bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of tunnels under squeezing rock condition
Authors: Ghiasi Vahed , Ghiasi Samad , Prasad Arun 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the methods employed for classifying and quantifying the potential of squeezing in tunnels. Along with the empirical and semi‐empirical approaches presently available in order to anticipate the potential of squeezing tunnel problems, the squeezing potential of Karaj water transfer tunnel and North West Tunnel Convey (NWTC) tunnels (Lot 2), located in Iran, are evaluated and presented. Those two case studies have an interesting geology profile and parameters to identify and then evaluate the squeezing potential.Design/methodology/approachIn recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the tunnel construction. This paper describes the squeezing behavior of poor rock mass associated with deformability and strength properties. In Karaj water transfer tunnel, there are eight lithological rock types; and NWTC tunnel (Lot2) has 21 Lithological rock types. The parameters for rock classification, such as rock quality designation (RQD), rock mass rating (RMR), modified RMR, Q‐system, geological strength index (GSI), rock mass index (RMi), and rock structure rating (RSR) are evaluated and presented here. The parameters mentioned above are the input parameters for squeezing study in Karaj and NWTC tunnels. According to different methods of squeezing evaluation of tunnel presented in tables, the results of two case studies are presented in this paper.FindingsOne of the more significant findings to emerge from this study showed that about 3 km of the second part of NWTC tunnel, and 2 km of the Karaj tunnel have high squeezing potential. This research deals with not only an overview of the methods used for the identifying and quantifying of squeezing along with the empirical and semi‐empirical approaches presently available in order to anticipate the potential of squeezing tunnel problem, but also the case studies of NWTC and Karaj tunnels to evaluate and compare the potential of squeezing by different methods. These two tunnel case studies have high potential of squeezing therefore the lining of those two tunnels must be strong enough to overcome this issue.Originality/valueThis study is a precise and concise comparison of the evaluation of tunnels under squeezing rock condition. The present study confirms the previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests that there are many studies conducted using empirical and analytical methods to determine the squeezing phenomenon in tunnels. This paper responds to the various questions like, what is the squeezing phenomenon. How can we quantify the potential of squeezing in weak rock? What are the different approaches to the understanding of squeezing phenomenon?
Enriching descriptive information in ranking and sorting problems with visualizations techniques
Authors: Nemery Philippe , Ishizaka Alessio , Camargo Mauricio , Morel Laure 
Published: June 2012

PurposeMost of the proposed decision aid methods provide the user only with a prescriptive approach (quantitative analysis) without any descriptive approach (qualitative analysis). It is therefore not possible to justify and recommend ways of improvement. The purpose of this paper is to introduce visualization techniques to complement prescriptive approaches.Design/methodology/approachVisual techniques have been developed for the FlowSort sorting method, namely the FS‐GAIA and stacked bar diagrams.FindingsIt is found that with visual techniques, fine details can be captured, e.g. detection of incomparability (with FS‐GAIA) and the composition of a score (with stacked bar diagrams).Research limitations/implicationsIn the future, it is expected that other multi‐criteria decision methods will be complemented by prescriptive approaches.Practical implicationsA real case study is introduced in order to illustrate the practicality of the visual techniques. In this paper, the innovation performances of small and medium enterprises from the French Lorraine region are assessed.Social implicationsIt is expected that the quality of the decisions taken are improved because of being better informed.Originality/valueThe paper, using a real case study, provides important new tools to enhance decision quality.
Modeling the important organizational factors of safety management system performance
Authors: Hsin Lin Yi 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between safety culture and the organizational identity of safety management system (SMS), in order to provide more awareness of how airline employees perceive organizational identity and safety culture as they successfully implement SMS.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual path model analysis is tested using data analysis research design.FindingsThe findings show that safety culture has been strengthened as the result of the implementation of a SMS. Furthermore, the loyalty factor of organizational identity is found to positively and significantly predict the performance of SMS through safety culture.Practical implicationsThis paper is intended to provide some introductory perspectives on how to successfully apply safety culture and the supporting organizational identity for implementing SMS, as well as guidance about the areas in which airlines must improve if they wish to reduce accidents and incidents.Originality/valueThe questionnaire survey is designed to form perceptions of flight crews and helps to maintain a focus on the key persons in aviation safety management.
Identifying and ranking critical success factors of customer experience in banks
Authors: Garg Ruchi , Rahman Zillur , Qureshi M.N. , Kumar Ishwar 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the critical success factors which make the dimensions for measuring customer experience (CE) in banking organizations more effective and purposeful. These critical success factors have been prioritized in order to find out which is more important for the five threshold dimensions to achieve favourable CE.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the critical success factors of CE which have been identified from the literature survey and through expert's opinion have finally confirmed in context of this study on banking organizations. Further, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used in order to evaluate the identified 14 critical factors of CE and to find their priorities for success in banking organizations.FindingsOn the basis of the proposed hierarchical model, the findings suggest that the factors such as convenience, employees, online functional elements, and servicescape are critical for measuring CE in banking organizations.Research limitations/implicationsIn the literature, it is assumed that the criteria for measuring CE are mutually exclusive. But it has been found that in the real world these criteria may sometimes depend on one other, particularly in banking organizations. Therefore, in order to resolve such issues it is advised that future research may apply analytic network process (ANP).Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that the managers in banking organizations must ameliorate these critical factors according to their weights, in order to attain favourable CE, sustainable competitive advantage and customer delight.Originality/valueBecause of the subjective nature of CE, AHP serves as an empirical approach in prioritization of critical success factors of CE, which has been a major lacuna in available literature. The results presented in this paper are objective, reliable, and may be generalized for measuring CE in banking organizations.
Sectoral innovation system and technology policy development in China
Authors: Chan Leong , Daim Tugrul 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the status quo of China's innovation systems and contribute to the development of effective innovation policies.Design/methodology/approachThe construct of this paper is based on a comprehensive case study in China's transportation sector. Detailed discussions and analyses follow to give implications in policy making.FindingsSectoral innovation capability can be enhanced in a learning environment that balances domestic innovation and international technology transfer. Government should strategically leverage various resources for innovation.Originality/valueThrough the analysis of case study, a conceptual framework to support sectoral innovation is proposed. The research gives insight on how to improve and prepare the conditions for future innovation.
Fringe benefits and loyalty on the Chinese labour market – a trend towards higher individual‐ and performance‐orientation
Authors: Kasper Helmut , Muehlbacher Juergen , Kodydek Georg , Zhang Liping 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe labour turnover rate is in general 10 per cent in China. Although this rate is especially high for blue collar workers, fluctuation among qualified employees and managers is high as well. As a result, the economic development has led to high competition on the Chinese market. Moreover, companies also have to deal with lack of employees – especially highly qualified ones. The purpose of this paper is to figure out the impact of fringe benefits on the labour turnover rate of Chinese professionals.Design/methodology/approachThe study subjects were 14 managers working for private companies in the Shanghai region. The authors conducted semi‐structured interviews as the primary data collection procedure to investigate reasons, opinions, and views about fringe benefits and employees' loyalty to their organisations.FindingsThe paper outlines highly diverse perspectives about fringe benefits. Furthermore, the authors show a series of reasons for labour turnover and motivators of Chinese professionals.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the compensation literature by analyzing the relation between fringe benefits and loyalty of Chinese professionals. Moreover, it shows to what extent fringe benefits influence labour turnover in China. It also presents the preferred fringe benefits of employees in Chinese companies.
Framework of human resource planning (HRP) influencing factors for local workforce supply in Malaysian construction industry
Authors: Norhidayah  , Kasim Narimah , Shamsudin Alina 
Published: June 2012

PurposeHuman resource planning (HRP) is important during workforce supply to help organizations appoint the right people in the right job. However, few studies have considered the role of HRP practices for local workforce supply in the Malaysian construction industry. The purpose of this paper is to identify the implementation of HRP and framework development of HRP influencing factors for local workforce supply in the Malaysian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method was adopted to interpret the data of semi‐structured interviews and questionnaire survey. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with ten interviewees from government and non‐government organizations. Questionnaires were distributed to a random selection of contractors in the urban areas of Malaysia. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the Matrix Table.FindingsThe findings revealed that economic changes were dominant HRP influencing factors. Only organization strategy; nature of work; economic changes; and demographic (social) changes are significant HRP influencing factors for local workforce supply in the Malaysian construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should try to adapt the HRP framework in the suitable HRP model to explain the HRP practices in construction organization.Originality/valueThe paper offers insight into HRP implementation in construction firms and HRP influencing factors for local workforce supply, focusing on the construction industry in Malaysia.
Facilitating knowledge sharing in a Chinese consulting company
Authors: Yang Hua , Chen Peng , Xu Yong 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of communities of practice (CoPs) in facilitating knowledge sharing within a Chinese management consulting company.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study was conducted within a Chinese management consulting company. Data collection was based on focus group interviews and in‐depth interviews.FindingsThe finding of this study suggests that there are some knowledge sharing barriers caused by both organizational factors and cultural factors. CoP in the case company have been playing very positive roles in overcoming those barriers and facilitating knowledge sharing in the company.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are restricted to the specific context of this study. However, qualitative methodology contributes to thick and rich data and it gives an understanding of the phenomena under study within the context of the study. Therefore, readers can decide and make their own generalizations with relevant context.Practical implicationsBased on the research findings, the study developed the knowledge sharing model in the case company, which provides a synthesis for this study result. This model can help related academics and practitioners to understand the Chinese cultural and social influences on knowledge management practice, as well as the role of CoPs in facilitating knowledge sharing in Chinese organisations.Originality/valueFew studies have explicitly paid attention to knowledge sharing within Chinese organizations. This paper provides useful information both for academics interested in cultural issues within knowledge management and impartial advice for knowledge managers within Chinese companies.
Sino‐UK transnational education in China: rhetoric versus reality
Authors: Zhuang Lee , Xueying Tang Amelia 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the gap between what should happen and what actually happens in Sino‐UK transnational education (TNE) provision, with a focus on the barriers of language and culture.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a literature review, an exploratory study was carried out using the non‐probability‐based snowball sampling method. In total, 38 programme managers from ten Sino‐UK TNE providers responded to a questionnaire survey, with eight of them taking part in a subsequent semi‐structured interview. Additional data were collected via observations at staff meetings and classes.FindingsDemand for Sino‐UK TNE based in China was in decline for reasons including demographic changes, increased competition and expansion in the Chinese state sector. Due to barriers of language and culture, the overall learning experience of TNE students in China was not found comparable with that of their counterparts in the UK in terms of learning, teaching and academic support.Research limitations/implicationsWithout further research, the findings of this study may not be generalised to all Sino‐UK providers due to the non‐probability based sampling method.Practical implicationsManagers of a Sino‐UK TNE partnership on both sides need to be open about the language and culture induced challenges facing the sector and be committed to addressing them in the long term if they are to continue their operation.Originality/valueThe paper presents admissions from practitioners about the disparities between the rhetoric and reality of the current Sino‐UK TNE provision, which raise questions critical to the future survival of the sector.
How much does country matter in emerging economies? Evidence from Latin America
Authors: Diaz Hermelo Francisco , Vassolo Roberto 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the magnitude of country, industry and firm‐specific effects for firms competing in emerging economies and also explore differences between high and low performers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use ANOVA methodologies on samples from firms competing in Latin America between 1990‐2006.FindingsIt was found that the firm‐specific effect is the most important one, and relatively equivalent in magnitude to the firm‐specific effects found in developed countries. Country and industry effects are less important than the firm‐specific effect. Contrary to previous studies that indicate that the country effect is relatively more important in emerging economies, the authors found that it is even less important than the industry effect, a result that has important implications for strategic management and international business theory. The source behind the strong firm‐specific effects might stem from their resources and capabilities to manage and take advantage of the institutional and macroeconomic environments. Further analysis indicates that the firm‐specific effect is relatively more important for firms showing high performance than for those firms showing low performance.Research limitations/implicationsThrough these findings the authors feel that further research is needed so as to arm future managers with a more clear and comprehensive strategy when doing business in a Latin American country. The paper's findings are specific for large public corporations in Latin America.Practical implicationsThe paper allows managers to think about sources of competitive advantages in emerging economies.Originality/valueThe paper shows that, despite weak institutional contexts and highly volatile macroeconomic environments, managers in the region should be able to obtain substantial differences in economic performances within the region. Activities needed for such differentiation might differ from those carried out in developed countries, with more emphasis on managing institutional voids and periods of economic and political cycles but the result should be the same.
Organizational identity as an anchor for adaptation: an emerging market perspective
Authors: Hatum Andrés , Silvestri Luciana , Vassolo Roberto S. , Pettigrew Andrew 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThere is little doubt that organizational identity – that which is central, distinctive, and enduring about an organization – mediates in adaptive processes. Exactly how this mediation takes place, and whether it is favorable or unfavorable to adaptation, must still be fully established. The purpose of this paper is to add to the literature on identity and adaptation by exploring the relationship between these two constructs in family firms operating in an emerging economy. Based on measures of strength of identity, the authors examine how identity affects the adaptive processes of issue identification, strategic impulse definition, and implementation, where the authors look at pace of adjustment.Design/methodology/approachLongitudinal and comparative case studies were conducted of polar types presenting two pairs of organizations in two separate industries. These organizations faced the challenge of founder succession and a radical shift in macroeconomic conditions over a period of three decades. Through these four cases the authors hope to provide clear pattern recognition of strength of identity and adaptation – and of the relationship between these two constructs – in the face of severe internal and external shocks. The approach seems adequate in the larger context of inductive theory development and particularly suitable to the exploration of theoretical constructs, as it allows the researcher to unravel the underlying dynamics of path dependencies and/or evolutionary processes.FindingsIt is found that strong‐identity organizations are able to foresee relevant changes in their industries, define adequate strategic responses, and implement them in an evolutionary (i.e. smooth) manner. Conversely, loose‐identity organizations misread industry trends, incur strategic paralysis, and must eventually enforce revolutionary (i.e. violent) changes in order to ensure survival.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a critical issue for the advancement of organizational theory: the relationship between organizational identity and adaptation in emerging economies. In addition, it has important practical implications for managers doing business in turbulent environments. It makes a sound theoretical contribution and has important managerial implications.
Empowerment as a tool for a healthy resettlement: a case of new African settlers in South Australia
Authors: Mwanri Lillian , Hiruy Kiros , Masika Joseph 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the application of empowerment and the role that it plays in fostering community participation, community integration and in enabling a healthy re‐settlement of culturally and linguistically diverse migrants who have recently arrived in Australia from Sub Saharan Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is a discussion expressing the views of authors supported by the relevant literature drawn from a wide range of sources on migration, settlement, health, social, environment, cultural and public health issues. The African community and its peak organisation, the African Communities Council of South Australia is presented and various empowerment strategies used by the council are discussed as a healthy model for empowering new settlers in the new environment.FindingsThe first part of the paper describes the migration of African migrants in South Australia and sets the scenario describing the current state of these migrants including opportunities and challenges they face in the new environment. The second part describes theories and contexts of community empowerment, relationship between community empowerment and a healthy settlement; and the relevance and implications of community empowerment. The third part draws the above context and the empowerment strategy is specifically related to the African Community in South Australia. The empowerment strategy in this case represents a wide range of interventions aimed to equip new African migrants to a successful and a healthy resettlement and integration in South Australia. By addressing a wide range of settlement challenges and issues, the strategy employs concepts of empowerment that have been used in public health in general, health promotion, health education, communications, community engagement and community development.Originality/valueThe paper highlights challenges and opportunities for new migrants in the new environment and argues that community empowerment is an important enabling tool for a healthy settlement, particularly for people with refugee backgrounds. The paper also acknowledges that the community development approach has assisted the target group and has improved their ability to overcome challenges associated with settlement through capacity building, social capital and community connectivity.