bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupant acceptance as a screening parameter for indoor environmental assessments
Authors: Hui P.S. , Wong L.T. , Mui K.W. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the usefulness of occupant acceptance as a preliminary screen measure for offices' indoor air quality (IAQ). An effective alert indication of IAQ problems of a concerned indoor environment would help to promote good IAQ.Design/methodology/approachThe study evaluates the hypothesis that the occupant dissatisfaction with the overall indoor environment provides an indication of IAQ problems. Hence, occupant dissatisfaction would be used as a screening parameter to identify problematic IAQ regarding some IAQ criteria in subsequent IAQ assessments. The hypothesis was tested with a database of regional cross‐sectional measurement in 490 offices within Hong Kong.FindingsThe occupants' dissatisfaction with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) was correlated with the IAQ assessment results of nine IAQ assessment parameters regarding some IAQ criteria for air‐conditioned offices. At certain screening levels of predicted IEQ dissatisfaction, the performance of the proposed screening tool, indicating unsatisfactory office IAQ, was evaluated in terms of the test sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and Yule's Q statistics. The results showed that occupants' response to the indoor environment produced indications of unsatisfactory IAQ regarding the requirement of an “Excellent” office.Research limitations/implicationsThe subjective feelings of occupants are capable of identifying marked indoor environmental problems, but cannot identify the “marginal” IAQ problem cases.Practical implicationsThe study shows the usefulness of using occupant acceptance to identify the unrecognized IAQ problems for air‐conditioned office environment. Using the identification model developed in the study, all the suspected cases were associated with a high chance of IAQ dissatisfaction and subsequent IAQ assessments were thus recommended.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a new identification method to identify the unrecognized IAQ problems which may indicate unsatisfactory IAQ. Also, the occupants' responses on the indoor environment are quantified.
The facilities management market in Denmark
Authors: Anker Jensen Per 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to present the results of market surveys in Denmark, which have been based on and used to test a proposal for a new European standard for a taxonomy of Facilities Management (FM).Design/methodology/approachThe market research included surveys of both the client side and the provider side and was carried out by a management consultant company by telephone interviews based on definitions developed from drafts for the European FM taxonomy standard by a university researcher, who is a member of the standardisation work group.FindingsThe proposed taxonomy for FM is in general a good basis for researching the market but in particular the definition of space including acquisition as well as development, administration, operation, maintenance and utilities in the same main product is problematic.Research limitations/implicationsThe market research is limited to the Danish market, but the results of the test of the proposed European standard for an FM taxonomy has implications for the whole of Europe.Practical implicationsThe results of the test of the proposed European standard for an FM taxonomy should lead to adjustments in the way space is treated in the taxonomy before it becomes accepted as a new European standard.Originality/valueThis is the first time that the proposed taxonomy standard for FM has been tested in empirical research.
Retail experience stores: experiencing the brand at first hand
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Clarke‐Hill Colin , Hillier David 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the emergence and development of experience stores and to consider their potential role in fostering consumer brand relationships and their impact on the retail landscape.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins by outlining the characteristics of experience stores before moving on to discuss the ways in which a number of electronics and mobile phone retailers have developed experience store formats.FindingsWhile recognizing that experience stores are a small but potentially significant addition to the retail marketplace, the paper discusses four principal issues. The need for continuing innovation to maintain competitive advantage; the changing relationship between manufacturer and retailer brands; the challenges involved in maintaining consistency in the brand experience; and the possible extension of the concept of experience stores to other sectors of the retail marketplace.Originality/valueThe paper provides an accessible review of the emergence of experience stores and their role in developing relationships between brands and consumers and as such it will be of interest to academics and students who are interested in retailing and in brands.
The potential benefits of advanced planning and scheduling systems in sales and operations planning
Authors: Kjellsdotter Ivert Linea , Jonsson Patrik 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore what potential benefits may be achieved by using advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems in the sales and operations planning (S&OP) process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates benefits at the S&OP process level by interviewing APS experts and APS users. Several methods have been used; literature review, Delphi study, and a case study at a company in the chemical industry which uses APS system support in the S&OP process.FindingsThree types of potential benefits were found to be achieved when using APS systems in the S&OP process; benefits concerning decision support, planning efficiency and learning effects. The most common type was decision support benefits according to APS users and APS experts. The results from the case company showed that the benefits perceived in the different S&OP activities differed. In the activities concerning the preparation and generation of delivery plans, the perceived benefits mainly concerned learning effects. In the activities concerning the generation of a production plan, the benefits were foremost found in planning efficiency. In the S&OP meeting decision support benefits were highest valued. The reason for the different results can be explained by the aim of the activity, how APS was used in the activity, the user characteristics and the design of the model and access and quality of planning data.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this paper is on potential benefits of APS systems in the S&OP process only, not the costs. It has established a typology of potential benefits. No validation in form of statistical analysis has been done. The empirical analysis is mainly based on findings from a single case study.Practical implicationsThe findings about the types of APS potential will assist companies in understanding the benefits they can expect from its use in the S&OP process. The case study analysis gives further insight into how APS can be employed and what benefits different APS user categories can expect when it is used in an appropriate way.Originality/valueThe knowledge about which benefits that can be achieved when using APS in the S&OP process is quite unexplored. This paper fills some of these gaps.
Perceptions of RFID technology: a cross‐national study
Authors: So Park Kwang , Koh Chang E. , “Ted” Nam Kyungdoo 
Published: May 2010

PurposeRadio frequency identification (RFID) is an important technology for many aspects of business including supply chain management (SCM). The global implications of RFID necessitate cross‐national studies of the technology. The purpose of this paper is to conjecture that the way RFID is perceived and implemented and the extent to which RFID impacts business performance will vary from country to country. Using data collected from firms located in the USA and South Korea, the two countries' views regarding the intrinsic attributes, the perceived benefits and risks, and the strategic impact on business performance of implementing RFID are compared.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a research instrument to assess the perception of the importance of RFID, the benefits and risks of RFID, and the perceived impact of RFID on business performance. The authors used the instrument to survey executives and managers in the USA and South Korea.FindingsThe paper did not find any discernable difference between the two countries in terms of the perception of the importance of RFID, the benefits and risks of RFID, and the perceived impact of RFID on business performance. This shared perception of RFID may be viewed a sign of readiness of the technology to become a global business tool.Research limitations/implicationsThe varying sampling and data collection processes between the two countries may have introduced unintended bias to the study. The paper's scope may not have addressed all of the technical, organizational, cultural, and political issues that may have influenced the outcome.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study provide empirical evidence that RFID has become a comprehensive business tool to assist more seamless global SCM.Originality/valueThis unique comparative study is a useful contribution for both academicians and practitioners to gain a better understanding of how RFID technology is perceived by firms in different countries. The paper also helps companies improve their RFID strategies in the global market by recognizing different perceptions and approaches to implementing RFID.
Partner selection for interfirm collaboration in ship design
Authors: Solesvik Marina Z. , Encheva Sylvia 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply a mathematical method of formal concept analysis (FCA) to facilitate evaluation of potential partners, and to select the most appropriate partner for horizontal strategic alliances. Horizontal collaboration between ship design firms is important in relation to business cyclicality in the industry. The workload in ship design firms drops during the troughs of the shipbuilding cycle and increases dramatically during the peaks of the cycle.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed method of partnership selection applies FCA, which is based on mathematical lattice theory. FCA allows firms to evaluate and select the best suitable partners for horizontal interfirm cooperation from several possible candidate firms. Utilization of FCA allows a firm to visually analyze a potential partner for a horizontal strategic alliance.FindingsThe contribution of this study to the literature is twofold. First, it contributes to the literature on the application of FCA in management field. Second, this study contributes to the partner selection literature. The contribution of the study is an alternative quantitative method for partner selection based on FCA. FCA compliments qualitative approaches in the process of alternatives evaluation and decision‐making regarding partner selection for horizontal collaboration.Practical implicationsPractitioners from ship design firms can use the FCA tool to facilitate decision‐making relating to the screening of potential partners for horizontal cooperation with regard to pre‐specified selected criteria.Originality/valueFCA has been marginally applied to aid managerial decision making. The FCA tool is valuable for practitioners from ship design firms to manage the selection of partners for horizontal collaboration. The FCA tool is associated with numerous advantages, notably, relative simplicity and versatility of visual analysis when compared with other mathematical approaches such as the analytic hierarchy process, the analytic network process, optimization modeling, and fuzzy set logic.
Consecutive staffing solution using simulation in the contact center
Authors: Woo Kim Jun , Ho Ha Sung 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an enhanced framework for workforce management in a modern call center environment, called the consecutive staffing using simulation (CSS) approach. The paper aims to investigate the value of a time‐dependent approach to determine staffing levels without making an assumption that call centers to be a queuing model in a steady state.Design/methodology/approachStaffing is usually accomplished through the use of simple queuing models, Erlang‐C (M/M/c). It is common to adopt a stationary independent period by period (SIPP) approach. However, staffing based on SIPP does not consider uncompleted calls and each planning interval cannot achieve a steady state in most cases, since the lengths of planning intervals are short in fact. In this context, the CSS approach considers uncompleted calls and determines staffing levels by using simulation.FindingsStaffing based on the CSS approach needed fewer agents, compared with staffing based on the SIPP approach. Hiring less agents during a single planning horizon lead to a decrease in total operational costs for the call center. Staffing based on SIPP became less accurate when the average service duration became longer or the arrival rate fluctuation was large, which often occurred in the morning and around lunch break.Originality/valueThe CSS approach is based on the dynamic staffing proposed by Whitt. However, CSS extends the basic idea of dynamic staffing to combine a simulation experiment with a number of repetitions and the same run length of planning intervals. In a call center with shorter planning intervals, management should adopt staffing based on CSS for accurate planning and updating of staffing levels during a single planning horizon.
Clustering analysis prioritization of automobile logistics services
Authors: Trappey Charles V. , Trappey Amy J.C. , Chang Ai‐Che , Huang Ashley Y.L. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a clustering approach to segment supply chain partners in the automobile industry and prioritize services offered by third party logistics service (3PL) providers.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 98 automobile and auto‐parts manufacturers are surveyed to identify service needs, preferences, and outsourcing commitments. By applying a two‐stage clustering approach combined with Ward's minimum‐variance method and the K‐means algorithm, the logistics companies prioritize their services to better satisfy groups of customers with specific preferences.FindingsFour distinctive groups of manufacturers are identified using the two‐stage clustering approach. The clusters separate logistic preferences and outsourcing patterns of after market parts suppliers, original equipment service parts suppliers, original equipment manufacturer parts suppliers, and tier one car makers. The paper finds that distribution and delivery services hold the highest percentage of services outsourced among the manufacturers.Originality/valueThis paper models logistic services as customizable services and develops a data system methodology to define the profiles of automobile manufacturers and their preferred logistic services. Through the analysis of service preferences and clustering, the paper identifies the key logistic services that can be customized for members of the automobile supply chain. A case is provided which demonstrates how a logistics company can provide customized service designs for specific target markets and customers.
Internet and international food industry trade
Authors: Bojnec Štefan , Fertő Imre 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an adaptedz gravity model to measure the impact of the number of the internet users on food industry trade between developed Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries using both panel and cross‐sectional data.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of the internet users on food industry export growth and levels, and on food industry trade reorientation, and whether the internet has altered the effect of distance on food industry trade, are analyzed using adapted gravity model.FindingsThe positive, significant and over time increasing effect of the internet on food industry exports confirm that the internet reduces market‐specific entry costs for food industry exports. The significant positive effect pertained to the internet is found in the importing countries. The significant positive effects on food industry exports are found for the country's economic size and bilateral common features and proximities. The internet mitigates the countries proximities, but increased the distance between the countries.Originality/valueThe empirical contribution to the research of new connections made with the key elements of trade theory with focus on the effect of the internet on food industry trade.
Management accounting system for hospitals: a research framework
Authors: Hammad Salah A. , Jusoh Ruzita , Yen Nee Oon Elaine 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to examine the relationship between contextual factors, management accounting system (MAS) and managerial performance within the health care industry. In particular, it aims to uncover the contextual factors influencing the design of MAS that would enhance managerial performance in Egyptian hospitals.Design/methodology/approachThe premise of contingency theory is utilized to identify the contextual factors that may influence the use of MAS; namely organizational strategy, technology, structure, external environment, and size. The mediating role of MAS on the impact of managerial performance is examined through the extent to which managers use the four information characteristics associated with the design of MAS: scope, timeliness, aggregated, and integrated.FindingsThis framework provides clarity in linking the perceived usefulness of MAS information characteristics to managerial performance that has been viewed as problematic by past studies.Research limitations/implicationsThe Egyptian hospital industry is chosen as the ideal setting to investigate the relationship between contextual factors, MAS and managerial performance because of its complexity and continuous inept administration despite years following its reform.Practical implicationsThis framework helps practitioners develop new approaches in designing MAS within the health care sector.Originality/valueThis framework adds invaluable insights to the existing literature regarding performance implications of MAS design and functionality, especially within the health care sector.
Institutional and transaction cost determinants of Turkish MNEs' location choice
Authors: Demirbag Mehmet , Tatoglu Ekrem , Glaister Keith W. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeDrawing on institutional and transaction cost theories, the purpose of this paper is to examine the location choice for a sample of 522 foreign affiliates of Turkish multinational enterprises (MNEs).Design/methodology/approachBinary logistic regressions are conducted to test a number of hypotheses on the functional relationships between the hypothesized effect of variables and location choice of Turkish MNEs based on a secondary data drawn from official sources.FindingsIn general, the findings provide support for the majority of the study's hypotheses and tend to confirm the theoretical perspectives adopted. The level of political constraints, the level of knowledge infrastructure in the host country market, subsidiary density, industry R&D intensity and subsidiary size are found to have the expected impact on the Turkish MNE's location choice among geographic alternatives. No support is found for the impact of ownership mode of subsidiary and the group affiliation on Turkish MNEs' location choice for their subsidiaries.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on Turkish MNEs and the findings may not be generalizable to other emerging country (EC) MNEs. Also, the classification of geographic location into developed versus emerging countries may be too crude.Practical implicationsIn general, the paper posits that Turkish MNEs have a motive of strategic asset seeking to enhance their global competitiveness when they enter developed countries, whereas they simply attempt to exploit their firm‐specific advantages or competencies when they access emerging countries.Originality/valueGiven the increasing number of EC MNEs entering other emerging and developed markets, this paper adds to the understanding of the determinants of location strategies of Turkish MNEs by identifying key regional characteristics that lead Turkish MNEs to select particular locations, among the several geographic alternatives.
Choosing between wholly‐owned subsidiaries and joint ventures of MNCs from an emerging market
Authors: Chiao Yu‐Ching , Lo Fang‐Yi , Yu Chow‐Ming 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact that three sets of variables – derived from transaction cost theory (TCT), the resource‐based view (RBV), and institutional environment – have on choice of entry strategies of multinational corporations (MNCs) from an emerging market.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 819 Taiwanese firms which were investigated using a national survey, and logistic regression analysis was used for testing the hypotheses.FindingsThe empirical findings confirm that the following factors affect this decision: firm‐specific assets, international experience, whether a firm is investing abroad in pursuit of a particular customer, whether a firm seeks complementary assets abroad, and the perceived institutional differences (PEDs) between a firm's home country and the host country. The findings also suggest that PEDs have a moderating effect on foreign market entry.Research limitations/implicationsAs MNCs from emerging markets make the decision of entry mode strategies, they must carefully consider not only the related variables in terms of TCT and the RBV, but also the influence of institutional factors in host countries.Originality/valueThis paper explores the modes of entry chosen by Taiwanese firms investing in China on the basis of TCT, institutional environment, and the RBV.
Inertia versus mimicry in location choices by Chinese multinationals
Authors: Yuan Lin , Pangarkar Nitin 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of foreign direct investment location – specifically whether firms enter a particular market or not. Drawing from the ecology and institutional theories, the paper identifies firms' own past (behavioral inertia) and rivals' past choices (behavioral mimicry) as key determinants of location selection. The paper identifies the differences between developing country multinationals (MNCs) and developed country MNCs and their (differences)' implications for the relative influence of mimetic versus inertial forces.Design/methodology/approachA unique and comprehensive database about the location choices of 204 Chinese firms between 1992 and 2005 was constructed and conditional logistic regressions were deployed to assess the direct effects of behavioral inertia/mimicry, and the moderating effect of host country environment, on the location choices of the sampled firms.FindingsThe paper finds that behavioral inertia has a stronger impact on the location decisions of Chinese MNCs than behavioral mimicry. It also finds that the host country's institutions, openness, and policy stability moderate the relationship between behavioral mimicry and inertia, on one hand, and location choice, on the other hand, possibly because of these factors' influence on the level of perceived uncertainty.Originality/valueThis is the first paper modeling the simultaneous effects of behavioral inertia and mimicry on location choice and the moderating effect of host country environment on these relationships. The strong empirical support for all the predictions lends credence to the conceptual foundations of the hypothesized relationships. The focus on developing country MNCs, which possess several distinctive characteristics, and the unique dataset, should also enhance the paper's appeal.