bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Connecting leadership development to bottom line benefits
Authors: Hayward Simon 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to explain why measuring the bottom line benefits of leadership development has become increasingly important in an unstable economy, and to highlight ways in which HR professionals can demonstrate the financial impact of leadership development programs alongside other relevant measurements, in line with organisational strategy.Design/methodology/approachThis best practice guide is based on the author's experience, gained over 20 years, of designing, delivering and evaluating wide‐scale leadership development programs for major organisations. It highlights widely used evaluation models and also draws on case study material from a leading specialist insurance company, Hiscox, to highlight the importance of selecting appropriate financial measurements alongside other quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.FindingsThe Hiscox case study element of this paper demonstrates the importance of selecting appropriate measures and viewing bottom line benefits as a critical element of overall leadership development evaluation.Practical implicationsThe paper offers practical advice for HR professionals on how to measure effectively the bottom line benefits of leadership development.Originality/valueThe paper draws on recent research to demonstrate why both leadership development and the financial benefits it brings are increasingly important, and offers practical advice to HR professionals that can help raise their profile and ensure ongoing investment in leadership development within their organisations.
Embedding performance management: understanding the enablers for change
Authors: Colville Kieran , Millner David 
Published: November 2010

PurposeOrganisational performance requires robust performance management, with the leadership skills and behaviours to bring the process to life. This paper seeks to address the challenge of how HR can get an understanding of the associated shift required within organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the key elements of the transformation required to embed a performance management culture. The term performance management is used to describe the practice of managing performance, including the associated processes, systems, skills and leadership behaviours. To implement performance management successfully, HR needs to gain an understanding of how things are now (the current state); the vision of what is possible (the desired state); and the practical steps that can be taken (the shift).FindingsIn an increasingly complex environment there are a greater number of factors that impact the success of key HR practices such as performance management. HR needs to collect powerful data to ensure that it can understand which of the factors have an influence on how transformations can be undertaken, and practices, such as performance management, embedded.Originality/valueHR can play a strategic role in transforming an organisation. The value for HR is in linking together the various insights these data can provide to understand causal links, and then translating all of this into a change strategy that is aligned to the organisation's vision and strategy. HR can use data to build a compelling case for change and the need for a performance management system, process and practice that are focused on delivering the organisational strategy.
Alignment of inter‐agency supply chains to enhance public sector performance management
Authors: Callender Guy 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore sources of political and administrative challenges which arise from an absence of alignment of supply chains linking the activities of public agencies.Design/methodology/approachThe performance measurement challenges created by an apparent absence of alignment within public sector supply chains are explored from a conceptual perspective, through the supply chain and public sector performance management literature. A case study is provided to highlight the practical and organizational challenges facing politicians, policy makers and public sector managers when they seek to demonstrate to their stakeholders, including the general community, the performance efficiency of their agencies.FindingsThere is an absence of research and debate concerning the alignment of inter‐agency supply chains and the potential this creates for delivery performance failure that disadvantages stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsWhile this is a conceptual paper, the existence of recurring supply chain problems between agencies, as illustrated by the case study, provides practical conclusions of use to practitioners and policy makers.Originality/valueThe paper revisits earlier literature on performance measurement in the public sector and applies this to a supply chain situation to explore problems in measuring and managing inter‐organizational supply chains which exist not only between public agencies but also between private sector organisations undertaking outsourced contracts on behalf of government.
Imagined promises versus real challenges to public performance management
Authors: Halachmi Arie 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to alert and to sensitize managers and those charged with oversight responsibility about the possible follies of relying too much on performance measurement as a management toolDesign/methodology/approachThe study is based on review and analysis of published documents and data.FindingsCurrent pressure to increase transparency and accountability, on the one hand, and complementary burdens to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness, on the other, in order to justify future allocation of resources make the use of performance measurement very attractive. However, these forces are not enough to ensure proper use and prevention of certain pathologies.Social implicationsFailing to understand the possible follies of over‐relaying on performance measurements may be dysfunctional when it comes to service of the public's best interest.Originality/valueThe value of this paper has to do with its double goal. First, the education of potential users of performance measurement about its potential weaknesses. Second, the prevention of overuse of performance measurements, as a staff function and overhead cost at the expense of line operations.
Accountability and governance: strengthening extra‐bureaucratic mechanisms in Bangladesh
Authors: Shafiqul Huque Ahmed 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to examine accountability arrangements in Bangladesh and to identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as potentials for improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on review and analysis of published documents and data and information obtained on field visits to Bangladesh.FindingsThe administrative system in Bangladesh is driven by complex rules and procedures with weak institutional support. Internal mechanisms of accountability in administrative organizations have become ineffective due to existing political, economic and social conditions. Therefore, the external mechanisms of accountability must be strengthened to ensure good governance in Bangladesh.Social implicationsA weak system of accountability renders the task of public management difficult and the establishment of good governance unattainable. Improvements in social conditions can be expected with the strengthening of accountability mechanisms.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies in the identification of factors such as institutional disharmony, politicization and corruption as the most formidable barriers to accountability and good governance in Bangladesh. It presents a fresh analysis of the factors and points to the potentials for improvement.
Moving upward in global value chains: the innovations of mobile phone developers in China
Authors: Li Sun Sunny , Chen Hao , Pleggenkuhle‐Miles Erin G. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to integrate the global value chain (GVC) perspective with firms' innovation in emerging economies (EEs) and explain why EE firms can improve their innovation capabilities more from their domestic markets by focusing on R&D and marketing than from original equipment manufacturer/original design manufacturer (OEM/ODM) modes in the GVC and how they contribute to the national innovation system (NIS).Design/methodology/approachThe literature on GVC is reviewed and then several propositions are developed using the example of the underground mobile phone developers in China by integrating the GVC perspective.FindingsThe paper proposes that EE firms, especially firms that have a large underdeveloped domestic market such as China, should focus on R&D and marketing instead of on OEM/ODM in GVC to increase their competitiveness and strengthen their NIS. Also implications are drawn from their success in the underground markets to advance knowledge on NIS.Originality/valueThe paper shows that EE firms can build and strengthen their innovation capabilities through intense interaction and learning in domestic markets, which, subsequently, moves them upwards in their GVC. Industrial policy needs to change in order to facilitate such technological entrepreneurship in NIS, whether it is informal or underground.
Industrial influences on R&D transfer to China
Authors: Veng Søberg Peder 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to open a new research frontier concerning industry factors influencing R&D transfer to emerging markets within Western multinational companies (MNCs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a framework based on knowledge transfer, knowledge creation, and innovation theory, which is illustrated in two cases from globally leading MNCs from different industries and technological fields which have established R&D units in China. It addresses the issue of industrial influences on R&D transfer to emerging markets, and the importance of complementary assets for innovation performance.FindingsThe framework and empirical research suggest that R&D transfer to new R&D units in emerging markets is less challenging for companies within industries characterized by slow technological development. This is due to dynamics, which result in codification and diffusion of technical knowledge, whereby it is easier to transfer and absorb. When the transformation from exploration to exploitation of knowledge is simple rather than complex within an industry, R&D transfer is less challenging. Leverage of local complementary assets nurtures reverse R&D knowledge transfer – positively impacting innovation performance.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the gap in knowledge transfer theory concerning industrial R&D transfer differences. The paper provides a framework for innovation related industrial contingencies on R&D transfer concerning emerging markets, and it advances the argument that complementary assets are important for R&D in emerging markets. Implications for management in China are outlined. The term captive knowledge transfer is coined.
Cluster network and innovation under transitional economies
Authors: He Zheng , Rayman‐Bacchus Lez 
Published: November 2010

PurposeFirms in the same industry often display a striking propensity to agglomerate. These geographic concentrations significantly affect innovative behavior of individual firms and therefore have important strategic implications. The purpose of this paper is to report on how networks within the cluster influence firms' commitment to innovation.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a longitudinal case study approach data were collected for 2004 and 2007 about the Shaxi garment cluster in Zhongshan, China. A novel method of measuring innovative behavior was developed and tested at the level of individual small and medium sized enterprises, where R&D expenditure is not recorded, by measuring managerial perception of developments in three areas: product, process, and market development.FindingsThe extent to which related firms, various associations, and government policies affected the individual firm's propensity to innovate was examined. The main findings of this paper show firm‐level commitment to innovation is significantly stimulated by three groups of factors: competitor action and cooperation in the supply chain, membership of various government and industry associations and government stimulus policies in the cluster. The relative significance and nature of these influences do change over time.Originality/valueDisincentives to firm innovation were also found, such as knowledge spillover between competitors, leading to free rider problem, weak intellectual property right protection leading to imitation, and underground economy in the cluster resulting from weak implementation of regulation compounded by the difficulties of effectively policing regulation. These factors appear to be particularly strong in a developing economy.
A comparative innovation study of China, Japan and Taiwan
Authors: Johnson William H.A. , Chuang Michael 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the two (arguably) most successful innovation‐based Asian economies with Mainland China (later referred to simply as China) in order to examine where China stands in terms of country‐level indicators of proactive innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a historical case‐based analysis of the education systems of each of the economies of interest to explore the different paths towards higher education for each economy. Data were gathered from existing databases to obtain measures on a number of country‐level indicators of proactive innovation. These indicators measure the innovation, education and economic situations of the three economies.FindingsIt was found that the Taiwanese experience towards proactive innovation lies in between China and Japan in terms of progress on the innovation indicators. While the numbers for China's growth in education and areas of science and technology are staggering there is some evidence that the quality of the output needs improvement. Further research on Taiwanese‐based innovation efforts would help in this regard.Originality/valueGiven the push towards indigenous innovation in China today, benchmarking against competitive innovation‐based economies is important. The two economies chosen are not only Asian‐based but also well‐known for high‐quality innovation outcomes. As such, they represent excellent benchmark examples from which China may learn much about developing a proactive national innovation system. China would benefit from using Taiwan as an example of successful innovation at a regional level, given the cultural proximity and trajectory of the innovation‐based indicators.
Transfer of Shenzhen's hi‐tech industries: an empirical study
Authors: Wang Dong , Pei Huiqi 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the transfer of Shenzhen's hi‐tech industries, with particular emphasis on its motives, characteristics and influence on Shenzhen's economy and industrial upgrading.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an empirical approach and case study methodology mainly based on a survey of 1,573 hi‐tech companies in Shenzhen, in the form of questionnaires and interview.FindingsHi‐tech companies moved out to other cities on a small scale, revealing an accelerating trend. Most companies moved out (or plan to move out) with the purpose of seeking low production costs or meeting the needs of resources for development. Moreover, companies with different types of ownership transfer at different levels. In general, reasonable transfer of hi‐tech industries facilitates Shenzhen's industrial upgrading; however, the government should at the same time take precautions against industry transfer on a large‐scale.Practical implicationsUpgrading of Shenzhen's hi‐tech industry is imperative. To meet this end, policy makers should draw up appropriate guidelines on the transfer of backward hi‐tech industries and at the same time build sound supporting environment to attract and retain advanced hi‐tech companies.Originality/valueFew empirical studies have been conducted to explore industry transfer within China. By examining the motive and characteristics of transfer of hi‐tech industries in Shenzhen, a pioneering city in China, this paper contributes to our understanding of the ongoing industrial restructuring in China.
A review of energy system models
Authors: Bhattacharyya Subhes C. , Timilsina Govinda R. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative overview of existing energy system models to see whether they are suitable for analysing energy, environment and climate change policies of developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the available literature and follows a systematic comparative approach to achieve its purpose.FindingsThe paper finds that the existing energy system models inadequately capture the developing country features and the problem is more pronounced with econometric and optimisation models than with accounting models.Originality/valueInaccurate representation of energy systems in the models can lead to inaccurate decisions and poor policy prescriptions. Thus, the paper helps policy makers and users to be aware of the possible pitfalls of various energy system models.
The evolution of the international steam coal market
Authors: Li Raymond 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to analyse the evolution of international steam coal trade, the nature of coal trade contracts and the pricing mechanism in the two main coal trading regions – the Atlantic and the Asia‐Pacific, from the early 1980s to recent years. The historical developments and future directions of the market are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe past developments of the international steam coal market is first reviewed and then compared to the four stages in the development of the international crude oil market in terms of trade and pricing, as identified in Roeber.FindingsThe four stages in the development of a mature spot market are: appearance of the need for short‐term physical balancing, availability of price reporting and transparency, price feedback from short‐term prices to long‐term prices and emergence of risk management instruments. It is found that the international steam coal market has already gone through the first three stages and is progressing in stage four. A mature spot market for steam coal is in prospect.Originality/valueThis paper provides a structured review of the development of the international steam coal market. It provides industry information to policymakers, academics and modellers who need a comprehensive understanding of the international steam coal market.
A novel hybrid approach using modified priority list and sequential approach for unit commitment
Authors: Subramanian S. , Ganesan S. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to solve commitment problem of generating units in thermal power plants and to find the optimal dispatches of the committed units.Design/methodology/approachThe unit commitment (UC) problem has been solved in two stages. In the first stage, the optimal units are identified using contribution factor. Initially, the generating units to be committed for each interval in the time horizon are obtained without considering the unit operational constraints such as minimum up time, minimum down time and initial state. Then the unit operational constraints are enforced and the optimal UC schedule is obtained. In the second stage, sequential approach with a matrix framework has been proposed to obtain the optimal dispatches of the committed units.FindingsThe simple methodologies have been developed for unit selection and to find the optimal dispatches of the committed units. The results of proposed methodology illustrate an improvement in the savings of total cost. The proposed approach is computationally efficient for solving large‐scale systems and successive UC problems.Research limitations/implicationsUC has a major role in electric thermal power plant operation. The problem with one day and one week scheduling horizon has a large potential of use, especially for small‐ and medium‐scale power systems. It reflects reality in a closer way and provides a more complete and realistic knowledge about the system in operation. The techniques developed for UC problem will provide a support to electric power companies for their economic operation and the concepts presented are useful in both graduate teaching and research to understand the UC problem.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper is the simple methodologies which have been developed for unit selection and economic dispatch.
A transition to bilateral trading ESI – effect to generation dispatched cost
Authors: Nirukkanaporn Supattana , Kumar S. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to analyze the effect on centralized dispatching generation cost under the condition where the single‐buyer electric supply industry (ESI) with independent power producer (IPP) scheme (the ESI structure that is widely implemented in developing countries) is opened for bilateral trading. The analysis is based on the Thai power system.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis considers the average generation cost (B/kWh) derived from unit commitment of power generation under three cases – single‐buyer model with must‐run IPP scheme, unconstrained operation case, and the case where bilateral trading is introduced. The analysis is performed for different demand levels.FindingsThe results indicate that the operational constraint from the virtual must‐run power purchase agreement under IPP scheme leads to higher generation cost. The choice of allowing IPP to trade through bilateral trading and removal of the must‐run contract shows potential to lessen the operational constraint and lower generation cost can be achieved under some conditions – depending on the plant type and the share of bilateral market in the system. The planning and policy should take into consideration these conditions especially during the transitional period of ESI reform.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the analysis is the availability to recent data. The load factor of the demand curve is taken from the peak day of the year, resulting in higher load factor than the average of Thailand. With lower load factor, the must‐run constraints might be more obvious during the lighter load day and more expensive generation cost can be observed. However, the cases are compared at same demand curve. Therefore, the trend of result will lead to the same conclusion.Originality/valueUneconomic operation of the single‐buyer ESI with IPP scheme which has been implemented in many developing countries was clearly determined. The literature shows that the ESI operation can be more efficient when the sector moves towards higher degree of competition, either fully competitive market or bilateral trading. The potential for better operating conditions for bilateral trading has been suggested. The simulation based on the power system of Thailand can be an example for other developing countries operating under the similar ESI structure.