bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers to women in the UK construction industry
Authors: Worrall Lisa , Harris Katy , Stewart Roy , Thomas Andrew , McDermott Peter 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to identify the main barriers that lead to the under‐representation of women in the UK construction industry. The study, funded by ConstructionSkills, seeks to explore the issues that women face and investigate the potential positive impact that continuous professional development (CPD) may have upon improving the retention and career progression of women.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an open‐ended grounded theory (GT) approach, including 231 semi‐structured questionnaires and nine focus groups with women from a range of professional occupations. All the findings were analysed using keyword analysis to identify the top two barriers that women face, alongside a series of cross‐cutting key themes and issues.FindingsThe findings reveal that male‐dominated organisational cultures and inflexible working practices are the main barriers to women in the UK construction industry, irrespective of job role or profession. This paper concludes by arguing for a sea‐change in the expansion of CPD opportunities for women in managerial, confidence and communication based skills, with accompanying networking and support systems to facilitate the retention and advancement of women in the industry sector.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the research approach, the data are not generalisable. Therefore, researchers are advised to research and test the findings with a larger group. Researchers are also recommended to investigate the impact of expanded CPD opportunities for both men and women.Originality/valueThe paper puts forward a business case for the advancement of specific CPD training for women, to facilitate the expansion of equality and diversity in the workforce in the UK construction industry.
Lay theory explanations of occupational stress: the Malaysian context
Authors: Awang Idris Mohd , Dollard Maureen F. , Winefield Anthony H. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the causes and consequences of job stress in Malaysia and make a comparison between Western and Eastern perspectives.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory approach was used to develop a lay representation of Malay people's descriptions of their experiences at work, including job stress. Interviews were conducted with 48 employees in Malaysia, using six semi‐structured interview questions adopted from Kinman and Jones and translated into the Malay language, as a guide.FindingsAlthough most respondents perceived that individual factors play an important role in work stress, organizational factors seemed to be the dominant factor identified that contributes to work stress. Respondents also perceived the individual as key to stress reduction rather than management interventions. A new concept emerged in this study that was related to external factors impinging on work (such as globalization).Practical implicationsOrganizations should formulate strategies to prevent job stress among employees. They must also be alert to the impact of external factors that are now common in the Malay workplace.Originality/valueResearch of job stress in employees in Eastern cultures is rare. The paper provides in‐depth preliminary research which will lead to further investigations of job stress in Eastern workplace settings.
Work locus of control and interactional justice as mediators of the relationship between openness to experience and organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Abu Elanain Hossam M. 
Published: May 2010

PurposePrevious studies conducted in Western context show weak relationship between openness to experience and performance. More empirical evidence is needed to understand the nature of the relationship between openness and performance in a non‐Western context in general and in the Middle East in particular. The purpose of this paper is first, to examine the impact of openness to experience on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) dimensions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); and second, to test the mediating impact of work locus of control (WLOC) and interactional justice on the openness‐OCB dimensions relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 164 employees working in a variety of service organizations in Dubai. The proposed linear relationships were tested using a series of separate hierarchical regression analyses. Proposed mediation hypotheses were tested using Baron and Kenny's recommendations.FindingsContrary to Western studies, openness to experience was found to be strongly related to the four OCB dimensions. Also, WLOC and interactional justice were found to play a role in mediating the influence of openness to experience on OCB dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of common method bias and cross sectional data are discussed in light of implications for future research. Nevertheless, the results provide new insights on the influence of openness to experience on OCB in a non‐Western context of the UAE by testing the role of WLOC and interactional justice in influencing the relationship between openness and OCB.Practical implicationsThe study has implications for enhancing OCB. In general, selecting employees high in openness to experience and internal WLOC can result in higher level of these employees' OCB performance. In addition, UAE managers should provide sufficient interactional justice in order to improve the impact of openness to experience on the OCB dimensions.Originality/valueThis paper describes what is considered to be the first study to examine the relationship between openness to experience and OCB dimensions in the Middle East, and the first study to test the role of WLOC and interactional justice as mediators for the openness‐OCB relationship in a non‐Western context.
Is entrepreneurial competency and business success relationship contingent upon business environment?
Authors: Hazlina Ahmad Noor , Ramayah T. , Wilson Carlene , Kummerow Liz 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to evaluate the effect of entrepreneurial competencies and the moderating effect of business environment on business success in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 212 Malaysian SME owner‐founders participated in this study. The structural equation modeling (SEM) procedure was used to test the proposed model.FindingsThe results showed that entrepreneurial competencies were strong predictors of business success in SMEs in Malaysia. It was also found that the association between entrepreneurial competencies and business success was more strongly evident in hostile and dynamic environments than in more benign and stable environments.Research limitations/implicationsSelf‐report was used as the source of all data. This approach, even though criticised by some, was deemed necessary because of difficulties associated with the independent assessment of each of these variables. Nevertheless, future studies should identify ways to obtain competency data from multiple informants to minimise the possibility of response bias.Practical implicationsIt was suggested that understanding business success through the lens of entrepreneurial competencies is important because it provides entrepreneurs with knowledge about the way they should operate their business and encourages them to be conscious of the potential positive or negative impacts of their own behaviour.Originality/valueThe study shows that entrepreneurs are capable of minimising the negative impact of business environment if they are willing to equip themselves with the appropriate competencies.
Entrepreneurship and the innovative self: a Schumpeterian reflection
Authors: Betta Michela , Jones Robert , Latham James 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper draws upon the Schumpeterian statement that effective change only comes from within. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether this notion can be applied to personal life and practices displayed by certain individuals wishing to innovate themselves by recombining given personal resources with the purpose of establishing a new person enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used in this article is to conceptually propose and argue a reading of entrepreneurship as the agency of an innovative subject, embedded in a Foucauldian technology of the self based on self‐care and self‐knowledge.FindingsThe analysis leads to the finding that the individual who challenges (or resists) destiny, or a given personal order, and manages to establish a new personal order, is entrepreneurial in so far as s/he changes the way of doing things, or a static way of living.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper suggests theoretical implications for further research. The use of Schumpeter to analyse personal practices as a form of entrepreneurship reinforces the notion of entrepreneurship beyond the business context and opens up research possibilities in a variety of fields and ways, for example, research capable of linking ethics and entrepreneurship, self‐reflexivity and entrepreneurship, and subjectivity and entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThe article is original in that it bids to extend the theory of entrepreneurship to perspectives that are clearly embedded in personal life for the sake of self‐development. Its value is that it allows for a transcending of both the economic and social notions of entrepreneurship, enabling us to outline a third dimension to the literature, which we call a person enterprise.
The regional‐newspaper industry supply chain and the internet
Authors: Graham Gary , Smart Alison 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to understand the impact of the internet on different value activities in a physical goods (newspaper) supply chain.Design/methodology/approachCase studies were used to obtain rich data from three newspaper companies. The selected case study companies had experienced changes in their value chains as a result of the internet.FindingsThe internet has led to falling advertising revenues and dwindling circulations. The companies reacted to this by developing online news services, which do not have the distribution costs of a physical product, enable the customisation of editorial and advertising content, and facilitate the co‐creation of news content with consumers. Moving online has, however, not fully compensated for the losses in revenues. Readers were reluctant to pay for online content, the income from of the sale of web‐based advertising space was significantly lower than for the printed form, and journalists resisted co‐creation.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample of cases limits the generalisability of the findings.Practical implicationsRegional newspapers face problems developing an effective online news service to enable them to remain relevant in the communities they serve. The findings suggest that, although newspapers have adopted multimedia, and now have some user generated content, there is a reluctance to consider greater usage of additional forms of news production and e‐tools.Originality/valueThis paper examines how digital media are displacing physical goods from a value chain. There is evidence that co‐creation, a variable so far neglected in the literature on internet supply chains, can have a critical impact on value adding/creation activities.
Supply chain integration: cluster analysis of the impact of span of integration
Authors: Kannan Vijay R. , Choon Tan Keah 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to explore whether firms that integrate only with partners adjacent to them in the supply chain exhibit different patterns of supply chain practice and performance than those that also integrate with partners more distant in the supply chain.Design/methodology/approachCluster analysis of survey data is used to partition firms based on the span of the supply chain involved in their integration efforts.FindingsFirms with a broad span of integration have a greater focus on alignment with suppliers and customers, and have more of a supply chain focus than those with a narrow span. They also demonstrate higher levels of performance attributable to supply chain relationships.Practical implicationsResults highlight the importance to supply chain professionals of taking a broad view of the supply chain rather than focusing only on first tier suppliers and customers. They also suggest the importance of exploring opportunities to facilitate broader participation in supply chain integration efforts.Originality/valuePast research has identified the importance of supply chain integration without addressing the importance of how much of the supply chain should be involved in such efforts. This study provides empirical support for the need to involve partners across the supply chain.
Lean competence: integration of theories in operations management practice
Authors: Parry Glenn , Mills John , Turner Celine 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a methodology for lean implementation that reduces the risk of damaging a company's key resources and abilities through the application of core competence theory.Design/methodology/approachAcademic literature provided background conceptual understanding of lean and core competence theory for an industrial working party of domain experts from 15 major aerospace companies in the UK to develop a methodology for lean implementation that would not damage firm's competences. The methodology was trailed through cooperative inquiry in a business unit of a leading global aerospace company using a case study approach.FindingsAn accessible definition of core competence that captures academic theory was proposed through an industrial working group. Further a methodology for lean implementation, drawing upon core competence theories was developed. The method comprised four tools: market analysis, the visible value stream, customer value analysis, and financial modelling. Tools drew upon established practice and their joint application is intended to safeguard a company's key resources and capabilities from loss or impact during lean implementations. Application in a single case study company and the effects observed over a number of years indicated the methodology, though developmental, was capable of significant positive effects.Originality/valueThe paper provides a practical definition of core competence and application of theory within a lean implementation, trailed and validated in an industrial setting. Competence theory has previously been described as “lack‐lustre” due to the abstract nature of the ideas.
Site inventory tracking in the project supply chain: problem description and solution proposal in a very large telecom project
Authors: Ala‐Risku Timo , Collin Jari , Holmström Jan , Vuorinen Juha‐Pekka 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to describe how performance in the project supply chain can be improved by implementing information technology solutions that track site installation and inventory.Design/methodology/approachThe case study was initiated after observing unexpected problems and subsequent performance improvement in a very large project delivery. Personnel involved in the project were interviewed and project documentation was analyzed to identify the reasons for initial poor performance and the changes that lead to the observed improvement.FindingsAs the scale and complexity of a delivery project increases the role of accurate and robust tracking of installation work and inventory increases. Alignment between participants breaks down in the absence of reliable inventory tracking with potentially very adverse effects on project delivery operations. Introducing reliable inventory tracking can very quickly re‐align participants and improve overall performance in a telecom delivery project.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on a case study, with particular characteristics: large number of dispersed installation sites, modular product, remote sensing. Topics for further research are suggested to assess the relevance of inventory tracking in different contexts.Practical implicationsThe case shows how an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can improve project delivery performance by investing in inventory tracking between inventory drop‐off and installation on the site.Originality/valueProject delivery has received scarce attention in a supply chain management context. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by showing how site inventory tracking affects performance and alignment of the whole project supply chain.
Typology of career development for Arab women managers in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Omair Katlin 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how women managers in the United Arab Emirates account for and construct their career development.Design/methodology/approachA narrative approach is adopted for analyzing in‐depth interviews with 15 women managers in the United Arab Emirates.FindingsThe study produced a typology distinguishing four types of career development among women managers in the United Arab Emirates: progressive, moderate, facilitated and idealistic. The results suggest that social status and family connections can play a significant role in women's career development.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is two‐fold. First, it contributes to the previously under‐researched topic of the careers of Arab women managers. Second, it emphasizes the importance of societal context when studying women's careers in the Middle East.
Factors that influence first‐career choice of undergraduate engineers in software services companies
Authors: Gokuladas V.K. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify how undergraduate engineering students differ in their perception about software services companies in India based on variables like gender, locations of the college and branches of engineering.Design/methodology/approachData obtained from 560 undergraduate engineering students who had the opportunity to have multiple job offers from four major Indian software services companies through campus recruitment drives were analyzed. Chi‐square test, cross tabulation and multi‐nominal regressions were performed to test hypotheses.FindingsDecisions of engineering students with respect to their first‐career choice are mostly influenced by intrinsic reasons than extrinsic or interpersonal reasons. While male students are greatly influenced by intrinsic reasons, female students are more influenced by extrinsic reasons. Students belonging to different locations and different branches of engineering have varying reasons for accepting a job offer.Research limitations/implicationsFindings of this paper cannot be generalized as it involves students from only three engineering colleges in south India. A survey involving students from different strata across India would enable scholars to capture more insight into the perceptions of engineering students towards the Indian software services industry.Practical implicationsKnowledge about the perceptions of engineering graduates towards software services companies in India based on gender, location of the college and the branch of engineering to which students belong, can help human resource managers, entrepreneurs in software services industry and career counselors to strategize human resource practices.Originality/valueMany studies have been conducted to identify what employers expect from engineering graduates whereas there is a dearth of articles that investigate perceptions of engineering students with respect to their first‐career choice. This study conducts this bottom‐up approach wherein different expectations of prospective employees are analysed.
Youth employability training: two experiments
Authors: Brown Travor , Hillier Tara‐Lynn , Warren Amy M. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the effectiveness of verbal self‐guidance (VSG) and self‐management on youth employability. It seeks to access the joint effectiveness of these interventions, grounded in social cognitive and goal setting theories, for youth job seekers.Design/methodology/approachThe studies used experimental designs involving participants enrolled in an undergraduate business cooperative degree program. Survey data assessing self‐efficacy and anxiety were collected pre and post‐training. Interview performance was also assessed in each study.FindingsIn study 1, it was found that students trained in self‐management and verbal self‐guidance (SMVSG) improved interview performance and reduced anxiety. In study 2, it was found that self‐efficacy and job search effort were higher in the SMVSG group relative to VSG alone.Research limitations/implicationsFor study 1, the only measure of employment was a mock interview. For study 2, a limitation was that approximately 25 per cent of participants failed to either complete the post‐training survey or attend the interview.Practical implicationsOverall the studies describe a relatively simple and low cost training intervention, and associated performance measures, that can continue to be used by practitioners and scholars with future groups of youth job seekers.Originality/valueThe paper shows that these studies further support the effectiveness of VSG‐based interventions for employability. The paper also shows the value of augmenting VSG training with self‐management training in the context of youth employability. Furthermore, this research also considered anxiety, a key variable in successful employment that has often been omitted in the literature.
Further scale refinement for emotional labor
Authors: Blau Gary , Fertig Jason , Surges Tatum Donna , Connaughton Stacey , Soo Park Dong , Marshall Catherine 
Published: May 2010

PurposeWithin the emotional labor (EL) literature, the paper's aim is to test for additional scale distinctions in surface acting and deep acting, using a “difficult client” referent.Design/methodology/approachWorking with existing definitions and operationalizations across prior EL studies, an on‐line sample of 1,975 massage therapists and bodywork practitioners (M&Bs) was used to test the hypotheses. Hinkin's recommended three steps for scale development: item development, scale development and scale evaluation were applied. The M&B sample was randomly split to carry out exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and then confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A smaller validation sample of 203 working adults was also tested using EFA.FindingsConvergent support was found for EFA between the M&B and validation samples, as well as between EFA and CFA for the M&B sample. Two types of surface acting could be distinguished, basic surface acting (BSA) and challenged surface acting (CSA), while three types of deep acting could be distinguished, basic deep acting (BDA), perspective taking deep acting (PTDA) and positive refocus deep acting (PRDA).Originality/valueThis paper studies a unique sample, massage and body therapists, and the “difficult client” stimulus has not been formally tested in prior EL scale work.