bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of end‐user training methods
Authors: Kaplan‐Mor Neomi , Glezer Chanan , Zviran Moshe 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of several end‐user training methods during the deployment of a new information system in an Israeli financial institution.Design/methodology/approachFour training methods, namely, frontal (lectures), simulator (e‐learning), mentor (personal guidance), and hybrid (mix of the three aforementioned methods) were all compared in terms of the number of referrals to an online helpdesk following training sessions.FindingsA pair‐wise analysis to pinpoint the source of the differences between the various training methods indicates that all training methods are significantly different except for frontal and simulator and therefore an organization considering these two methods can select them indifferently. A combination of mentor and simulator was found to be significantly inferior to the frontal and simulator hybrid method.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that evaluation was based on data associated with a specific organization, and thus external validity to other industries or countries is somewhat limited. Among other limitations are cross‐organizational differences in terms of: difficulty of calls, individual experience in the IS/IT area, and prior exposure to similar technologies.Practical implicationsAlthough this research does not recommend a specific training method, our findings suggest that deploying a new software system is a matter that requires early assessment by the organization and that the best results are obtained by employing the hybrid training approach.Originality/valueThe use of the number of referrals to an online helpdesk is a novel metric for measuring training effectiveness. The study also investigates the decline of the number of referrals over time.
Knowledge retention in the IT service industry
Authors: Bairi Jayachandra , Murali Manohar B. , Kundu Goutam Kumar 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and evaluate an effective employee retention plan for information technology (IT) service organizations as part of a knowledge management (KM) strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe employee retention plan is evaluated at three IT multi‐national companies which are providing global IT services with successful knowledge management systems (KMS) in place. Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with senior managers and team leaders of three companies. The data collected is used for studying attrition and retention and its impact on KM.FindingsThe paper provides evidence of various strategic, technological, and local issues influencing the success of retention and its benefit to KM programs in global IT service companies. Organizations adapt attrition control measures for long‐term benefit. These measures help in effective KM, serving the client at lower cost with consistent service levels.Research limitations/implicationsInterviews are limited to three large companies in the IT services sector in the Bangalore (India) region. Future in depth studies would benefit from a larger and more diverse sample. It is suggested that IT service organizations develop and practice effective employee retention plans along with effective KMS.Practical implicationsTo provide clear benchmarks for developing employee retention capabilities, an employee retention plan for IT services is proposed. The employee retention plan is discussed from a consistent delivery perspective and in view of effective KM practice.Originality/valueThe paper conducts an evaluation of the retention measures and provides a roadmap for future research endeavors.
Intra‐project transfer of knowledge in information systems development firms
Authors: Terje Karlsen Jan , Hagman Line , Pedersen Thomas 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe focus of this paper is on knowledge transfer. The purpose is to investigate intra‐project knowledge‐transfer practice in information systems development (ISD) firms applying a Scrum methodology.Design/methodology/approachCase study of ISD projects and empirical data obtained using in‐depth interviews following a semi‐structured approach were employed.FindingsOne of the main findings showed that Scrum team members believed in the usefulness of knowledge transfer. The study observed extensive personal exchange of knowledge through, for example, meetings and networks, including dialog with the client. The mechanisms observed in creating knowledge transfer were: lean and dynamic documentation, cross‐functional teams, client consultation and feedback, intra‐project meetings, application of project tools and techniques, and management of changes.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should investigate other organizations and countries, so that these findings may be generalized.Practical implicationsThe study observed extensive personal exchange of knowledge which can be described as people track of knowledge management. This observation coincides with the view that information systems and tools only play a subordinate role in knowledge management widely held by many contributors to the people track of knowledge management. Others argue that the dominance of tacit knowledge in projects is a key challenge. This involves a particular concern for organizational culture and leadership style and has implications for how a project should be structured and managed.Originality/valueKnowledge transfer in ISD projects is studied in this research paper.
Analyzing changing organizational environments
Authors: Ziegenfuss J.T. 
Published: March 2011

PurposeRecognizing the difficulty inherent in studying organizational change stimulated by the external environment, this paper seeks to present a four‐phase model useful for collecting information and for analyzing the impact of organization‐environment dynamics.Design/methodology/approachIn the context of a case study of academic health centers, a research methods model is offered with four phases: case study; comparative case study; experimental/quasi experimental; and meta analysis. This four‐phase methodology relies on varying information styles and data streams within the context of exploratory, comparative, and large dataset analysis.FindingsThe synthesis of research approach highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and the linkage to system thinking in theory and in practice and are illustrated by the case.Practical implicationsMixed methods approaches are increasingly sought and used in multi‐disciplinary research and applied settings. The model is useful for examining the multiple effects of the organization environment on a wide range of industries, with medical/health care demonstrated here.Originality/valueFew models of mixed methods approaches exist – this one synthesizes existing approaches incorporating many types of “data”.
A literature review and future perspectives on maintenance optimization
Authors: Sharma Anil , Yadava G.S. , Deshmukh S.G. 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature on maintenance optimization models and associated case studies. For these optimization models critical observations are made.Design/methodology/approachThe paper systematically classifies the published literature using different techniques, and also identifies the possible gaps.FindingsThe paper outlines important techniques used in various maintenance optimization models including the analytical hierarchy process, the Bayesian approach, the Galbraith information processing model and genetic algorithms. There is an emerging trend towards uses of simulation for maintenance optimization which has changed the maintenance view.Practical implicationsA limited literature is available on the classification of maintenance optimization models and on its associated case studies. The paper classifies the literature on maintenance optimization models on different optimization techniques and based on emerging trends it outlines the directions for future research in the area of maintenance optimization.Originality/valueThe paper provides many references and case studies on maintenance optimization models and techniques. It gives useful references for maintenance management professionals and researchers working on maintenance optimization.
A comparative study of performance evaluation based on field failure data for food production lines
Authors: Tsarouhas Panagiotis H. 
Published: March 2011

PurposeFood production lines consist of several machines in series, and for that reason if a failure occurs in a machine some or all of the in‐process material upstream of the failure will have to be scrapped due to quality deterioration during the stoppage, therefore the necessity of better maintenance strategy is required. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachStatistical analysis including the computation of descriptive statistics of field failure and repair data for four pizza production lines is computed. Also, a comparison study of performance evaluation between the lines is performed.FindingsThe pizza production lines are following the lognormal distribution for both times to failure and times to repair and if the repair process has not been completed in the first 45 minutes and goes on for a long time, then this indicates serious problems on the lines.Practical implicationsMaintenance has an important role on the efficiency of the food production line. By analyzing the field failure data of the four production lines the reliability and maintainability can be estimated and the maintenance policies of the lines may be evaluated. The study could be a fundamental tool for maintenance personnel and engineers for optimizing the maintenance strategy.Originality/valueThe collection and analysis of the lines' actual failure and repair data extended over a period of 12 months and will be very useful as a valid data source for food product machinery manufacturers who wish to improve the design and operation of their production lines.
Managing condition‐based maintenance technology
Authors: Veldman Jasper , Klingenberg Warse , Wortmann Hans 
Published: March 2011

PurposeCondition‐based maintenance is the diagnosis of component failure or a prognosis of a component's time to failure. The aim of this paper is twofold: a summary of the main assumptions regarding condition‐based maintenance found in the literature into eight postulates, and a comparison of the postulates against industrial practice. The postulates were formulated regarding the technical system, the managerial system and workforce knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe postulates were examined in a multiple case study of five large firms in the process industry.FindingsThe results indicate that some postulates were supported with empirical findings. Limited or no support was found for postulates concerning the application of prognostic activities, use of dedicated software, use of procedures, use of training, and the active management of domain‐related knowledge availability.Practical implicationsPractitioners can use the eight postulates as key elements in the management of condition‐based maintenance technology, and for the comparison of their current condition‐based maintenance practices with what literature generally proposes.Originality/valueOther researchers have reported on condition‐based maintenance, but most publications focus on applied mathematics and new monitoring and simulation models. Only limited attention was paid to industrial practice so far. The study is one of the first in‐depth empirical studies into actual condition‐based maintenance practice.
Cost of poor maintenance
Authors: Salonen Antti , Deleryd Mats 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and discuss cost of poor maintenance (CoPM), as a concept for managing the improvement of maintenance performance within manufacturing industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on literature studies and two workshops with representatives from industry and academia.FindingsCoPM is proposed as a new concept for maintenance performance improvement. The concept is derived from established practices in quality costing and hence it should be easily accepted in industry.Practical implicationsBy using CoPM as a concept for maintenance performance development, manufacturing companies may identify the potential financial impact of the development work. The CoPM concept should provide a good viewpoint for identification of deficiencies in the maintenance performance within a given manufacturing system.Originality/valueBy adopting a well‐known measure from the research area of quality development, a financial measure for maintenance is proposed in this paper. The measure shows which parts of the maintenance costs are justified and which costs relate to poorly performed maintenance. In this way a more balanced view of the financial contribution of maintenance activities may be achieved, even at board level of the company.
Mapping the dynamics of overall equipment effectiveness to enhance asset management practices
Authors: Zuashkiani Ali , Rahmandad Hazhir , Jardine Andrew K.S. 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe importance of physical assets has been increasingly recognized in recent decades. The significant returns on small improvements in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) justify investment in the management of physical assets, but the wide variation of OEE across firms raises a question: “Why do these differences persist despite a high return on investments to maximize OEE?”. To address this question the dynamic processes that control the evolution of OEE through time need to be better understood. This paper aims to answer this question.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on insights from system dynamics and strategy literature, the paper maps the reinforcing feedback loops governing the maintenance function and its interactions with various elements in a firm. Building on strategy literature it hypothesizes that these loops can explain wide variations in observed persistent variations in OEE among otherwise similar firms. The paper draws on previous literature, extensive case studies and consulting projects to provide such mapping using the qualitative mapping tools from system dynamics.FindingsThe research outlines several reinforcing loops; once active, any of them could lead a firm towards a problematic mode of operation where reactive maintenance, poor morale, and a culture of fire‐fighting dominate. Actions taken to fix problems in the short‐run often activate vicious cycles, erode the capability of the organization over the long run, and lead to a lower OEE.Social implicationsKnowing the factors affecting the asset management function of a plant increases the plant's safety and limits its environmental hazards.Originality/valueSome of the common dynamics of organizations' asset management practices are illustrated and modeled. The strategic importance of OEE and its effect on companies' market capitalization is demonstrated.
Age‐based inspection scheme for condition‐based maintenance
Authors: Reza Golmakani Hamid , Fattahipour Fahimeh 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to address the effect of inspection intervals on cost function in condition‐based maintenance (CBM) and show how selecting an appropriate inspection scheme may reduce the cost associated to a CBM program.Design/methodology/approachIn CBM, replacement policy is often defined as a threshold for replacement or leaving an item in operation until next inspection, depending on monitoring information. The control limit replacement policy framework, already reported by some research referred to in this paper, is utilized to determine the optimal replacement threshold. Having released the assumption that the inspections are performed at fixed and constant intervals, an iterative procedure is proposed to evaluate alternative inspection schemes and their associated total average cost of replacements and inspections.FindingsThe paper proposes an approach in which preventive and failure replacement costs as well as inspection cost are taken into account to determine the optimal replacement policy and an age‐based inspection scheme such that the total average cost of replacements and inspections is minimized.Practical implicationsIn many practical situations where CBM is implemented, e.g. manufacturing processes, inspections require labor, specific test devices, and sometimes suspension of the operations. Thus, when inspection cost is considerable, by applying the proposed approach, one can obtain an inspection scheme that reduces the cost.Originality/valueUsing the approach proposed in the paper, a cost‐effective age‐based inspection scheme for a system under CBM is determined.
Influence of organisational defensive patterns on learning ICT
Authors: Keung Yau Hon , Lai Fong Cheng Alison 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the IT professionals in a Hong Kong public transport company have a general perception of influence of the organisational defensive patterns on learning of ICT; and whether skilled incompetence, organisational defensive routines and fancy footwork are positively associated with each other in IT group of a transport company.Design/methodology/approachThis paper investigated the influence of organisational defensive patterns by means of a survey of 171 IT professionals at a Hong Kong public transport company. Each selected employee completed a questionnaire that asked them to indicate the influence of the organisational defensive patterns (skilled incompetence, organisational defensive routines and fancy footwork) on the learning of ICT in their organisation.FindingsThe employees indicated that skilled incompetence, organisational defensive routines and fancy footwork had influence on the learning of ICT. The findings show that the IT professionals in a Hong Kong transport company have the general perception of influence of skilled incompetence, defensive routines and fancy footwork on learning of ICT. The findings also indicate that skilled incompetence, defensive routines and fancy footwork are positively associated with each other in IT group of the transport company.Originality/valueThis article is a first step towards extending the theory and practice of organisational defensive patterns to IT group of a transport company.
Conditioning factors of an organizational learning culture
Authors: Rebelo Teresa Manuela , Duarte Gomes Adelino 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe aim of this study is to assess the relationship between some variables (organizational structure, organizational dimension and age, human resource characteristics, the external environment, strategy and quality) and organizational learning culture and evaluate the way they interact with this kind of culture.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 107 Portuguese companies, where a total of 1,122 workers were asked about learning culture through a questionnaire. Data about the other organizational variables of this study were collected in official documents, from scales and also from a structured interview with top managers.FindingsThe results revealed that an organic structure, an approach to total quality principles, and highly educated employees, could act as facilitators of the development of a learning culture in organizations. On the other hand, quality certification, firm dimension and age, as well as workers' age, could act as inhibitors of this type of cultural orientation.Research limitations/implicationsIn spite of the meaningful results found, the cross‐sectional nature and the exploratory nature of the research leads us to look carefully at the causality of the relationships under study.Practical implicationsThe results of this study, in so far as they point out some factors linked to greater cultural orientation to learning in organizations and some factors linked to less orientation to learning, provide clues for organizations concerning better management of their investment in developing this kind of culture.Originality/valueIn the literature on organizational learning and learning organizations, culture emerges as a key concept. In fact, organizational culture is mainly conceived as an essential condition to promote and support learning in organizations. Despite its recognized importance in the literature, little research has been devoted to this issue, namely research centered on the related factors that could contribute to its development.
Affections in learning situations: a study of an entrepreneurship skills development course
Authors: Guedes Gondim Sonia Maria , Mutti Clara 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to present the results of a study whose general objective is to characterize the affective states experienced in response to different teaching activities used in a workshop for developing entrepreneurial skills. It seeks to answer the following question: how affections and experiential learning strategies interrelate in the development of entrepreneurial skills?Design/methodology/approachThe study included 126 people enrolled in EMPRETEC, a nine‐day course with a behavioral and experiential approach which aims to develop entrepreneurs' behavioral aspects. The affective states experienced by the participants were assessed on 13 moments during the workshop using the time‐sampling method.FindingsThe results suggest that the structure of the course favored the predominance of affective states such as joy, excitement, pleasure, and pride (categorized as affective states indicating motivation). Activities similar to real situations (as opposed to fictitious ones) generate greater emotional impact. It was also found that indirect learning activities (less similar to real situations) and interactive (team) activities are associated with lower levels of anxiety.Research limitations/implicationsBeing an exploratory study on a particular case, these results cannot be generalized, suggesting the need for further in‐depth studies.Practical implicationsThese results are an important guide for instructional planning in contemporary society that values the use of teaching methods that are experiential, collaborative, and encourage learner autonomy.Originality/valueThis paper offers to extend the discussion about emotions in the workplace and specifically their relationship to learning, a subject still little explored in recent literature.
Immigrants, English, and the workplace
Authors: Duval‐Couetil Nathalie , Mikulecky Larry 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of limited English proficiency on employee performance in manufacturing companies to help explain the degree to which employers are willing to invest in ESL or other initiatives designed to overcome language barriers.Design/methodology/approachWhile the primary emphasis of this study was to identify the costs associated with LEP for companies in an effort to explain their level of involvement and investment in ESL programs, it is also important to note that the results also suggest some significant costs for LEP employees too.FindingsThe findings of this study provide valuable insight into why organizations are reluctant to invest in language education and training for employees.Originality/valueThe quantitative nature of the study provides useful baseline data that can assist in providing evidence of the effect of LEP on performance in companies. It also provides a better understanding of where investments in education and training yield the greatest returns.