bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term effects of public policy for displaced workers in Sweden
Authors: Ohlsson Henry , Storrie Donald 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the long‐term effects of policy measures for displaced workers. The focus is on the individuals affected by the closure of the Uddevalla Shipyard in western Sweden in 1985 and the cutbacks at the LKAB mines in northern Sweden in 1983.Design/methodology/approachThese workers not only experienced job loss, but were also target groups for extraordinary labour market policies. Using register data from Statistics Sweden (labour market status, earnings, education etc.), the authors follow those affected until 1999, comparing their experiences with the development of a large sample of other workers who lost their jobs because of plant closures in 1987‐1988 but who did not receive extraordinary measures.FindingsEstimations of the net effect of the extraordinary measures find that they did have positive long‐term effects for the displaced shipyard workers and miners. They have higher employment, not higher unemployment, and higher earnings than the comparison group.Originality/valueThe authors are not aware of any previous research on the effects of labour market policy addressing displacement in the long term.
Exploring the affordance and acceptance of an e‐reader device as a collaborative learning system
Authors: Seet Boon‐Chong , Goh Tiong‐Thye 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe aim of this research is to identify users' perceived affordances and explore how they influence the acceptance of an e‐reader device collaborative learning system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on two studies conducted to identify and explore perceived affordances. The first study enabled four users to experience a collaborative problem‐solving task to elicit perceived affordances. The second study developed and used a survey instrument based on a modified technology acceptance model with 54 participants to investigate the influences of the affordances on users' acceptance using the partial least square technique.FindingsFive major affordance factors were found to be significantly influencing users' acceptance of the proposed system. These affordance factors are: mobility affordance, support affordance, connectivity affordance, immediacy affordance, and collaborative affordance. Surprisingly, sustainability affordance was found to have limited influence on the acceptance of the proposed system.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings can be applied to other e‐reader devices with features similar to iLiad such as Sony PRS, Kobo, Nook, PocketBook and Viewsonic. Prototyping is a critical design process which aims to elicit user experiences. The research implies that the prototype system is capable of generating perceived affordances that are useful for e‐reader device development in order to enhance acceptance. The convenience sample used in the survey is biased towards male participants. As male and female users perceive information and communications technologies (ICT) differently, caution should be taken when applying the findings to the general population.Practical implicationsPractitioners should focus on utilising the support affordance of the system and identifying clear learning goals with the help of collaborative affordance as the learning pedagogy. System designers should focus on creating a good range of visible support affordances that are intuitive, while enhancing or complementing the collaborative learning affordances. The design of an integrated chat application is important as it lays the foundation for ensuring that collaborative learning with e‐reader devices is possible.Originality/valueE‐reader devices have not been studied extensively as collaborative learning systems. This research is believed to be the first to integrate and explore the use of an e‐reader device in a collaborative learning environment. This study introduces the concept of composite affordance with a modified technology acceptance model for investigating users' acceptance of an e‐reader device as a collaborative learning system.
Developing an asset management value improvement model (a‐VIM) approach for an airport operational engineering environment
Authors: Gibbons Paul M. , Kennedy Colin , Burgess Stuart C. , Godfrey Patrick 
Published: July 2012

PurposeA previous attempt to implement the use of historical measures of asset management effectiveness – as part of a value improvement model (VIM) for repetitive processes – had not been 100 percent successful within an airport operational engineering environment. Taking into account the more holistic approach realised through applying a soft systems methodology (SSM), the purpose of this paper was to use the CATWOE (Customers, Actors, Transaction, World View, Owner and Environment) tool to gain an understanding of the root definition of the problem statement developing a conceptual model used to facilitate an improvement to the implementation process.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology taken incorporated an action research approach combining case study research with an action research process of planning, observing and reflecting summarized as taking an action case research design.FindingsThis research has developed a visual and systematic framework that enables managers to understand, analyse and improve value in their asset management repetitive processes. The CATWOE root definition tool has been used to create a conceptual model of the problem area providing a holistic view of the stakeholders and the internal and external environmental constraints that the VIM for asset management sits within.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was completed in‐situ at a single airport focused on a single group of assets managed by a single group of stakeholders. Future research should look to further develop the VIM and CATWOE approach in other asset management environments such as manufacturing as well as asset intensive service industries.Originality/valueThis research has taken a soft systems approach and successfully applied it to the implementation of hard systems measurements of asset management effectiveness within an airport operational engineering environment. Other managers with asset management responsibilities will find this approach useful in achieving their core objective to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their assets and the teams employed to maintain them at minimal total cost.
An empirical study of the influence of intensity of competition on the deployment of contemporary management accounting practices and managerial techniques in Egyptian firms
Authors: Abdel‐Maksoud Ahmed , Abdallah Wagdy , Youssef Mayada 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of managers’ perception of the importance of aspects of competition on levels of deployment of contemporary management accounting practices (CMAPs) and analyzing that impact on levels of implementation of innovative managerial practices (IMP) and advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in use in Egyptian manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachA survey of manufacturing firms operating in the three biggest industrial areas in Egypt was carried out in 2005. Data were collected through interviews, using structured questionnaire forms, which were carried out with managers of the surveyed firms.FindingsThe research findings indicate that within the six aspects, quality came first in ranking, followed by customer service and delivery, second and third, then innovation, price and flexibility respectively. Interestingly, respondents rank highly the importance of all aspects of competition included. Findings also show high levels of implementation of CMAPs and IMPs in the surveyed firms, while levels of implementation of CMTs are found to be below average.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the knowledge of contemporary management accounting practices and managerial techniques in Egyptian firms.
Analysis of warpage and residual stress in plastic ball grid array package after post mold cure
Authors: Yi Sung , Lam Tatiana M. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a design and material selection guideline for a plastic ball grid array (PBGA) package in order to improve its reliability and manufacturing ability after post mold cure.Design/methodology/approachNumerical experiments based on a three‐dimensional (3‐D) viscoelastic finite element method have been conducted to evaluate governing damage mechanisms after post mold cure (PMC) for PBGA packages. The parametric studies for the PBGA package with various molding compounds have been performed. A wide range of the modulus (1MPa∼15GPa) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) (10ppm∼300ppm) are evaluated to see feasibility of a new class of material set in the molding compound. Effects of thermo‐mechanical properties of selected molding compound on the warpage and residual stress of the PBGA are analyzed.FindingsThe present study shows that the material properties such as modulus and CTE of molding compounds play an important role in warpages and reliability of PBGA packages. After post mold cure, compressive normal stress σxx is observed in the silicon die, while tensile stress occurs in the rest of the PBGA package. The maximum normal stress σxx is observed at the center of the silicon die and decreases near the edge of the package. As the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon die is substantially less than that of the molding compound or substrate, the molding compound and the substrate are trying to shrink more when temperature decreases and in turn compressing the silicon chip. The molding compound with low modulus produces low stresses in the Si die and the die attach. Moreover, for the low modulus case, the CTE of molding compound does not affect the warpage of the PBGA package and the stresses in the silicon die or the die attach. However, for the high modulus case, the warpage and stresses are increased significantly by increasing the CTE of molding compound.Research limitations/implicationsIt is suggested that adhesion strengths of die attaches should be studied in future studies, since those affect the delamination between dies and substrates.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used as general design guidelines for a PBGA package.Originality/valueThe results presented in the paper will be very useful to designers of PBGAs.
Responses to job insecurity
Authors: Kang Dae‐seok , Gold Jeff , Kim Daewon 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on a career perspective to investigate the association between employee experience of job insecurity and work‐related behaviors, specifically discretionary extra‐role and impression management behaviors. A second purpose is to analyze the interaction effect of perceived employability and job insecurity on extra‐role and impression management behaviors.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 207 supervisor‐subordinate dyads in Korean banking and financial institutions, the relationships between job insecurity and extra‐role or impression management as two career behaviors are tested. The interaction effects of employability and job insecurity on behavioral options are also tested.FindingsThe results showed that the perception of job insecurity led to both reduced extra‐role and impression management behavior and the intensity of withdrawal increased as employability increased.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings provide a fundamental new insight into how a careerist orientation functions in the age of job insecurity.Practical implicationsExtra‐role and impression management behaviors may be an individual's method of career management, especially in the context of job insecurity, allowing managers to capture a more dynamic picture of an individual's career choice in a new employment relationship.Originality/valueThe paper adopts a career perspective in investigating employee extra‐role and impression management behaviors under conditions of declining job security. It adds further value by showing the moderating effect of employability on such behaviors.
How much for cash?
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Nadin Sara , Windebank Jan 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the cash‐in‐hand consumer culture in the property and construction sector. The conventional assumption has been that consumers using cash‐in‐hand transactions are rational economic actors doing so simply to save money. Here, this is evaluated critically.Design/methodology/approachTo do this, evidence from a 2007 Eurobarometer survey involving 26,659 face‐to‐face interviews in 27 European Union member states is reported.FindingsThe finding is that saving money is the sole motive of consumers in just 38 per cent of cash‐in‐hand transactions in the European property and construction sector, one of several rationales in 38 per cent of exchanges and not cited as a rationale in the remaining 24 per cent of cases. Besides, saving money, consumers engage in cash‐in‐hand transactions to circumvent the shortcomings of formal sector provision in terms of its availability, speed and quality, as well as for social and redistributive rationales.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper reveals the need for in‐depth qualitative research to unravel consumers' complex and heterogeneous rationales for using this sphere.Practical implicationsThe implication is that changing the cost/benefit ratio confronting consumers when choosing to use the cash‐in‐hand economy is unlikely to be successful since cost is, in most cases, not their only rationale. Instead, attention needs to be given to improving the availability, speed, reliability and quality of formal sector provision and dealing with cash‐in‐hand work conducted for social and redistributive purposes.Originality/valueThis paper refutes the assumption that goods and services are acquired from the cash‐in‐hand economy solely in order to save money.
“Entrepreneurial cooperation”
Authors: van Nattem Ronald , Proveniers Adri 
Published: July 2012

PurposeTotal outsourcing is now a common strategy for delivery of building maintenance and facilities services. Standing on the cross roads of “vanish or reinvent oneself” the Maintenance and Control Division of the corporate real estate management (CREM) Service of the Eindhoven University of Technology puts new focus on the operational aspect of CREM and gives less weight to the outside market. Based on engineering management viewpoints on CREM rather than pure economic management viewpoints, the purpose of this paper is to investigate under what conditions a mutual cooperation between in‐house staff and external contractors is successful in implementing new solutions, in effective as well as efficient ways.Design/methodology/approachA single case methodology in the format of a real business case. Based on theoretical and pragmatic engineering management principles, a business case was developed with the help of a well‐known Business Consultancy. The business case had an interim evaluation and will have a final evaluation.FindingsFrom the interim evaluation, it can be concluded that the CREM entrepreneurial cooperation is on the right track towards promising results in reaching its efficiency and effectiveness goals. Real cooperation in joint cross‐functional expert teams is felt as experimental and thus time consuming. So CREM entrepreneurial cooperation is only suitable for complex CREM situations where there is a real need for innovative solutions. In spite of this, a sufficient number of large and some international external contractors in diverse aspects of building and building services were willing to participate in CREM entrepreneurial cooperation. In line with the English saying “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, the official tendering of the next round will prove if the external contractors will be as satisfied as the university with the business case results.Originality/valueThe paper offers a non‐conformist view on mainstream outsourcing trends based on engineering management viewpoints on CREM, rather than pure economic management viewpoints. Also, the business case format of the case study is original.
Online tracking: questioning the power of informed consent
Authors: van Eijk N. , Helberger N. , Kool L. , van der Plas A. , van der Sloot B. 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe paper aims to report the main findings of a study for the Dutch Regulatory Authority for the Telecommunications sector OPTA to explore how the new European “cookie rules” in the ePrivacy Directive impact on behavioral advertising practices via the storing and reading of cookies. The paper identifies the main dilemmas with the implementation of the new European rules. The Dutch case provides a valuable reality check also outside The Netherlands. Even before the amendment of the directive, The Netherlands already had an opt‐in system in place. From the Dutch experience important lessons can be learned also for other European countries.Design/methodology/approachAfter a brief analysis of the legal situation in Europe and in The Netherlands (section 2), section 3 reports about the findings of a survey among the main providers of targeted advertising in The Netherlands to explore the current use of cookies and targeted advertising practices. Section 4 describes the findings of a qualitative survey among Dutch internet users with the goal to define their level of skills and knowledge, acceptance of and behavior towards the placing and reading of cookies. A concluding section (section 5) summarizes the main findings and identifies implications for the future policy debate.FindingsThe results show that the majority of the surveyed parties involved in behavioral advertising do not inform users about the storing of cookies or the purposes of data processing of the subsequently obtained data, neither have they obtained users' consent for the storage of cookies. The authors also found that the majority of users lack the skills and knowledge to handle cookies.Social implicationsThe findings critically question the wisdom of the “informed consent regime” that currently lies at the heart of Europe's ePrivacy Directive. The paper concludes with reflections about the concrete policy implications of the study, and a number of concrete suggestions of how to approach the future debate with regard to the regulation of online tracking and cookies.Originality/valueThe approach of the paper is original in that it combines legal analysis with two surveys: one among behavioral advertisers and one among online users. This approach permits us to better understand the efficacy of the new legal rules, to make predictions regarding the level of compliance with the new rules and identify areas in this highly topical debate that require further attention.
A note on US institutional equity flows to Brazil
Authors: French Joseph J. , Li Wei‐Xuan 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to understand the long‐run dynamics between returns, commodity prices, volatility, and US equity investment into Brazil. This research is prompted by the rapid increase in foreign equity investment into Brazil.Design/methodology/approachTo address long‐run dynamic nature of the variables, multivariate autoregressive model is fitted for the period of January 1998 to May 2008. To achieve identification of this model, restrictions are imposed based on underlying financial theory and the nature of the data.FindingsThe paper finds consistent with a long literature, that US institutional equity investment is forecasted by past returns on the Brazilian stock index (BOVESPA). The paper also documents the important role of commodity prices in forecasting US equity flows to Brazil, a variable that has not been considered in much of existing literature. Finally, the paper uncovers a strong relationship between US equity flows to Brazil and measures of risk. The paper documents that an unexpected shock to US equity flows increases the volatility of the Brazilian equity market beyond what could be predicted by other variables in the system. The strong joint dynamics among US portfolio equity flows and the risk and return of the Brazilian equity market demonstrates the need for policy makers in Brazil to monitor short‐term portfolio flows.Originality/valueThere is a broad literature on the dynamics of US investment in emerging and developed markets but very little work focuses directly on Brazil. Additionally, this work is one of the first to explicitly consider the role of commodity prices on the dynamics of foreign equity flows to resource rich nations.
Implications of the Japan model for corporate governance and management for China and other emerging economies in Asia
Authors: Nakamura Masao , Fruin W. Mark 
Published: July 2012

PurposeThe Chinese economy, among other developing economies in Asia, has experienced extraordinary growth in the last decade. Yet, for China and other newly emerging economies in Asia to grow in a sustainable manner, good corporate governance and management mechanisms must be in place. The authors aim to explore this issue in this paper. The authors also aim to particularly point out that Japan's experience both before after the Second World War will be relevant as a model for China's public and business development policy decision‐making.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply well‐established theories of economic development and organizational structures of business organizations to Japan's experience before and after the Second World War and then to contemporary China's experience. The analysis of Japan uses the substantial research findings on the development of that country available in the business history literature.FindingsThe paper's analysis shows multiple ways in which China and other emerging East Asian economies can take advantage of Japan's experience (which is called the Japan model here) for their own development policies and achieve sustainable growth in the long run. For example, it is expected that Japan's experiences may be relevant in areas such as: firm formation and the utility of business groups of various types; development of industrial relations and employment practices; interactions between business and government in the promotion of economic development; and how these factors relate to technology advances on a worldwide basis.Originality/valueThe findings reported in this paper also contribute marginally to the literature by considering the recent experience of Chinese private and state‐owned corporations, including international joint ventures, in the context of Japan's experience in its economic and business development history.