing the sources of inefficiencies
Continual improvement within South African abattoir Hygiene Management Systems
Authors: Govender Reuben 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe Hygiene Management System (HMS) is a regulated basic food safety system applicable to registered South African abattoirs. There is however, no specific requirement within the HMS that specifies continual improvement (CI). Continual improvement within management systems is critical to ensure that these systems remain relevant, efficient and effective over time. The purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which the HMS requirements facilitate CI and to suggest, if necessary, an approach on how the concept may be realized in practice.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted in two parts. The first part of the study developed continual improvement criteria benchmarking the ISO 9000 series. These criteria were then compared against the HMS requirements to determine the theoretical extent to which the HMS supports continual improvement. The second part of the study empirically tested the existing requirements of the HMS that support continual improvement.FindingsThis research demonstrates that the HMS is, first designed to support CI to a limited extent and second is not, in practice, implemented towards CI.Originality/valueThis paper presents regulators with gaps that exist within the present regulated HMS requirements in support of CI. It also provides abattoir managers with broad guidelines on how their implemented HMS can be designed towards CI. The research results may foster improvement within the regulated requirements of the HMS and implementation thereof towards improved handling and processing of safe meat at South African abattoirs.
Management responsibility for human errors
Authors: Myszewski Jan M. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the adverse impact of management systems on the occurrence of human errors.Design/methodology/approachConducted is systemic analysis of scenarios, which are illustrating creation of human errors, caused by functions of management systems. The text refers to a research study on mechanisms of errors committed by employees, conducted by the author in several organizations. In the text a special focus is given to the interaction between error‐generating mechanisms and management systems.FindingsFirst, there are decisions made in favor of the management systems that increase risk of human errors in processes. The conflict between managers and employees, who are blamed for the errors, may obstruct the elimination of errors and the improvement of management systems. Second, managers are expected to resolve the conflict by establishing and maintaining a policy regarding prevention against system‐specific mechanisms of human error. The involvement of managers in improvement and establishing effective vertical communication in the management system are necessary to successful implementation of the policy. Third, a scheme of analyzing adverse effects of decisions is shown.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on some issues that decide on effectiveness of prevention of human errors. It provides explicit evidence of the necessity of the “management involvement” in the quality management system and respective suggestions for the improvement. The considerations may be useful for organizations that are highly sensitive to human errors such as healthcare institutions.
Establishing a small company's medical device quality system
Authors: Luczak January 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to chronicle a small company's path towards establishing a functioning, effective quality system for a medical device technology and to provide some “do‐it‐yourself” (DIY) tips learned along the way.Design/methodology/approachWhen a company comes up with an innovation in medical device technology, where can it go from there to transfer its product into the hands of consumers? If the technology is patented, the company has the option to license it. Alternatively, the company may want to move forward with further product development and marketing on its own (whether patented or not). Getting a medical device into any market typically requires regulatory approval, which cannot be obtained without a quality system. This paper focuses on the foundations of establishing a quality system and obtaining certification and regulatory approval in Canada, the EU, and the USA, and is directed towards small medical device manufacturers. It describes the process within four phases that cover the initial start up, implementation of procedures, certification and regulatory approval, and continual improvement.FindingsEstablishing a quality system is a monumental task for any company, but especially so for a small one. However, the benefits of implementing a quality system outweigh the initial setbacks associated with doing so. The descriptions of phases in tandem with the DIY tips presented in this paper are intended to be of help to a small medical device manufacturer wanting to bring their innovative technology to consumers within a major marketplace.Originality/valueThis is an original paper written for the Third Canadian Quality Congress.
Inequality and economic growth in China
Authors: Adrián Risso W. , Sánchez Carrera Edgar J. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the long‐run relationship between economic growth and income inequality in China during the pre‐reform (1952‐1978) and post‐reform (1979‐2007) periods, this will be done via cointegration analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe aim of this paper is to offer a proper answer to the issue of the inequality‐growth nexus by using a cointegrated VAR‐setting approach, in this way, the study can cope and avoid the problems of parameter heterogeneneity, omitted variable bias and endogeneity, from which the model of macroeconometric analysis suffers.FindingsThe cointegration analysis shows that, for both periods the relationship is positive and the inequality‐growth elasticity has grown in the second period. In addition, a more robust test of Granger‐causality suggested by Toda and Yamamoto indicates that whereas in the first period there is unidirectional causality from inequality to growth, there is no directional causality in the second period.Practical implicationsThe pre‐reform period going from 1952 to 1978 is characterized by the adoption and implementation of a Soviet‐type economy. The economy showed a modest annual economic growth rate of 2.33 percent and very low levels of inequality, with an average Gini coefficient of 0.27. The post‐reform period tried to combine central planning with market‐oriented reforms to increase productivity. In fact, the economy has grown at an annual growth rate of 7.07 percent since 1979 and also the inequality with an average Gini coefficient of 0.33.Originality/valueThe paper studies the relationship between income inequality and economic growth in China during the pre and post reform periods. A significant and positive long‐run relationship between inequality and economic growth in both periods was found. The inequality‐growth elasticity is greater in the post‐reform than the pre‐reform period. Using a more robust Granger causality test the authors find a unidirectional predetermination between the variables for the whole period and for the pre‐reform period. However, there is not causality in the post‐reform period. Except the urban‐rural disparity which explains the unidirectional causality from inequality to growth, pre‐reform China was basically an egalitarian society. In the pre‐reform period, the low inequality was identified as a strain on economic growth. However, the reform period has seen remarkable growth. Although regional inequality and the rural‐urban gap declined from the late 1970s to the mid‐1980s, both have increased rather dramatically since the mid‐1980s.
The rise of China: a new fear of trade competition for Mauritius?
Authors: Nowbutsing Baboo M. , Ramsohok Sonalisingh 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe relationship between China and Mauritius dates back centuries due to the Chinese diaspora in Mauritius. The rise of China in the global economy has raised several questions. China is investing massively in several nations. The question remains whether it is for mutual benefits or the Chinese quest for world dominance. China is the second top importing partner of Mauritius. However, the main export destinations of Mauritius remain Europe and the USA. The purpose of this paper is to address the impact of the emergence of China on the Mauritian economy.Design/methodology/approachIn order to assess the short‐term costs stemming from Chinese competition, the authors have built two indexes of trade competition. The aim of these indexes is to compare the exporting structure of China with Mauritius in a particular period of time. If the exporting structure between two countries is quite similar, then trade competition is more likely. These indexes are built using the Comtrade database. The indexes are modified versions of the well‐known coefficient of specialisation (CS) and coefficient of conformity (CC). These two indexes examine and compare the exporting structure of Mauritius and China to finally show the degree of trade competition between the two economies. Further the paper adopts the Engle Granger procedure to assess the impact of import competition from China.FindingsUsing two indexes of trade competition, it is found that both countries have similar export structure. The authors presume that it will be impossible for Mauritius to compete with China mainly because of the latter's cheap labour advantage and natural resources availability. Further, it was found that while Mauritius is consolidating its revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in its two top exporting products, China's RCA is increasing in those products where that of Mauritius is decreasing. Finally, it was found that an increase in real GDP per capita will have a positive impact on Mauritius and there is no relationship between the two countries' openness.Originality/valueTo the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study attempting to assess the impact of the rise of China on the Mauritius economy. Further, the analyses make use of a both statistical and econometric analysis to tackle the problem in hand.
The comparative advantage of Chinese manufactured exports
Authors: Wei Hao , Chunming Zhao 
Published: June 2012

PurposeConsiderable research has been conducted on the comparative advantage of Chinese manufactured exports before 2000, but too little attention has been focused on the twenty‐first century. With this rapid growth of China's export volume since 2001, what is the change in comparative advantage? Have qualitative changes taken place? The purpose of this paper is to conduct a thorough analysis of the comparative advantage of Chinese manufactures from 2002 to 2009, not only within the world market but also in the US market.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on 144 manufactures' comparative advantage in the US and world market, displaying the distribution and variation range for the comparative advantage of Chinese manufactures at different technological levels in the 2002‐2009 period with the RCA Index. This paper classifies 144 kinds of manufactures (on Standard International Trade Classification, Rev. 3 data) by technology level into five general groups and nine small groups, which cover the majority of Chinese manufactured exports.FindingsFirst, the authors found that types of Chinese manufactured products with comparative advantage in both world and US markets are increasing. Most of the products with comparative advantage are low technology (LT) products. Second, in the world market, the comparative advantage of Chinese medium technology (MT) products has largely improved, but their RCA indexes are low and their kinds of products with very high comparative advantage are small. Third, as a whole, Chinese manufactured exports are of greater comparative advantage in the world market than in the US market. Specifically, LT products have the same position in world and US markets, while MT products and high technology (HT) products obviously have a greater comparative advantage in the world market.Originality/valueFirst, little research has been conducted on the comparative advantage of Chinese manufactured exports since 2001. This paper undertakes a thorough analysis of the comparative advantage of Chinese manufactures from 2002 to 2009, not only within the world market but also in the US market. Second, it is very important for China to stabilize the overseas market demand and secure exports, this paper shows how China could cope with a crisis.
Patient‐centred cardio vascular disease management – end‐user perceptions
Authors: Vivek Dhukaram Anandhi , Baber Chris , De Stefanis Paolo 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe application of pervasive systems to healthcare has increased in recent years, but resistance to such systems by patients remains high. In this study, the aim is to examine patient and caregiver perceptions of this technology to further develop an understanding of the benefits and functionalities that prospective patients deem as desirable, undesirable, inadequate or in need of further development. The study was conducted as part of the European Union BraveHealth project which is developing a patient‐centred pervasive healthcare system to support cardiac patients at home in everyday life using innovative monitoring and diagnosis, thereby enabling the patient to be more proactive in health management.Design/methodology/approachFocus group studies were conducted in Italy and the Midlands area of the UK, along with a 31‐item questionnaire. The findings were categorized under seven main headings: personal profile; benefits; adoption; acceptance; risks; security, privacy and trust; and (use of) cell phone.FindingsIn the focus group study, most participants felt that there is a great future for this technology and showed positive response to the potential benefits but there are concerns over reliability, security, privacy and trust.Social implicationsEven though this study constitutes only a small group of participants, the Italian and UK study does represent similar patients' and caregivers perceptions towards at‐home healthcare systems.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the understanding of the benefits and functionalities that prospective patients and care‐givers deem as either desirable or undesirable.
Accessible digital assessments for students with disabilities: specification, formats and implementation in schools
Authors: Nisbet Paul 
Published: June 2012

PurposeMany learners with disabilities and special educational needs have difficulty reading or accessing traditional paper examinations at school. The most common method of accommodating these candidates, in Scotland, is the use of reader and scribe. This paper aims to define a specification for digital examination papers for candidates with disabilities, identify a suitable electronic format, and report on trials of these digital assessments.Design/methodology/approachThe support needs of candidates with disabilities were investigated through interviews with teaching staff and students, analysis of the type of requests made for accommodations, and the reasons for the requests. Findings from this exercise, together with consideration of the requirements of the examination context, were used to construct a specification for digital examination papers. Pilot trials using digital papers were then undertaken.FindingsAdobe portable document format (PDF) was judged to match the specification most closely. Successful pilot trials in 2005, 2006 and 2007 led to the introduction of digital papers by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in 2008.Research limitations/implicationsThere is some evidence that digital papers provide a more independent and less costly alternative to reader/scribes; this requires further research.Practical implicationsBetween 2008 and 2011, the number of requests for digital papers increased fivefold, indicating that digital question papers in PDF offer a practical and cost effective method of accommodation in examinations.Originality/valueThis research is of interest to examination boards, assessment designers, educators and learners. It demonstrates that candidates with disabilities can successfully access assessments in digital format.
Signing recognition and Cloud bring advances for inclusion
Authors: Hassell Jonathan , James Abi , Wright Martin , Litterick Ian 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe paper's aim is to focus on: two projects that investigated innovative assistive technology solutions for people who sign (uKinect) and people with print impairments (MyDocStore); and a second phase that aims to create working prototypes for commercialisation.Design/methodology/approachThe approach was, in part, determined by the funding stages. In proof of concept phase, the organisations explored possibilities, identified barriers and, through user testing and feedback, refined processes. Trials are set to continue in Phase 2, when both projects will extend and improve functionality. uKinect applies gesture recognition and Microsoft's Kinect to the communication needs of Makaton sign language users. MyDocStore uses Cloud, desktop and mobile‐based file management to facilitate transfer of text files, converted into the user's preferred format, between devices. Both employ user‐centred development.FindingsuKinect helped signing learners to improve the clarity of their signing, while its linking of signing with computer games encouraged non‐signing students to decide to learn. MyDocStore demonstrated the possibility of automatic conversions and identified the benefits of such a system.Practical implicationsuKinect will accommodate varying levels of signing ability. MyDocStore will enable educational establishments to provide a variety of alternative formats simultaneously.Social implicationsuKinect aims to aid the transition into independent living and employment for Makaton users with learning difficulties and autism. MyDocStore's emphasis on mobile technology, automated conversions and multi‐platforms will make print‐impaired learners more independent and productive.Originality/valueThe paper shows that both systems use easily available, existing technology to provide accessible solutions for the target communities.