bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance, ownership structure, cash holdings, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange
Authors: Isshaq Zangina , Bokpin Godfred A. , Mensah Onumah Joseph 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction between corporate governance, ownership structure, cash holdings, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange.Design/methodology/approachA multiple regression approach using the seemingly unrelated regression to mitigate the problems of multicollinearity between the cash‐holding variable and other control variables is adopted.FindingsBoard size is found to be positively and statistically significantly related to share price among the corporate governance variables. However, a significant relationship between inside ownership and share price is not found. The results also indicate that additional units of cash holdings do not have a statistically significant influence on share price. Finally, leverage and income volatility are found to be significant determinants of share price.Originality/valueThis is the first of its kind in the country that considers the impact of corporate governance, ownership structure, and firm value on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE).
A planned‐oriented approach for EPR implementation strategy selection
Authors: Capaldo Guido , Rippa Pierluigi 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological approach aimed at identifying technical and organizational capabilities firms should have before the ERP implementation process starts, in order to select the more appropriate implementation strategy and the change management interventions to support the selected strategy.Design/methodology/approachCapabilities to implement ERP system are selected on the basis of a literature review and through focus group session in collaboration with the company partner of the project. Then, a methodological approach is proposed on the basis of such capabilities. Scales of the capabilities are built, and an algorithm to analyze and evaluate firms' capabilities is proposed.FindingsThe methodological approach has been tested through a validation experiment with the company partner of the research project. Results reveal the usefulness of the methodology in estimating the capabilities that firms should have in order to select the more appropriate implementation strategy.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is under development in order to validate the methodological approach through a case study.Practical implicationsStarting from the methodological approach a useful tool could be developed to analyze technical and organizational capabilities of the firm, and to select the more appropriate ERP implementation strategy.Originality/valueThe methodological approach is the result of a research project based on tight collaboration between academic researchers and IT managers involved in ERP implementation processes. Thanks to such collaboration, tacit knowledge and expertise accumulated by IT managers during ERP implementation processes was explicated and evaluated in the proposed methodology. The result is a model that goes beyond descriptive analysis and offers prescriptive advice on how to address the potential challenges prior to and during the implementation processes.
Business, ethnography and the global economic crisis
Authors: De Maria William 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to problematise the concept of corruption as it is used in the African context by exposing the weaknesses in the business model used to define corruption and resource the massive yet incompetent anti‐corruption effort. The paper then aims to follow this critique by considering an alternative way of dealing with the awesome dimensions of African corruption.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilises in‐depth secondary source analysis, applying critical theory.FindingsCorruption's main interpretive framework, neo‐liberalism, is exposed as dominating, business‐centric and non‐utilitarian. A new paradigm with a strong ethnographic texture is presented.Originality/valueThe paper for the first time co‐analyses two contending paradigms for the construction of African corruption in the context of the global economic crisis.
Discourses of change: policing, sexuality, and organizational culture
Authors: Lewis Andrea P. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the need to expand current organizational studies to include positive experiences of non‐heterosexual workers while identifying, often covert, heteronormative workplace practices. Included in this is a reflexive analysis of author positionality.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study utilizing participant observation, narrative interviews, and autoethnography are employed to begin understanding lesbian work experiences.FindingsThree dominant strategies are used by participants to understand variant sexuality: strategies of discourse, strategies of resistance, and strategies of identity formation. Findings indicate that as awareness about lesbian identities increased so did understandings of difference and, in turn, resistance to heteronormative power structures increased.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could include other sexually stigmatized groups.Originality/valueThe contributions of this paper include broader understandings of how sexuality organizes work, how researcher positionality impacts organizational climates and research processes, and practical suggestions for organizations expanding diversity efforts and researchers aiming to increase diversity awareness.
Bullying, disability and work: a case study of workplace bullying
Authors: Vickers Margaret H. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) who was bullied out of her workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe paper commences with a narrative about our protagonist, Miranda (a pseudonym), before offering some important contextual theoretical information, including: a discussion of employment concerns for people with disability generally, and for those with MS in particular, and of workplace bullying. Miranda's experiences are then shared as an intrinsic and particularistic case study of her experiences of being bullied following her disclosure of MS at her workplace.FindingsRecommendations are made for further research into the potential problems of the workplace experiences of people with disability as a result of learning from the particularities of Miranda's individual case, as well as how this case study has illuminated a potentially much wider and previously unexamined problem of workplace bullying of people with disability.Originality/valueThe author is unable to find any other research studies that examine the phenomenon of workplace bullying of people with disability in general, or people with MS in particular.
Managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance
Authors: St‐Onge Sylvie , Morin Denis , Bellehumeur Mario , Dupuis Francine 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on one of the most frequently cited problems with respect to the performance management process: the prevalence of performance appraisal distortion.Design/methodology/approachThrough semi‐structured interviews with managers, this paper attempts to answer the following question: Which factors influence managers' motivation to distort the performance evaluation ratings of their subordinates?FindingsThis paper offers three main contributions or implications. First, from a methodological point of view, using a qualitative research design to investigate the appraisal of subordinates' performance is useful because it allows us to reduce the gap between research and practice. Second, this study shows that researchers must embrace or integrate various theoretical perspectives (rational, affective, political, strategic, cultural, justice, and symbolic), given that managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance cannot be analyzed outside of the social context. Third, from a practical point of view, managers' motivation to evaluate subordinate performance is less about the technique used and more about leadership support, execution, and overall performance culture.Originality/valueTo date, prior research has focused on improving performance appraisal accuracy through experimental research design by emphasizing rating criteria, rater errors, rater training, and the various rating methods. Despite extensive research, very little progress has been made toward improving rater accuracy.
The role of identity and culture on web site design
Authors: Eugene Wanda , Clark Kevin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline an instructional design approach for further development of an African ancestry learning center in order to enhance its educational utility. This is being done in an effort to use technology in transformative ways that extends the practices and opportunities for African Americans.Design/methodology/approachAssessing the needs of learners, performing a content analysis, and designing online resources and systems that meet learner's needs accomplished this goal.FindingsThis paper identifies a design process whereby technology can be used to connect people of African descent to a lost history.Originality/valueThis paper provides a method to leverage technology for people of African descent to engage in genealogy research, while acknowledging their unique historical journey.
Women's ICT career choices: four cross‐cultural case studies
Authors: Georgiadou Elli , Abu‐Hassan Norihan , Viola Siakas Kerstin , Wang Xueming , Ross Margaret , Anand Anandan Prem 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the under‐representation of women in computing, information technology (IT) and information systems in most Western countries. This under‐representation can only be detrimental to society.Design/methodology/approachThe authors discuss recently published studies on the under‐representation of women in this field, and the lack of career progression for women, particularly in positions of senior responsibility. The results of a survey conducted in the UK, Greece, Malaysia and China are presented, and similarities as well as differences are identified. Malaysia and China are included as the under‐representation is much less in the Asian countries.FindingsThe authors identify the main reasons for the under‐representation and lack of career progression, and study the effect of national culture on the formation of strategy and of practice in the four countries.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey respondents are mainly female students studying computing/IT at degree level. In the next phase of the research, the survey will include both male and female students, lecturers and employees within the IT sector. The research will be extended into a longitudinal study, in order to monitor trends.Originality/valueThe UK Government is currently undertaking a number of initiatives to improve the representation of women in information and communication technologies. For those initiatives to be successful, the cultural issues identified in the paper need to be considered.
Social networking effect at “HiWEL” kiosks amongst children
Authors: Dangwal Ritu , Kapur Preeti 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the values of children using Minimally Invasive Education (MIE) kiosks and identify any changes in these values as a result of using the kiosks.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 85 children residing at the Vivekananda Camp. There are 44 boys with an average age of 11.62 years and 41 girls with an average of 11.75 years. Average education level of these children is up to the 8th class. Girls generally stop going to school after the 8th class as they are expected to prepare for marriage. The evaluation is based on the 12 key universal values specified (for children between 8 and 14 years) by the Living Values Educational Program, which are: peace, respect, cooperation, freedom, happiness, honesty, humility, love, responsibility, simplicity, tolerance, and unity. A questionnaire based on the above values is developed. Originally, the questionnaire consisted of 30 situational‐based questions with multiple choices. In the present paper, values at two time points are studied. First time point is during August 2004, prior to kiosk installation and second time point after seven months of exposure to MIE kiosk (April 2005).FindingsThe results clearly indicate that there has been a shift in the importance given to values by children prior to the learning station and after working for seven months at the learning station. It is interesting to note a shift in the range itself. In August 2004, the range was between 41 percent (helping others) and 79 percent (honesty) and in April 2005 it is from 46 percent (helping others) to 82 percent (politeness). In other words, values have moved up or gained more importance in the lives of the children. Apart from honesty and tolerance where a dip in the post‐phase is found, no change is perceived in academic excellence (74 percent) and religion (66 percent). For the remaining six values, there has been an increase in how strongly children feel that existence of these values in the post‐phase (ambition, politeness, kindness, consideration, teamwork, and cooperation).Originality/valueYoung children can develop values through their own experiential behavior and modeling. The paper shows that learning at MIELS emerges as an ongoing process, embedded in the environment.
The media's construction of CEO infamy
Authors: Gunther Moritz P. , Grandy Gina 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine how the media constructs images of infamous chief executive officers (CEOs) through the use of recurring themes, terms and phrases in the popular press.Design/methodology/approachThis research conducts content analyses of secondary data from three popular press business sources over a two‐year period to identify the journalistic construction of 12 infamous CEOs.FindingsThe findings reveal 18 themes and eight categories of images constructed by the media, an integrated framework of CEO infamy as constructed by the media and a definition of CEO infamy.Originality/valueTo date, little research has focused solely on the media's construction of the infamous CEO. This paper also begins to bridge positive and negative CEO celebrity concepts.
Enterprise logic and small firms: a model of authentic entrepreneurial leadership
Authors: Jones Oswald , Crompton Helen 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on emerging ideas related to the concept of entrepreneurial leadership which emphasises a “distributed” model synonymous with terms which indicate that authority is decentralised (“shared”, “team”, “democratic”, “representative” and “dispersed”).Design/methodology/approachA model of authentic entrepreneurial leadership was developed based on a review of the literature. Eight small manufacturing companies were selected to empirically examine, via interviews, the extent to which authentic entrepreneurial leadership was adopted by owner‐managers.FindingsInterviews with owner‐managers indicated that they did in fact rely on an approach to leadership which emphasised the role of employees as genuine stakeholders in the business. This finding can be related to the concept of what Dovey and Fenech, describe as “enterprise logic” which the authors link to the emergence of knowledge‐based capitalism. Owner‐managers were keen to involve their employees in development of the businesses through the development of new products and new services.Practical implicationsThis study confirms earlier work which points out the importance of entrepreneurs adopting an authentic approach to leadership. Authentic leadership means that employees are encouraged to develop their individual strengths and owner‐managers adopt an ethical approach to their dealings with all stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper develops a model of entrepreneurial leadership which sets out the links to organizational innovation. The empirical study provides clear evidence of links between this approach to management and higher levels of innovation within small firms.
Inventing a future for strategic leadership: phenomenal variety and epistemic opportunities
Authors: Narayanan V.K. , Zane Lee J. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer an epistemological vantage point for theory development in the case of strategic leadership, an emerging focus of scholarly attention in strategic management.Design/methodology/approachThe authors invoke Rescher's epistemological platform for making the case, Rescher being one of the most influential philosophers in the USA.FindingsThe analysis suggests that since strategic leadership differs from supervisory leadership, both on organizational reach and incorporation of external elements, defining the strategic leadership problem exclusively as a difference in context – what Weick referred to as a strategy of knowledge growth by extension – is likely to prove unproductive. Rescher's platform can be put to use for specifying the two critical though inter‐related epistemological challenges in the beginning of the theory development project: the choice of concepts, and the type of relations among the concepts. These epistemological challenges may be reframed as opportunities to capture the phenomenal variety embedded in these concepts, and to deploy a diversity of approaches to examine their correspondence.Research limitations/implicationsContending and complementary views on strategic leadership, and hence concepts representing alternate views should be allowed. Bridges should be built between islands of scholarship, but these bridges are likely to be found in special issues of journals (devoted deliberately to nurture multiple perspectives), edited books and invited conferences.Practical implicationsEngagement with “strategic” leaders is an epistemological necessity for both theoretical and pragmatic reasons.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates how epistemology can strengthen theory building in the case of strategic leadership. Given the signal importance of this phenomenon, good theories and, therefore, epistemological challenges should occupy a central stage of discussions in this early stage.
Effects of TNF‐alpha antagonism on E‐selectin in obese subjects with metabolic dysregulation
Authors: Zanni Markella V. , Stanley Takara L. , Makimura Hideo , Chen Cindy Y. , Grinspoon Steven K. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryObjective  Endothelial adhesion molecules like E‐selectin play an important role in leukocyte recruitment and development of atherosclerotic plaque. E‐selectin is increased in obesity, yet little is known regarding the specific factors contributing to elevated E‐selectin in obesity and whether tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐alpha) increases E‐selectin in vivo in this population. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the body composition, metabolic and inflammatory factors associated with increased E‐selectin and (2) determine the role of TNF‐alpha in the physiological regulation of E‐selectin by antagonism of TNF‐alpha with etanercept among obese subjects.Methods  E‐selectin levels, body composition, metabolic parameters and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in 51 obese subjects and 37 non‐obese healthy controls. Obese subjects were randomized to etanercept 50 mg weekly or placebo for 4 weeks. Changes in E‐selectin were compared between treatment groups.Results  Obese subjects had higher E‐selectin than non‐obese controls (47·4 [32·7–58·8] vs. 27·2 [20·3–42·1] ng/ml, obese vs. non‐obese, P < 0·0001). E‐selectin was significantly associated with multiple body composition measures and metabolic parameters, along with specific measures of TNF‐alpha activation, including soluble tumour necrosis factor receptors 1 (P = 0·03) and 2 (P = 0·02). In multivariate modelling, visceral adipose tissue, but not other measures of body composition, remained significantly associated with E‐selectin. Among obese subjects, treatment with etanercept significantly decreased E‐selectin (−5·7 ± 8·7 vs. 0·5 ± 6·0 ng/ml, etanercept vs. placebo, P = 0·005).Conclusions  E‐selectin is increased in obesity, in relationship to increased visceral adiposity and markers of TNF‐alpha activation. TNF‐alpha antagonism with etanercept reduces E‐selectin in obese subjects, providing evidence that the systemic circulatory release of E‐selectin is regulated at least in part by TNF‐alpha in obesity.
Abnormalities of maternal thyroid function during pregnancy affect neuropsychological development of their children at 25–30 months
Authors: Li Yuanbin , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping , Yu Xiaohui , Li Yushu , Fan Chenling , Teng Xiaochun , Guo Rui , Wang Hong , Li Jia , Chen Yanyan , Wang Weiwei , Chawinga Masauso , Zhang Li , Yang Liu , Zhao Yaru , Hua Tianyi 
Published: October 2009

SummaryObjective  To examine the relationship between specific thyroid abnormalities (subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinaemia or elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody titres) in women during pregnancy and the subsequent neuropsychological development of their offspring.Design/Patients  Serum was collected from 1268 women at 16–20 weeks of gestation and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) levels were measured. Thyroid function reference ranges specific for pregnancy were used to screen for thyroid abnormalities. Patients with isolated subclinical hypothyroidism (18 cases), hypothyroxinaemia (19 cases), and those who were euthyroid patients with elevated titres of TPOAb (34 cases) were identified. One hundred and forty‐two euthyroid and TPOAb‐negative women matched for gestational age from the same cohort were selected as controls.Measurements  Intellectual and motor development score evaluations were performed on the children from the pregnancies at 25–30 months of age.Results  Children of women with subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia and elevated TPOAb titres had mean intelligence scores 8·88, 9·30 and 10·56 points lower than those of the control group (P = 0·008, P = 0·004 and P = 0·001, respectively); mean motor scores were 9·98, 7·57 and 9·03 points lower than those of the controls [P < 0·001, P = 0·007 and P < 0·001, respectively (t‐test)]. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased maternal serum TSH, decreased maternal serum tT4, and elevated maternal TPOAb titres were separately associated with lower intelligence scores (ORs 15·63, 12·98, and 6·69, respectively) and poorer motor scores (ORs 9·23, 5·52, and 8·25, respectively).Conclusions  Intellectual and motor development of children at 25–30 months of age is separately associated with abnormalities of maternal thyroid at 16–20 weeks gestation. Maternal subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinaemia or euthyroidism with elevated TPOAb titres were all statistically significant predictors of lower motor and intellectual development at 25–30 months.