bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supply chain management in health services: an overview
Authors: de Vries Jan , Huijsman Robbert 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to concentrate on the question whether any parallels can be found between the industrial sector and health care services with respect to the developments that have taken place in the area of Supply Chain Management. Starting from an analysis of existing literature, it is intended that different modes of Supply Chain integration will be discussed. Also, in doing so, it is intended that the lessons learned from the studies presented in this special issue will be summarized and placed into the perspective of future research that can be considered as necessary.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopted an exploratory, qualitative approach based on an analysis of existing literature in the area of Supply Chain Management in Health Services. Additionally, material from the case studies presented in this special issue is used to assess the current body of knowledge regarding Supply Chain Management in Health Services.FindingsStarting from a classification of existing research, five main research areas with respect to Supply Chain Management in a health care setting are defined. Additionally, it is concluded that next to studies with a mono‐disciplinary focus, an interdisciplinary focus on Supply Chain Management issues in health services seems to be necessary.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to both the supply chain management literature and literature in the area of healthcare management by identifying some important research areas which are linked to both fields. This paper helps both academics and managers to gain a better understanding of the complexity of supply chain management in health services.
Developing lean and agile health care supply chains
Authors: Aronsson Håkan , Abrahamsson Mats , Spens Karen 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe objective of this exploratory paper is to find out what is important to consider when developing a supply chain in health care, what is required in order to establish a supply chain orientation and how lean and agile can be used as process strategies in order to improve supply chain performance.Design/methodology/approachIn order to build an empirical framework for using both lean and agile strategies in health care supply chain management illustrative examples are provided from a Swedish health care setting describing the patient flow and planning processes.FindingsSupply chain management has potential to work well as a philosophy for patient flow in the health care sector. However, it should not only be about the use of the concept of lean in health care, as in fact is the case in practice today. It is rather about organizing for quick response and flexibility in a hybrid strategy through combining lean and agile process strategies. This can only be done if a systems approach is applied together with a strategic orientation, where cooperative efforts by the supply chain members should synchronize and converge operational as well as strategic capabilities into a unified whole.Practical implicationsThe analysis in the paper underlines the importance of focusing on both agility and leanness combined. Hospitals or health care systems that introduce such an approach, as opposed to only relying on lean strategies, could gain both competitive advantages and improved performance.Originality/valueIn health care, even more so than in the manufacturing industry, containment of costs without sacrificing quality is important. This paper applies SCM techniques, tools and concepts that have not been used previously for patient flow in a health care setting, combining lean and agile in one and the same analysis.
Collaborative implementation of e‐business processes within the health‐care supply chain: the Monash Pharmacy Project
Authors: Bhakoo Vikram , Chan Caroline 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the implementation of e‐business processes in the procurement area of a healthcare supply chain when multiple stakeholders are involved.Design/methodology/approachA single longitudinal case study spanning three years is presented using data collected from interviews, participant observation, and documentary analysis.FindingsThis study identifies the lack of consistency and poor data quality as well as the global nature of suppliers as key issues in the e‐business implementation in the healthcare supply chain. It also points out the need for collaboration and trust for a successful implementation.Practical implicationsThis study provides practitioners with a useful guide to the various technology‐related, management, and business issues that can arise during the implementation of e‐business processes in the context of supply chains involving multiple stakeholders.Originality/valueThis study is distinctive on two grounds: the longitudinal nature of the study over three years; and the wide variety of participants in the Monash Pharmacy Project (including a large general hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, government regulatory agencies, and technology providers).
Expanding the temporal context of research on non‐permanent work
Authors: Clinton Michael , Bernhard‐Oettel Claudia , Rigotti Thomas , de Jong Jeroen 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore an expanded temporal context of non‐permanent work through an examination of the influence of previous experience of temporary working, contract duration and time remaining on contract and expectations of continued employment on reports of job insecurity, job satisfaction, in‐role performance and organisational commitment.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses were tested using responses of 1,169 temporary workers from a multi‐national, cross‐sectional questionnaire study.FindingsHierarchical regression analyses indicated that having previous experience of temporary work was associated with higher in‐role performance. No significant effects were found for contract duration, but shorter time remaining on present contract was associated with greater job insecurity and also greater in‐role performance. However the strongest effects were found for expectations of continued employment, with stronger expectations being linked to more positive reports of each outcome. A number of moderation effects were found that indicated interactions between temporal variables and revealed a moderating role of preference for temporary work.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first to formally consider the influence of a broader temporal context on attitudes and behaviours of temporary workers. Significant associations were found between elements relating to each of the past, present and future and important individual and organisational variables in the present. These effects were sustained above and beyond the influence of variables such as country, sector, preferences, skill level, contract type, and demographics that are known to affect temporary workers' attitudes and behaviours.
Perceived employability
Authors: Kinnunen Ulla , Mäkikangas Anne , Mauno Saija , Siponen Katri , Nätti Jouko 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to examine how perceived employability relates to job exhaustion, psychological symptoms and self‐rated job performance in involuntary and voluntary temporary employees compared to permanent employees.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a cross‐sectional design using a sample of university teachers and researchers (n=1,014) from two Finnish universities. Of the sample, 40 percent (n=408) are permanent employees, 49 percent (n=495) involuntary and 11 percent (n=111) voluntary temporary employees. Most respondents (54 percent) have education above a Master's degree, the average age is 43 years, and 58 percent are women.FindingsThe results of general linear model analyses show that perceived employability promotes favorable outcomes among all respondents. However, the negative relationship between perceived employability and job exhaustion and psychological symptoms is stronger among voluntary than among involuntary temporary employees.Originality/valueThe study indicates that although perceived employability seems to be important to all employees, involuntary temporary employees benefit least from high perceived employability in terms of individual well‐being.
Training is an investment with return in temporary workers
Authors: José Chambel Maria , Sobral Filipa 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse whether a social exchange relationship between temporary workers and organizations is possible. The authors aim to consider whether, when training is perceived by an employee as an organizational practice that promotes his or her employability, this entails a social exchange relationship.Design/methodology/approachSurveys from 240 call centre workers were analyzed using correlation and multiple regression to explore relationships between training to promote employability, perceived organizational support (POS) and affective commitment.FindingsThe data support the idea that social exchange theories are useful frameworks in explaining temporary workers' affective commitment towards organisations. Organisational investment in training was positively related to the affective commitment of these temporary workers. However, employees attributed greater importance to the fact that training increased their employability than to the number of training hours received. The relationship between this human resource management practice and affective commitment partly occurred through the perceived organisational support. Such perception partially mediates the relationship between training as a promoter of employability and this positive attitude.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited due to sample nature and the lack of longitudinal design. It does not provide implications for other types of commitment that may be relevant for temporary workers (continuance commitment, for example).Practical implicationsAn important implication from this research is that employers should not assume that training is an investment without return from temporary workers. Developmental opportunities, while important to all employees, did make temporary workers more committed to organizations.Originality/valueThe paper is the first, to the authors' knowledge, to assess training as promoting employability with a specific measure. While the results are simple, they refute many stereotypes of temporary workers and add an important perspective to the human resource management literature.
Predicting temporary agency workers' behaviors
Authors: Connelly Catherine E. , Gallagher Daniel G. , Webster Jane 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis empirical study aims to determine whether justice perceptions formed in one context (i.e. the agency or the client) relate to work behaviors in another context (i.e. the client or the agency). To provide a balanced perspective, it seeks to examine both organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) and counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWBs). It also aims to understand how workers' “volition” or their attitudes towards temporary employment would affect their behaviors.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, 157 temporary agency workers were surveyed; these data were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM). To ensure that the measures were appropriate for the context of temporary agency employment, a two‐stage pretest was conducted.FindingsThe results suggest that temporary agency worker perceptions of interpersonal justice from their agencies and their client organizations “spillover” and are indeed related to their OCBs and CWBs in both contexts. Furthermore, the extent to which workers voluntarily chose temporary agency employment related to agency‐directed OCBs, while a preference for permanent employment related to client‐directed OCBs.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the ways in which perceptions formed in one context (i.e. interpersonal justice) may spill over and affect behaviors in another context. The findings also contribute to the broader literature on how volition affects temporary agency worker behaviors.
The role of professional identity commitment in understanding the relationship between casual employment and perceptions of career success
Authors: Allen Belinda C. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine potential differences in identity commitment and career success perceptions between casually and permanently employed nurses. Specifically, it aims to investigate whether casually employed nurses have lower levels of commitment to their professional identity, as compared to permanently employed nurses, and whether this in turn negatively affects their perceptions of career success.Design/methodology/approachRole identity theory was used to predict the career success perceptions of casually employed (n=181) versus permanently employed (n=476) nurses. Data were collected via a self‐report questionnaire.FindingsThe data revealed that casual nurses had lower levels of identity commitment and more negative career success perceptions. Affective commitment fully mediated the relationship between employment status and subjective career success.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should test the replicability of these findings with longitudinal data.Originality/valueThis paper provides novel insights to the temporary employment and careers literatures. Given the previously uncharted territory of understanding the role of identity in the career success perceptions of different categories of workers, it opens avenues for future research, while also answering theoretical questions about the identity and career consequences of temporary employment.
The double‐edged sword of legitimacy in public relations
Authors: Merkelsen Henrik 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to clarify the various aspects of legitimacy in public relations in order to establish a better understanding of the limits of professionalization. Legitimacy has always been a central concept in public relations. In order to ensure a license to operate, the conduct of organizations needs to be perceived as legitimate by their stakeholders and the public in general. Public relations has since its conception as a modern profession been confronted with several issues concerning the profession's own legitimacy. The overall cause for these legitimacy problems is often ascribed to the immaturity of the profession and professionalization is generally regarded as an appropriate cure.Design/methodology/approachThrough theorization of the connection between legitimacy, power and professionalization the paper points to two important challenges to the professionalization of public relations: the conflicts of legitimizing the potentially disputed role of public relations as an intermediary function between client and public interests; and the dilemma of legitimizing a profession that has legitimacy as its own object and therefore is dependent on discretion in order to be successful.FindingsThe paper identifies four axes of legitimacy in public relations, each constituting different relationships with specific and often conflicting legitimacy claims: client‐public, profession‐client, profession‐public, and profession‐academia.Originality/valueAs a consequence of these distinct legitimacy claims the paper stresses some important limits of the professionalization project in public relations.
Communication executives in a changing world
Authors: Johansson Catrin , Ottestig Ann T. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to study how communication executives perceive their internal and external legitimacy, how they reflect on recent developments in their work, and which future challenges they perceive as being important.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of in‐depth interviews with communication executives.FindingsCommunication executives have a distinct strategic managerial role within their organizations. The executive role involves three different performances: the organizational leader; the communication leader; and the communication manager. Executives perceived high external legitimacy, whereas internal legitimacy varied between organizations, and status and formal position were both dynamic and subject to negotiation. The communication technology development, termed as a “revolution”, has considerably affected executives' work. Future communication challenges such as globalization and organizational change were discussed.Research limitations/implicationsRecent changes have strengthened the roles of the communication executives. Internal status and legitimacy appear to be dependent on the attitudes of the other executives. These relationships and the emerging executive roles will be an important basis for study in future research.Practical implicationsInternal legitimacy was clearly an issue of negotiation, which is important for practitioners to consider. Acting out the educational role, working with communication support and the coaching of managers, and initiating and pursuing strategic organizational issues may be means by which communication executives are further able to enhance their internal legitimacy.Originality/valueNew insights with regard to the legitimacy, practice and self‐perceptions of communication executives are provided. This is the first study of Swedish communication executives, adding to the knowledge base derived from studies from The Netherlands, UK and USA.
Value theory in lean construction
Authors: Salvatierra‐Garrido Jose , Pasquire Christine 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the common perspective of value for lean construction (LC) researchers and practitioners. Thus, this paper aims to generate a future discussion in the construction sector about the huge impact of construction projects over the entire society and, consequently, to underline the need of an expansion of current value perspectives moving from a local context (project level) to a global context (society).Design/methodology/approachThe paper critically reviews the concept of value from LC perspective. As such, literature review has been conducted as a main task.FindingsLC value perspectives lack in a common idea to be applied in the construction industry as a whole. Customer‐focused construction practices, where satisfaction of customer requirements predominates over societal welfare.Research limitations/implicationsThe work described forms part of a larger study intended to expand common value perspective to the wide society. Therefore, a future global model of value should be proposed and validated through an interactive workshop with participation of relevant actors in construction industry.Practical implicationsConstruction industry should reformulate current practices and governments, as representative of the society, should promote construction regulation policies based on delivery of value including environmental and social issues.Originality/valueThe concept of value is placed in a global context, changing common LC perspective. Thus, this paper gives the opportunity to continue discussing the contribution of construction industry to the cure of environmental and social issues.
Target costing and designing to targets in construction
Authors: Pennanen Ari , Ballard Glenn , Haahtela Yrjänä 
Published: May 2011

PurposeTarget costing determines the cost of a building before design. The cost of the product is based on the customer's requirements for the product's performance and the customer's willingness to pay for such performance. However, if the designers cannot achieve the target cost, the benefits of target costing are wasted. The purpose of this paper is to describe design steering, a methodology for managing design process to achieve target cost and purposed value for the customer.Design/methodology/approachThe design steering concept steers the complex design process by knowledge management and rapid cost feedback loops, especially in the very early stages of design. Traditional estimating together with CAD systems cannot produce feedback because of the cumulative nature of design. This paper introduces advanced building information modelling (BIM) that supports project management in cost and quality management. As CAD systems start from zero, this BIM starts from the full content. The BIM constructs all the quantities and costs of the building components before the design starts, basing on the client's needs. The model acts as a “defending champion” in relation to the designer's proposals during the design.FindingsDesign steering concept is already in commercial use with encouraging results. A case study explains how design steering affects to designers' decision making. Design steering has helped mutual understanding between the designers and management enabling to achieve the target cost.Research limitations/implicationsAt the moment more transparency on goals, processes and information models of clients, project managers and designers are needed in order to support the commitment process of the participants.Originality/valueDesign process has not been earlier dealt with from top to bottom, but from bottom to top. New BIM technologies enable both perspectives.
Applying lean thinking in commercial management
Authors: Zimina Daria , Pasquire Christine L. 
Published: May 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop two hypotheses explaining the role of commercial management in the lean business model: lean construction is a viable choice of commercial strategy; and lean commercial management is an integral part of lean construction system subordinate to the project delivery. This is completed as a part of conceptualisation of the lean commercial management discipline in construction on the abstract level and followed by deriving its main principles.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on the direct observation of the companies pursuing lean strategy in construction as well as of those following non‐lean business models, review of case studies and literature.FindingsTraditional commercial arrangements do not comply with the lean construction requirements and may hamper the exploration of its full potential. Lean commercial management differs in the way that its primary role is to support the production process thus it is subordinated to it.Research limitations/implicationsThis research would benefit from links with the existent field of social and economic studies where deeper reasoning to substantiate the theory might be found. Experiments with lean companies in the construction sector are also necessary for theory validation.Practical implicationsThe approach offered in this paper vectors the way of dealing with the commercial decisions within lean enterprise. This potentially can further enhance benefits from lean construction.Originality/valueThe paper builds upon the related research and papers, further advancing the topic of lean construction.