bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality assuring adult anti‐microbial guidelines
Authors: Al Mahdy Husayn 
Published: March 2012

PurposeGuidelines have been produced in nearly all developed countries to provide cost‐effective hospital care. The study's purpose, therefore, was to determine whether a London hospital's anti‐microbial guidelines conform to this principle.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach was a literature search to determine anti‐microbial therapies for certain diseases and comparing outcomes with what hospital guidelines recommend.FindingsThere are significant discrepancies in the hospital anti‐microbial guidelines and what is recommended in the literature.Research limitations/implicationsLocal microbial patterns for these diseases were not studied as they were not formally available and these could have had an impact on guidelines recommendations.Practical implicationsLocal guidelines influence day‐to‐day hospital clinical practice and their robustness is important. They need to comply with national and/or international guidelines. Deviations from these guidelines need appropriate comments within the documents to highlight their validity. Such an approach would facilitate medical students and junior doctor training who depend on these guidelines for good clinical practice.Originality/valueThe study provides an important contribution to developing hospital clinical guidelines.
Using values and shopping styles to identify fashion apparel segments
Authors: Sarabia‐Sanchez Francisco J. , De Juan Vigaray Maria D. , Hota Monali 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to segment consumers using personal values and to link the resulting typologies with shopping styles for the fashion apparel (FA) market.Design/methodology/approachThe Schwartz value inventory (SVI) was suitably modified for the Spanish fashion retail consumer context using expert and consumer panels and then administered. Firstly, principal components analysis was conducted to identify the motivational value types and compare with Schwartz. Secondly, cluster analysis was used to create a typology of Spanish fashion consumers. Finally, ANOVA analysis was conducted to link the consumer typology with a typology of shopping styles.FindingsEleven motivational types of consumer values were found (congruent with Schwartz's results), however with slight differences leading to the uncovering of Spanish culture‐specific motivational types such as “ecology”, “inner peace” and four distinct motivational types of “self‐direction”. This further led to the emergence of four fashion retail consumer segments which could be linked to shopping styles with six of the eight shopping styles showing significant differences across segments.Research limitations/implicationsResults may vary with cultural context and consumer industry context suggesting future research opportunities.Practical implicationsCultural differences in consumer values cannot be ignored even amidst globalization. Therefore, the use of consumer values for Spanish fashion retail consumer segmentation and its further link with shopping styles has significant implications for fashion retail marketers as it can be used to plan the retail marketing mix strategy.Originality/valueThe study has originality and value since the results provide interesting empirical evidence of the usefulness of personal values as a consumer segmentation tool, and expand one's knowledge on the relationship between cultural values and consumer shopping behaviour in a critical but neglected research domain; the Spanish fashion retail context.
Marketing channel length in rural India
Authors: Aithal Rajesh K. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to understand the influence of the external environment and rural retailer purchase preference on the length of channels in rural areas in India.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involved the survey of over 686 rural retailers in 103 villages across rural India, to trace the structure of distribution channels.FindingsThe correlation analysis and ANOVA test show that channel length varies in regions based on variation in the external environment. Village retailer with his unique buying preferences also influences the distribution channel.Research limitations/implicationsThe study involves only two product categories and ignores the evolutionary aspect of distribution channels.Practical implicationsThe study provides pointers to marketers interested in gaining access to rural markets.Originality/valueThe paper is one of the first empirical studies which focuses on understanding the distribution channel in rural areas, by starting from the village retailer onwards to the channel intermediaries in the nearest small town.
Effects of business environment on international retail operations: case study evidence from China
Authors: Yu Wantao , Ramanathan Ramakrishnan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the business environment on operations strategy encompassed by competitive priorities in China's retail sector.Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study of a multinational retailer to understand how the company develops appropriate operations strategies to survive in the competitive and dynamic Chinese business environment.FindingsThe study identifies that companies intending to expand their businesses in emerging markets face many challenges in the new business environment, and that various dimensions of the business environment (e.g. business cost, competitive hostility, and environmental dynamism) affect the development of retail operations strategy. The strategy of flexibility is particularly important for international companies to survive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment. Foreign retailers need to be flexible and agile, adapting to the Chinese market environment in many ways in order to succeed.Originality/valueThis study seems to be the first in investigating the effects of the business environment on international operations strategy in the service (retail) sector, especially in the Chinese context.
Modelling choice in logistics: a managerial guide and application
Authors: Garver Michael S. , Williams Zachary , Stephen Taylor G. , Wynne William R. 
Published: March 2012

PurposeMuch of the research conducted in logistics/SCM has focused on satisfaction/retention of customers. This has left a critical gap for managers: before customers can be satisfied and ultimately retained, a purchase choice of logistics services has to occur. To date, very little research has addressed how logistics customers make purchase choice decisions about logistics services. The purpose of this paper, using logistics research methods, is to introduce adaptive choice modelling (ACM) to address this gap and put forth a research method that is useful for academic researchers and logistics/SCM managers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides an overview of ACM, along with a discussion of its important research advantages, limitations, and practical applications. Additionally, an empirical demonstration of this research technique is provided to illustrate how academic researchers and logistics managers can use ACM to better understand the decision‐making process of customers when selecting logistics services.FindingsIn order to demonstrate this research technique, a research project was designed and implemented that analyzed the choice process of consumers selecting parcel carriers to ship a textbook. The results show that price, speed of delivery, and tracking are the three most important variables in the selection decision. The results also show that consumers are not homogeneous, but can be divided into five distinct need‐based segments. Recognizing and understanding the nature of these segments should help managers better meet the needs of parcel shippers.Research limitations/implicationsThe main research limitation with this study is that it is based on a convenience sample; thus future research will need to replicate this study to confirm the research findings. However, the ultimate purpose of the study is to present a new research method and discuss how to apply this method, so that logistics/SCM practitioners and academic researchers can better understand customers of logistics/SCM services. Thus, while the nature of the sample is a limitation, it should be viewed in this context.Originality/valueWhile conjoint analysis has existed for decades, this technique has rarely been implemented by logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners. Instead, logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners have focused more on retention methods and have virtually ignored modelling the actual purchase choice of logistics/SCM services. New advancements in conjoint analysis, specifically the ACM approach, have many important and unique advantages and applications for logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners. ACM has not been used in a logistics/SCM context.
Near‐optimal heuristics and managerial insights for the storage constrained, inbound inventory routing problem
Authors: Natarajarathinam Malini , Stacey Jennifer , Sox Charles 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop efficient heuristics for determining the route design and inventory management of inbound parts which are delivered for manufacturing, assembly, or distribution operations and for which there is limited storage space. The shipment frequencies and quantities are coordinated with the available storage space and the vehicle capacities.Design/methodology/approachTwo heuristics that generate near optimal solutions are proposed. The first heuristic has an iterative routing phase that maximizes the savings realized by grouping suppliers together into routes without considering the storage constraint and then calculates the pickup frequencies in the second phase to accommodate the storage constraint. The second heuristic iteratively executes a routing and a pickup frequency phase that both account for the storage constraint. A lower bound is also developed as a benchmark for the heuristic solutions.FindingsNear optimal solutions can be obtained in a reasonable amount of time by utilizing information about the amount of storage space in the route design process.Practical implicationsThe traditional emphasis on high vehicle utilization in transportation management can lead to inefficient logistics operations by carrying excess inventory or by using longer, less efficient routes. Route formation and pickup quantities at the suppliers are simultaneously considered, as both are important from a logistics standpoint and are interrelated decisions.Originality/valueThe two proposed heuristics dynamically define seed sets such that the solutions to the capacitated concentrator location problem (CCLP) are accurately estimated. This increased accuracy helps in generating near‐optimal solutions in a practical amount of computing time.
What drives perishable inventory management performance? Lessons learnt from the UK blood supply chain
Authors: Stanger Sebastian H.W. , Wilding Richard , Yates Nicky , Cotton Sue 
Published: March 2012

PurposeManaging perishable inventories is a trade‐off of shortages and lost sales against wastage. This paper aims to identify what drives good management of perishables within the supply chain using the example of blood inventory management in hospitals.Design/methodology/approachSeven case studies with hospital transfusion laboratories in the UK blood supply chain were carried out in order to explore how perishable inventories are managed. The case studies identify drivers for good performance in perishable inventories.FindingsSix recommendations are developed for how managers can improve perishable inventory performance. These are based around simple management procedures implemented by experienced staff. The case studies develop three propositions that recommend how inventory theory should be embedded in practice.Research limitations/implicationsThis research demonstrates that managerial changes and training issues have a significant impact on waste reduction and inventory management performance in perishable supply chains. However, as the case studies focus on the blood supply chain, some caution needs to be applied in generalising these findings beyond the specific context studied.Practical implicationsA multi‐disciplinary approach, combining awareness of the importance of the dynamics of the whole supply chain with good skill and experience, leads to new thinking, which enables staff to make better inventory decisions resulting in better performance and reduced wastage. Managerial changes and training are critical for good inventory performance.Originality/valueLiterature suggests that sophisticated and complex inventory models will drive performance; however, in practice a combination of basic well‐grounded inventory theory with simple management procedures carried out by experienced staff leads to better performance.
Translating trade and transport facilitation into strategic operations performance objectives
Authors: Batista Luciano 
Published: March 2012

PurposeTrade and transport facilitation is a challenging area for international logistics and supply chains. A major problem in the area is the lack of a specific framework to support measurement and analyses of performance aspects concerning border‐crossing operations. The purpose of this study was to develop a framework for the area comprising strategic performance objectives of operations.Design/methodology/approachThe framework derived from a theoretical and empirical basis. The empirical method involved a Delphi study with 11 experts with recognised knowledge in the area of international logistics and supply chain. The framework was validated through a substantive validity test conducted in a pilot study with 20 managers from organisations operating in a major international seaport overseas.FindingsThe study developed a framework structured by critical operations performance factors operationalised in terms of trade and transport facilitation aspects.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework was pre‐tested in a specific context in Brazil. Its construct validity and reliability require further testing and refinement.Practical implicationsThe framework provides reference for the definition of priorities and targeted initiatives in specific areas of trade and transport operations at border‐crossing levels. The initiatives can be aligned with relevant strategic performance objectives of operations in general.Originality/valueThe theoretical, empirical, and practical issues addressed in the research provide an insightful basis for future research and managerial initiatives. The framework defined in the study offers robust measures that allow academics and practitioners to understand and address critical aspects inherent in the operational dimension of trade and transport facilitation.
Inter‐organisational supplier development: the case of customer attractiveness and strategic fit
Authors: Mortensen Mads , Arlbjørn Jan 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the concept of inter‐organisational supplier development programs and to stress the importance of considering suppliers' interest and motivation when implementing development initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThis paper's theoretical framework is based on an in‐depth literature review that analyses how extant supplier development literature considers an inter‐organisational approach. A single case study of eight inter‐organisational relationships is also included.FindingsThe literature review reveals a lack of focus on inter‐organisational approaches to supplier development, even though the literature mentions it as a missing theme. Customer attractiveness is presented as one approach that takes supplier view and motivation into consideration. This idea is supported by the case study, which indicates that supplier performance is influenced by perceived customer attractiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is based on only a single case study and does not provide the basis for statistical generalisation. A theory on customer attractiveness is under development, and the analysis presented here is based on the theoretical findings.Practical implicationsBecause suppliers can have their own strategic agendas, such as prioritising developments with the most attractive customers, buyers should consider suppliers' perspectives and motivations when analysing and implementing supplier development programs.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to focus on the importance of viewing both parties' interest in a buyer‐supplier relationship when implementing supplier development initiatives. The concept of customer attractiveness as an inter‐organisational approach represents a valuable addition to supplier development literature.
A survey based analysis of IT adoption and 3PLs' performance
Authors: Evangelista Pietro , Mogre Riccardo , Perego Alessandro , Raspagliesi Antonino , Sweeney Edward 
Published: March 2012

PurposeIn today's competitive scenario, effective supply chain management is increasingly dependent on third‐party logistics (3PL) companies' capabilities and performance. The dissemination of information technology (IT) has contributed to change the supply chain role of 3PL companies and IT is considered an important element influencing the performance of modern logistics companies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between IT and 3PLs' performance, assuming that logistics capabilities play a mediating role in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical evidence based on a questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of logistics service companies operating in the Italian market was used to test a conceptual resource‐based view (RBV) framework linking IT adoption, logistics capabilities and firm performance. Factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis have been used to test hypotheses. The focus of the paper is multidisciplinary in nature; management of information systems, strategy, logistics and supply chain management approaches have been combined in the analysis.FindingsThe results indicate strong relationships among data gathering technologies, transactional capabilities and firm performance, in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, a positive correlation between enterprise information technologies and 3PL financial performance has been found.Originality/valueThe paper successfully uses the concept of logistics capabilities as mediating factor between IT adoption and firm performance. Objective measures have been proposed for IT adoption and logistics capabilities. Direct and indirect relationships among variables have been successfully tested.
Collaborative management of inventory in Australian hospital supply chains: practices and issues
Authors: Bhakoo Vikram , Singh Prakash , Sohal Amrik 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the nature of collaborative arrangements that partners in Australian hospital supply chains use to manage inventories.Design/methodology/approachA case study involving a supply chain network of ten healthcare organisations (three pharmaceutical manufacturers, two wholesalers/distributors and five public hospitals) was studied. Data included 40 semi‐structured interviews, site visits and examination of documents.FindingsThis study highlights the existence of a variety of collaborative arrangements amongst supply chain partners such as the “Ward Box” system (a variant of the vender managed inventory system) between wholesalers/distributors and hospitals. The materials management departments were more willing than their pharmacy counterparts to participate in a variety of partial and complete outsourcing arrangements with wholesalers/distributors and other hospitals. Several contingent factors were identified that influenced development of collaborative arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the Australian healthcare sector. To improve generalisability, this study could be replicated in other industry sectors and countries.Practical implicationsApplication of collaborative arrangements between manufacturers and wholesalers/distributors would improve inventory management practices across the supply chains. Also, learning from materials management departments could be transferable to pharmacy departments.Originality/valueSeveral contingent variables for the implementation of collaborative inventory management arrangements between healthcare supply chain partners have been identified. Methodologically, data across three echelons in the supply chains (manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors and hospitals) were collected and analysed.
Outcomes and well‐being part 1: a comparative longitudinal study of two models of homecare delivery and their impact upon the older person self‐reported subjective well‐being
Authors: Gethin‐Jones Stephen 
Published: March 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to report on a study of outcome‐focused care for older people in one English local authority. The aim of the research is to examine whether altering the delivery of care to an outcome‐focused model would improve the individual participant's subjective well‐being and save money for the local authority.Design/methodology/approachIn order for the aim of the research to be established, a pilot study was devised. This was a longitudinal study over 18 months, using a quantitative design. The sample was of 40 service users aged 65 and over whom all had critical and substantial care needs. Half of the sample of service users was receiving the new form of outcome‐focused care and the other half were a comparison group who were receiving care packages according to the traditional form of delivery that could be characterised as a “task‐focused” model. The service users were administered the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing Questionnaire (MYCAW). This questionnaire involves respondents identifying quality of life issues; where they are seeking improvement; and measures change over time in relation to these.FindingsThe research established that there was a greater improvement in subjective well‐being in the group receiving outcome‐focused care, when compared with the comparison group receiving the traditional task‐focused model.Practical implicationsThis paper will assist managers in their decision making to implement a more outcome‐focused model of home care with older people.Originality/valueTo use MYCAW in a social care context is an innovative aspect of this study as it has previously been used only in mainstream and complementary medicine. The focus of this paper is to examine the impact of two models of home care delivery for older people, and how these two models impact on the older persons' self‐reported well‐being.