bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research on the realization method of workflow engine in enterprise information management
Authors: Qiu Xiaoping , Shi Gangqiao , Song Changlin , Xu Yang 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss in detail a feasible realization method of workflow engine for enterprise information management on the basis of database technology.Design/methodology/approachUnder the guidance of workflow management coalition (WfMC), the data model of the workflow engine is first presented based on the given process model, in which the attributes of process, activity and its relationships with role, application, workflow relation data and transfer condition are marked out. Then the basic control principles of the workflow engine are designed based on the necessary tables of process instances and activity instances, in which the control method of process instance and activity instance are discussed in detail including the creation, startup, management or status evolvement of the instance.FindingsIn the research, the workflow engine is successfully programmed as this realization method on the development platform of SQL server 2000 and Visual Studio 2005 and the results show the effectiveness of the workflow engine for inventory information management.Originality/valueThe paper gives a feasible realization method for business process management in enterprises using the advanced workflow technology, which can assign flexibility to the information management and improve the whole performance of an enterprise while facing changing market requirements.
Performance measurement system implementation using Balanced Scorecard and statistical methods
Authors: Valmohammadi Changiz , Servati Azadeh 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is twofold: first, to design and implement a performance management system using third‐generation Balanced Scorecard (BSC) and statistical methods in an Iranian black carbon producer (Company A) to achieve its main strategy and vision; and second, to compare and evaluate some strategic measures of the company against those of a leading company in this industry in Iran (Company B) and those of a Thai company (Company C) to identify any possible gaps, so that the management of Company A can move toward filling such gaps.Design/methodology/approachThe strategic objectives of the company as well as the measures of each perspective of the BSC were determined. In addition to studying all related documents of the company and conducting interviews, two self‐administered questionnaires were designed and distributed amongst a total of 24 managers or experts in the company. Statistical methods were used to select strategic objectives and measures.FindingsThis paper illustrates how the use of a combined approach of statistical methods and BSC could help organisations to design and implement a sound performance measurement system. Also the result of the comparison with the two companies previously mentioned revealed that the case company is lagging in most of the measures, necessitating the execution of necessary initiatives on these measures to fill the existing gaps.Practical implicationsThe paper establishes the basis for integrating and using statistical methods for selection of strategic objectives and measures of BSC and paving the way for implementation of a performance management system, particularly the third‐generation BSC.Originality/valueThis study integrates statistical methods and third‐generation BSC techniques to design and implement a performance measurement system in an Iranian black carbon production company.
Enterprise network maintaining mobility – architectural model of services delivery
Authors: Kryvinska Natalia , Strauss Christine , Collini‐Nocker Bernhard , Zinterhof Peter 
Published: July 2011

PurposeGlobal commerce demands flexibility in when and how work gets done, as modern businesses increasingly require real‐time responses to partners and customers. With low costs, companies look to mobility as a way to speed responsiveness and increase the personalization of customer service offerings. Mobility is a key element of networking allowing enterprises to unlock their business process from fixed points. A unified approach to enterprise mobility delivers integrated wired/wireless networking, mobile extensions to unified communications, geographic, and end‐point independent network access and location services as major architectural components. As a consequence, this paper aims to focus on a converged architecture that spans wired and wireless networks to enable a seamless delivery of integrated services across the enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThis paper builds a framework to facilitate a continuous delivery of voice services. It also examines an architecture that traverses wireless local area network and local area network. And, proposes a mathematical model of the services delivery in order to analyze network behavior as a response to the new services introducing.FindingsThe authors constructed a service scenario framework and also put forward an analytical model of the services delivery for analyzing network behavior response for the inclusion of new services. They also evaluated a network infrastructure, services, and applications, including the prospective converged services, as well as the technology for the transition to future services.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the development of seamless services delivery model for providing enhanced business services to the enterprise customers along with the ability to migrate more tightly.
A chance‐constrained data envelopment analysis approach for strategy selection
Authors: Farzipoor Saen Reza , Azadi Majid 
Published: July 2011

PurposeTo select the best strategies in the presence of both deterministic and non‐deterministic data in uncertain environments, without relying on weight assignment by decision makers, this paper aims to propose an innovative approach, which is based on mathematical programming called chance‐constrained data envelopment analysis (CCDEA).Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes an innovative approach called CCDEA for strategy selection.FindingsIn summary, the approach presented in this paper has some distinctive contributions: the proposed model does not demand weights from maker; DEA analysis obtains the optimal weights for all inputs and outputs of each decision‐making unit without relying on the subjective judgment of decision makers; the proposed model considers multiple criteria for strategy selection; the paper makes a sufficient contribution to the practice of operations research. This paper is the first study which applies CCDEA for evaluating the strategies in uncertain environments; and the paper introduces a method for strategy selection in the presence of stochastic data.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first application of CCDEA to deal with strategy selection.
Suriya Coffins: traditions become market opportunities
Authors: Walsh John 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the manner in which a traditional ceremony with a high emotional content is being transformed into a capitalist market industry through a case study of the Thai company Suriya Coffins.Design/methodology/approachThe case study involves a critical analysis of secondary data together with ethnographic observation of Buddhist funerals in Thailand.FindingsSuriya Coffins has achieved a degree of market success by providing a basic package of services that can be supplemented by additional services on a network model. However, there have to date been certain constraints to growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper considers one single model in a single location in Thailand and so results cannot be taken to be widely generalisable.Practical implicationsUrbanization attenuates the link between people and traditional village communities and this opens spaces for commercial corporations to operate.Social implicationsGlobalization means increasing amounts of the sphere of traditional culture enter the world of commerce and this can lead to a certain degree of alienation.Originality/valueFew if any studies of the funeral industry in Thailand have been undertaken from a business perspective. The link between tradition and commercialism is generally underresearched.
China's emerging software industry
Authors: McManus John 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a point of view on the challenges China faces competing in a twenty‐first century software industry.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken was desk research and conversations with other academics and industry experts.FindingsThe paper suggests that China needs to overcome weaknesses in managerial and technical skills and focus on international markets where it is positive strengths.Practical implicationsIndia provides some important and practical lessons for China's emerging software industry including those Chinese firms looking to increase their export revenues and presence around the globe.Originality/valueThis paper provides insight into the issues and challenges faced by the Chinese software industry looking to expand within a global economy. The paper may also prove useful to those researchers interested in emerging economies.
Consumption behavior of Chinese urban residents during economic transition
Authors: Jin Xiaotong , Deng Shengliang , Alon Ilan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to examine the consumption behavior of Chinese residents during economic transition. It explores whether Western theories of consumption are applicable to the Chinese situation, and then tests the hypothesis based on Chinese traditional culture and dynamic nature of system change.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for an empirical‐based approach. A regression model was used to analyze annual consumption data from 1986 to 2008 in China.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights and suggests that under the influence of Chinese traditional culture and dynamic change of the Chinese economic system, Chinese urban residents exhibit a special consumption pattern of an intermittent and cyclical nature.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper concludes that in order to make the consumption stimulation policy in China more effective, it is necessary to establish a series of measures such as establishing a sound social welfare system as well as narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, which will substantially increase the buying power of the less‐privileged groups and thus will increase the overall spending in the society. Although the econometric model used in this paper is adequate, a different approach like time series econometrics may give us additional insights. Researchers are encouraged to test the hypothesis further by employing other methodologies. Second, due to the lack of its own theories in the emerging market, this study remains exploratory.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified need to study the special consumption behavior of Chinese urban residents during the economic transition.
CSR disclosures and its determinants: evidence from Malaysian government link companies
Authors: Hawani Wan Abd Rahman Nor , Mohamed Zain Mustaffa , Hanim Yaakop Yahaya Al‐Haj Norashfah 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe main aim of this study is to assess the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of 44 government‐linked companies (GLCs) listed on Bursa Malaysia and to ascertain the relationship of certain company characteristics; namely size, age, profitability and leverage on the total CSR disclosure from the year 2005 to 2006.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis is deployed to determine CSR disclosure. A disclosure index consisting of 16 items was developed based on four general themes: human resource, marketplace, community and environment to assess the disclosure level. The relationship between company characteristics and total disclosure was examined using multiple linear regression analysis.FindingsThe major finding of this study is that the theme of disclosure has shifted from human resource to marketplace. This is followed by human resource, community and, finally, environment. Ironically, companies are not only disclosing good news, but also bad/negative news. This study provides further evidence that is, to a certain extent, some GLCs have influenced other companies' practices to disclose CSR information. Company size was found to be positively significant associated with the total disclosure. The remaining variables were found to be insignificant in explaining the total disclosure.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that looks into CSR activities, extent, themes and the determinants of CSR disclosure in the annual reports of Malaysian GLCs. The Malaysian Government, Bursa Saham, Security Commission and other relevant parties could take heed of the findings to further improve CSR awareness, practices and disclosures and quality in GLC.
Research on corporate social responsibility and disclosure in Portugal
Authors: Castelo Branco Manuel , Delgado Catarina 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis descriptive paper seeks to explore the role of Portuguese academics within corporate social responsibility and disclosure (CSR&D) research. It aims to give some insight into the nature and the extent of research on CSR&D being undertaken by Portuguese authors.Design/methodology/approachThis review specifically targeted international journals to see how much Portuguese research had penetrated the international business, management and accounting (BMA) academic discourse. The research that is reported in this paper is based on an electronic search of the online databases which include journals in these areas. The paper reviews journal articles published in BMA journals over the period 1998 to 2008.FindingsThe paper reaches several conclusions: the volume of published research in international journals is still very low; most papers focus on CSR; research is overwhelmingly empirical in orientation; and most papers focus on Portugal. Hence, there is great scope for expanding the amount of research on CSR&D in Portugal, as well as improving the diversity of its content and its geographical coverage.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is not expected to be a complete study, but rather a stimulus for future research. It is intended to provide a basis for comparison with further studies on CSR&D research in Portugal with studies from other geographical areas.Originality/valueThe paper provides the first survey on CSR&D research in Portugal. It also provides the first opportunity to reflect on the current state of these still emerging academic fields.
Corporate social responsibility, firm value and financial performance in Brazil
Authors: Lima Crisóstomo Vicente , de Souza Freire Fátima , Cortes de Vasconcellos Felipe 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance, taking into account firm value and financial accounting performance, in an emerging market – Brazil.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis was conducted to extract data from two different sources, one relative to CSR data and another that provided financial data. CSR indexes and financial performance measures were calculated to allow the estimation of regression analysis conducted to examine the relationship between CSR and performance.FindingsThe results indicate that CSR is value destroying in Brazil since a significant negative correlation between CSR and firm value was found. Additionally, a neutral relationship characterises the mutual effect between CSR and financial accounting performance.Originality/valueThe study has examined the relationship between CSR and firm performance in a country where, as in most other non‐developed markets, such a relationship has not been an object of research. Besides, the use of a three dimensional measure of CSR, mainly considering research undertaken in an emerging market, as a valuable contribution may be observed.
Corporate social responsibility organizational identification and motivation
Authors: Mozes Michal , Josman Zvi , Yaniv Eyal 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement on employee motivation, job satisfaction and organizational identification as well as employee citizenship in voluntary community activities.Design/methodology/approachEmployees (n=224) of a major airline carrier participated in the study based on a 54‐item questionnaire, containing four different sets of items related to volunteering, motivation, job satisfaction and organizational identification. The employee sample consisted of two sub‐samples drawn randomly from the company pool of employees, differentiating between active participants in the company's CSR programs (APs) and non participants (NAPs).FindingsSignificant differences were found between APs and NAPs on organizational identification and motivation, but not for job satisfaction. In addition, positive significant correlations between organizational identification, volunteering, job satisfaction, and motivation were obtained. These results are interpreted within the broader context that ties social identity theory (SIT) and organizational identification increase.Practical implicationsThe paper contributes to the understanding of the interrelations between CSR and other organizational behavior constructs. Practitioners can learn from this study how to increase job satisfaction and organizational identification. Both are extremely important for an organization's sustainability.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to investigate the relationship between CSR, organizational identification and motivation, comparing two groups from the same organization. The paper discusses the questions: “Are there potential gains at the intra‐organizational level in terms of enhanced motivation and organizational attitudes on the part of employees?” and “Does volunteering or active participation in CSR yield greater benefits for involved employees in terms of their motivation, job satisfaction and identification?”.
Normative stakeholder theory in relation to ethics of care
Authors: Oruc Ilke , Sarikaya Muammer 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims at presenting a normative approach in adaptation of the ethics of care approach and stakeholder theory. Therefore, it seeks to present a point‐of‐view regarding the related issues.Design/methodology/approachThe study focuses on a theory‐based integration process, since it is designed on a normative basis and the current studies dealing with “ethic of care theory” still have some problems in practical terms.FindingsIt is observed that ethics of care and stakeholder theory are getting more and more interrelated due to established networks and available common points. As a subfield of feminist ethic, ethics of care can be used to clarify moral principles lying behind these relationships. From another point of view, the discussion regarding the feminization of business enterprises focuses on the idea that such discussions involving the principles lying behind feminist ethics can provide an advantage for the companies in terms of competition. In addition, ethics of care is expected to contribute to stakeholder theory to a great extent.Research limitations/implicationsThe related literature includes a rather limited number of studies conducted on this research topic. The available research explains some relationships on a normative basis. Therefore, the current study is expected to contribute to the expansion of such research in the field.Practical implicationsDespite the presence of studies in the field, there is still a limitation in putting the findings of studies into practice. Since the country where the current study is conducted still suffers from ambiguities regarding the definitions of concepts and it is very difficult to find business enterprises appreciating feminist values, although they are taught to adopt philanthropy applications, the study is limited to a normative point‐of‐view regarding the issues.Originality/valueThe scope of the study is expected to contribute to a great extent to the integration of feminist ethic and stakeholder theory. Similarly, it will encourage further studies on the issue.
Examining ethics and materialism with purchase of counterfeits
Authors: Kozar Joy M. , Marcketti Sara B. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to measure undergraduate students' ethical and materialistic values, and the correlation of these variables with the purchase of counterfeit apparel products.Design/methodology/approachStudents (n=741) were surveyed via an online method. Instrument items from the Muncy‐Vitell consumer ethics scale and the values‐oriented materialism scale ascertained students' values of ethics and materialism. Previous purchasing behavior of counterfeit apparel goods was also assessed.FindingsA significant relationship between materialism and ethics was found. Those participants who reported to be more ethical in their decision making were those that held less materialistic values. Ethics and materialism were also significantly related to the purchase behavior of counterfeit apparel goods. Consumers holding stronger ethical values and who were less materialistic were less likely to report purchasing counterfeit apparel products.Practical implicationsFindings are useful in understanding the values orientation of consumers who purchase counterfeit apparel goods. Segmenting consumer groups of varying ethical beliefs and materialistic tendencies and targeting them through appropriate marketing messages could be successful in encouraging greater socially responsible purchase behavior.Originality/valueSince purchasing counterfeit products is specifically a consumption activity related to brand prestige and image, it seems plausible that a relationship between an individual's materialistic values and purchase behavior of counterfeit apparel goods could exist. Moreover, given previous findings that more materialistic consumers also tend to be less ethically‐minded, exploring the relationship between consumers' ethical perceptions and their purchase behavior of counterfeit products is useful.
A new direction for CSR: the shortcomings of previous CSR models and the rationale for a new model
Authors: Claydon Jane 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to take the reader on a journey through the development of CSR since it first emerged in the 1940s, through to contemporary models of CSR.Design/methodology/approachBy drawing on existing CSR literature the achievements and gaps of CSR are demonstrated. The literature review focuses on a small selection of important CSR models, referencing the most iconic from the last few decades.FindingsExisting CSR models are critiqued as being insufficient in providing an adequate understanding of CSR. It is asserted that a more efficient model of CSR is required and a new model of CSR is proposed, which is more relevant to and reflective of the present day business environment. The model of “consumer‐driven corporate responsibility” (CDCR) is founded on the notion that consumer demand for CSR is both the most likely and the most effective driver for the implementation of CSR in a company.Research limitations/implicationsAs CSR is rapidly evolving, undoubtedly models will be created after this paper was written, that, for this reason, are out of the scope of this review.Practical implicationsThis paper provides an alternative, more comprehensive and more effective model of CSR, useful as a tool for academics and business leaders alike.Originality/valueAs the model of CDCR focuses on the conditions under which companies are most likely to adopt CSR from both a descriptive and normative perspective, it is proposed as being a more suitable approach to CSR.