bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Data center metrics
Authors: Daim Tugrul , Justice Jay , Krampits Mark , Letts Matthew , Subramanian Ganesh , Thirumalai Mukundan 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify energy efficiency metrics that can be used by IT managers to measure and maintain the implementation of cost savings and green initiatives in data centers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper looks at the background of the problem and explores the reasons why energy savings in the data center are an important issue. Included are interviews and survey results from IT professionals serving at four unique organizations. A model of the measurable components of a data center is created to provide a framework for organizing metrics and communicating results throughout the corporation. The strengths and weaknesses of two of the most common data center metrics, PUE and DCP, are examined closely.FindingsThe paper concludes with future metric recommendations and a proposed credit‐based system that could be applied to encourage closer management of these metrics.Practical implicationsThe metric recommendations can be used by IT managers resulting in energy efficiency improvements in their data centers.Originality/valueThe paper provides a good comprehension of multiple approaches and makes recommendations for a platform metric that can be further developed and adopted as a standard.
Under the microscope: valuation and hedge funds
Authors: Haskin Benjamin J. , Davis Joseph G. , Flynn Jocelyn C. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe current financial crisis revealed weaknesses in the US financial system, including the difficulty of valuing complex assets. This paper seeks to examine regulatory and compliance issues for hedge funds valuing complex assets.Design/methodology/approachWithin the context of hedge fund valuation, the paper provides a general overview of: the regulatory background of hedge funds and the central role valuation plays in the operation and regulation of such funds; relevant cases brought by the SEC; and a discussion of valuation best practices.FindingsHedge funds are not “unregulated.” There is a body of law and accounting standards that applies to hedge fund valuation. Nevertheless, hedge fund valuation standards are evolving in this era of heightened regulatory scrutiny. The common concepts that have emerged from valuation best practices will likely provide the underpinning for any regulatory initiatives regarding hedge fund valuation.Research limitations/implicationsBy the time of publication, Congress may pass pending legislation governing hedge funds and there may be additional notable SEC cases on hedge fund valuation.Practical implicationsThe economic crisis has revitalized the SEC's interest in this area. Consequently, hedge funds should consider adoption of a compliance program that specifically targets valuation by stressing investor disclosure, independence of the valuation function, comprehensive written valuation polices and procedures, and internal controls.Originality/valueThe paper compiles and organizes in one place the regulatory and compliance standards governing asset valuation by hedge funds.
SEC proposes investment adviser custody rule amendments to enhance safekeeping and oversight of client assets
Authors: Blumenthal Kleiman Lauren 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain a recommendation from the SEC Division of Investment Management for new rules focused on strengthening control over client assets held by registered investment advisers (RIAs) or their affiliates.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes Rule 206(4)‐2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, known as the investment adviser “custody rule”; summarizes the three proposed amendments, which would require surprise examinations, written SAS‐70 reports, and delivery of account statements directly to advisory clients; and notes several concerns voiced by SEC commissioners.FindingsThe proposed rule amendments respond to the recent discovery of a number of investment adviser Ponzi schemes and other frauds that evidence an urgent need to reassess the regulations governing RIA custody. The SEC staff will respond to public comments and expect to have an active dialog with both RIAs and custodians in the course of developing final rules.Originality/valueThe paper presents expert analysis from experienced securities lawyers.
An innovative partnership framework for sustainable development of rural areas in South Africa
Authors: Ahmed Ezzat Othman Ayman , Sirbadhoo Neil 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role that South African Project Management Firms (SAPMF) can play towards supporting government initiatives for sustainable development of rural areas (RA).Design/methodology/approachA research methodology is designed to achieve three objectives. First, literature is used to review the concepts of public‐private partnerships, sustainable development of RA, government legislations and the project management profession. Second, semi‐structured interviews with government officials are used to identify the obstacles that hinder implementing the development plans for RA and investigate government's perception of creating a partnership with the private sector. Finally, survey questionnaires with SAPMF are used to identify the role that they can play in assisting government to achieve its plans for RA development and investigate SAPMF's perception of creating a partnership with the public sector.FindingsAlthough there are government initiatives, RA still suffer from having inadequate development. Current legislation intended to address RA problems (Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy) is not operational and needs to be updated on a regular basis. Government strategies and plans for RA development have to be supported by SAPMF through creating a partnership welcomed by Government and SAPMF, that utilises their knowledge and unique management skills. The RA development partnership framework is recommended to be used as an innovative tool to assist in overcoming the obstacles that hinders RA development.Originality/valueThis paper establishes a partnership between the public and private sectors which is put through the development of an innovative framework that portrays the relationship between government and SAPMF. Adopting the developed framework by both sectors will help the government utilise the unique expertise and skills of SAPMF towards sustainable development of RA. The developed framework represents a novel and creative synthesis that has not been previously done in the South African context.
Clients' perception of construction project leaders in the Nigerian banking industry
Authors: Iroroakpo Idoro Godwin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to promote full involvement of construction project leaders in the attempt by Nigerian banks to develop new branches and expand the scope of their services to customers whose banks were either liquidated or merged after the 2005 consolidation exercise.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaires are used to collect data on status, professions, services and leadership roles of construction project leaders from a sample of 80 clients' representatives selected randomly from the 24 Nigerian banks that survived the liquidation exercise.FindingsThe study discovers that Nigerian banks appoint mostly their staff who may not be project managers as project leaders and engage them mostly with services which relate to the day to day running of their new projects. It also discovers that the authority giving to project leaders is not full rather the control over the delivery of banks' projects is shared with the banks and this does not influence the banks' perception of the performance of project leaders. While this finding may appear as if the control giving to project leaders is not important in their performances, the study reveals that the performances of project leaders have significant influence on the performance of other project team members.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough, there have been studies on project leadership in the construction industry generally, specific attention has not been given to project leadership in the banking industry as done in this paper.Practical implicationsThe study considers the development as unhealthy because it will not encourage construction project leaders to regard the success or failure of the projects as their responsibility and will not motivate them to perform their duties effectively. It therefore advocates that clients in the Nigerian banking industry should adopt a practice whereby project managers instead of any construction professionals are the ones to be appointed as construction project leaders and that more authority and leadership functions on the delivery of the projects than those retained by clients be delegated to them.Originality/valueThe results of the study have identified some of the shortcomings in project leadership practice in the Nigerian banking industry which will spur changes that promote greater achievement of the goals of the banks for developing new projects.
A review of rectenna models for electromagnetic energy harvesting
Authors: Patrick Motjolopane Bokang , van Zyl Robert 
Published: October 2009

PurposeDistributed wireless sensor networks (DWSNs) are applied in a variety of applications that can enhance the quality of human life. Batteries are the predominant source of energy in DWSNs. One of the key obstacles in the adoption of DWSNs technology is the limited lifetime of batteries in microsensors. Recharging or replacing depleted batteries can significantly increase costs in DWSNs. The purpose of this paper is to address, through a thorough review, this power challenge in DWSNs and to evaluate a 16‐element equiangular spiral rectenna to harvest ambient microwave energy in real‐life scenarios to supply indoor DWSNs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the practical implementation of a rectenna that can be used in electromagnetic energy harvesting. The design and measurement of the rectenna follows a broad overview of rectenna designs reported in the literature.FindingsThe paper concludes that the 16‐element equiangular spiral rectenna has the potential to generate power that enables long periods of operation of the DWSNs without human intervention in the power management process, thus reducing maintenance and administration costs.Originality/valueResearch into electromagnetic power harvesting is very limited in the South African context. The paper presents a concise overview of existing power harvesting techniques that will benefit novice researchers in the field of electromagnetic energy harvesting. It concludes with the performance characterisation of a spiral array rectenna.
Reducing the delivery lead time in a food distribution SME through the implementation of six sigma methodology
Authors: Nabhani Farhad , Shokri Alireza 
Published: October 2009

PurposeSix sigma is a systematic data driven approach to reduce the defect and improve the quality in any type of business. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from the application of six sigma in a food service “small to medium sized enterprise” (SME) in a lean environment to reduce the waste in this field.Design/methodology/approachA simplified version of six sigma is adopted through the application of appropriate statistical tools in order to focus on customer's requirements to identify the defect, the cause of the defect and improve the delivery process by implementing the optimum solution.FindingsThe result suggests that modification in layout utilization reduced the number of causes of defect by 40 percent resulting in jumping from 1.44 sigma level to 2.09 Sigma level which is substantial improvement in SME.Research limitations/implicationsSimplicity of six sigma is important to enabling any SME to identify the problem and minimize its cause through a systematic approach.Practical implicationsIntegrating of supply chain objectives with any quality initiatives such as lean and six sigma has a substantial effect on achieving to the targets.Originality/valueThis paper represents a potential area in which six sigma methodology along side the lean management can promote supply chain management objectives for a food distribution SME.
Computer‐based approach to material and process selection
Authors: Djassemi Manocher 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a perspective of computer‐aided material and process selection (MPS) software tools for product development purpose and present a practical approach for manufacturers and other decision makers involved in MPS.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐criteria deductive approach for MPS is applied to a case study by taking into account the technical performances and environmental constraints. A resource‐based cost modeling is also deployed to examine the implication of selected material and process on overall product cost.FindingsThe paper demonstrates the capabilities and shortcoming of existing computerized MPS software tools in assisting product managers and designers for handling the growing volume of material/process data.Research limitations/implicationsApplying computer‐aided MPS approach to complex shape products with multiple features is not a straightforward task and requires further development in existing MPS software tools.Practical implicationsComputer‐aided MPS systems can assist decision makers in solving many material/process selection problems by following a systematic process.Originality/valueGiven today's rapid technological changes, it is important for decision makers to understand the capabilities of computer‐aided MPS software tools in handling a growing volume of data. Very limited research has been done to explore the capabilities and limitations of existing material/process selectors. It is the first in the literature that demonstrates the application of multi‐criteria deductive approach in MPS using a software tool.
Selection of maintenance policy for textile industry using hybrid multi‐criteria decision making approach
Authors: Ilangkumaran M. , Kumanan S. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on the use of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) under fuzzy environment and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to select an optimum maintenance strategy for a textile industry.Design/methodology/approachFirst by using improved AHP with fuzzy set theory, the weight of each criterion is calculated to overcome the criticism of unbalanced scale of judgments, uncertainty, and imprecision in the pair‐wise comparison process. Then this paper introduces a model that integrates improved fuzzy AHP with TOPSIS algorithm to support maintenance strategy selection decisions.FindingsAn efficient pair‐wise comparison process and ranking of alternatives can be achieved for maintenance strategy selection through the integration of AHP with fuzzy set theory and TOPSIS.Originality/valueThe paper points out a new insight of multi‐criteria decision making techniques to select optimum maintenance policy for a process industry with the use of a case study.
Perceived importance of performance management metrics among UK theatre companies
Authors: Bennett Roger 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of the use of performance management metrics by UK theatre companies, the levels of importance attached to various types of measures, and possible determinants of managerial perceptions of the importance of each category.Design/methodology/approachA model was constructed which hypothesised that the types of metrics regarded as most important by theatre managements depended on organisational identity, financial situation, environmental volatility, production diversity and visitor orientation. This was tested via a survey of 195 UK theatres.FindingsA theatre's financial situation greatly influenced the categories of metrics that its management deemed to be important, exerting both a direct effect and indirect impacts. An organisation's “artistic identity” also affected the dimensions of the operations that its management sought to measure.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were self‐reported; less than a majority of the sampling frame participated in the study; and managers in theatres that used few or no metrics may have been less likely to respond to the invitation to take part in the study. It was not possible within the confines of an already crowded questionnaire to explore the influences of various stakeholders on a theatre management's choice of metrics.Practical implicationsEnvironmental circumstances and managerial inclinations seemingly determined the metrics that were considered important, but the metrics involved were not necessarily those that should have been applied.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to determine the factors that cause theatre managements to prioritise the use of specific types of performance metrics and to explain variations in organisational behaviour in this regard.
A critical analysis of intercultural communication research in cross‐cultural management
Authors: Bjerregaard Toke , Lauring Jakob , Klitmøller Anders 
Published: October 2009

PurposeFunctionalist models of intercultural interaction have serious limitations relying on static and decontextualized culture views. This paper sets out to outline newer developments in anthropological theory in order to provide inspirations to a more dynamic and contextual approach for understanding intercultural communication research in cross‐cultural management (CCM).Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes the established approaches to the cultural underpinnings of intercultural communication in CCM and examines how newer developments in anthropology may contribute to this research.FindingsThe standard frameworks for classifying cultures in CCM are based on a view of culture as static, formal mental codes and values abstracted from the context of valuation. However, this view, underwriting the dominating research stream, has been abandoned in the discipline of anthropology from which it originated. This theory gap between intercultural communication research in CCM and anthropology tends to exclude from CCM an understanding of how the context of social, organizational and power relationships shapes the role of culture in communication.Practical implicationsThe paper proposes to substitute the view of culture as comprising of abstract values and codes as determinants of communication with concepts of culture as dynamically enfolded in practice and socially situated in specific contexts, in order to give new directions to theories on intercultural communication in CCM.Originality/valueScant research has compared intercultural communication research in CCM with new anthropological developments. New insights from anthropology are analyzed in order to open up analytical space in CCM.
Globalization and national policy formation: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Feaver Donald 
Published: October 2009

PurposeEven though the promise of globalization has faded and it is no longer the fashionable topic it once was, national policy‐makers must still deal with its widespread economic, political and social effects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between, on the one hand, differing levels of human development between countries, and, on the other, the extent to which countries pursue national policy objectives disciplined by what has been described as the “universal values” underlying the globalization process.Design/methodology/approachThe concepts of globalization and world society values are first defined and discussed in a policy‐related context. The relationship between globalization values, national policy settings and human welfare and freedom is explored by means of a simple SEM model.FindingsThe results of the SEM model indicate that there is a clear link between higher levels of human development where countries' normative policy settings concord with world society values. A more important outcome is greater insight into the critical role that social connectedness plays in explaining differences in levels of human development.Originality/valueThe paper presents an exploratory analysis of globalization and national policy formation.
A new channel assignment algorithm for wireless mesh networks
Authors: Yang Jianjun , Fei Zongming 
Published: October 2009

PurposeWireless mesh networks (WMNs) have evolved quickly during the last several years. They are widely used in a lot of fields. Channel allocation provides basic means to guarantee mesh networks’ good performance such as efficient routing. The purpose of this paper is to study channel allocation in mesh networks.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the papers in channel allocation fields are surveyed, and then the limitations in existing methods noted. Graph theory is used to find a better model to represent the problem and algorithms are proposed based on this model. Simulation proved that algorithms are better than the previous conflict graph‐based approaches.FindingsThe paper analyzes the conflict graph‐based model and finds its limitations, then proposes a bipartite graph‐based model. Algorithms were devised based on this model. Simulation results illustrate that the algorithms can reduce the starvation ratio and improve the bandwidth utilization, compared with previous conflict graph‐based algorithms.Research limitations/implicationsThe research of this paper is based on an ideal network environment without interference or noises. It will be better if the noises are considered in future work.Practical implicationsTo study the routing strategies of WMNs, it is not sufficient to only consider path length as routing metric since the nodes are heterogeneous. The routing metrics should include the channel bandwidths which are the results of channel allocation.Originality/valueThis paper presents a new bipartite graph‐based model to represent the channel allocation problem in mesh networks. This model is more efficient and includes more information compared with conflict graph model, and it also proposes channel allocation algorithms based on bipartite graph‐based model. The algorithms can reduce starvation ratio and improve the bandwidth utilization.