bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Public‐private partnerships, outsourcing or shared service centres?
Authors: Joha Anton , Janssen Marijn 
Published: August 2010

PurposeOrganizations are looking for different ways of sourcing their activities to acquire various benefits. The purpose of this paper is to compare the strategic intents and motives for shared service centres (SSCs), outsourcing and public‐private partnerships (PPPs) using three case studies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a combination of literature research and case study research. The case studies are analyzed using a framework for classifying the strategic intents.FindingsA large number of interrelated factors are found as drivers for selecting the various sourcing arrangements. It is found that the strategic intents underlying the decision to implement a PPP, SSC or outsourcing arrangements differ from each other. Outsourcing is mainly used to reduce costs for non‐core activities or to gain access to expertise otherwise out‐of‐reach and, while a shared services arrangement is selected when an organization wants to improve service levels and reduce costs at the same time. Finally, PPPs are focused on developing new and innovative services and seem to accomplish most intents at the expense of higher risks. The intents have relatively subtle differences, compared to how significantly the arrangements differ.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is explorative in nature and revealed a large number of intents. Generalization of findings is not straightforward, as there is no uniform view on what constitutes SSCs and PPPs. This research helps to have insight in the basic differences, but needs to be further generalized by investigating a larger number of case studies.Practical implicationsPublic organizations are struggling to find the right sourcing arrangements. This research can help decision makers in making a choice between PPPs, SSCs and outsourcing arrangements.Originality/valueThe primary value of this study is to understand the differences between the strategic intents underlying the use of these three sourcing arrangements.
Adopting shared services in a public‐sector organization
Authors: Ulbrich Frank 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to combine translation theory with aspects of socio‐technology and systems theory to study the adoption of shared services in a public‐sector organization. The paper aims to involve the process of translating the shared‐services idea in concert with people and policies, both in terms of inputs and outputs.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive case‐study strategy was applied.FindingsThe mutual impact of process, people, and policies shed light on what influences the adoption of the shared‐services idea. The translation process considers different people and policy aspects, transforming the idea into a specific configuration that reflects the organization's individual conditions.Research limitations/implicationsThe in‐depth case study enables better understanding of the adoption of shared services at an organizational level. The paper enriches previous research on the translation of management ideas. It is limited to the extent that it focuses on one particular case, which restricts the possibilities for a wider generalization.Practical implicationsThe paper indicates a lack of national policies to embrace the shared‐services idea fully at the studied organization. The paper can aid governments in paving the way for the adoption of management ideas in public‐sector organizations.Originality/valueThe paper extends previous research on the adoption of management ideas and, especially, how the idea of shared services is adopted. It illustrates the translation process, how this process shapes personal and factual outcomes, and what this means for the adoption of the shared services idea at an organizational level.
Beyond the shop: problems and possibilities
Authors: Benson John , Ugolini Laura 
Published: August 2010

PurposeFocusing upon British retailing, the purpose of this paper is to review what is known both about the importance of different supply networks at different points in time, and about the attitudes of different groups of consumers towards these networks.Design/methodology/approachRelying primarily upon secondary sources, the paper discusses the ways in which the literature on retailing beyond the shop has developed during the past 40 years, and particularly during the past ten years or so.FindingsThe paper shows that although it is difficult to delineate the scale and importance of retailing beyond the shop, there is a growing consensus that shops were by no means the sole, or necessarily dominant, source of supply. It shows too that consumers' attitudes towards both commercial and non‐commercial exchanges were complex and sometimes contradictory, with non‐commercial transactions particularly difficult to disentangle and interpret. However, it should not be assumed, it is suggested, that notions of value and ties of reciprocity inevitably fell victim to the growing forces of industrialisation and urbanisation.Originality/valueThe paper adopts a broad chronological perspective and introduces readers to sources, evidence, ideas and concepts that shed light on British retail development and change.
The prevention of shoplifting in eighteenth‐century London
Authors: Tickell Shelley 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore eighteenth‐century London retailers' attitudes to shoplifting and their strategies for countering customer theft.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an examination of contemporary documentary evidence, in particular a quantitative and qualitative analysis of shopkeeper practice drawn from trial transcripts of shoplifting prosecutions at London's highest criminal court, the Old Bailey.FindingsThe paper reveals that shopkeepers predominantly invested in preventative measures to control customer theft, rather than relying on prosecution. It demonstrates that improved shop fittings and new marketing methods served to reinforce the effectiveness of this strategy. The techniques that retailers employed are shown to directly reflect the nature and location of the risks they experienced, even to the extent of being a contributory factor in the withdrawal of women from the retail sector during this period.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to a sample of London trials and the experiences of retailers who prosecuted.Originality/valueThis is the first study of shoplifting prevention in this period. It analyses retailer practice and illustrates how this interacted with their perception of the prevalence of criminality, demonstrating that their approach to stock protection anticipated that of modern retailers. It complements existing scholarship on eighteenth‐century retailing and marketing.
The illicit trade in clothing, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, 1800‐1850
Authors: Toplis Alison 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the acquisition of clothing through informal trading channels by provincial working‐class consumers between 1800 and 1850. It argues that the informal trade fulfilled various functions for such consumers, both as buyers and sellers: clothing could be sold to raise cash quickly and bought at a cheap price, while the informal trade may also have reinforced local community networks and other social relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire to provide a case study that highlights any differences in informal networks arising out of geographical variations. Documentation for the informal trade has been gathered from records of court cases and newspaper reporting of criminal trials involving stolen clothing.FindingsThe informal trade in clothing involved everyday, ordinary clothing, usually sold for money, but often for goods in kind and/or social credit. The trade operated over all areas of the two counties and seems to have been an important method for acquiring cheap clothing where retail provision was not yet fully developed to cater for all social classes.Originality/valueThe link between all facets of retailing is highlighted, as is the importance of placing informal trading networks within their local retailing environment. Their success relied on participants' knowledge about the goods, on trust in each other and often on expectations of mutuality. The informal trade was an important strategy for working‐class clothing acquisition in both rural and urban areas. The trade in illicit clothing formed a large proportion of the informal trade, and its analysis also sheds light on the informal trade in licit clothing.
Converging threats: assessing socio‐economic and climate impacts on water governance
Authors: Hill Margot 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIt is increasingly recognised that water will be the prime medium through which climate change impacts will be felt. But water governance issues are already deemed to be a prime cause of a global water issues. Not only will climate change affect the function and operation of existing water infrastructure and institutions but additionally, current frameworks may not be robust enough to cope with climate change impacts. Effective water governance is seen as essential to building adaptive capacity in communities to manage future climatic uncertainty and stress. The purpose of this paper is to assess socio‐economic and climate impacts on water governance.Design/methodology/approachAs a first step in assessing adaptive capacity of two river basins, this paper explores current vulnerabilities in a Swiss water governance arrangement, and then proposes the subsequent implications for water resource management within a climate change context. It presents results from a governance assessment in the specific context of integrated water resource management and suggests a means to develop the assessment to address the issue of climate change and extreme events.FindingsA low level of integration and highly segregated approach to water resources management suggests that the potential ramifications of climate change and expanding water uses may not be adequately reflected in their current governance framework.Originality/valueThe paper explores the current governance context in order to improve the understanding of how regulatory and institutional regimes may facilitate the development of adaptive capacity. It then proposes additional methodological steps to improve on such an assessment to take into better account the dynamic interplay between the human, hydrological and climate components of the system.
In situ adaptation against sea level rise (SLR) in Bangladesh: does awareness matter?
Authors: Saroar Mustafa , Routray Jayant K. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to identify and assess quantitatively the influences of a few dimensions of climate awareness on people's preference for adaptation against sea level rise (SLR).Design/methodology/approachFrom the literature survey “familiarity with”, “perception about” and “intuitive knowledge about” climate change‐sea level rise (CC‐SLR) have been identified as dimensions of “climate awareness”. Empirical research was done through administering questionnaires among 285 respondents selected randomly from three coastal villages in Bangladesh. After principal component analysis, data sufficiency and colinearity test, a total of 18 variables were entered into a multinomial logistic regression model. The reference category “evacuation” was compared with other two choices, i.e. in situ adaptation with “same occupation” and “changed occupation”.FindingsFor the SLR scenario of 2050‐2075 occupational engagement, use of radio for climate information, exposure to rainfall, salinity and perception about CC‐SLR appeared as the most significant predictors of people's preference for evacuation or in situ adaptation (LR χ2=183.38, pseudo R2=0.54, p<.001). Similarly, for the SLR scenario of 2080‐2100, in addition to the factors cited above, some other factors such as educational attainment, exposure to flood, climate perception and familiarity appeared as the most significant predictor of respondent's preference (LR χ2=202.08, pseudo R2=0.60, p<0.001).Originality/valueTwo dimensions of climate awareness, i.e. familiarity with and perception about CC‐SLR may significantly influence the people's preference for adaptation choice. Launching a programme to enhance climate awareness without further delay may help people planning for anticipatory in situ adaptation against CC‐SLR.
Location aware auctions for tourism services
Authors: Marentakis Charis , Emiris Dimitrios 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual architecture for the development of an auction business‐to‐consumer marketplace where sellers offer available resources and services aiming to maximize their revenue while on‐the‐move travelers bid for them subject to the geographical area they are located in.Design/methodology/approachBased on previous findings from the literature and aggregate results from a preliminary field survey, core communication requirements, marketplace architecture, and communication workflows are presented.FindingsFindings from the literature and field study exhibit a great potential for the successful use of location sensitive auction applications in tourism sector. Mobile auctions seem attractive for the efficient allocation and pricing of travel resources by abolishing the internet's barriers related to travelers computing requirements; furthermore, location‐based services (LBS) may reduce significantly the communication costs for sellers. The proposed marketplace is beneficial for a number of stakeholders beyond sellers, like auctioneer, mobile communications providers, and LBS providers.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed architecture is in conceptual form and is currently under development. Infrastructure issues (like communication load, required bandwidth and protocol) are being investigated. Future research will focus on the integration of the architecture in an extended multi‐provider environment forming virtual enterprises. The viability and acceptance of the proposed model should be further investigated through an extended detailed market survey.Originality/valueTo the authors' best knowledge it is the first attempt to propose a location‐sensitive auction marketplace for tourism services.
Automatic knowledge exchanging between tourists via mobile devices
Authors: Tatsiopoulos Christos , Boutsinas Basilis 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to present an approach for services in the domain of tourism based on a software application in the area of ontology engineering, showing a methodology for intelligent knowledge‐based P2P networks creation, in the tourism knowledge domain, given that, potential tourists share and organize their experiences, interests and knowledge. Using the proposed software application, they automatically exchange their knowledge, with an intelligent and transparent way, with other users that have the same or similar interests and make use of it.Design/methodology/approachThe approach followed was categorizing tourism‐related interests and services into ontologies (system and user), then comparing them, using intelligent algorithms, suggesting new, unknown to the user, interests. The data were evaluated by experts in order to provide a guide for correct (according to the expert) interestingness of profile concepts.FindingsThe paper presents the outcomes of the software used, running on mobile devices, showing the connection for them, among user knowledge profiles and tourism services. It has been found that the return results (concepts) are of high interestingness to the user.Research limitations/implicationsExperiments have been performed with one central ontology, used as reference and two user ontologies at the same time. The authors would suggest more experimentation, with more users connected concurrently.Practical implicationsOf high practical importance is the creation of intelligent social networking processes and user communities based on interests for further e‐commerce activities, based on a semantic framework.Originality/valueThe paper fulfils the need for intelligent interaction and distribution of knowledge and content to users in an autonomous way, anywhere.
The effect of knowledge management resource inputs on organizational effectiveness in the restaurant industry
Authors: Joong Kim Yong , Hancer Murat 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine knowledge management resource inputs that affect organizational effectiveness in the restaurant industry.Design/methodology/approachThe target population of this paper was restaurant employees. Data were collected using online surveys. Data analysis for this paper included frequency table, t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe paper finds knowledge management resource inputs influence organizational effectiveness in a restaurant. The results reveal that the significant knowledge management resource inputs that affected organizational effectiveness were information technology, incentive, and a knowledge sharing culture. Information technology turns out to be the most important input followed by incentive and a knowledge sharing culture to improve organizational effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, data collection from self‐repot surveys can threaten the validity of the paper. Second, this paper did not take into account the role of all possible resource factors relevant for organizational effectiveness. Future research should examine how other factors, such as leadership, influence organizational effectiveness.Practical implicationsThe overall practical implication of the findings is that to achieve high‐organizational effectiveness, restaurant operators first need to establish distinctive strategies in how they use knowledge management resource inputs.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the theoretical development of knowledge management by examining how inputs from knowledge management resources are being put to use in the restaurant industry.
Post‐disaster housing reconstruction
Authors: Karunasena Gayani , Rameezdeen Raufdeen 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to report the findings of a study, which analysed the strengths and limitations of two distinct concepts used for post‐disaster housing reconstruction, namely, the donor‐driven and owner‐driven approaches.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered through interviews, questionnaire survey and observations from government, non‐government organizations and the beneficiaries of owner‐driven and donor‐driven programmes in one of the affected districts.FindingsThe paper reveals that beneficiary satisfaction is higher on owner‐driven approach compared to the donor‐driven approach. Further, imposition of the buffer zone, non‐availability of suitable land and capacity constraints of the construction industry are identified as critical factors affecting the success of donor‐driven housing programme.Research limitations/implicationsIt was assumed that the quickest and most effective way to rebuild houses after a disaster is to employ the “donor‐driven” approach, where the government or an external funding agency leads the reconstruction process with the help of consultants and contractors procured for the project. Contrary to this popular view, this paper finds that there are limitations in this approach and that it may lead to housing that does not respond to needs of victims.Originality/valueThis paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of the two strategies used in housing reconstruction and highlights the need for building regulations and technical assistance as key to overcome limitations of the owner‐driven approach.
Commentaries on our new ways of perceiving disasters
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help readers gain more understanding of the new phenomena of terror, risk, and threat perception.Design/methodology/approachVarious authors are reviewed: Castel, Beck, Baral, Kellner, Sabada, Korstanje, and in particular, Baudrillard.FindingsSeveral matches are found among the reviewed authors which comprise, for example: late modernity (from 1970 to date) witnesses an increase of fears, panic, and risk assessments in social imaginary; these concerns are part of a process that opens the future to the contingency. That way, the decision‐making process in human beings sheds light on certain aspects of life such as health, body‐care planning but this has a dark side; even though the modern state is in charge of warranting the stability and security, external dangers override their capacities of response. An emergent sentiment of anxiety arises whenever human relations collapse.Originality/valueThis paper is an interesting commentary from an anthropologist/social psychologist specializing in the effects of September 11 or other man‐made and natural disasters.
A re‐evaluation of social, environmental and sustainability accounting
Authors: Gray Rob 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIn responding to prior critiques, the paper seeks to re‐examine social accounting as a problem focused, multi‐disciplinary field and explores some of the possible directions the emerging field might take.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is a discursive, polemical essay.FindingsThe very nature of social accounting as a problem‐based field seems to encourage – even require – that scholars approach the subject with a diversity of disciplinary methodological framings. In this regard, it may be apposite to view the field as an emerging, new trans‐disciplinary field.Research limitations/implicationsAs an essay, the paper seeks to stimulate thought and debate but it is ultimately speculative and personal.Originality/valueThe paper continues the reflections upon the nature of social accounting (in the widest sense of the term) and offers some of the ways in which the new journalSustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, may articulate its purpose. The paper would not presume to usurp the duty of either the community or posterity to determine whether or not this piece has either originality or value.
Human rights and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Stohl Michael , Stohl Cynthia 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore how globalization processes have shaped the nature, scope, and time frame of considerations of social responsibility and the development of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) regime. The paper identifies three generations of human rights' values embedded within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and aims to argue that they inspire and influence contemporary discussions about, and practices of CSR.Design/methodology/approachEmploying the emergence of the human rights regime as a paradigmatic case comparison, the interrelationships of states, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and corporations in the development of new conceptions and expectations of, and organizations for CSR were explored.FindingsThe paper finds strong parallels between the growth of the global human rights regime and the burgeoning international attention paid to issues of CSR and sustainability. Four critical stages are identified: the formal articulation of norms, the increasing role of NGOs, changing power dynamics between state, NGOs, and multinational corporations, and the reconfiguration of network density and diversity.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that attention to the communicative processes associated with the development of the international human rights regime provides important insights for the future development of a global CSR regime.Originality/valueThrough the introduction of the three generations of human rights discourse, communicative actions and pathways from which a global corporate social responsibility regime may emerge were articulated.