bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational network legitimacy and its impact on knowledge networks: the case of China's TD‐SCDMA mobility technology
Authors: Low Brian , Johnston Wesley J. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify why and how organizational network legitimacy facilitates firms' access to knowledge networks and reciprocal knowledge exchange between stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves a managerially oriented inductive interpretative research, with empirical evidence sourced from a single in‐depth case study, complemented by hands‐on experience with the industry.FindingsSubsidiaries of multinationals operating in China's politically sensitive and protective mobility technology market have stronger proactive and collaborative aspirations towards exploiting emerging technological opportunities in the external environment and developing technological capabilities because they are more inclined to pursue organizational network legitimacy initiatives.Research limitations/implicationsHow organizational network legitimacy is produced, where does it become manifest, and at what administrative layers within China's politically sensitive and protective telecommunications are systematic empirical research questions that could be examined in the future.Practical implicationsInternalizing, driven only by market and/or technology legitimacy, falls short of realizing the organizational network legitimacy goal. It must also include cognitive understanding of the net sum of relational, investment and social legitimacies, as these are cognitively binding as well as benefiting with respect to subsidiaries of multinationals in accessing knowledge networks.Originality/valueThe paper underscores the importance of studying organizational network legitimacy and how it impacts on firms' access to knowledge networks, in a politically sensitive and protective Chinese mobility technology market.
Sustainability and triple bottom line: key issues for successful Spanish school principals
Authors: Corral Granados Anabel , Granados Gámez Genoveva 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how an organizational triple bottom line approach can be adapted to increase organizational sustainability in a Spanish school setting and assist school directors, who hold the primary role, in the process of adaptation.Design/methodology/approachThrough synthesising different conceptual approaches, a system model was created based on design models, such as the “Design of results” and the “Cogniscope”, and thereafter managerial triple bottom line theory was adapted to Spanish head teacher practices.FindingsThe model shows that although there is no regulated training in school management in Spain, sustainability in schools can be managed by following this or similar strategic models, as long as adequate resources and managerial tools are provided.Practical implicationsThe paper discusses how sustainability can be achieved through the organization, management and implementation of already available resources in a school setting. This unique model informs, enables and empowers Spanish head teachers to lead and manage sustainable performances by following triple bottom line approaches.Originality/valueTerms such as triple bottom line and sustainability are fairly new and have received little attention in the field of education, even though research on organizational sustainability shows positive implications for future generations.
Early career teachers' quit intentions: implications for teacher education
Authors: Raju Pamu Mohan 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify what job‐related, individual, and profession‐related variables cause the intention to quit teaching among the early career teachers, especially teachers of Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachQuit intentions were measured adapting the scale developed by Mueller and Lawler, and 11 profession‐related and person‐related job variables were measured by author‐developed and literature‐derived scale items on a five‐point Likert scale, along with five status variables. Data were analyzed from a sample of 308 early career teachers belonging to secondary and preparatory schools of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.FindingsAn alarming 53 per cent sample expressed high quit intention whereas only 13 per cent teachers showed low quit intentions. Choice satisfaction (accounting 44 per cent variance), availability of other job opportunities (23 per cent variance), perceived status (15 per cent variance), and self‐accountability (13 per cent variance) emerged as predictor variables. None of the five status variables emerged as significant predictors. Commitment to teaching profession was not a significant predictor, suggesting the two concepts independent of each other.Research limitations/implicationsProviding freedom of choice at entry level to teaching profession coupled with enhancing rigour in pre‐service education was suggested as major steps required for decreasing high‐level quit intentions.Practical implicationsEducation policy needs to be such that for preparation of teachers of secondary and preparatory level, pre‐service teacher education students should have attained maturity of adulthood with a minimum academic attainment of a post‐undergraduate level or a post‐graduate level. This is to enable early career teachers to handle adolescence‐level school students by being equipped with better skills learned during pre‐service teacher education.Originality/valueThe results are pertinent not only to Ethiopia but also to any less developed or a developing country, where “catch them early” policy is followed for pre‐service education and where less rigorous pre‐service education exists.
Performance management practices, employee attitudes and managed performance
Authors: Kagaari James , Munene John C. , Mpeera Ntayi Joseph 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the relationship between performance management practices, employee attitudes and managed performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing a disproportionate stratified purposive approach, a sample of 900 employees was drawn from four public universities in Uganda.FindingsThe paper reveals that performance management practices and employee attitudes are crucial for achievement of managed performance in public universities.Research limitations/implicationsThis was a cross‐sectional study that inherently has common method biases. Such biases could be minimised with replication of the study using a longitudinal study approach that would also unearth all salient issues that could have remained untouched.Practical implicationsThe paper emphasises the need for public universities to institutionalise result‐oriented relationships and adapt in the external hyper changing environment.Originality/valueThe paper calls for a new approach to managing employees in public universities with increasing demand for university education and stakeholder interests in delivery of cost‐effective quality services.
Marketing framework in higher education
Authors: Ramachandran Narayanan T. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIn recent years, the higher education (HE) sector has been influenced by a marketised approach. Such an approach has enabled higher education institutions (HEIs) to increase their international presence and also to enhance their student profile. Nevertheless, marketing theories applied to commercial sector may not be relevant to the HE sector. The purpose of this paper is to examine how marketing framework has influenced various aspects of HE management and its implication to dealing with student issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a conceptual discussion of the issues.FindingsThe paper takes a critical view of customer metaphor for students and argues that such attempts restrict the rights and privileges that students and the HE sector traditionally enjoyed. Differences between commercial organisations and HE sector in terms of products developed and the underlying process of development are explored. How the uniqueness of the HE sector relies more on a sector‐wide agreement than on legal framework is analysed. The role of marketing units in developing a mature market which is strong enough to demand quality HE products is emphasised. Several aspects that need to be coordinated among quality assurance departments, academic staff, and the marketing departments are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsIndiscriminate use of marketing metaphors in the HE sector has introduced new dimensions to the relationship that exists between the HEIs and students.Practical implicationsMarketing in the HE sector is not similar to what exists in the commercial sector as “higher education products” are different from “commercial products” and students are different from “customers” who buy commercial products. Moreover, the roles of marketing departments in the HE sector are different from those in a commercial organisation.Originality/valueMarketing frameworks cannot be transplanted into a HE environment. The sector is unique and is characterised more by the principles of self‐governance and academic freedom. Application of marketing techniques will restrict students' rights and destroy the relationship that exists between the HEI and the students. Marketing departments should focus on creating mature markets.
Solutions offerings: a critical review and reconceptualisation
Authors: Nordin Fredrik , Kowalkowski Christian 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a critical analysis of the literature of solutions offerings; to provide a new conceptual framework, incorporating dimensions that can distinguish between different kinds of solutions and connect their different characteristics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes a critical review of the relevant literature, 28 contributions being identified in a search of three major databases and a range of other published work for the broader perspective, illustrated by real‐world examples.FindingsThere is no unanimous and rigorous definition of solutions, but rather a number of often broad and generic descriptions that could be applied to a wide array of different offerings, if not generically.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of subject‐specific contributions to the literature may not have been sufficient, and a wider selection of keywords to identify them might have captured a richer variety of concepts and opinions.Originality/valueThis structured and critical review contributes to the literature on services and solutions, by developing a conceptual framework as a basis for future studies and current management strategy.
Benefits and uncertainties of performance‐based contracting in manufacturing industries
Authors: Hypko Phillipp , Tilebein Meike , Gleich Ronald 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIn view of a lack of understanding of the consequences of performance‐based contracting (PBC), this paper aims to reveal deeper insights into the mechanisms inherent to PBC and explore which benefits and uncertainties may result for providers and customers.Design/methodology/approachConducting a comprehensive literature review and drawing on insights from agency theory as a framework, the auhtors analyzed a broad range of academic publications on the benefits and uncertainties of PBC and developed testable propositions from the provider's and the customer's perspective.FindingsWith PBC, in comparison to the conventional selling and supporting of machinery or equipment, the manufacturers are more likely to acquire customers for highly innovative technologies, to increase their profit, and to improve customer loyalty. Manufacturers, however, have to deal with uncertain revenues and costs which affect their profit. The customers are more likely to receive increased performance at decreased costs. Concerning the performance, however, the customers enter into an uncertain relationship of dependence.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to analyze the benefits and uncertainties of PBC in manufacturing industries systematically from an agency theory perspective. The paper further develops extant research by outlining the mechanisms of PBC and relating the benefits and uncertainties that are scattered over a broad body of literature. The paper proposes several promising avenues for further research.
Promoting active communication behaviours through internal communication
Authors: Mazzei Alessandra 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a definition of internal communication based on intangible resources rather than organizational boundaries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the resource‐based theory of the company, the constructivist theory of communication and the situational theory of publics. It then proposes a resource model (RM) of internal communication based on interactive processes aimed at creating two catalytic resources for organizing: knowledge and allegiance. The field research explores whether this model captures the concept of internal communication prevailing in business, based on interviews with ten internal communication managers in Italian companies.FindingsThe companies in this paper display a strong awareness of how intangible resources, such as knowledge and employee attitudes, contribute to the company's success. Consequently, they seek to promote active communication behaviours among employees. The RM depicts many characteristics of the way managers currently perceive internal communication.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the qualitative nature of the research, the results do not have universal validity.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that the main function of internal communication departments is no longer to transmit messages but to promote active communication behaviours at all organizational levels.Originality/valueThe paper suggests a definition of internal communication that would help to generate the intangible resources that fuel organizations: knowledge and allegiance. It supports a new focus on active communication behaviours of employees.
Supply chains in the construction industry
Authors: Segerstedt Anders , Olofsson Thomas 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a special issue about the construction industry and the management of its supply chains. It aims to discuss and point to some differences and possible similarities with traditional manufacturing and its supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is mostly a literature review and contains official statistics.FindingsThe market of the construction company is mostly local and highly volatile. The long durability of the construction “product” contributes to the volatility. The product specification process before the customer order arrives shows different degrees of specifications: engineer to order, modify to order, configure to order, select a variant. (The common make‐to‐stock in traditional manufacturing does not exist.) A construction company only executes a small part of the project by its own personnel and capacity. This is a way of risk spreading and risk mitigation and to compensate for an unstable market. If a construction company wants to establish a new concept, from “engineer to order” to e.g. “configure to order”, it must be engaged earlier in the business process and with other than usual customers, which might complicate the process.Research limitations/implicationsExperiences from Sweden and Swedish developments are the main source of information.Originality/valueThe paper introduces the articles that are a source of scientifically generated knowledge regarding various problems and opportunities associated with supply chain management in the project‐based construction industry.
A case study of multi‐team communications in construction design under supply chain partnering
Authors: Xie Charlene , Wu Dash , Luo Jianwen , Hu Xiaoling 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe increasing “globalisation” and complexity of construction design implies that the project team may involve subcontractors in the construction supply chain from widely distributed geographic areas. Thus communication is a vital process for the design. The aim of the present work is to investigate how construction design under supply chain partnering can be improved through a study of communication issues and problems.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey is initially conducted to investigate communication issues and problems in construction design. Based on the survey results, a case study is carried out to gain further insights into these issues and problems, exploring how the procurement like supply chain partnering influences the multi‐team communications in construction design.FindingsThe paper finds that partnering can eliminate many communication barriers and has a positive impact on social collaboration in the design process. It could have a negative impact on the team communications if proper procedures have not been put in place. In addition, co‐location can increase the degree of interaction, communication and technical collaboration in the partnership.Originality/valueThis paper may help construction project practitioners to focus their attention on the necessary respects of multi‐team communications between supply chain partners in construction design, leading to high cooperation and ultimately improving the quality of the design outcomes.
Fast‐growing firms in a transitional and extreme environment: are they different?
Authors: Hoxha Durim , Capelleras Joan‐Lluis 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper is aims at investigating the contribution of fast‐growing firms to employment and the determinants of fast growth in Kosova, which can be considered an environment characterized by a transitional period and extreme conditions for entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThe paper was based on the data collected from face‐to‐face interviews with 585 firm founders. The contribution of firms to job creation was computed by using descriptive statistics and then an ordinal logit regression model was employed to explore the determinants of fast growth.FindingsResults indicate that the contribution of fast‐growing firms to employment in this environment is lower than that in Western and developed countries. Findings also suggest that fast growth is positively affected by specific human capital, intentions to grow and the ability to deal with external barriers, while having a university degree is found to be negatively related to fast growth.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides a better understanding of the phenomenon of fast‐growing firms and has several theoretical and practical implications. Importantly, the research on fast‐growing firm is still not mature and the overall picture on fast‐growing firms have yet to be built.Originality/valueMost of the empirical evidence on fast‐growing firms comes from developed countries. This paper provides the empirical evidence from a transitional yet extreme context to further our knowledge on the topic of firm's fast growth.
Differentiation for competitive advantage in a small family business
Authors: Douglas Alex , Douglas Jacqueline , Davies John 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report how a small, family‐owned children's play centre can achieve competitive advantage by developing a differentiated service. The aim is to show how this differentiation strategy is operationalized in a small family business using safety critical and work critical regulatory practices, and to examine their impact on operations and customers.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was taken, collecting data through observation over a 24‐month period from design, through construction, to the first 18 months of operations. A survey of customers was undertaken after the centre had been open for 12 months.FindingsFrom startup in 2005, the centre has attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 children per week. It charges premium admission prices (twice those of competitors) and also charges for accompanying adults. Customers travel up to 20 miles to the centre, extremely high customer satisfaction levels are achieved, over 99 per cent of customers would recommend the centre to others and repeat visits are the norm.Research limitations/implicationsThe research covers a single case and therefore is only generalisable back to theory rather than to the population of free‐standing children's soft play area businesses.Practical implicationsWhen organizations within a particular industry sector operate within the confines of that industry's legal requirements, it is the voluntary practices that are likely to lead to differentiation of the service.Originality/valueThe paper provides a detailed case study on how a small family business achieves competitive advantage by utilising safety critical and work critical practices to strategically differentiate its service offering.
Influences on innovation in small Australian construction businesses
Authors: Hardie Mary 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the major influences on innovation delivery in the context of small Australian construction businesses.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis was undertaken of peer‐reviewed journal articles published between 1998 and 2008. Historical background to the current circumstances was included by reference to influential government reports and to literature on the economic theory underpinning the concept of innovation.FindingsThe findings suggest that despite the recent trend to more cooperative business arrangements, the ingrained culture of aggressively competitive relations on a building project remains in place. This is particularly evident at the small and sub‐contractor level. Such companies tend to operate with little spare capacity and can be restricted from participation in the benefits of the innovation strategies unless they receive outside assistance.Research limitations/implicationsThe need for an attitudinal change is described and critical factors which restrict the involvement of small businesses in innovative practice are identified. The potential for industry bodies and government organizations to foster innovative capacity is identified as an area for future research.Practical implicationsA focus on lifting technical innovation rates for the efficient delivery of projects is described and the case for a renewed research effort on the needs of small construction businesses is made.Originality/valueThe need for the translation of innovation theory to an industry which tends to see itself as a special case and has traditionally avoided the adoption of economic theory from other sectors.
Italian and Indian gold and jewelry SMEs, marketing practices in the USA
Authors: Simoni Christian , Rabino Samuel , Zanni Lorenzo 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine current patterns of international marketing activities of Italian gold firms with a special emphasis on the US market and to juxtapose them with those adopted by Indian gold firms.Design/methodology/approachA sample of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from Italy and India served as the study setting. Data were collected via depth interviews from the owners/managers of four Italian and three Indian firms.FindingsThe paper finds that the competitive behavior of Italian SMEs is primarily reactive, whereas Indian companies strategically focus on the expanding Indian immigrant community.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study evaluating small companies based in two regions (Arezzo, and Hyderabad, India).Originality/valueA strategic comparison of the competitive conducts of SMEs based in an old economy country and a new economy emerging market‐based firms.