bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical integrity management: measuring HSE awareness using AHP in selecting a maintenance strategy
Authors: Chandima Ratnayake R.M. , Markeset Tore 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of technical integrity management (TIM) and propose a methodology for assessing to which extent the technical integrity (TI) performance is balanced in terms of goal awareness among the personnel responsible for TIM, and the degree to which high level goals are implemented in maintenance strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved a comprehensive literature survey as well as information and data collected in the Norwegian oil and gas (O&G) industry. Several discussion rounds were carried out with the industrial maintenance management experts to recognize the existing practices and to confirm the suggested model.FindingsThe literature review indicated that there is a need for a methodology for assessing to which extent the technical integrity (TI) performance is balanced in terms of goal awareness among the personnel responsible for TIM, and the degree to which high‐level goals are implemented in maintenance strategies. The suggested model can incorporate industrial data as well as intentions, intuitions and experiences of industrial experts who are making decisions sensitive to TI of a production installation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has been conducted in relation to TIM of production installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The study is limited to measuring TI performance in relations to experts' awareness.Practical implicationsThe study stresses the need for improving synergy between the TI and maintenance management function. It proposes a methodology to measure to which extent organizational priorities are balanced, while addressing financial as well as health, safety and environmental (HSE) interests when selecting a maintenance strategy.Originality/valueThis paper addresses a problem that is not given enough attention in the currently available literature. Available approaches suggest models and frameworks for measuring integrity performance. However, the operationalization of most of the existing models and frameworks, remains vague. Instead a formal mechanism is needed to analyze the gap between the present performance and performance targets.
Determining maintenance system requirements by viewpoint of reliability and lean thinking: a MODM approach
Authors: Ghayebloo Sima , Shahanaghi Kamran 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to formulate a model which not only determines minimum level of maintenance requirements but also satisfies expected reliability level.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐objective decision making (MODM) model has been developed by viewpoint of decreasing wastes and increasing system reliability. Wastes that have been minimized are maintenance requirements (i.e. labor, spare parts, reserve system and productive maintenance activities) and maintenance system reliability that has been maximized is a function of maintenance requirements. This paper proposed goal programming model for decision‐making aid and a real case in an existing Iranian automobile manufacturing company was studied.FindingsOutput of the proposed model was optimum level of maintenance requirements which satisfies the expected reliability level. For example, outputs of model for man hour approximately are the same as available maximum level and inspection, service and test and adjustment activities are not necessary 12 times a year for all the machineries.Practical implicationsThis model is useful for managers because they could use that in any maintenance systems and it would ensure them in achieving minimum level of maintenance requirements and the expected reliability level.Originality/valueSince lean concept has appeared, many works have been done on decreasing or even eliminating of waste such as extra inventory. Although these studies have not taken into account expected reliability seriously, this paper considers these two issues together.
Stochastic behavior analysis of the forming unit in a paper mill using NGABLT technique
Authors: Komal  , Sharma S.P. , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe puprose of this paper is to analyse the stochastic behavior of an industrial system using a novel hybridized technique NGABLT. The forming unit of a paper mill situated in north India producing approximately 200 tons of paper per day has been considered for analysis. The authors have made efforts to incorporate vague, ambiguous, imprecise and conflicting information quantified by fuzzy numbers.Design/methodology/approachField data for repairable industrial systems are in the form of failures and repair rates are vague, ambiguous, qualitative and imprecise in nature. Using the data, system stochastic behavior in terms of six well‐known reliability indices is analysed considering some desired degree of accuracy. A practical case of forming unit in a paper mill is considered to compute the reliability indices by using NGABLT technique. Sensitive of system behavior is analysed through surface plots by taking different combinations of reliability indices. The findings have been supplied to the nearby industry for future course of action in maintenance.FindingsThe behavior analysis results computed by NGABLT technique have reduced region of prediction in comparison of existing Lambda‐Tau technique region i.e. uncertainties involved in the analysis are reduced. It may be a more useful tool to assess the current system condition and to improve the system performance.Originality/valueThe authors have suggested a hybridized technique for analyzing the stochastic behavior of the repairable industrial system by computing its reliability indices.
The evolution of organizations and the development of appropriate knowledge structures
Authors: Lucas Leyland M. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeBeginning from the premise that organizations go through different stages of development and that different types of knowledge exist, this paper seeks to explore the extent to which organizations need to place greater emphasis on ensuring adequate and relevant access to knowledge, while protecting it from unwarranted dissemination.Design/methodology/approachUsing a stage of development framework, a conceptual argument is presented. It is suggested that, while significant attention is paid to knowledge management in organizations, of even greater importance is the need to develop systems and structures to support access, while protecting it from unwarranted dissemination and possible loss of critical capabilities and competencies.FindingsThe paper suggests that there is no single knowledge structure that is appropriate. Instead, organizations must develop different knowledge structures depending on the stage of the organization's development and the type of knowledge under consideration. In so doing, all efforts must be made to facilitate access to knowledge by those who require it but also to recognize that systems must be employed to prevent unwarranted access. Such unwarranted access may erode competencies and capabilities critical to organizational success.Originality/valueThe ideas reinforce the need for organizations to better understand what knowledge they possess and the need to balance requirements for access and control.
Shaping knowledge management: organization and national culture
Authors: Magnier‐Watanabe Rémy , Senoo Dai 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to confirm quantitatively the previous finding that organizational characteristics influence knowledge management, and to assess whether the national culture of knowledge workers equally affects the management of knowledge.Design/methodology/approachBased on data gathered from a questionnaire survey of a Japanese pharmaceutical company's 14 foreign subsidiaries, the effects of organizational characteristics and national culture on knowledge management were tested using multiple regression analysis.FindingsAlthough organizational characteristics and national culture were found to affect knowledge management, the data showed organizational characteristics to be a stronger prescriptive factor compared with national culture.Research limitations/implicationsBecause this research centered on a single company in the pharmaceutical industry, future research should attempt to confirm the validity of this framework in other industries.Practical implicationsChanges in organizational characteristics, such as structure and relationship in particular, rather than adjustments in the composition of employees' nationalities, will have a stronger impact on the resulting knowledge management.Originality/valueThis framework linking organizational characteristics and national culture to knowledge management had received a first justification using a case study approach with a qualitative comparative method and has now been confirmed with a quantitative approach. Among the predictors of knowledge management beyond the realm of deliberate measures within the firm, the data show that organizational characteristics exert a stronger influence than national culture.
The impact of national cultures on structured knowledge transfer
Authors: Chen Jihong , Sun Peter Y.T. , McQueen Robert J. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of national culture on the structured knowledge transfer from a US‐based (onshore) technical support center to an offshore support center in China.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted as an interpretive case study. Three techniques (i.e. document review, participant observation, and semi‐structured interviews) were employed for data collection in the field.FindingsThe findings identify that knowledge tacitness, knowledge gaps, cultural and communication difficulties and weak relationships were the critical barriers to successful knowledge transfer in a cross‐cultural knowledge transfer context. It was found that, when a provider and a recipient are located in different individualism/collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance cultural dimensions, there will be a reduced likelihood of successful knowledge transfer in a structured knowledge transfer process. However, peer‐to‐peer help, close relationships and proactive learning may assist in decreasing the knowledge transfer difficulties.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was limited to one organization in one industry (the IT support industry) and in one country (China). There could be both industry‐specific issues and national cultural issues that may affect the findings and conclusions. However, the paper has important practical implications for organizations that are trying to carry out transfer of organizational knowledge or to acquire organizational knowledge in a cross‐cultural business context.Originality/valueThe findings provide insight into the cultural issues implicated in the structured knowledge transfer process, when a knowledge provider and a recipient are from different cultural dimensions, as well as offering more general insight into the mechanism of knowledge transfer in the cross‐cultural business context.
Bridging intention and behavior of knowledge sharing
Authors: Reychav Iris , Weisberg Jacob 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to present an innovative scale that sheds light on the ways in which intentions to share explicit and tacit knowledge impact actual knowledge‐sharing behavior.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from a total of 278 hi‐tech workers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the research model.FindingsSEM shows that the intention to share explicit knowledge influences explicit knowledge‐sharing behavior to an equal extent both directly and indirectly. By contrast tacit knowledge‐sharing behavior is influenced directly to a greater extent by the intention to share tacit knowledge and less indirectly by the intention to share explicit knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides a potential tool that may be applied by managers for the purpose of measuring explicit and tacit knowledge‐sharing intention and behavior. Its limitations are due to the limited socio‐economic and geographic variability of the companies and people that were studied, which may need further studies to substantiate.Originality/valueWhereas there is a consensus as to the need for and the benefits of sharing knowledge, there are no tools for measuring the roots of sharing behavior. The scale presented here captures the underlying intention, measures it, and assesses the resulting behavior.
Knowledge management metrics in software development companies in Brazil
Authors: Goldoni Vanessa , Oliveira Mírian 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe main goal of this research is to analyze knowledge management (KM) evaluation metrics in software development companies in Brazil through the perception of managers and users.Design/methodology/approachThe method applied was a multiple case study in two information technology companies in Brazil.FindingsAccording to the KM objectives and motivations, each company selects an implementation approach that results in specific challenges. The results show that the differences in Company A and Company B can be related to the KM process adopted. Based on the perception of the interviewees, it is possible to affirm that the relevance of a metric depends on the organization's context and the existence of a structured KM process.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusions are based on two case studies of Brazilian IT companies. There could be industry‐specific issues as well as national cultural and behavioral values that might affect the findings and conclusions.Practical implicationsAccording to the interviewees, the set of process metrics can be linked to the KM process phases and the organizations should contemplate both quantitative and qualitative metrics. The entire set of metrics and its observations in this work can be used as a starting‐point for the selection of the most adequate metrics for each organization.Originality/valueThe research associated the identified metrics in the literature with the knowledge management process phases of creation, storage, dissemination, utilization, and measurement.
Exploring the HRM/accounting interface on human assets
Authors: Tollington Tony , El‐Tawy Nevine 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks is to enhance our understanding of intangible recognition by embracing an artefact‐based approach.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an artefact‐based approach to intangible asset recognition, an artefact being a physical and visual representation (typically, documentary) of expended human intellectual and physical creativity. This output orientation (what people create: artefact‐based outputs) is compared to an input orientation (the investment inputs in human “assets”) using artefact‐based asset recognition criteria that have already received some exposure in the marketing literature in respect of brands.FindingsEmphasis is placed on outputs, i.e. what people create, rather than on the more familiar input orientation, which focuses on investments in human assets. When compared to an output orientation, the more familiar input orientation is an unsatisfactory basis on which to recognise human assets.Practical implicationsThe asset recognition criteria provide a useful checklist by which to delineate an intangible asset from an expense.Originality/valueThe criteria have already been applied to brand assets in the marketing domain. It is now being applied for the first time to human assets.
An empirical investigation and users' perceptions on intellectual capital reporting in banks
Authors: Khan Habib‐Uz‐Zaman , Ali Mohobbot 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study of intellectual capital (IC) reporting by private commercial banks in the developing economy of Bangladesh, together with the perceptions of a range of stakeholders' with respect to such disclosures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper was informed by the results of a study carried out in relation to Bangladeshi banks. Initially, the annual reports of 20 selected banking institutions listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange were subjected to a content analysis exercise. A questionnaire survey was subsequently conducted to explore stakeholders' perceptions about the practice of IC disclosure within this sector.FindingsThe findings in the paper indicate that the managements of Bangladeshi commercial banks are not currently enthusiastic about the necessity for such voluntary disclosure activity. The key focus for IC reporting is on human capital elements. Stakeholders' are in favour of such reporting across a wider range of IC items than is currently disclosed.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of these exploratory studies can be used by researchers to explore further the different types of IC reporting initiatives pursued across a wider spectrum of industries and any differences in users perceptions by industry, as well as over time.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the IC literature by presenting empirical evidence on IC disclosures and users' perceptions about such practices in the context of the Bangladeshi banking sector.
Disclosing improvements in human capital: comparing results to the rhetoric
Authors: Dumay John C. , Lu Jiayang 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons for and outcomes of the rhetoric of disclosures of human capital (HC) management practices and to discuss how disclosures could be changed to be more meaningful and appropriate in practice. Thus, the research question of interest to this paper is “Is the rhetoric of HC disclosure achieved in practice?”Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study approach, the paper utilises content analysis to examine the rhetoric of HC disclosures and the results of HC management practices utilising corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports, newsletters, annual reports, and other publicly available information, with an emphasis on media reports. The case study organisation is Westpac Bank (Australia), chosen because of the transformation in its approach to HC management since 2001 and its reputation as a global leader in CSR practice and reporting.FindingsThe paper illustrates how highly exposed HC disclosures are to scrutiny by both internal and external stakeholders and if the rhetoric is not transformed into practice how the disclosures can be used as a weapon by adversarial stakeholders to attack the organisation and/or attempt to change the balance of power between management and employees. It is argued that it could be more beneficial if HC disclosures were to report on the ongoing struggles and conflicts that are inherent in HC management practice, rather than not admitting to or not mentioning them at all, in order to reduce information asymmetry and build trust in the disclosures so that that the disclosures are less likely to be seen as merely rhetorical arguments.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to one particular organisation from which generalisation is not possible. Since the research is undertaken from outside the organisation, and relies largely on secondary data sources, it thus also relies in part on conjecture about the change processes which occurred inside the organisation.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the emerging discussion of how organisations put their HC management rhetoric into practice and whether or not they achieve their intended outcomes.
Eliciting success factors of applying Six Sigma in an academic library
Authors: Kim Dong‐Suk 
Published: March 2010

PurposeSix Sigma is a business management strategy originally developed by Motorola for manufacturing processes, which seeks to improve the quality of outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects and unacceptable variability in the process. Alongside its advantages come difficulties with its application across a service organization, and an in‐depth analysis and identification of its successful factors were required, as they differ considerably from a manufacturing environment. Preparing policies for Six Sigma activities is of the utmost importance. This paper aims to describe its implementation in Sungkyunkwan University Library and a determination of its success.Design/methodology/approachThe success factors of Six Sigma were examined, as determined through interviews and surveys on the library staff's experiences.FindingsSince Six Sigma pursues top‐down management, the managers' roles are very important. It was found that mental discipline is also a critical success factor that allows an organization to realize its vision, while focusing on the fundamentals of Six Sigma activities. According to the survey conducted for the study, the success of these activities depends on how well each element of the processes is implemented at specific stages, the level of the participants' interest in the improvement activities, how accurately the CTQ (critical to quality) characteristics are assessed, and whether the outcomes of improvements are measured based on quantifiable indices.Originality/valueIntroducing Six Sigma for the sake of quality improvement following a LibQUAL+ quality assessment of a library has proven effective. Sungkyunkwan University Library is thought to be the first academic library to practise quality management by incorporating Six Sigma in its practice as a library. It is hoped that the experiences of this library will provide guidance for its application in other libraries, and enable them to devise appropriate policies for its successful implementation.
Multi‐faceted measuring of the quality as a tool for quality improvement in the Kuopio University Library, Finland
Authors: Saarti Jarmo , Juntunen Arja , Taskinen Aino 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper sets out to describe the building of the quality management system in one library and especially how different types of quality measurement systems – statistical analyses, benchmarking, surveys – are used in order to improve the quality of the library services. A major emphasis is placed on the involvement of management at both the strategic and everyday levels.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes the form of a case study approach.FindingsIt was found that a multi‐faceted measuring approach helps in the management, planning and public relations of a library.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on the experiences of one library.Practical implicationsThe paper gives examples of the implementation of the quality management system's customer feedback and process performance evaluation inside an academic libraryOriginality/valueThe paper provides a model for a basket of indicators for a library's core processes and results.