bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From open source in the digital to the physical world: a smooth transfer?
Authors: Abdelkafi Nizar , Blecker Thorsten , Raasch Christina 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the transferability of the open source principles of product development from the realm of software to the realm of physical products.Design/methodology/approachBased on the inherent differences between software and physical products, a theoretical discussion of the challenges that face the implementation of open source principles in the physical world are provided. A multiple case study methodology is adopted to provide insights into the applicability of the open source concept in product development outside software.FindingsMany of the challenges identified theoretically are actually encountered in practice. To cope with these challenges effectively, hardware design activities can be translated into software development tasks, using programmable hardware. When dealing with open source projects in the physical realm, it is useful to distinguish between projects driven by commercial firms and those driven by individuals, as each project type can impose different conditions on successful implementation.Originality/valueAlthough much scholarly attention has been devoted to open source software, the issue of transferability of the identified principles to other industries has undergone little in‐depth research. This paper provides a solid foundation for further investigation of this topic based on theory and empirical case examples. It derives recommendations for industrial experts wishing to benefit from the open source model in new product development.
Organisational approaches to flexible working
Authors: Gardiner Jean , Tomlinson Jennifer 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to, first, explore flexible working as an important but under‐researched dimension of equality and diversity (E&D) and, second, contribute to employment relations debates by exploring organisational perspectives on flexible working and how these connect with business strategies and the regulatory context.Design/methodology/approachIn depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 12 E&D managers in ten public and private sector organisations. Interviews explored the role of E&D managers in the construction of flexible working arrangements (FWAs) and drivers underpinning them.FindingsFlexible working was most evident as a significant field of E&D practice where E&D was linked into business strategy and was well resourced. The key roles of E&D managers in relation to FWAs were policy innovation and monitoring. Four organisational rationales for FWAs were identified from the data. These were FWA constructed as: an individual employee benefit; a means of improving operational effectiveness; an integral part of organisational strategy; and as a means of addressing structural social inequalities.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the sample is small, the research is of value to both researchers and policy makers, offering insights on an under‐researched area of E&D policy and practice.Practical implicationsThis paper outlines different rationales for flexible working and shows how some organisation are able to develop flexible working policies that are more equitable and effective than other organisations.Originality/valueThe originality lies in the use of E&D managers as informants of organisational approaches to FWAs, which to date has been under‐researched in terms of its connection with E&D policy and practice.
Environmental assessment of construction trends in Mexico: towards sustainable building?
Authors: Guerra Santin Olivia 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the environmental performance of construction trends in houses in central Mexico by assessing the type and quantity of material used in construction elements.Design/methodology/approachThree reference Mexican houses are used for the analysis: a traditional house, a house with mostly masonry elements, and a house with mostly concrete elements. The reference houses indicate the construction trend followed in central Mexico. Quantitative analysis of the types and weights of various materials used to construct the houses is undertaken. The environmental performance is measured according to their sustainability potential. The indicators used are based on the Three Step Strategy, which sets the steps needed to achieve sustainable construction: use fewer materials, use renewable materials and be efficient with the remaining need.FindingsThe analysis shows that there is a trend to use faster and cheaper construction processes, which are often concrete and prefabricated elements, especially for dwellings built in series. Although this has the positive impact of decreasing the stress on housing demand, it might have negative impacts on the environment because more energy‐intensive and artificial materials are used. In addition, the low homogeneity of these materials decreases the potential of construction elements to be reused or recycled.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study aim at providing more information to practitioners on the sustainability of material choices during the design process. Thus practitioners will be better informed to design more environmentally sustainable buildings. The results are based on analysis of data from Central Mexico but may have relevance to other parts of the world.Originality/valueThe study provides quantitatively derived evidence to support sustainable design decisions.
Effects of helper sex, recipient attractiveness, and recipient femininity on helping behavior in organizations
Authors: Danzis Deborah A. , Stone‐Romero Eugene F. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effects of sex, attractiveness, and sex role of helping behavior in a simulated work situation.Design/methodology/approachA 2 × 2×2 randomized experimental design was used, in which 81 participants worked on cooperative task building models. Male or female participants were asked for help from a female confederate who was either high or low in attractiveness and high or low in femininity.FindingsA three‐way interaction indicated that male participants provided equal levels of help across femininity and attractiveness conditions, but female participants provided more help to low attractive‐high feminine confederates than to high attractive‐high feminine confederates.Research limitations/implicationsThe external validity of the study may be limited, due to sample and experimental setting. Care should also be used in generalizing to situations in which the participants have longer‐term relationships.Practical implicationsDifferences in helping related to sex, sex role orientation, and attractiveness do occur, and may be related to social roles and expectations. This may help predict patterns of helping in work settings.Originality/valueThe study demonstrated that sex role orientation can be experimentally manipulated, and that this does combine with other variables to influence helping behaviors. It also indicated that attractiveness effects are not as consistent as may be expected.
Modeling and simulation of aircraft anti‐skid braking and steering using co‐simulation method
Authors: Ming Zhang , Hong Nie , Xiao‐hui Wei , Xiaomei Qian , Enzhi Zhou 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a co‐simulation method to study the ground maneuvers of aircraft anti‐skid braking and steering.Design/methodology/approachA virtual prototype of aircraft is established in the multibody system dynamics software MSC.ADAMS/Aircraft. The anti‐skid braking control model, which adopts the multi‐threshold PID control method with a slip‐velocity‐controlled, pressure‐bias‐modulated (PBM) system, is established in MATLAB/Simulink. EASY5 is used to establish the hydraulic system of nose wheel steering. The ADAMS model is connected to block diagrams of the anti‐skid braking control model in MATLAB/Simulink, and is also connected to the block diagrams of nose wheel steering system model in EASY5, so that the ground maneuvers of aircraft anti‐skid braking and steering are simulated separately.FindingsResults are presented to investigate the performance of anti‐skid braking system in aircraft anti‐skid simulation. In aircraft steering simulation, the influence of two important parameters on the forces acting on the tires is discussed in detail, and the safe area to prevent aircraft sideslip is obtained.Originality/valueThis paper presents an advanced method to study the ground maneuvers of aircraft anti‐skid braking and steering, and establishes an integrated aircraft model of airframe, landing gear, steering system, and anti‐skid braking system to investigate the interaction of each subsystem via simulation.
Robust balancing of mixed model assembly line
Authors: Xu Weida , Xiao Tianyuan 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce robust optimization approaches to balance mixed model assembly lines with uncertain task times and daily model mix changes.Design/methodology/approachScenario planning approach is used to represent the input data uncertainty in the decision model. Two kinds of robust criteria are provided: one is min‐max related; and the other isα‐worst scenario based. Corresponding optimization models are formulated, respectively. A genetic algorithm‐based robust optimization framework is designed. Comprehensive computational experiments are done to study the effect of these robust approaches.FindingsWith min‐max related robust criteria, the solutions can provide an optimal worst‐case hedge against uncertainties without a significant sacrifice in the long‐run performance;α‐worst scenario‐based criteria can generate flexible robust solutions: through rationally tuning the value ofα, the decision maker can obtain a balance between robustness and conservatism of an assembly line task elements assignment.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is an attempt to robust mixed model assembly line balancing. Some more efficient and effective robust approaches – including robust criteria and optimization algorithms – may be designed in the future.Practical implicationsIn an assembly line with significant uncertainty, the robust approaches proposed in this paper can hedge against the risk of poor system performance in bad scenarios.Originality/valueUsing robust optimization approaches to balance mixed model assembly line.
Novel type of PXI bus‐based airborne data transfer equipment test system
Authors: Duan Haibin , Zhang Haixia 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design and implement a novel type of PCI eXtension for Instruments (PXI) bus‐based airborne data transfer equipment (DTE) test system.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the basic principle of PXI bus is introduced in detail. Then, the hardware and software are developed for the PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system. Based on the description of the basic conceptions of rough set theory, a novel hybrid approach for fault diagnosis in PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system is proposed, which is based on rough set theory, genetic algorithm and neural network. Combining with rough set theory, genetic algorithm is used to compute the reductions of the decision table. Subsequently, the condition attributes of decision table are regarded as the input nodes of neural network and the decision attributes are regarded as the output nodes of neural network correspondingly.FindingsThe exact application results are also presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system, and the test results can also be saved automatically. The exact application results show that the various faults within the PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system can be located on board level, and the newly developed airborne DTE test system is also easy to be extended and upgraded.Practical implicationsThe proposed hybrid rough set theory, genetic algorithm and neural network approach could reduce the number of attributes in the decision table, simplify the structure of neural network and improve the ability of generality. The airborne DTE test system is also capable of different unit under test (UUT), which can be selected by the definite operators at the start of the test, to ensure that failures and problems are handled automatically and without intervention. This newly developed PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system can be located on board level, and it is also very easy to be extended and upgraded. Practical implementations show that hidden errors can be effectively detected by the developed PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system. The proposed methodology can help improve the general performance of the airborne DTE test system, and the faults can be checked with minimum time and effort. This system can enhance the army combat capability efficiently.Originality/valueThis paper develops a novel type of PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system. In particular, a hybrid approach for fault diagnosis in PXI bus‐based airborne DTE test system is proposed, which is based on rough set theory, genetic algorithm and neural network. This approach provides an effective way to diagnosis the faults of the airborne DTE test system.
Safeguarding customer information: the role of staff
Authors: Canhoto Ana Isabel 
Published: November 2009

PurposePrivacy is a topic of major interest to the marketing community that has fuelled the development of legal and technical mechanisms to protect customers' anonymity and to prevent the misuse of customer data. Nevertheless, data breaches continue to occur. The purpose of this paper is to offer new insight into the causes of such breaches, thus paving the way for novel approaches to privacy protection.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a semiotic framework identifying the data, task related and normative factors that influence behaviour. A qualitative study with branch and back office employees in a British financial institution illustrates the explanatory value of the framework.FindingsThe results show that the legal tools provide guidance only when they are clear, relevant and enforceable, that technology reduces idiosyncrasy but has limited application and, crucially, that employees' attitudes, group norms, preconceptions and mental processes dramatically condition behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe study integrates the limited marketing literature available on the reasons for privacy breaches, and advances the understanding of the role of employees in safeguarding customer data. It is an exploratory, small‐scale study that simultaneously offers new insight and identifies areas where further research is needed.Practical implicationsThe paper presents practical contributions to marketing managers concerning policy wording, job design and reward schemes.Originality/valueThe study delivers a holistic framework to assess how the various privacy related initiatives may interact with each other, and specifically focusing the researcher's attention on what is often the weakest link in privacy protection: staff.
Gender differences in the response to unfair prices: a cross‐country analysis
Authors: Maxwell Sarah , Lee Sanghyun , Anselstetter Sabine , Comer Lucette B. , Maxwell Nicholas 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe research questions are whether there is a difference in how men and women respond to unfair prices and, if so, whether this gender difference extends across national cultures. Is the difference due to nature or to nurture? This paper aims to answer these questions.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses scenarios to conduct a survey‐based analysis of the effects of gender and country on responses to personally and socially unfair prices.FindingsThe results indicate that the response to price unfairness is due more to nurture than to nature. Although American females tend to be more sensitive than men to price unfairness, there is little or no difference between men and women in Germany and South Korea: both sexes there react negatively to an unfair price, particularly when the seller has acted unjustly.Practical implicationsIn the USA, the gender difference in response to unfair prices suggests that different pricing tactics should be used for men than for women. However, since males in South Korea and Germany are just as sensitive as females to unfair prices, pricing tactics acceptable to American men may not work in other countries.Originality/valueThis paper takes a look at the manner in which a price increase for a frequently purchased but essential product is viewed as unfair. The paper examines the issue in three contrasting countries – Germany, South Korea and the USA – to determine if any observed differences are universal or culture‐specific.
An approach to develop effective customer loyalty programs
Authors: Ho Richard , Huang Leo , Huang Stanley , Lee Tina , Rosten Alexander , Tang Christopher S. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper sets out to present a practical approach to develop an effective customer loyalty program by incorporating competition and heterogeneity in customers' preferences, and by avoiding the pitfalls associated with different types of loyalty programs.Design/methodology/approachTo illustrate the approach, the paper presents a case study of T&T Supermarkets in Canada to show how a retailer can develop a cost‐effective customer loyalty program to retain and reward loyal customers so as to increase shopping frequency and shopping expenditure. The approach consists of four major steps, which are explained in detail.FindingsMost T&T shoppers split their shopping trips at T&T (for Asian groceries and other specialty items) and a major competitor (for Western items). This creates a unique opportunity for T&T to develop a loyalty program that is intended to entice its loyal shoppers to increase their shopping frequency and expenditure at T&T. A “hybrid” reward structure was recommended to address the fact that there are two major segments of customers who prefer different types of loyalty rewards.Originality/valueIn addition to avoiding some common pitfalls of various loyalty programs, this paper presents a practical approach to develop an effective customer loyalty program by incorporating competition and heterogeneity in customers' preferences.
A management model and factors driving performance in public organizations
Authors: Sole Francesco 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyse the characteristics of performance measurement and management systems in public organizations and to highlight the main factors driving performance in this sector.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is carried out in order to outline the main issues related to the adoption and implementation of performance measurement and management systems in public organizations.FindingsThe paper provides better information on the performance measurement and management systems in public organizations, by analyzing the performance dimensions, the use of performance measures and the factors influencing the implementation of the performance management process.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents a model for driving the implementation of a performance measurement system within public organizations and identifies the main factors influencing this process. The paper is conceptual in its nature and will be further developed through an empirical research investigating the role played by the identified factors.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the factors driving the performance management process in public organizations.
Managerial characteristics, strategy and performance in local government
Authors: Ahmed Sebaa Ali , Wallace James , Cornelius Nelarine 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate strategy at the functional level, in Dubai local government. Using Miles and Snow's strategy typology, it seeks to concentrate on the relationship between the alignment of managerial characteristics with strategy type and performance.Design/methodology/approachSenior executive managers were interviewed and a questionnaire developed, based on the extant literature and issues arising from the interviews. This was distributed to functional managers within Dubai local government, and sought information regarding their personal characteristics, perceptions of requirements for implementing strategic initiatives and actual implementation approaches used. All alignments with the strategy adopted, the strategy required, and managerial characteristics and independent assessments of performance were then analysed statistically to assess the extent of alignment and congruency with performance.FindingsProspector managers have, on average, higher educational status than that of defender managers, with alignment of several demographic characteristics with strategic orientation leading to enhanced performance. Whilst alignments of educational attainment and organisation and job tenure with strategy are desirable, age has no effect.Practical implicationsBy understanding the alignment relationships, more appropriate allocation of personnel will lead to increased strategic performance.Originality/valuePrevious studies have looked at the alignment of managerial characteristics with strategic type and aspects of performance. In all cases, the focus has been on corporate strategy, and predominantly in private‐sector organisations. The study combines these objectives and investigates the alignment between characteristics, strategy and perceived performance. It focuses on management at the functional level in a local government setting and demonstrates that classical upper‐echelon theory is also relevant at the functional level of management.
Case study: A fresh approach of the Balanced Scorecard in the Heathrow Terminal 5 project
Authors: Basu Ron , Little Chris , Millard Chris 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the Heathrow Terminal 5 project and to illustrate a customised application of the Balanced Scorecard in a major infrastructure project with multiple stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology applied in this work was based on the case study methodology. The focus was on “how” questions and exploratory analysis of primary and secondary data supported in‐depth interviews with members from both the project team and suppliers.FindingsThe application of the concept of the Balanced Scorecard by Kaplan and Norton in project management is less frequent in comparison with operations management. The study has established a proven application of the Balanced Scorecard in managing quality in a major infrastructure project.Practical implicationsFor practitioners of major projects the paper gives implications for implementing the theoretical and customising requirements of the Balanced Scorecard involving key stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates that metrics can be customised for major projects within the framework of the Kaplan and Norton Balanced Scorecard and that suppliers should be empowered to own the monitoring and improvement process using their performance data.