bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of competence concept in Lithuania: from VET reform to development of National Qualifications System
Authors: Laužackas Rimantas , Tūtlys Vidmantas , Spūdytė Irma 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the development of the concept of competence in Lithuania beginning from the period of transition from the Soviet planned economy and post‐totalitarian regime to the market economy and democratic society and ending with the designing and implementation of the National Qualifications System and Qualifications Framework.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of desktop research of scientific literature and analysis of documents related to competences and qualifications in Lithuania.FindingsThe understanding of competence in Lithuania varies between the official usage in the laws and policy documents, common usage in education institutions and the approaches of employers, and this differentiation of understanding is caused by complex reasons related to the development of education, world of work and society in the socio‐economic transformations. In the National Qualifications System and National Framework of Qualifications of Lithuania competences are understood to be a bridge between the system of activities and the system of education.Research limitations/implicationsThe research involves mainly those concepts of competence that are originated by different social stakeholders and have influence on the processes of initial and continuing vocational training in Lithuania. All different scientific concepts of competence proposed by different scholars and circulating only in the scientific discourse have not been considered.Practical implicationsThe article provides useful information for the policy makers and different stakeholders looking for information on the existing variety of the concepts of competences in Lithuania.Originality/valueThe paper provides a discourse that integrates the various complex conceptual and contextual issues related to the concept of competence.
Studies on the film characteristics of polyesteramide resins based on hydroxy ethyl fatty acid amide
Authors: Mistry Sukhen , Agarwal Devendra 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the synthesizing of polyesteramide (PEA) resins using an acid functional acrylic copolymer (ACR) and hydroxy ethyl fatty amide (HEFA) of dehydrated castor oil (DCO) and to study the effect of HEFA on the performance properties of the coating films of PEA resins.Design/methodology/approachThe PEA resins are synthesised by using ACR (synthesised by using butyl methacrylate (BMA) and maleic anhydride (MA)), and HEFA. Different formulations are developed by using ACR and HEFA. The coatings are made using xylene/acetone as a solvent. These coatings are applied on mild steel panels and are cured at 110°C. Various mechanical, optical and chemical properties of the coating films are evaluated.FindingsThe study reveals that, HEFA of DCO is used successfully as a cross‐linking agent for the ACR to form the PEA resins. Incorporation of long chain fatty acid (C18) moieties of the fatty amide in the PEA resins backbone is thought to serve as flexibliser, which lead to improved mechanical and chemical properties of the films. The optimum results are obtained from composition three of copolymer A having (3:1) (ACR:HEFA) molar ratio.Research limitations/implicationsThe PEA resins synthesised here are made up of ACR (synthesised by using BMA and MA), and HEFA of DCO. Besides, this ACRs can be synthesised from acrylic acid. In addition to this, one can also use HEFA synthesised from other oils.Practical implicationsThis method provides a simple solution for the synthesis of PEA resins and resulting to their improved mechanical properties. The developed product is also an environment friendly product.Originality/valueThe method developed here for the synthesis of PEA resins form ACRs and HEFA is unique and can be used as an effective surface coating material. These studies will help to develop low volatile organic compounds product which could find numerous industrial applications in surface coatings for metal surfaces.
Effect of modifier and filler concentration on properties of epoxy‐red mud waste composite
Authors: Samanta Bidhan , Maity Tithi 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the concentration effect of liquid amine terminated poly (ethylene glycol) benzoate (ATPEGB) modifiers and red mud waste filler on mechanical and thermal properties of cured epoxy along with the optimum result of modified epoxy.Design/methodology/approachFor effective toughening, different compositions are made by adding various concentration of ATPEGB to epoxy. The concentration of 2, 5 and 10 parts per 100 parts of epoxy resin of aluminium silicate‐based pristine red mud waste is incorporated into each modified epoxy matrix. These filled modified matrixes are cured with ambient temperature curing agent triethylene tetramine and are evaluated with respect to their impact, tensile and flexural strengths. The morphology is analysed by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. The thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis is also reported.FindingsThe modification of epoxy resin using ATPEGB and filler shows significant enhancement of mechanical strength over unmodified epoxy. The increase depends on concentration of the modifier and filler. The reason behind this is that in the initial stage of curing the ATPEGB are miscible with the epoxy and form a homogeneous solution. This good mixing promotes the chemical reaction and network formation. During the curing process, as the molecular weight increases, the component separates within the reaction medium to form a second dispersed phase.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper discusses only ATPEGB synthesised by using poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) of 200, 400 and 600 and only one filler red mud waste. Besides these, by changing the molecular weight of PEG, other ATPEGB could be synthesised and the efficiency of modification of epoxy resin using these modifiers and other filler besides red mud waste could also be studied.Originality/valueThis paper regarding concentration effect of modifier and filler is novel and ATPEGB modified filled epoxy could be used in the fields of coating, casting, adhesives, potting and encapsulation of semiconductor devices.
Words not actions! The ideological role of sustainable development reporting
Authors: Milne Markus J. , Tregidga Helen , Walton Sara 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThrough an analysis of corporate sustainable development reporting, this paper seeks to examine critically language use and other visual (re)presentations of sustainable development within the business context. It aims to provide a framework to interpret and tease out business representations of sustainable development. Such representations are argued to be constitutive of the way that business has come to “know” and “do” sustainable development and, therefore, to constrain and enable particular actions and developments.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a mix of synthesis, interpretive and discourse analysis to locate, interpret and critically analyse a corpus of written and presentational texts produced by a New Zealand business association and eight of its founding members' early triple bottom line reports.FindingsThe business association and its members' reports are shown to present a pragmatic and middle‐way discourse on business and the environment. Through the use of rhetorical claims to pragmatism and action, this discourse suggests that businesses are “doing” sustainability. But critical analysis and interpretation within a wider framework reveal a narrow, largely economic and instrumental approach to the natural environment.Originality/valueThis paper offers a diagrammatic synthesis of the contested “middle ground” of the sustainable development debate, and thereby provides a frame of reference for further interpretational work on organisations and sustainable development.
Social disclosure, legitimacy theory and the role of the state
Authors: Archel Pablo , Husillos Javier , Larrinaga Carlos , Spence Crawford 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe principal objective of this paper is to expand the scope of legitimacy theory (LT) through a detailed analysis of the links that exist between the legitimising strategies of firms and the characteristics of the political environment in which they are developed.Designs/methodology/approachA discourse analysis was performed on the social and environmental disclosure (SED) of a multinational in the automotive sector with an established presence in Spain, in the context of the relational dynamics between the firm/society/state. Different channels of information were compared to capture both the official discourse as represented in the annual reports of the multinational and the discourse of employees and the State as represented in the media.FindingsThe results of the research show that the firm under study used SED strategically to legitimise a new production process through the manipulation of social perceptions, and that this strategy was supported implicitly and explicitly through ideological alignment with the State.Research limitations/implicationsDespite a widely‐held assumption of a pluralist political context, the State is presented here as aligning itself with corporate management as opposed to the welfare concerns of employees. Thus, future research calling for regulation of SED should preface such calls with consideration of the orientation of the State.Originality/valueIn contrast with the dominant approach to LT that considers the relationship of the firm with its stakeholders, the present study widens the scope of LT to consider the interplay between firm legitimating strategies and state support for such strategies.
Auditing Santa
Authors: Dean Dianne 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of taxation legislation to a mythical character.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of humorous fiction.FindingsThe paper suggests that different understanding of concepts can produce unexpected results.Research limitations/implicationsTaxation legislation is difficult to apply to mythical characters.Originality/valueThe paper is a humorous story designed for Christmas reading.
The moderating role of barriers on the relationship between drivers to supply chain integration and firm performance
Authors: Glenn Richey R. , Chen Haozhe , Upreti Rahul , Fawcett Stanley E. , Adams Frank G. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeImplementation of supply chain management techniques requires thorough integration of processes between supply chain partners in all functional areas, including sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution. Yet insufficient attention has been given to the means by which firms achieve high levels of integration. This study aims to examine moderators impacting supply chain integration barriers.Design/methodology/approachSupply chain integration drivers and moderating barriers to supply chain integration were identified by extensive search of the literature, and in‐depth interviews with supply chain managers. A survey was developed to measure levels of supply chain integration drivers, barriers to supply chain integration, and firm performance. The measures were validated using EFA, and the responses analyzed using multiple regression.FindingsThe study finds that firms with a desire to improve, operating in a challenging competitive environment typically experience high levels of performance. Further, barriers to supply chain integration can actually increase the firm's ability to achieve firm performance as the firm is required to make greater efforts to overcome those barriers and develop effective supply chain linkages.Originality/valueThis study answers a call for additional research into factors that enable and inhibit supply chain integration, and offers an empirical analysis of the moderating effect of supply chain integration barriers on the relationship between integration drivers and firm performance.
Mitigating environmental and density risk in global sourcing
Authors: Deane Jason K. , Craighead Christopher W. , Ragsdale Cliff T. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to provide a conceptual foundation to enhance the body of knowledge related to supplier selection in light of global supply chain disruptions and risk.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed tool is based on a multi‐criteria optimization framework, which will enable the user to gain a better understanding of how the consideration of each of these risk measures will affect the recommended solution/supply base. The model serves as a complement to existing supplier selection models by incorporating regional risks associated with potential suppliers' locations and density risks based on great circle distance measures.FindingsThe paper demonstrated the proposed model by using the great circle distance measure to calculate the density risk and two secondary data sources to capture environmental risk. One measure captures a variety of environmental issues such as political, legal, security, fiscal, labor, and regulatory issues. The other measure captures the historical effects of weather on dollar and human losses in each country of the world, which represents the potential for severe weather events and the country's ability to react to these events.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper does not consider all possible risks, it augments prior research through the development of a decision support tool that offers supply risk mitigation when sourcing globally. Specifically, the tool allows for the analysis and mitigation of two key global risk measures, environmental risk and density risk, when selecting suppliers for mission‐critical parts. The model is able to support various sourcing strategies such as sole, multiple and cross sourcing and can be used in conjunction with other disruption mitigation strategies such as supply redundancy.Practical implicationsGlobal sourcing has provided significant performance enhancements, but has put firms in a vulnerable position relative to the potential devastating effects of supply disruptions. While supply managers are cognizant of the risks associated with global sourcing, limited knowledge and tools are available to allow them to mitigate these risks. Although it would need to be adapted to the nuances of company supply chains, it is believed that the tool provides value to managerial decision making relative to the sourcing of mission critical parts/products.Originality/valuePrior work in this area has not adequately incorporated contemporary issues and risks in global sourcing. The paper augments prior research through the development of a multi‐objective decision support model for strategic supplier selection that is focused on two important contemporary factors: environmental risk and density risk. The proposed model captures important interdependent relationships between these two factors that have not been considered in prior selection models.
From human resources to human beings: managing people at work
Authors: Altman Yochanan 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the drawbacks of viewing an organization's employees as simply “resources”, rather than as individual human beings with their own rights, needs and aspirations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the author's personal viewpoint.FindingsThe paper urges organizations to acknowledge and celebrate each employee's individuality. It argues that the economic upheaval offers an opportunity to rethink the current stress is on specified, targeted outcomes.Practical implicationsThe paper advances the view that such reforms will promote the competitive advantage of organizations.Originality/valueThe paper indicates why organizations should give real meaning to the slogan “our people are our most important asset”.
Policy to workforce plans – a guide to application
Authors: Deagle John 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the NHS Workforce Review Team's induction to workforce planning course works with attendees on how to extract workforce implications from policy documents.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a structure for policy assessment, and describes some key lessons learned.FindingsThe paper contends that, although the documents can seem daunting at first, they may provide an important framework for strategic workforce planning. The danger of not doing this work is that the enabling workforce decisions, such as training and development, may not be made in time for suitable implementation of policy.Practical implicationsThe paper argues that, while it is not always easy to link policy to workforce, it is definitely worth the effort.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the fact that the ability to access policy documents and apply their content to future planning is an essential tool in developing robust plans.
Cross‐country analysis of price levels and dispersion in online and offline environments: an empirical analysis in France and Germany
Authors: Ancarani Fabio , Jacob Frank , Jallat Frédéric 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to take into consideration the country effect in online and offline environments and compares price levels and dispersion online v. offline across the two largest Continental European markets, thus adding a new dimension in price comparisons and multichannel pricing strategies.Design/methodology/approachBased on an empirical analysis of data collected in one product category (CDs), our findings for France and Germany show that price levels ‐including shipping costs – are always higher online than offline in each country and price dispersion is persistent across markets. Calculating mean prices for the two countries, ANOVA tests reveal significant differences among the two sets of data. Using standard deviation as the measurement for price dispersion, Levene statistics reveal a higher degree of online price dispersion than offline and statistically significant differences between the two sample countries.FindingsEven if our approach need to be extended to more product categories and more countries, our article may be interesting for practitioners, policy makers and managers. It clearly shows that the “frictionless capitalism and cost transparency hypothesis” has proven to be wrong most of the time even if many retailers still believe they must sacrifice the possibility of pricing up when they go on the internet. As demonstrated by our findings, retailers can take advantage of online relative indifference to price to capture some margin premium and enjoy excellent results.Originality/valueOur results also demonstrate that, even if results show some similarities and common trends, differences among France and Germany still remain important. As a consequence, marketers should continue to approach the European marketplace with full awareness of its diversity.
An investigation into the initial barriers to internationalization
Authors: Hutchinson Karise , Fleck Emma , Lloyd‐Reason Lester 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper is the result of empirical research funded by The British Academy. The overall purpose of the study is to investigate the initial barriers to internationalization experienced and perceived by small retailers based in the UK and the role of government support in addressing such obstacles.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative, multiple case research design is adopted. This involves semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with the senior manager/decision‐maker in six retail SMEs based in the UK and the analysis of company documentation and information from a range of secondary sources.FindingsThe findings from the case study data highlight internal and external barriers to internationalization relating to management: lack of vision, fear of losing control, lack of knowledge; the company: transfer of retail concept overseas, lack of resources, lack of consolidation in domestic market; and the external environment: legislation, currency, cultural differences and logistics. The findings also highlight an overall negative experience and perception of government support in assisting smaller retailers to overcome these barriers and aid expansion outside the UK.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide important insight into the perceived and actual barriers encountered by retail SMEs. On one hand, the focus on SMEs provides fresh evidence to the retail internationalization literature, which has focused primarily on the barriers faced by large multinational retailers. On the other hand, the context of this study, yields new insight into research conducted in the field of SME internationalization, which has to date ignored smaller firms in the retail industry. The findings of this study also allow for recommendations to be made to both owner‐managers and government organizations.
The role of the marketing function in small and medium sized enterprises
Authors: Walsh Michael F. , Lipinski John 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine marketing in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), its role as a driver of competitive advantage, and, therefore, its importance to the firm.Design/methodology/approachThe study is conducted with 100 SMEs located in the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States.FindingsThe marketing function is not as well developed or influential in SMEs as it is in large corporations. Two environmental factors, type of market (consumer) and firm orientation (hierarchal), facilitate marketing's influence within a firm.Research limitations/implicationsAnalyses conducted and conclusions reached in this research are based on a very limited sample of SMEs located in one region of one country. Broader sampling would help in generalization of the findings.Practical implicationsThe results of this study are particularly troubling because marketing resources are one driver of competitive advantage. For marketing to increase in influence, individuals trained in marketing must gain a seat at the management table. Although marketing departments are responsible for marketing the firm's products and services, the job of marketers themselves internally remains unclear. Marketing departments must do more to ensure that marketing's voice is heard when key decisions are made.Originality/valueThis research fills a gap in the literature relating to the influence of marketing in SMEs. More importantly, the findings differ from conclusions raised by a similar study conducted for larger firms.