bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The study of cooperative relationships and mass customization
Authors: Jitpaiboon Thawatchai , Dangols Ramesh , Walters James 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the interrelationships among cooperative relationships (CRs), mass customization (MC), and organizational performance using structural equation modeling (SEM) methodology.Design/methodology/approachThe research framework investigates the mediating roles of MC in enhancing organizational performance. The CRs are the drivers in the model. CRs can be measured using two sub‐constructs – customer integration (CI) and supplier integration (SI). The surveyed data are collected from 220 manufacturing firms. The SEM methodology is used to develop valid and reliable instruments to measure these constructs and test the hypothesized relationships described in the framework.FindingsThe results reveal that firms with high levels of CI were more successful at MC compared to those with low levels of integration. Firms that involve customers in the creation of goods and services might have the ability to understand and respond to customer needs quickly, thereby enabling them to reduce the inherent risks of innovation. As a result, they are more likely to include only those product functions that add value to end‐users, thereby enabling them to reduce product costs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not find a direct link between SI and MC. SI may be moderated by buyers and suppliers core competences and type of business in which they compete. Therefore, a future study examining a moderating relationship between the two might be fruitful. Researchers may be required to include not only the type of business of sample firms, but also the position they occupy in the supply chain.Practical implicationsThe firms with higher level of CI would have an ability to understand customer preferences, thereby, enabling them to process customized products at low cost (MC).Originality/valueThe paper measures and validates the measurement for CRs which can be applied to research in supply chain management area.
Outsourcing reverse logistics and remanufacturing functions: a conceptual strategic model
Authors: Ordoobadi Sharon M. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a tool for decision makers to make more informed decisions regarding their outsourcing policies.Design/methodology/approachIn this study it is assumed that recycling or remanufacturing of these returns will soon be a must for original equipment manufacturers. The paper presents a multi‐phased decision model for strategic analysis of outsourcing such activities.FindingsThe proposed decision model provides a comprehensive tool for effective decision making by considering economic as well as strategic factors.Practical implicationsThe procedure proposed here can help practitioners with their outsourcing decisions. The model presented is conceptual. Application and validation is still required.Originality/valueThe paper describes a new decision model that considers both strategic and economic issues of outsourcing reverse logistics activities.
Cross‐channel integration of advertising: does personal involvement matter?
Authors: Wang Alex 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the effect of cross‐channel integration of an advertiser's television spot that invited viewers to play an online game and web site that featured the game on consumers' perceived media engagement and brand attitudes. An important factor, personal involvement is also to be examined.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 185 college students participate in an experimental study on participation and involvement. Participants fill out surveys and personal involvement is determined using various advertisements.FindingsThe results reveal that interaction effects are evident between cross‐channel integration of advertising and personal involvement on media engagement and brand attitudes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited, investigating only one brand, one product category, and two media that can feature advertising messages regarding cross‐channel integration. Future studies should investigate the cross‐channel integration effect on different segments of target consumers.Practical implicationsAdvertisers should consider enhancing their media strategies. In particular, advertisers should manage a media plan that includes specific sets of contacts to enhance the effects of cross‐channel integration of advertising.Originality/valueThe paper helps substantiate the strategic value of cross‐channel integration of advertising on branding by assessing the value of cross‐channel integration of advertising.
Good morning Vietnam: new challenges for HRM
Authors: Bartram Timothy , Stanton Pauline , Thomas Keith 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the policy and structural changes that have influenced human resource practices in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), private companies and international joint ventures (IJVs) in Vietnam. The challenges facing human resource management (HRM) practitioners in Vietnam are identified and discussed.Design/methodology/approachA survey of middle and senior managers combined with organisational visits with selected HR managers, CEOs and other senior Vietnamese managers produced the data analysed in this paper.FindingsThe findings suggest that the character of HRM appears to be influenced by not only the cultural context but also the organisational type. Broadly, SOEs still largely practice traditional personnel management, IJVs practice cost‐focused HRM and private firms experiment with a range of innovations in HRM.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper reveals emerging trends in HRM in Vietnam and identifies the pragmatic use of HR practices, which are influenced by organisational types as well as cultural contexts.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the emerging literature on management practice in developing countries. In particular it makes a contribution to understanding HR practices in Vietnam and highlights the important but often overlooked role of Vietnamese companies in the growing private sector.
Analyzing efficiency in the Chinese life insurance industry
Authors: Hu Xiaoling , Zhang Cuizhen , Hu Jin‐Li , Zhu Nong 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the efficiencies of China's foreign and domestic life insurance providers and to explore the relationship between ownership structure and the efficiencies of insurers while taking into consideration other firm attributes.Design/methodology/approachThe data envelopment analysis (DEA) method is used to estimate the efficiencies of the insurers based on a panel data between 1999 and 2004.FindingsThe results indicate that the average efficiency scores for all the insurers are cyclical. Both technical and scale efficiency reached their peaks in 1999 and 2000 and gradually reduced for the rest of the period under examination until 2004 when average efficiency were improved again. The Tobit regression results show that the insurers' market power, the distribution channels used and the ownership structures may be attributed to the variation in the efficiencies.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the research findings and the discussion, the study provides several recommendations for policy makers, regulators and senior executives of insurers.Practical implicationsThe research results highlight the importance of deregulating the sector to allow a further expansion of each individual insurer or encourage mergers and acquisitions of insurers so more efficient resource utilization can be achieved through economies of scale. It also suggests that it is imperative for insurers to recruit motivated insurance agents and offer them on‐the‐job training as a part of the management strategies for gaining technical efficiency.Originality/valueThe paper reports the development within China's insurance industry and is one of the few studies analyzing the efficiencies of China's insurers.
Logistics performance management in action within a humanitarian organization
Authors: Schulz Sabine F. , Heigh Ian 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share the design and testing procedure of the “Development Indicator Tool” – a tool developed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to guide and monitor the continuous performance improvement of their (regional) logistics unit(s) on a daily basis.Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows a descriptive approach. It starts with a description of the situational background of the IFRC. In a second step, it briefly portrays the theoretical concepts of continuous improvement and of the Balanced Scorecard and highlights the extension of existing literature on performance measurement in general and humanitarian logistics in particular. Next the paper summarizes the objectives of the tool and describes the four development phases as well as the tool design including the dashboard and the selected indicators. It concludes with indications on key success factors, challenges met along the way, expected impact and the future perspective.FindingsThe process of designing and implementing (tools for) a performance measurement and management system can and should be kept simple. Important for the success of the process is the integration of key stakeholders throughout the entire process as well as the simplicity and user‐friendliness of tools and system.Practical implicationsThe provided insights are only a cut‐out of a solution developed for the specific context of one humanitarian organization. But by its simplicity it might encourage other organizations to start or improve their own performance management system.Originality/valueSince conceptual and empirical research on performance management systems in the context of humanitarian operations in general and disaster relief logistics in particular are still limited, design and testing of a concrete indicator tool might contribute to the further investigation of this topic. The paper aids this process.
Not‐for‐profit supply chains in interrupted environments
Authors: McLachlin Ron , Larson Paul D. , Khan Soaleh 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper primarily aims to address the following research question: Are techniques and practices developed for uninterrupted, for‐profit supply chains adaptable to the not‐for‐profit (NFP), interrupted context? In other words, can the managerial tools of business logistics be used in humanitarian relief logistics?Design/methodology/approachA combination of grounded research and case‐based research methods is used. Grounded research methods involve coding interview data to enable constant comparison of the data with emerging categories. Three managerial representatives of a single case organisation, the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), are interviewed.FindingsMCC is a small NFP organisation operating in interrupted environments. As a matter of strategy, it pursues economic and social objectives. Strategic partnerships with “like‐minded” organisations are critical to achieve these objectives. To assess its achievements, MCC needs a wide range of performance measures.Research limitations/implicationsSince the paper is based on a single case, it is difficult to generalise the results beyond MCC, a small, faith‐based NFP providing humanitarian assistance. There are future research opportunities to study more cases and search for additional themes.Practical implicationsPartnerships and performance measurement are important elements of supply chain management (SCM) in humanitarian relief, characterised by NFP operations in interrupted environments. SCM tools and techniques created in the for‐profit or business context, for partnership formation (e.g. “how to commit”) and performance measurement (e.g. balanced scorecard), should be adapted for the humanitarian context.Originality/valueThere is a growing literature on supply chain interruptions, but very little research on NFP sector supply chains, despite pressing needs for effective SCM within the NFP context. Also, there are relatively few studies on adapting business logistics practices for the humanitarian logistics context. The paper addresses these issues.
Maintenance and spare parts inventories in man‐made humanitarian disasters
Authors: Tysseland Bernt E. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine how a small country's military force and a small country's non‐governmental organization (NGO) plan for and set up equipment maintenance, spare parts inventories in connection with man‐made humanitarian disasters. Additionally, it seeks to determine how the physical context, organizational structure and governance affect the planning and set‐up.Design/methodology/approachA research model that combines organizational theory with spare parts inventory theory is developed. Case study research methodology is used and observations and findings are discussed within the research model in order to answer predefined hypotheses.FindingsRegarding planning procedures, as well as how the maintenance concept and spare parts inventory are set up, the research concludes that the organizational structure and governance of the organization contributing to the humanitarian operation in question are more important than physical context of the operation itself. Further it is concluded that the maturity level, when it comes to inventory control issues, is different for the two cases in question. None of the cases, however, utilize modern optimization methods and tools.Research limitations/implicationsQualitative data from the two case studies give the possibility for in depth analysis of the case study findings. Lack of quantitative data means that it has not been possible to statistically reject or accept the hypotheses. More research is needed to present a template and/or processes based on the findings in the research.Practical implicationsBy applying the research model developed in this study, organizations that contribute to humanitarian disasters could more easily assess their own possibility for effective maintenance and spare parts inventory planning and set up.Originality/valueThe study of the planning and set up of maintenance and spare parts inventories for both military and NGO players in connection with a man‐made humanitarian disaster is new. Further, the development of spare parts inventory theory into organizational theory is relatively new. Limited research is available within this field. The paper should be of interest to both practitioners and researchers within the field of maintenance and spare parts inventories in general, and in connection with humanitarian disasters in particular.
Matching individuals and organizations: evidence from the Greek public sector
Authors: Bellou Victoria 
Published: October 2009

PurposeRealizing the importance of value congruence between employees and organizations, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of person‐organization (P‐O) fit on employee behavior through the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect typology within the Greek public sector. Furthermore, it tests the mediating role of job satisfaction on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study took place in all three public hospitals located in a major Greek city, where 125 usable questionnaires are gathered. The statistical analyses include descriptive statistics and stepwise regression analyses.FindingsEvidence from the private sector in the field of P‐O is transferable, at least to some extent, to the public sector, as the level of P‐O fit increases loyalty and reduces neglect. However, job satisfaction mediates the relationship only between P‐O fit and loyalty.Practical implicationsIn an era that a major goal for both private and public organizations is to maximize performance ensuring a compatible workforce is an imperative. It is thus highly important that human resource management policies and practices are decentralized, to allow public organizations meet economic and social challenges.Originality/valueThe added value of the present paper lies in the fact that the factors related to the setting and the individual are decisive for the impact that P‐O fit has on employee responses.
Human resource management in relation to CEOs in nonprofit organizations
Authors: Matías‐Reche Fernando , Rubio‐López Enrique A. , Rueda‐Manzanares Antonio 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider whether those nonprofit organizations which exhibit more similar characteristics to market organizations regarding the percentage of paid employees with functions similar to the ones in market organizations in relationship with total workers have a different model of human resource management in relation to their CEO than those organizations which exhibit fewer similarities to market organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses proposed in this study have been tested using a sample of 1,999 Spanish nonprofit organizations.FindingsThe results show that the CEOs of nonprofit organizations with most similarity to for‐profit organizations will have a more formalized employment relationship and a higher level of education than the CEOs of nonprofits with least similarity to for‐profit organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has several limitations from the heterogeneity of the sample to the fact that the conducted study is a cross‐sectional study of the current situation.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this paper imply that nonprofit organizations which are evolving, in terms of their workforce, towards a high percentage of paid employees or those who are already in this position will have to adapt to the way in which for‐profit organizations operate if they wish to achieve levels of effectiveness and efficiency to make them competitive in this sector.Originality/valueOne of the reasons for proposing this work is the small number of empirical studies trying to address systematically the relationship between the CEO and the characteristics of nonprofit organizations.
Are we having fun yet? A consideration of workplace fun and engagement
Authors: Bolton Sharon C. , Houlihan Maeve 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis extended editorial to the Special Issue “Are we having fun yet? A consideration of workplace fun and engagement” aims to review the current debates on organised “fun at work” and to suggest a framework for understanding workplace fun and employee engagement. The papers included in the Special Issue are also to be introduced.Design/methodology/approachThe editorial review asks for an approach that offers a critical appraisal and sets the latest move towards fun at work within the context of the material realties of work.FindingsA review of contemporary debates on fun at work reveals a predominantly prescriptive focus on attempts to engage employees through fun activities that oversimplifies the human dynamism involved in the employment relationship. The editorial suggests that we need to consider the motivations, processes and outcomes of managed fun at work initiatives and to consider employees' reactions in terms of “shades of engagement” that detail how people variously engage, enjoy, endure, or escape managed fun.Research limitations/implicationsThe suggested framework for understanding workplace fun and employee engagement offers opportunities for empirical testing.Practical implicationsUnderstanding workplace fun and the work that it does, and does not do, offers opportunities to improve relationships between employees and between employees and the organisation.Originality/valueThe editorial and Special Issue overall offers an important contribution to the ongoing fun at work and employee engagement debate and opens up avenues for further exploration and discussion.
“Just be yourself!”
Authors: Fleming Peter , Sturdy Andrew 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore the nature and employee experience of an emergent approach to managing employees which emphasises “being yourself” through the expression of fun, individuality and difference.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilises interviews and observations in a US‐owned call centre in Australia.FindingsThe management approach outlined is located within the emergence of market rationalism and associated claims of the limitations of normative control. With its emphasis on diversity and identity derived from non‐(paid) work contexts, it is presented as complementary to, but distinct from, the group conformity and organisational identity associated with conventional culture and “fun” management. The seemingly liberal regime is shown to be controlling in its limited scope and by exposing more of the employees' self to the corporation. This raises questions about the nature of workplace control, resistance and the meaning of authenticity at work.Originality/valueThe research provides an insight into an approach to management which has been largely neglected in research and proposes a modified concept of culture and “fun” management – neo‐normative control. It also serves to challenge the liberal claims made by proponents of the new approach and of “fun at work” more generally, that it is liberating for employees, a form of “existential empowerment”.
Workplace fun: the moderating effects of generational differences
Authors: Lamm Eric , Meeks Michael D. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how generational differences moderate the relationship between workplace fun and individual workplace outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review and integrate the literatures on workplace fun and generational theory and empirically test the interaction effects of generation membership and workplace fun with job satisfaction, task performance, and OCB using a sample of 701 workers.FindingsThe findings suggest that not only do members of different generational cohorts respond differently to workplace fun, but cohort membership moderates the relationship between workplace fun and some individual workplace outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsSnowball sampling and cross‐sectional data limit the generalisability of the study's findings.Practical implicationsThe authors provide managerial implications for promoting workplace fun.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the workplace fun conversation by addressing the overlooked question of “fun for whom?”.
The spiritual dimension in leadership at Dilmah Tea
Authors: Fernando Mario , Beale Frederick , Geroy Gary D. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is first to report an exploratory study intended to capture the elements of a leader's spirituality; and second to examine these elements against the current discussion of spiritual leadership in general, and the transcendental leadership model in particular.Design/methodology/approachWithin a single case study scenario, the in‐depth interview method captures the elements of the leader's spirituality. Grounded theory is used to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings suggest that a spiritually driven leader's high internallocus, a strong passion for giving and caring for his followers, and spirituality epitomize the concept of transcendental leadership.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation concerns generalizability of the findings. While in‐depth studies of larger samples of spiritually driven business leaders are needed, these leaders could be drawn from different cultural settings. Using different assessment tools to measure various aspects of spirituality might provide helpful perspectives in future research aimed at understanding the relationships between spirituality and leadership styles.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an alternative way of characterizing spiritually oriented leaders, as they strive to integrate spirituality to all aspects of their life.Originality/valueThe paper assesses the functionality of a spirituality‐driven business leader as early evidence of the viability of the concept of transcendental leadership. It is of value to academic researchers and practitioners.