bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in nationwide publishing assessments in academia – siren songs and air‐raid sirens
Authors: Jacsó Péter 
Published: June 2012

PurposeGoogle Scholar has been increasingly used in the past six to seven years as a highly efficient information source and service by librarians and other information professionals. The problem is when Google Scholar is touted and used as a bibliometric/scientometric tool and resource in the assessment of the quantity (productivity) and quality (impact) of research publications, in formal and informal ways, for decisions related to tenure, promotion and grant applications of individual researchers and research groups, as well as in journal subscriptions and cancellations. This paper aims to examine this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the use of Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in nationwide publishing assessments in academia. It focuses on the issues of access and excess in Google Scholar: the innate limits of Google Scholar and those imposed by its developers on the users.FindingsThe paper reveals that issues of access and excess in Google Scholar prevent the researchers from doing appropriate content analysis that the best librarians and other information professionals do systematically to discover the pros and cons of databases. The excess content grossly dilutes the originally worthy collection of scholarly publications. The accuracy, reliability and reproducibility are essential for realistic research assessment through the prism of the quantity (publication counts) and quality (citation counts) of scholarly works. Unfortunately the metadata created by Google Scholar is substandard, neither reliable nor reproducible and it distorts the metric indicators at the individual, corporate and journal levels.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on the use of Google Scholar for journal impact factors and the h‐index in academic publishing.
Minimizing potential apathy and loss of meaning associated with overuse of popular management terms
Authors: Schraeder Mike 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a set of practical recommendations or strategies for reducing the potential apathy and/or perceived loss of meaning that may accompany the overuse of common or popular management terms.Design/methodology/approachThe article summarizes possible unintended consequences (i.e. apathy and perceived loss of meaning) that could develop as a result of repetition or overuse that may be associated with the growing popularity of certain management terms as they emerge. Recommendations for minimizing these unintended consequences are provided.FindingsFour recommendations for reducing/minimizing potential apathy or perceived loss of meaning that may be associated with overuse of popular management terms are outlined. Two contemporary management terms (innovation and quality) that have been characterized as overused are utilized for illustration purposes to highlight the application of select recommendations. These recommendations include: acknowledging the potential for apathy; providing a context for the overused term; the use of synonyms; and discussing personal perceptions associated with the term.Originality/valueThe article provides a relatively pragmatic perspective on the unintended consequences of apathy and perceived loss of meaning that may develop as management terms emerge, gain popularity, and potentially become overused. Practical recommendations/strategies for reducing/minimizing these unintended consequences are discussed.
Balanced Scorecard – fostering learning organizations towards achieving strategic results: a case study of an oil PSU in India
Authors: Yemeshvary Ashok Upadhyay Archana 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsOrganizations compete to succeed in a continuously changing business scenario. It is obvious that as an organization, they need to learn continuously, develop their competencies and adapt to the changes in business environment, thus becoming a learning organization. However, it is important that the individual and collective learning of the organization is such that it contributes to accomplishing strategic business results and the organization's vision. This can be achieved through the Balanced Scorecard as it clearly highlights in the “Learning & Growth” perspectives, the competencies and organizational capabilities that need to be built. The Balanced Scorecard thus links the learning endeavors of the organization with its strategy and vision.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.
Those “difficult conversations:” how can technology help managers to learn how to hold them in an effective manner?
Authors: Elliott Judith 
Published: June 2012

PurposeManagers find holding difficult conversations with staff a challenge. Are the learning messages the same as they used to be and how can technology help now in a way that was not available before? This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a review of what needs to be learned and how and compares old methods to the new.FindingsThe paper reveals the opinion that the learning is still the same but that m‐learning is an even better learning method than e‐learning and also has advantages over more traditional learning methods.Research limitations/implicationsThe CIPD survey gives good data on the use of e‐learning but is limited to the UK. M‐learning is too new to have any research to back up opinion.Practical implicationsThis is a new method of learning, only possible because technology has advanced, so employers/learning and development (L&D) professionals are not aware that it exists or that the cost is low. Also they do not all have suitable IT kit, for example soundcards in PCs, or smart phones as standard.Social implicationsIt is the other way round here. Actually social change has enabled this method of learning; video on demand, technology on the move, etc. make m‐learning acceptable.Originality/valueThe paper is of value to L&D professionals because it introduces a new learning methodology.
How to gain consensus from a group of non‐experts – an educationist perspective on using the Delphi technique
Authors: Vakani Farhan , Sheerani Mughis 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to build an understanding of how to bring about change, improve relationships, facilitate knowledge creation and sharing, and support coherence and sense‐making among clinical faculty with little or no background in medical education.Design/methodology/approachIn this process the conventional Delphi approach was used, as it was believed that it would help in gaining the most reliable agreement of opinions of a diverse group of faculty members in the shortest time.FindingsThe paper finds that the instructional and assessment tools and approaches that were being used were mostly traditional. The challenge was to get them to a consensus as most of the faculty/teachers were unsure about replacing the traditional approaches which were “time tested” to newer “evidence‐based” methodology. This paper demonstrates that four features – namely, anonymity, iteration, controlled feedback and cumulative statistical group response – are the key contributory factors to moving the “unsure group” to an agreement.Research limitations/implicationsConventional silent technique shows promise in getting the “non‐educationists” on the same page without much friction, but has limitations as it was limited to a specific group and a single university setting.Practical implicationsThis process created connections between the faculty members that carry a long‐lasting effect and not just the resolution of the problem of the day.Originality/valueThis paper establishes that this exercise will bring about a positive change in the attitude and practices of the faculty /teachers and can help them to implement “evidence based” methodology for teaching and learning.
Interview with Will Chadwick, Vice President UK at Tata Interactive Systems
Authors: by Gareth Bell Interview 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide an interview with Will Chadwick.Design/methodology/approachThe interview is conducted by an independent interviewer.FindingsWill Chadwick is Vice President, UK of Tata Interactive Systems (TIS). TIS, part of the multinational conglomerate Tata Group, is a leading provider of learning solutions. Their product offering includes game‐based learning, simulations, web‐based training and courseware, and educational multimedia, and they have provided bespoke solutions for over 60 Fortune 500 companies. With development centers in Germany, Switzerland and India, TIS is at the forefront of mobile‐learning advancements, and is the only learning solutions organization to achieve level 5 status in both the SEI‐CMM and P‐CMM frameworks.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information from a leading provider of leaning solutions.
Performance measurement driving change: a case from the defence sector
Authors: MacBryde Jill , Paton Steve , Grant Neil , Bayliss Margaret 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study demonstrating the role of performance measurement systems (PMS) in driving strategic transformation.Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study approach this paper analyses how Babcock Marine, a service provider to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), is using performance measurement as a catalyst to bring about strategic transformation at Her Majesty's Naval Base – Clyde. Transformation is required to facilitate a new public‐private sector contractual and financial relationship.FindingsThis paper highlights the differences between the use of PMS in static and dynamic (transformational) environments. It proposes that the balanced scorecard is a useful tool to monitor the pace of change and communicate the status of the change. It indicates that during the transformation program care must be taken to ensure that the measures used stay aligned with strategic objectives and that the balanced scorecard does not become cumbersome in terms of number of measures and administrative overhead. Finally it suggests that even in the absence of other critical success factors normally associated with transformation (such as a clear transformation plan and a strong ongoing communication mechanism), the balanced scorecard can provide structure and focus which will help to maintain the pace of change. It therefore demonstrates that the introduction of a performance management system can be complementary to the process of strategic transformation.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence of PMS supporting transformation even in the absence of other critical success factors normally associated with strategic transformation.
The fallacy of the context
Authors: Anderson Rick , Klaassen Henk 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to research the effectiveness of different forms of performance management and to trace the factors which influence these effectiveness. In order to better emphasize the context dimensions, it also aims to study two municipal processes in the Dutch public sector, i.e. treatment of building permits and the establishment of environmental policy papers.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyses 57 Dutch municipalities on performance management.FindingsThe research shows that management should not intervene nor should it focus on the process itself, contrary to what is normally thought and done. This study also points out that the type of management on output is more important for the effectiveness than the context of the processes. The conclusion may be drawn that process control will lead to less effectiveness in almost all cases. Effective output management should be confined to a combination of input and output control. Although the general management has the tendency to engage in the way processes are conducted, it will need to resist this tendency as much as possible. In addition, intermediate control is ineffective. In the investigated processes more capacity was needed when the general management exercised intermediate control, regardless of the mode. This conclusion is at odds with the widely endorsed desirability and need for intermediate control (monitoring). Controlex ante, in contrast, increases effectiveness in every case. The impression arises that opting for less control (onlyex anteand not on processes) makes the type of management more effective.Originality/valueOutput management will have to take the context into account, but also give decentralized managers sufficient degrees of freedom. In order to decentralize adequately, the correct type of management will need to be chosen. Although most authors endorse the importance of context and believe the possibility of output management to be almost completely dependent on this context, this study shows that the effectiveness of output management is virtually entirely dictated by the chosen type of management, no matter the context. The type of management allocating as much freedom to decentralized management as possible, offers the best basis for effective action. Paradoxically, general management could maximize its effectiveness by interfering as little as possible with the process at stake.
Reconceptualising e‐business performance measurement using an innovation adoption framework
Authors: Barnes David , Matthew Hinton C. 
Published: June 2012

PurposePrevious empirical research into the performance measurement of exemplary e‐businesses has pointed to a lack of progress in developing distinctive performance metrics for e‐business and a failure to adopt best practice in performance management. The objective of this paper is to reconsider the evidence from that study by drawing on innovation adoption theories.Design/methodology/approachThe paper re‐examines the findings from case study‐based research that investigated leading e‐business performance measurement practices. The study suggests that there are limitations in analysing the findings using normative best practice, the dominant paradigm within performance management. Given that e‐business innovation relies on the adoption of multiple technologies this paper reconsiders the findings using the conceptual perspective of the innovation adoption literature.FindingsThe study highlights the importance of individual, cognitive, social and cultural influences in an organisation's operating environment on its willingness to adapt performance measurement metrics for online business activities. The findings point to the benefits available from incorporating new theoretic perspectives in performance measurement research.Research limitations/implicationsThe work points to a need to adopt a more context‐specific approach to the development of e‐business performance measurement. Furthermore, it indicates ways in which both the understanding and practice of performance measurement in e‐business can be advanced.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the limitations of current performance management literature as monopolised by normative best practice thinking, and argues for the need to incorporate other theoretical perspectives into performance management research.
A review on supply chain performance measures and metrics: 2000‐2011
Authors: Gopal P.R.C. , Thakkar Jitesh 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThe paper reports a comprehensive review of supply chain performance measurement systems and raises a set of research issues leading to selected research questions.Design/methodology/approachThe articles which have been published in selected peer‐reviewed international journals in the last ten years were collected by using databases Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge. The articles were scrutinized based on authors' perspective analysis (using supply chain measures and metrics, and enhancing supply chain performance as the key perspectives). The articles contributing significantly in the domain of supply chain measures and metrics were selected for final review and various issues were identified.FindingsThe paper argues that, despite considerable evidence from the literature in supply chain performance measurement in recent years, there is a large scope for research to address the issues in supply chain performance measurement, including: characteristics of measures and metrics, benchmarking of measures, use of management practices, integration and partnership and socio‐environmental relevance.Research implications/limitationsThe insights deduced in the paper are primarily based on 28 articles selected for critical review and analysis in the domain of supply chain measures and metrics and hence should be interpreted only as key concerns in the area.Originality/valueThe paper reports an evaluation of 28 key articles reported in the domain of supply chain performance measurement and indicates the research opportunities in the area.
Measuring the success of a performance measurement system in Thai firms
Authors: Rompho Nopadol , Boon‐itt Sakun 
Published: June 2012

PurposeThis study aims to identify what managers involved in the design of a performance measurement system (PMS) perceive are the attributes of a successful PMS.Design/methodology/approachA total of 85 managers from Thai firms were interviewed to develop the proposed model to measure the success of a PMS. Results from 269 returned questionnaires from Thai managers were analysed by second order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).FindingsBased on the study's findings, success of PMS was categorised into two aspects: design success and implementation success. Using CFA the empirical data demonstrate a good fit with the proposed measurement model.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study are based on the opinions of managers and therefore their accuracy is open to question. Adding non‐managerial perspectives might demonstrate another picture.Practical implicationsThe findings could well be useful for managers in any organisation. They can assist the manager in judging whether or not the company's PMS is successful according to the discovered criteria. Use of these criteria could lead to better decision‐making in the design and implementation of a PMS framework in any organisation.Originality/valueThis study enhances the body of knowledge by defining what a successful PMS means to managers in Thai firms. The results of this study can be applied to any country, but perceptions of what is important could vary from country to country.
Productivity in a private charity
Authors: Tuttle Thomas C. , Chen Shengcheng 
Published: June 2012

PurposePrivate philanthropy in China is an emerging element of civil society. This paper seeks to examine the role of productivity improvement in a private charity in the context of the relative roles of charities and private business in building a harmonious society. In addition, the paper aims to examine the philosophy of Capital Spirit proposed by Dr Lu Dezhi, founder of the Huamin Charity Foundation, as the basis for a Chinese model of private philanthropy.Design/methodology/approachThis case study is based on an interview with Dr Lu Dezhi conducted in Beijing by the first author. The article is descriptive, but it also contains analysis of the approach described by Dr Lu in light of the World Confederation of Productivity Science model of SEE‐Productivity and previous history of efforts to shift management paradigms, e.g. quality management, etc.FindingsDr Lu provides a rational, systematic and philosophically grounded approach to creating and operating a private philanthropy in China. This model incorporates many of the key aspects of productivity science, including values‐based strategy, data‐based decision making, analysis and evaluation and continuous improvement. In a larger sense, Dr Lu outlines a philosophy that has the potential to shift the management paradigms of Chinese organizations to more sustainable practices.Originality/valueThe focus on productivity improvement in private philanthropy is a topic that is rarely discussed in the management literature. In addition, the approach taken to philanthropy by Dr Lu Dezhi and his philosophy of Capital Spirit as the basis for a “Chinese model” of philanthropy is unique. Finally, the discussion regarding the appropriate role of private sector businesses in an economy based on its stage of development is a unique contribution to the management literature. Contrasting this Chinese model with Western models provides a useful cultural contrast to examine this key question.
Tools for interdisciplinary design of pervasive computing
Authors: Forsyth Jason B. , Martin Thomas L. 
Published: June 2012

PurposeTo be successful, pervasive computing requires a balance of computing, design, and business requirements to be considered throughout the design process. Achieving this synthesis requires a level of interdisciplinary design that is not present in current pervasive design tools. To understand the state of the art and provide insight to future tool designers, the purpose of this paper is to present a survey of design tools for pervasive computing and consider their ability to be used in interdisciplinary design.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have performed a survey of tools covering many areas within pervasive computing and have evaluated the abilities of each tool with established metrics for pervasive design tools.FindingsWhile the paper has found many design tools are available for constructive pervasive applications, few are suitable through all phases of the design cycle or useful across all the intended application domains of pervasive computing.Originality/valueThis survey provides an understanding of the state of pervasive design tools, with regards to interdisciplinary design, which has not previously been performed. Additionally, the authors provide evaluations of the pervasive tools when used in an interdisciplinary setting. These evaluations provide insight to key metrics and allow tool designers to understand the needs of their intended audience.