bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The cultural heterogeny of project firms and project teams
Authors: Auch Francesca , Smyth Hedley 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose this paper is to examine a prevailing assumption that the culture of organisations is homogenous. It explores the culture of one project organisation with multiple offices.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative questionnaire and qualitative research method of cultural immersion was used. The ethnographic Douglas grid‐group was used to filter the findings: isolate, competitive, hierarchical and egalitarian positions. Hofstede's dimensions were overlaid to enhance the analysis.FindingsThe research found distinct cultural differences in the same organisation. Competitive and hierarchical factors are found with some evidence of egalitarian behaviours. Regional cultural factors affected behaviour and organisational practices. Individuals actively negotiated dominant behaviours and cultural norms. The Hofstede dimensions are in evidence around roles and functions. The findings showed a stronger influence from the dominant social culture of the region than the organisational culture.Research limitations/implicationsOrganisations cannot be assumed as homogeneous. The influence of the dominant social culture and competing cultural influences within organisation requires further analysis.Practical implicationsGenerating a coherent organisational culture with aligned norms is a difficult management problem, especially for an organisation with multiple offices. Establishing consistent norms also poses challenges for the management of projects.Originality/valueThe tendency to assume cultural homogeneity requires closer attention in organisational research and practice. This paper employed a unique combination of methods to explore the issue. The primary contribution is a demonstration of the need for practitioners and researchers to pay more attention to the dynamic formation and effects of culture in organisations and for projects.
The integration of human relationships in capital development projects
Authors: Henry Ndoni Doubra , Elhag Taha M.S. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeRecent work on public private partnerships (PPP)/private finance initiatives (PFI) and on the construction industry has emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer, learning and innovation to improve the working processes and procedures of the industry. However, until recently all three have been researched separately. It is on this basis the research presents a theoretical proposition that “the integration of alliance principles through the formation of collaborative network; innovation, knowledge transfer and organisational learning can be enabled where there is coordination, cohesion, commitment, teamwork, clear vision, monitoring and governance structure for control, risks/reward sharing, efficient and effective communication strategy, learning and knowledge transfer strategy”.Design/methodology/approachThe theory of social capital, social networks and inter‐organisational network was applied based on a network perspective to explain and aid specific attributes of PPP and PFI as a collaborative network to achieve the research objective. A case study research methodology was adopted to investigate the theoretical proposition.FindingsThe findings of this research illustrates that collaborative relationship is a crucial factor in contractual arrangements to enable cost savings, time savings and project quality. In addition, the challenges clients and contractors encounter in integrating innovation are as a result of project scope, project duration, affordability and project procurement strategy. Furthermore, the difficulties of knowledge transfer and learning is as a result of the disconnection between the team that closes the PFI deal and the team that implements the contract.Originality/valueThe paper suggests a network perspective to improve work relationships that helps to achieve predetermined common goals and to enhance project performance.
The importance of human skills in project management professional development
Authors: Alam M. , Gale A. , Brown M. , Khan A.I. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the importance of human skills in project management success and the apparent emphasis placed on this within the context of university education.Design/methodology/approachAn investigation into the effectiveness of a British Project Management Professional Development Programme (PMPDP) case study is reported. Using as a benchmark, the core behavioural competencies outlined in the International Project Management Association (IPMA) International Competence Baseline version 3, the paper investigates the extent to which the knowledge gained from the PMPDP effects the behaviours of delegates and graduates. The soft skills of a control group are also explored.FindingsThe results deal with certain improvements in most of the behavioural competencies of delegates and graduates which the control group could not develop in the same way.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is drawn from the PMPDP consortium comprising companies from the UK aerospace, infrastructure, oil and gas, nuclear and information technology sectors. It would not be valid to generalise the effects of the case study programme on other industries (i.e. automobile, health, retail and insurance) without considering the unique character of that particular industry pertaining to the management of projects.Practical implicationsThe research, by demonstrating the effectiveness of continuing professional development programmes, has significant implications for the UK organisations which are eagerly interested to know how their investments into project management education are benefiting the companies.Originality/valueThe link between education, competence development and corporate performance seems tenuous. This research, by spitting out the soft benefits of CPD programmes, reasonably contributes in providing businesses a case to justify training and education investments.
Assessment of liquidity management in Islamic banking industry
Authors: Ismal Rifki 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess liquidity risk management (LRM) practices in Indonesian Islamic banking industry during the period 2000‐2007.Design/methodology/approachThe paper constructs the LRM index (100 scale) which is composed of individual index of asset side; liability side; LRM policies; and the overall LRM index.FindingsThe index produces a “good” grade for the liquidity management practices in the Indonesian Islamic banking industry, represented by three Islamic banks which capture 82 percent of the total market share of the industry. However, the breakdown of the index of every Islamic bank suggests various achievements.Research limitations/implicationsIt is found that the practices of LRM are not optimal yet based on some considerations explained in this paper. Further progressive actions have to be taken by the regulators and all industry's players to improve the LRM practices.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first paper trying to assess how good the LRM in Indonesian Islamic banking is.
Feminizing the boardroom
Authors: Shilton Jacqui , McGregor Judy , Tremaine Marianne 
Published: June 2010

PurposeChanges to government policy, deregulation and corporatization in New Zealand have influenced the number and status of women on boards of directors. Using company records, archival material and interviews, this paper seeks to examine gender equity on boards of directors in New Zealand and compare the progress of women on the boards of corporate companies in the private sector with those on crown company boards in the public sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper includes interview material from women who have successfully achieved directorships and examines the approaches they adopted. The paper uses company records and interviews to achieve this aim.FindingsWhile increasing numbers of New Zealand women are entering the business arena, they continue to be underrepresented in the boardrooms and there exists a clear disparity between gender representation on the boards of crown and corporate companies with women being disadvantaged in the private sector.Originality/valueThe paper outlines some positive steps to assist women in the bid for corporate directorship, but suggests that the challenge of changing corporate and societal attitudes remains.
Gender role stereotypes and requisite management characteristics
Authors: Booysen Lize A.E. , Nkomo Stella M. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeAlthough Schein's gender role management stereotype hypothesis has been examined in many countries around the world, no studies specifically examine the combined effects of race and gender on this phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to use an intersectional analysis to test the hypothesis among different race and gender groups in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe 92‐item Schein descriptive index was randomly administered to 592 black men, white men, black women, and white women managers. The degree of resemblance between the descriptions of men and successful managers and between women and successful managers was determined by computing intra‐class correlation coefficients.FindingsResults confirm the think manager, think male hypothesis for black and white men but not for black and white women. Black and white men are less likely to attribute successful managerial characteristics to women. The hypothesis is more robust among black men than among white men. For black women, the resemblance between the characteristics of women in general and successful managers is significantly higher than the resemblance of men in general and successful managers. This represents only the second study globally to report a reversal of the usual pattern. White women perceived men and women to equally possess the requisite management characteristics.Practical implicationsIntersectionality is capable of revealing the ways in which race and gender simultaneously influence perceptions of managerial characteristics.Originality/valueThe paper provides a race and gender intersectional analysis that compares the perceptions of the think manager – think male hypothesis in contrast to the dominant gender only analysis that may mask important differences in the stereotyping of managerial characteristics. It is also the first study of its kind in South Africa.
Micro‐credit for microenterprises?
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi O. , Nkamnebe Anayo D. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that constrain women petty traders' access to microcredit, and the innovative measures they have initiated in order to counter these constraints.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on in‐depth interviews with women micro‐entrepreneurs drawn from a convenience sample of 20 petty traders in the market town of Awka – the capital of a state in Eastern Nigeria.FindingsThe paper identifies three main constraints – internal, socio‐cultural and policy induced – as the key moderating influences on women petty traders' ability access to micro‐credit.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the sample size and research context, the generalisation of the findings may need to be interpreted with caution. However, the paper finds evidence of most of these findings in other studies on other contexts.Practical implicationsThis paper posits that the lack of access to credit promotes market exclusion, and deepens the socioeconomic and political vulnerability of women as a consequence. Such vulnerability has prompted these microenterpreneurs into venturing to alternative sources of credit in the form of “Women August Meetings”. The paper has far reaching implications for public policy support geared towards “leveraging” and mainstreaming these initiatives for maximum outreach.Originality/valuePrevious research in the area of micro‐credit access seem to have paid limited attention to the peculiar challenges of this segment of society, i.e. petty traders, who incidentally also form the bulk of occupants at the bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid.
Leadership in global business environment through a vision creation process
Authors: Karaszewski Robert 
Published: June 2010

PurposeFew works have dealt with the impact of a corporation's country of origin on the perception of the qualities and behaviour expected of its leaders. This paper seeks to focus on these aspects with special attention to the specific nature of the Japanese leadership style. The choice of Japan was conditioned neither by the author's admiration for this country, nor by his admiration for their unusual determination to attain perfection, but mainly by the position that Japanese corporations occupy in the global economy. The main objective of the work is to analyze the nature of the vision creation process.Design/methodology/approachThe research project incorporated surveys of and interviews with 2,000 of the world's largest corporations (the Forbes Global 2000 database (2006 version)).FindingsJapanese corporations' leaders more frequently opt for giving their subordinates a free hand in shaping their own visions than leaders of the other researched corporations. However, in nearly all the cases it was mentioned that the proposed assumptions must be coherent with the vision envisaged by top management.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to examine the phenomenon of leadership from the perspective of corporate business. The work deals with the problem of the impact of the corporation's country of origin on the perception of the expected qualities and behaviours of its leaders.
Implementing a quality‐based performance measurement system
Authors: Jochem Roland , Menrath Martin , Landgraf Katja 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe performance measurement system reflects the corporate strategy and overall business objectives of an organization. The alignment of the performance indicators with the company's critical operating factors, and the processes having bottle‐necks alongside the value chain, could result in a very compact, target‐oriented, and quality‐based performance measurement system. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe quality‐based performance measurement system is developed by integrating the existing performance indicators of an organization with those of best‐in‐class management practices. The organizational processes included range from business leadership to the operational level. The key performance indicators (KPIs) depict the existing status transparently and comprehensively, whereas later on they can be used to control the processes with the pre‐defined values/measures. The KPIs of a process are documented and standardized once they are implemented. An action plan is then developed to write down the prerequisite for the new KPIs and to prioritize the existing ones for the sake of improvement.FindingsIt is affirmed that most of the employees had found the performance measurement system a very useful tool to tightly control the flow of their processes. It is very important to mention that this system does not mean giving way to another flood of information; instead it is designed to support the company's decision‐making process through target‐oriented indicators that could be compared with the existing best practices.Originality/valueThe concept described is aimed at developing and implementing a quality‐based performance measurement system within an organization. This system is developed through comparing the existing organizational practices with those having been labelled “Best‐in‐class” and it provides an alternative to the Balanced Score Card approach.
Six Sigma: an evolutionary analysis through case studies
Authors: Firka Daniel 
Published: June 2010

PurposeBetween 2004 and 2007, the Argentinian Institute for Quality conducted an investigation exploring how Six Sigma practices evolved within a set of organizations. The goal was to determine which variables influenced this evolution and the relative weight of critical success factors as the methodology matured. This paper aims to investigate the results of this study.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology followed was a qualitative study of multiple cases thorough interviews with key players in the organizations that agreed to take part in the investigation.FindingsThe study found a complex landscape that makes it difficult to speak about a “one size fits all” definition of Six Sigma, particularly years after the initial deployment. Moreover, certain interactions between factors are summarized, showing how some of the case companies were able to cope with their negative effects.Originality/valueThe results of the study could be beneficial to assess the situation of Six Sigma within an organization and the obstacles and issues that could appear as the initiative evolves.
Performance and change management in the province of Antwerp, Belgium
Authors: Bonner Kris 
Published: June 2010

PurposeSince 2005, the BRABO programme has been part of the province of Antwerp's general intention to move towards an objective‐oriented organisation. With this quality programme, the organisation intends to base its policy on an administrative agreement and a policy programme. BRABO represents the first step towards defining strategic and operational objectives in line with existing policy directives. The programme, and the corresponding communication and change management, gradually created a certain culture in terms of policy reporting and adjustments. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approachAttention is paid to the objectives, the most important achievements of the subprojects. Furthermore, the BRABO case demonstrates the added value of the project approach and change management methodology used. Finally, important issues that were encountered are discussed, as well as lessons learned.FindingsThe paper finds that a change in culture is a gradual process. It requires a major commitment of the (top) management. The top management should demonstrate what the additional value of the policy cycle is (for example, by effectively identifying and steering agenda based on issues).Originality/valueAt this moment, the structure, the conceptual model and the methodology of the policy and financial cycle are well integrated within the province. A major challenge for the province of Antwerp is to strengthen this culture further and make sure that the policy and financial cycle are fully integrated into the regular activities of the province at all levels.
A historical perspective and empirical analysis on development of theme parks in Japan
Authors: Kawamura Seiji , Hara Tadayuki 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put modern history of theme park developments in Japan in perspective and identify the challenges associated with theme parks in Japan.Design/methodology/approachAmid the structural lack of theme‐park related operational and financial data, the authors approached the issue from the analyses of limited information on theme parks in Japan, where most, if any, of the available data are in Japanese only. This precluded the authors to conduct quantitative analyses of the parks in Japan.FindingsThe authors found that two of the comparable large‐scale theme park developments in Japan led to dramatically different operating results and that continued innovation of the contents of the park is one of the notable differences when the two parks are compared.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the dramatic failure of one park, while in contrast the other thrives; underscoring that theme park investment is subject to embracing high‐risk, high‐maintenance and constant innovation efforts by the operator.Originality/valueThe paper may be valuable to readers in the East Asian region and other nations which have plans to host large‐scale theme park development in the near future, as this presents the rare cases of success and failure in theme park operations in Japan.
The role of animal‐based attractions in ecological sustainability
Authors: Shani Amir , Pizam Abraham 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the contribution of animal‐based attractions to ecological causes – particularly wildlife conservation and environmental education – while portraying the debate regarding the legitimacy and effectiveness of these sites.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review gives examples, demonstrating the potential of animal‐based attractions to support the causes of ecological sustainability while raising the challenges, constraints, and limitations in utilizing them to the fullest.FindingsOpposition to animal‐based attractions is fierce and should be understood and addressed by management and regional associations.Practical implicationsSuggestions for improving the sites' operations are elaborated throughout the paper.Originality/valueThe paper is of value to relevant stakeholders including zoological professionals and animal activists, and it can raise awareness of certain aspects that may not have received adequate attention.
Insight into amusement park ride and device safety in the United States
Authors: Avery Brian , Dickson Duncan R. 
Published: June 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the dimensions and practices that have shaped the safety of amusement rides and devices in the US amusement park industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an overview and historical examination of key concepts and phenomena.FindingsThe paper concludes that continued amusement ride and device incidents resulting from a lack of nationally accepted and recognized standards will potentially lead to or cause additional negative guest perception and possibly result in regulation from an external agency. This paper identifies areas of concern and makes recommendations to address the potential consequences resulting from staying the current course. It determines that the industry needs to find a collective voice and establish consistent self‐regulating policies in order to curb the incidents rates and avoid federal regulation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper reports on several secondary research, scholarly as well as industry and government publications and personal communications.Practical implicationsThe safety of patrons visiting amusement parks has become paramount during recent times. Over the last decade or so, the amusement park industry has struggled with the fallout from numerous serious injuries and ride related deaths. This has generated a great deal of interest from patrons, media outlets, and politicians alike. With the continued operation of amusement parks and attractions and the competition of external entertainment options, it is important for the industry to project a solid and evolving image of safety in order to attract and retain patrons.Originality/valueThe paper explores the evolution of amusement ride and safely in the USA.