bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A sustainable framework of “green” specification for construction in Hong Kong
Authors: Lam Patrick T.I. , Chan Edwin H.W. , Chau C.K. , Poon C.S. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeA specification can be an effective contractual tool to help achieve green construction. In Hong Kong, a multifarious specification arrangement exists in the construction industry, despite progress being made in the public and private organizations towards green practice. The purpose of this paper is to propose a green specification framework by modeling after established green specification systems.Design/methodology/approachThree sample work sections of green specification have been prepared for concrete, paint and lighting to represent structural, architectural and building services trades, with which a series of interviews with construction stakeholders was conducted. Assisted by a structured questionnaire, the time, cost, quality and liability implications of the proposed framework were studied.FindingsApart from minor additional cost, time and liability impacts, which would level off with increasing use of green products and practice, the quality of construction is perceived to be good if the framework is adopted.Originality/valueThe proposed framework embraces the important facets for specifying green construction. A roadmap is also recommended for its sustainable adoption. The methodology and results will be of good reference value for other jurisdictions.
Validating electric use intensity in multi‐use buildings
Authors: Elliott Jonathan , Guggemos Angela 
Published: February 2011

PurposeIn the Poudre School District of Northern Colorado, USA, Fort Collins High School (FCHS) and Fossil Ridge High School (FRHS) have similar square footages, mechanical systems, and architectural capacities. While FRHS (built 2005) is leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED)‐Silver and Energy Star (2009) certified, FCHS (built 1995) is not. Despite the sustainable features of FRHS, the whole‐building electric use intensities (EUIs) were comparable for the schools. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate electricity consumption and use patterns at these schools.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate whole‐building EUI and identify areas of high consumption, the buildings were divided into workspaces for which workspace‐specific EUIs were calculated and compared. Further, workspace EUIs were partitioned into their heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, plug load, food service and residual components for analysis.FindingsSignificantly, more electricity is used for lighting and HVAC at FCHS (44.04 and 33.16 per cent of total, respectively) compared to FRHS (36.90 and 29.17 per cent of total, respectively). However, plug load consumption accounted for 24.99 per cent of electric use at FRHS but only 16.35 per cent at FCHS. Component EUI analysis identified high‐wattage lighting at FCHS and high computer density at FRHS as areas for possible efficiency improvements.Practical implicationsWhole‐building EUI values are most useful for comparing energy performance of buildings dedicated to a single use. Workspace‐to‐workspace EUI comparisons offer improved energy performance indicators for facility managers. Component EUI analysis identifies specific consumptive activities which should be targeted for potential reduction in electricity use and expenditure.Originality/valueWorkspace and component EUIs provide for more insight than whole‐building EUI when comparing electric consumption of multi‐use facilities.
Evaluation of draught in surgical operating theatres: proposed revision to (NEN)‐EN‐ISO‐7730
Authors: Roelofsen Paul 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that it is advisable to evaluate draught in an operating theatre in a different manner than the method according to NEN‐EN‐ISO‐7730. The NEN‐EN‐ISO‐7730 is an international standard for the analytical determination and interpretation of the thermal comfort of the human body and the local thermal comfort like for instance draught.Design/methodology/approachUsing a CFD computer program, it is possible to evaluate draught in an operating theatre in the design stage, according to different mathematical draught models.FindingsIt would seem advisable to begin with the draught model developed by Griefahn. The model does, however, need to be modified to include the effects of temperature sensation and the direction of the air stream, so that it becomes applicable to a thermally cool environment (PMV<0) and a vertical air stream, the air pattern prescribed for an operating theatre.Originality/valueIt can be demonstrated that by implementing the proposal in this paper in a CFD program, the possibility exists to be able to evaluate, in a responsible fashion, the results for a much broader range of parameters than is currently possible by means of the NEN‐EN‐ISO‐7730.
Do strengths measure up?
Authors: Garcea Nicky , Isherwood Stephen , Linley Alex 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper sets out to draw comparisons and make linkages between strengths and competency methodologies. Whereas some authors have seen the strengths approach as a revolution in human resources (HR), the authors of this paper see it more as a natural evolution. The paper aims to overview the strengths approach as well as presenting a case study of strengths‐based graduate recruitment from the Big Four professional services firm, Ernst & Young.Design/methodology/approachThe strengths‐based approach to recruitment is described in general, and the particular approach taken to graduate recruitment at Ernst & Young is outlined. Rather than assessing for generic competencies, strengths‐based recruitment seeks to identify the natural strengths of individuals that are aligned to the role for which they are applying. Assessors are trained to look for energy and authenticity, together with evidence of high performance of the strength.FindingsThe strengths‐based graduate recruitment project at Ernst & Young delivered a 15 percent increase in the number of candidates de‐selected at first interview, together with a 12 percent increase in the number of candidates appointed following assessment center, compared with the previous competency approach.Practical implicationsStrengths‐based graduate recruitment provides a robust and reliable methodology for attracting, selecting and appointing the best candidates for the role. It delivers a better candidate experience and builds a more positive and differentiated employer brand.Originality/valueErnst & Young is one of the first UK organizations to use strengths‐based graduate recruitment systematically in this way The strengths methodology not only supports its interviewing and assessment centers, but also is used throughout its campus events and through attraction and candidate engagement with an online strengths tool developed and managed by Capp.
Developing talent intelligence to boost business performance
Authors: Snell Alice 
Published: February 2011

PurposeIt may be a cliché of modern business for a company to say that “people are our greatest asset,” but this is one truism that should be taken seriously. Up to 70 percent of a company's value is tied up in the skills and experience of its employees. All too often, however, business executives and Human Resource (HR) departments have very little insight into how to use this asset for better business outcomes. This paper aims to look at the importance of effective talent metrics and to examine the problems organizations face when trying to develop talent intelligence.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the findings of Talent Intelligence: Key to Business Success, an independent research report examining business and HR attitudes to talent metrics and analytics.FindingsDespite the business value that accurate, accessible talent intelligence can provide, the research finds that there are significant differences between those talent metrics that organizations consider important and the data to which they have access. A legacy of disparate technology systems and a focus on measuring efficiency rather than effectiveness are the primary reasons for the lack of talent intelligence among many businesses.Originality/valueThe paper examines the findings of a comprehensive international survey of HR and business managers, identifying the barriers to collecting and analyzing useful talent metrics and laying out the key steps towards generating talent intelligence.
Using a human capital scorecard as a framework for analytical discovery
Authors: Ingham Jon 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest that analytics are most useful where they support and enable strategic decisions about people management and the business.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores how organizations can best make the link between strategy and the analytics they choose.FindingsThe best way to link analytics and strategy is through a human capital scorecard. This scorecard should be based on a strategy map like the original balanced business scorecard, which links inputs, human resource (HR) activities and human capital outputs together and also shows how these are linked to HR's impacts in the business.Practical implicationsOrganizations are advised to think strategically about the sorts of analytics they can develop in order to drive decision making about people and the potential impact of people on business performance. In many cases, they will find that developing a strategy map that identifies objectives for the people management strategy, followed by a scorecard identifying measures for these strategies, and then analytics to add value to the chosen measures, will be the best approach to HR measurement and analysis.Originality/valueOther authors have suggested forms of HR scorecard but these have not been based on a strategy map. This limits their usefulness and, in particular, does not enable analytics to be developed that link to strategic needs within a business.
Measuring human capital
Authors: Baron Angela 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to identify how human resource (HR) professionals can best approach the measurement of human capital. This is an evolving area and those organizations held up as exemplars are constantly reviewing their approach and measures and striving for better understanding of people contribution.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on experience and research from within the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in the UK since 2000 and up to 2011, as well as external research sources.FindingsThe paper finds that there is no one way to carry out human capital measurement as it is context‐specific. However, there are certain people management measures that when applied would provide managers with useful insights in most organizations. More important than specific measures is that the processes around measurement are accurate and trustworthy.Practical implicationsAll forms of capital must be evaluated and analyzed in context to understand how people drive business performance. Human capital only adds value if it can be successfully converted into goods and services that will make a profit.Originality/valueThe paper examines people management measures which provide managers with useful insight in most organizations. However, it concludes that it is more important that the processes around measurement should be accurate and trustworthy.
Auditors' going‐concern judgments: rigid, adaptive, or both?
Authors: Rosman Andrew J. 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine when auditors' decision behavior is rigid and adaptive in the going‐concern judgment. Because rigid behavior has been found to produce inappropriate outcomes, understanding when decision behavior is rigid or adaptive can lead to improved decision making.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment is conducted using cases based on real companies to produce information search traces as dependent measures that are studied in the ill‐structured and structured parts of the going‐concern task.FindingsAuditors are adaptive in ill‐structured tasks and rigid in structured tasks as predicted by theory. Evidence of flawed decision making commonly found in studies of fixation and related concepts was not found.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest the importance of explicitly accounting for task structure when studying decision behavior in situated contexts. Future research could assess whether task structure similarly impacts behavior in non‐auditing contexts.Practical implicationsResearchers and practitioners have long been concerned about inappropriate rigid behavior. This paper helps practitioners better understand when rigid or adaptive behavior is likely to occur to improve decision making.Originality/valueTaking a novel approach to reconcile two well established but conflicting bodies of literature by focusing on “when” not “whether” people are rigid or adaptive, this paper resolves a long‐standing paradox. The implication for the literature is that reframing the question and directly measuring behavior demonstrates that individuals are neither rigid nor adaptive, but can be both as they follow behavior that is consistent with the demands of the task when the demands are defined in terms of task structure.
Measuring flight to quality: a local correlation analysis
Authors: Can Inci A. , Li H.C. , McCarthy Joseph 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use the local correlation technique to measure flight to quality, which is defined as a pronounced and generally rapid increase in risk aversion. Flight to quality between American, British, German, Japanese, and Hong Kong spot equity indices and index futures is examined.Design/methodology/approachThe technique of non‐linear local correlation is employed to detect flight to quality in both spot and futures markets. The use of this methodology allows us to properly process both normally or non‐normally distributed time series. In addition, the estimation of local correlation minimizes the theoretical restrictions resulting from the selection of conditional events and the use of linear regression.FindingsAs market risk grows, an increase in flight to quality is documented. For example, a crash in the US stock market results in the flight of capital to the Treasury bond market. Evidence of flight to quality from domestic and foreign spot equity markets to US Treasury bonds is provided. Furthermore, flights to quality from domestic and foreign index futures to US bond futures are revealed. The strength of the reaction from one market to the other is measured and reported. Surprisingly, the authors observe that when market risk becomes extremely high, flight to quality diminishes.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that examines flight to quality in the futures markets by applying local correlation analysis. This study broadens the application of local polynomial regression and local correlation analysis.
Financial development index and economic growth: empirical evidence from India
Authors: Muhammad Adnan Hye Qazi 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to construct a financial development index (FDI) for the Indian economy and also examine the relationship between FDI and economic growth.Design/methodology/approachAugment Dickey Fuller, Phillips Perron and Ng Perron unit root tests are employed in order to determine the level of integration. The long‐ and short‐run dynamics are obtained by using auto‐regressive distributed lag approach to cointegration and rolling window approach to estimate coefficient of each observation.FindingsThe results indicate that long‐run relationship is presented among the economic growth, FDI, real‐interest rate (RIR), labor force and capital. But FDI negatively associated with economic growth in the case of long‐ and short‐run and RIR also negatively determine the economic growth only in the long run. The rolling regression result confirms that FDI negatively associated to growth in the years of 1978, 1979, 1984‐1987, 1990, 1996‐2000, 2004 and 2005 and RIR is impede economic growth in the years of 1978, 1979, 1986, 1988‐1997, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008.Originality/valueThe paper constructs an FDI for the Indian economy by using the four indicators of financial development. The findings are useful for India's policy makers in order to maintain the parallel expansion of financial development and economic growth.
A simple index of banking fragility: application to Indian data
Authors: Ghosh Saibal 
Published: February 2011

PurposeUsing data on Indian banks for 1997‐2007, the purpose of this paper is to develop an index of banking fragility and subsequently examine the factors affecting the index.Design/methodology/approachThe author employs basic distributional assumptions to develop the index and subsequently, employs panel data techniques to examine the factors which affect the index.FindingsBased on the statistical properties of the index, banks are classified as exhibiting high, moderate, and low stability. The multivariate regressions indicate an important role for banking industry variables in influencing the index.Practical implicationsThe paper complements the strand of literature which has been focusing on developing indicators of banking stability and examining the factors affecting them.Originality/valueTo the author's knowledge, this is perhaps the first study for an emerging economy and more certainly for India, to examine this issue.
Development of marketing‐driven measure of risk perception
Authors: Singh Ranjit , Bhowal Amalesh 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to measure the risk perception of the employees in respect of equity shares, from the perspective of elements of marketing mix and to ascertain the degree of influence of elements of marketing mix on equity‐related risk perception.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data based on the interview schedule were collected from the employees of Oil India Limited and various tables prepared. For analysis of data, Cronbach's alpha and Friedman test analysis were employed.FindingsOut of the four elements of marketing mix considered in the study, the degree of influence of price driven measure of risk perception is highest and others in order are product, promotion and place driven measure of risk perception, respectively.Originality/valueThe paper is the first of its kind and hence original in nature.
Taxation and the value of employee stock options
Authors: Abudy Menachem , Benninga Simon 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to derive firm value implications for various kinds of employee stock options (ESOs) in a framework that considers uncertainty, non‐diversification and the US statutory tax treatment.Design/methodology/approachThe authors extend the analysis of ESOs from the case of perfect capital markets to two cases of imperfect capital markets using the Benninga‐Helmantel‐Sarig framework.FindingsIt is found that ESOs are inferior to cash compensation and that the degree of option inferiority depends on employee diversification. In addition, incentive stock options (ISOs) are generally inferior to non‐qualified stock options (NSOs). This relative profitability of the NSO versus ISO increases as market imperfections are added. The authors also find that in general firm hedging of ESOs is suboptimal.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the firm value of employee stock options.
Founder family influence and foreign exchange risk management
Authors: Aabo Tom , Kuhn Jochen , Zanotti Giovanna 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the influence of founder families in medium‐sized manufacturing firms and to investigate the impact of such influence on risk management – more specifically foreign exchange hedging and speculation.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical study uses survey data and publicly available data for descriptive analysis and ordinary least squares/ordered regression analysis.FindingsThe authors find that two thirds of medium‐sized manufacturing firms are founder family firms in which the founder of the firm or members of his/her family are active in the management team, are members of the board of directors, and/or are shareholders of the firm. The study finds no difference between such founder family firms and other firms in terms of the use/non‐use decision related to foreign exchange derivatives but a marked difference in terms of the extent decision. Thus, founder family firms tend not only to hedge but also to speculate more extensively than other firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on medium‐sized manufacturing firms in Denmark.Originality/valueThis study provides empirical evidence on the influence of founder families in medium‐sized firms and adds to the sparse literature on the impact of founder family influence on risk management.
Copula based models for serial dependence
Authors: Vaz de Melo Mendes Beatriz , Aíube Cecília 
Published: February 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to statistically model the serial dependence in the first and second moments of a univariate time series using copulas, bridging the gap between theory and applications, which are the focus of risk managers.Design/methodology/approachThe appealing feature of the method is that it captures not just the linear form of dependence (a job usually accomplished by ARIMA linear models), but also the non‐linear ones, including tail dependence, the dependence occurring only among extreme values. In addition it investigates the changes in the mean modeling after whitening the data through the application of GARCH type filters. A total 62 US stocks are selected to illustrate the methodologies.FindingsThe copula based results corroborate empirical evidences on the existence of linear and non‐linear dependence at the mean and at the volatility levels, and contributes to practice by providing yet a simple but powerful method for capturing the dynamics in a time series. Applications may follow and include VaR calculation, simulations based derivatives pricing, and asset allocation decisions. The authors recall that the literature is still inconclusive as to the most appropriate value‐at‐risk computing approach, which seems to be a data dependent decision.Originality/valueThis paper uses a conditional copula approach for modeling the time dependence in the mean and variance of a univariate time series.