bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A total change management model for successful growth of housing associations
Authors: Lam Terence Y.M. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn the trend of mergers and growth of housing associations in the UK for providing more efficient and diversified services, the purpose of this paper is to develop an effective management model for planning and implementation of drastic, transformational changes to their organisational structures and operations, through two international organisational contexts in the social housing sector.Design/methodology/approachMultiple‐case study methodology was used to examine the change policies and approaches in five major housing organisations experiencing rapid growth, including four housing associations in the UK and the Hong Kong Housing Authority, in order to verify the theoretical total change management framework, which are developed from organisational change management and project management theories.FindingsOrganisational change management measures alone cannot fully explain all the successful cases. They should be applied along with project management approaches to plan and implement governance changes to ensure successful growth of housing associations. A total change management approach should be adopted, with changes focused on organisational competencies, a clear relationship of the main board and its regional members, a wider resident involvement and a variety of partnerships, as well as implementation measures focused on allocation of sufficient resources for project management steering, monitoring of organisational performance, and bottom‐up staff involvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe total change management framework is developed based on five major cases. It forms the baseline on which further research can build to develop effective change management measures in many other social housing organisation settings.Practical implicationsA total change management approach should be adopted to plan and steer changes to governance structures and operations in large housing associations.Originality/valueThis study contributes to change management for successful growth of housing organisations through development of a unique total change management model to facilitate mergers and growth.
Different roads? Evidence about the changing provision of English social housing
Authors: Gibb Kenneth , Trebeck Katherine 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contextualise and assess “controlled” evidence about emerging plural provision of social housing within an English region.Design/methodology/approachTwo matching pairs of case study social housing provider type (stock transfer associations and arm's‐length management organisations), all established between four and seven years previously and all located within the same region, are compared and contrasted through rich qualitative interviews with stakeholders, backed by secondary and other documentary evidence.FindingsThe new models have led to considerable change for both staff and tenants across many dimensions, mainly positive, in service delivery terms. It is also apparent that regulation and inspection have a dominant impact on social providers. It can be inferred from the evidence that a key challenge for the future is the lack of a clear, long‐term vision for social housing at the national policy level.Originality/valueThe paper is a rare empirical examination of wide‐ranging change to social housing in the UK. It is also unusual in its attempt to construct a quasi‐experimental series of case studies.
Using normative messages to increase healthy behaviours
Authors: Slaunwhite Jason M. , Smith Steven M. , Fleming Mark T. , Fabrigar Leandre R. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of theory‐based poster messages on stair‐climbing behaviour in a work environment. The highest‐rated poster developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada's stairway to health program was used as a comparison condition.Design/methodology/approachNaturalistic observation of stair traffic was conducted in order to measure the effectiveness of poster prompts on stair‐climbing behaviour. Over a period of three years, three separate studies were conducted aimed at increasing stair‐use via experimentally manipulated and theory‐based poster messages.FindingsResults suggest that messages derived from a norm‐based framework are more persuasive than generic information‐based posters when attempting to increase stair‐climbing behaviour.Practical implicationsSmall increases in health‐related behaviours at work have important consequences for both individuals and organizations. Using poster messages derived from social psychological theory could prove advantageous for practitioners attempting to increase healthy behaviours at work.Originality/valueThis research provides the first evidence for the use of norm‐based health‐related messages targeted at increasing healthy behaviours. The study makes a theoretical contribution to the creation and application of norm‐based appeals using both simple and complex message framing. Prior to this study, there was no available research on the effectiveness of such appeals on health‐related behaviour.
Are healthy and successful organizations working accordingly to quality management?
Authors: Bäckström Ingela , Larsson Johan , Wiklund Håkan 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether healthy and successful organizations are working accordingly to Quality Management. The purpose is also to describe in more detail how they are working.Design/methodology/approachThree Swedish organizations that have shown excellence in leadership, internal partnership, working environment and profitability have been examined, to find out what methodologies they have used for their success. To discover whether these healthy and successful organizations are working accordingly to Quality Management, Deming's 14‐point list has been used as an analytical tool.FindingsIdentified methodologies used by the healthy and successful organizations are described. Viewed in the light of the analysis, a relationship between the three examined healthy and successful organizations and Quality Management is indicated.Practical implicationsWorking with the methodologies described here, the three organizations have improved co‐worker health. Other organizations could probably adopt the identified and described methodologies to improve the health of their co‐workers and effectiveness in the organization.Originality/valueConcerning the performance evaluation and the continuous improvement component in Quality Management, substantial contributions could be made to the health area by applying the tools that the quality area have used over a considerable period to improve the quality outcomes. Quality and health aspects have common success factors, and a focus on high quality could be seen as being positive for health outcomes.
Pursuing relevance and sustainability
Authors: Jonny Klakegg Ole 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify effective strategies to improve the governance of public projects. This paper investigates the challenges in the front end of major public investment projects and identifies problems leading to lack of relevance and sustainability. It is argued that these are the most important problems from a strategic perspective. Effective improvement strategies are derived from this perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe results of a survey are presented, elaborating on the assessments of 80 international senior experts, supplemented with in‐depth interviews. The results are analysed and compared with published literature.FindingsLack of relevance comes from projects not linking to users' needs and from unclear objectives. Lack of sustainability comes from unsolved conflict over objectives, lack of commitment, and faulty economic assumptions. This knowledge leads to identification of effective improvement strategies for existing governance frameworks.Research limitations/implicationsThe results can be generalized to cover Western, developed countries with an established governance framework for major public projects. Transfer to other regions of the world should only be done with careful consideration. The results cover public sector, but with some considerations can also be transferred to the private sector.Practical implicationsFor those involved in improving existing governance frameworks for public projects, the process should start with the causes indicated in this paper in order to be effective.Originality/valueCurrent literature on projects frequently discusses success and failure. It tends to identify the most common problems and success factors without being clear as to which problems are the most important in a strategic perspective. This paper contributes to such discussions.
Index funds and diversification in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Benjelloun Hicham , Abdullah Abdulkader M.A. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how best to diversify in Saudi Arabia's stock market.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis proceeds as follows: first, repeated sampling with replacement from a sample of 62 actual companies' monthly stock returns from January 2001 to June 2006 is used to simulate the performance of various portfolio sizes; second, a modified Statman diversification model is used to evaluate the performance of index funds in Saudi Arabia and thus assess the size of a diversified portfolio.FindingsThis paper reaches two important findings: first, due to high index funds fees, investors are better off diversifying by purchasing stocks directly from the stock market; second, a portfolio containing five randomly chosen stocks is sufficient to achieve diversification.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful recommendations on how to achieve diversification. Additionally, it highlights the fact that index funds are too expensive to be useful in Saudi Arabia.
Islamic revival in human resource management practices among selected Islamic organisations in Malaysia
Authors: Hashim Junaidah 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn an era where religion predominantly presents an integral influence on the way most people live and work, an Islamic approach in managing human resources in Malaysia is apt. This is due to the fact that Muslim employees represent the largest percentage of the workforce in Malaysia and the Malaysian government is implementing an Islamization process in the country. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which Muslim employees are aware of Islamic human resource management (HRM) practices and the extent to which Islamic organisations in Malaysia practice HRM based upon the Islamic approaches as outlined by the sacred Islamic texts.Design/methodology/approachThis is a survey‐based research. It uses a self‐developed questionnaire for data collection. A total of 121 Muslim employees who work in Islamic organisations participate as respondents in this paper. Factor analysis is used for data analysis.FindingsThe results show that the selected Muslim employees in Islamic organisations in Malaysia are aware of the Islamic HRM practices which they practice frequently.Practical implicationsReligious foundations of HRM strategies are important but are rarely highlighted in the literature. This paper would become an important reference for future studies pertaining to HRM practices in the Islamic context. An introduction to Islamic human resource practices is an initial attempt to provide managers with an additional way of managing people. For Muslim human resource managers who work in Islamic organisations, i.e. those Muslim‐owned or dealing with Islamic teachings, it is an obligation for them to not only know but also to apply the Islamic approach in managing employees. Non‐Muslim managers would have a better understanding of the expected and acceptable behaviours of their Muslim employees at the workplace. Among the behaviours expected of true Muslim employees; regardless of whom they work for, are honesty, trustworthiness, and continuous determination to work for the best.Originality/valueThis paper is unique from other previous studies for instead of discussing Islamic management in general, this paper explores in depth every function of HRM based on authentic Islamic sources, as well as providing empirical evidence.
China's pattern of trade and growth after WTO accession
Authors: Zhao Longyue , Wang Yan 
Published: October 2009

PurposeWorld Trade Organization (WTO) accession marked a new beginning for China's economic, legal and institutional reforms and rapid integration with the rest of the world. The purpose of this paper is to review China's post‐WTO transition experience, synthesize and update studies on China's pattern of trade and structural transformation, and provide both positive and negative lessons for other developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper has broadly reviewed the latest policy changes after China's WTO accession, and literatures on China's trade and economic development issues in order to understand the Chinese success and its speciality, and draw some useful lessons for both China's decision‐makers and other developing countries.FindingsThere are two main findings: first, market liberalization alone is not sufficient, and economic system reform and the liberalization are closely related and complement and promote each other. Second, experimentations via special economic zones (SEZs) and opening to foreign direct investment (FDI), which facilitated and supported cluster development and learning‐by‐doing, are needed for industrial upgrading and export competitiveness.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates the wisdom of China's simultaneous pursuit of domestic economic system reform, and opening to the international market. However, China has also paid a high social and environmental cost for its rapid growth. It is important for developing countries to have an exclusive, balanced and sustainable strategy in the future development.
The comparison of innovation activities and international trade effect in China and Japan in the era of knowledge economy
Authors: Zeng Zhu 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between patent innovation activities and foreign trade competitiveness and analyze China's level of independent knowledge innovation internationally, especially in comparison with Japan.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of a statistical and econometric analysis of granted patents and trade export effect of China and Japan, based on the monthly data of foreign trade import and export and of patents granted by China's national intellectual property bureau in Japan and China, respectively, from 2004 to 2007.FindingsThrough Johansen's co‐integration test, Granger causality test and other methods, this paper verifies that a country's inventions can directly promote export trade, and its pulling effect is more visible than the total patents. Tests also manifest that the innovative activities in Japan play a more significant role in enhancing its exports than in China. Comparison of large amounts of data shows that the gap between China and Japan on independent knowledge innovation is obvious.Research limitations/implicationsThese imply that in the era of knowledge economy, a country's sustainable capacity for independent innovation is the key to trade and national competitiveness.Practical implicationsChina urgently needs to build a national innovation system; make great efforts to cultivate national competitive advantage centred on knowledge advantage; and improve its overall competitive strength.Originality/valueThe paper assesses the importance of innovation activities represented by patents from the quantitative view and the difference of impact degree between China and Japan.
Are sovereign wealth funds “white knights”?
Authors: Couturier Jerome , Sola Davide , Stonham Paul 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn the continuing credit squeeze, sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are still active in international lending and are eagerly sought out by large, cash‐strapped companies in the West. The purpose of this paper is to examine their nature and strategies before and after the onslaught of the credit crunch and global economic downturn in order to advise corporates on how best to design their strategies and terms in approaching the SWFs for funds.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis is made of SWFs in their dealings with Western corporate borrowers and a case study made of Barclays Bank which, faced with three major options in 2008 to raise a large amount of cash, chose to attract funding from three Gulf SWFs.FindingsSWFs certainly qualify as lenders of last resort (“white knights”), providing ready loans, albeit on premium terms, at a current time of severely restricted credit supply from other sources. Alternative sources of funds – stockholders and government bail‐out – also suffer from disadvantages relating to the characteristics of their loans.Practical implicationsCorporate borrowers should currently view SWFs as attractive “white knight” sources of loans when other providers are constrained. The analysis in this paper, including the experience of a major borrower, Barclays Bank, suggests that SWFs are demanding tougher terms as a result of their strong bargaining positions and historical losses, and that companies should tailor SWF loan contracts to contain maximum incentives and safeguards to produce successful results.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to analyse the new role and strategies of SWFs in the credit crisis context, as well as the required response of cash‐strapped companies seeking loans from them.
“Looking behind the veil”
Authors: Holland John 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to use a grounded theory approach to reveal that corporate private disclosure content has structure and this is critical in making “invisible” intangibles in corporate value creation visible to capital market participants.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory approach is used to develop novel empirical patterns concerning the nature of corporate disclosure content in the form of narrative. This is further developed using literature of value creation and of narrative.FindingsStructure to content is based on common underlying value creation and narrative structures, and the use of similar categories of corporate intangibles in corporate disclosure cases. It is also based on common change or response qualities of the value creation story as well as persistence in telling the core value creation story. The disclosure is a source of information per se and also creates an informed context for capital market participants to interpret the meaning of new events in a more informed way.Research limitations/implicationsThese insights into the structure of private disclosure content are different to the views of relevant information content implied in public disclosure means such as in financial reports or in the demands of stock exchanges for “material” or price sensitive information. They are also different to conventional academic concepts of (capital market) value relevance.Practical implicationsThis analysis further develops the grounded theory insights into disclosure content and could help improve new disclosure guidance by regulators.Originality/valueThe insights create many new opportunities for developing theory and enhancing public disclosure content. The paper illustrates this potential by exploring new ways of measuring the value relevance of this novel form of contextual information and associated benchmarks. This connects value creation narrative to a conventional value relevance view and could stimulate new types of market event studies.
A multi‐regional representation of China's agricultural sectors
Authors: Wittwer Glyn , Horridge Mark 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline a version of SinoTERM, a multi‐regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of China that has been updated and disaggregated further to enhance the agricultural detail. A version of the model is publicly available and will be useful to CGE modelers studying Chinese agricultural issues (www.monash.edu.au/policy/sinoterm.htm).Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines data sources for building SinoTERM. It contains a CGE application to agriculture in China. Unlike the national input‐output table published by the National Bureau of Statistics, the master database of SinoTERM contains many agricultural sectors.FindingsCGE models that represent a nation as a single economy may offer rich insights into winners and losers from particular policy scenarios. Multi‐regional analysis takes this a step further by comparing outcomes for regions in which particular industries are a relatively large part of the economy.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper builds on the first SinoTERM paper in several ways. First, the database is disaggregated further to represent tea, sugar cane and silkworms as individual sectors in the CGE database. Second, given the extraordinary economic growth in China, the national and regional database has been updated to 2006 using data from the 2007 yearbook. Third, the paper contains an application to agriculture: it examines the impacts of productivity growth in different agricultural sectors in China.Originality/valueThe regional CGE model used in this application could be used to explore many other policy issues concerning agriculture in China.
The farmland property rights deformity: the history, reality and reform
Authors: Luo Biliang , Fu Bo 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarize the institutional evolution of China's farmland property rights deformity with its internal logic, analyze its property rights deformity and the invasions of these rights under the family operation background, and puts forward fundamental suggestions for reforming farmland property rights in China.Design/methodology/approachThe concept of “public domain” raised by Barzel in 1989 is used and extended to analyze China's farmland system.FindingsThere exist five sorts of public domain and two apparent characteristics of property rights deformity: the unclear final controlling rights for some valuable attributes of goods of the “public domain”; and the “public domain” deliberately created by the government. The public domain caused by technical factors and owner's real capability are herein excluded.Originality/valueChina's past and present farmland system is a result of the government's compulsory system arrangements instead of market evolution. The expansion of public domains III and V has directly shrunk peasants' residual property rights. The concept of “public domain” is developed to reveal the essence of China's farmland property rights deformity.