bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaders' fairness and followers' conflict handling style
Authors: Giacomantonio Mauro , Pierro Antonio , Kruglanski Arie W. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe present paper aims to identify an important moderator of the effect of leader's fairness on the conflict handling style adopted by followers. Based on the uncertainty management model the authors hypothesize that the motivation to reduce uncertainty, reflected by individual differences in need for cognitive closure, moderates the use of constructive conflict handling style as a response to variation in leader's perceived procedural fairness.Design/methodology/approachA correlational study was conducted on a sample of 175 Italian public employees. Each participant filled out a questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out performing a series of multiple regression analyses.FindingsConsistent with previous research, regression analysis showed that perceived leader's fairness promoted a more constructive approach to manage conflict with leaders. More importantly this relationship was stronger under high rather than low need for cognitive closure.Practical implicationsPresent results suggest that in order to favor a solution‐oriented conflict handling style, leaders should promote perceptions of procedural fairness, especially among those with high need for closure.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies that looks at a moderator of the relationship between leader's fairness and constructive conflict management. It integrates literature on procedural fairness and cooperation. Furthermore, as the current research focuses on need for closure, it has important implications with regard to the uncertainty management model.
Intra‐role conflict and the selling decision
Authors: Tseng Lu‐Ming 
Published: October 2011

PurposeIn the personal selling industry, it is particularly difficult for salespeople to manage a conflict of interest that exists between the company and customers. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of time based compensation on salespeople's selling decisions when the conflict occurs.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaire surveys were collected from 361 full‐time life insurance salespeople in Taiwan.FindingsThe results indicate that compensation, training, and marketing policy may affect salespeople's selling decisions.Originality/valueVery little research addresses what salespeople would do when a conflict of interest occurs between the company and customers. Also, how time based compensation would affect salespeople's selling decisions in company‐customer conflict is unknown. Furthermore, training and marketing policy may affect salespeople's selling decisions in the conflict. This paper relates to these issues and provides some discussions of them.
The evaporating cloud: a tool for resolving workplace conflict
Authors: Gupta Mahesh , Boyd Lynn , Kuzmits Frank 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThis article has two purposes. The first is to synthesize the important current concepts, definitions, and styles of resolving and/or managing workplace conflicts. The second is to introduce a systematic approach to resolving workplace conflicts.Design/methodology/approachHistorical approaches to conflict management are briefly reviewed and Goldratt's evaporating cloud is introduced as a structured approach to achieving win‐win solutions to workplace conflicts. A comprehensive case is used to demonstrate the application of the suggested approach.FindingsGoldratt's evaporating cloud provides a systematic approach to identifying the conflicting needs or interests of the parties to a conflict, and a process for making explicit the assumptions underlying the conflict and challenging their validity, leading to win‐win solutions to workplace conflicts. The evaporating cloud incorporates well‐accepted principles of achieving win‐win solutions and complements existing approaches.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough there is a growing community of users of the evaporating cloud, it is still a relatively new approach. Although anecdotal examples of applications of the cloud have been published in trade journals, web sites and conference proceedings, additional empirical research should be done to evaluate the usefulness of the cloud in resolving workplace conflicts once a critical mass of users exists.Practical implicationsThe evaporating cloud is a practical and intuitive tool that can be used by employees at all levels of an organization to understand and resolve conflicts.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the shortcomings of existing conflict management approaches and shows how the evaporating cloud complements existing approaches. In addition, the applicability of the cloud to a wide range of workplace conflicts, from intra‐personal to inter‐organizational, is demonstrated.
Caribbean terror
Authors: Jeremie John S. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain why, as a matter of law and policy, loss suffered as a consequence of terrorism, insurrection and/or civil uprising is not generally compensable in insurance law. The paper postulates that it is the duty of the state, particularly in small states, to compensate loss of this type.Design/methodology/approachThe paper achieves this objective by studying the attempted coup d'état by Muslim fundamentalists in Trinidad and Tobago in 1990 and the devastating property losses suffered during the attempted coup as a consequence of looting and arson. The standard terms of two main policies then in use are meticulously set out and examined in the context of the relevant case law and textbook learning on the subject of losses of this type.FindingsThe paper demonstrates that losses occasioned as a consequence of activity of the type under reference – that is terrorist activity, insurrection and civil uprising – cannot be dealt with by insurance companies and that it falls to the state as the guardian of national security and as an honest broker in the development of the economy to ensure even development by compensating losses occasioned as a consequence of terrorist activity, insurrection and/or civil uprising.Originality/valueThe paper for the first time puts in context losses of the type now being experienced in many parts of the world and explains the limitations of the traditional insurance law principles to treat with these losses. The solution of state compensation as a last resort to compensate innocent victims in these circumstances is advanced as a possible solution.
Fraud guidance for corporate counsel reviewing financial statements and reports
Authors: Crawford Rodney L. , Weirich Thomas R. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeWith the passage of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, corporate legal counsel has an increasing responsibility related to fraud. The purpose of this paper is to focus on financial reporting fraud resulting in the false presentation of operating results and financial position to the public, lenders, taxing authorities or other corporate stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews cases with a focus on financial reporting fraud as identified by corporate counsel.FindingsThe ways in which corporations can utilise corporate counsel to protect themselves from financial statement and other reporting frauds.Practical implicationsThis paper provides guidance to corporate counsel as to some of the common forms of financial statement fraud and the risk factors (red flags) that may indicate the presence of fraud.Originality/valueCorporate counsel, by virtue of their natural involvement in the negotiation of contracts and customer/vendor disputes, as well as their consulting role to top management in many types of business transactions and problems, are uniquely positioned to identify financial statement fraud issues and other financial disclosure problems.
How to protect and minimize consumer risk to identity theft
Authors: Albrecht Chad , Albrecht Conan , Tzafrir Shay 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and explain the identity theft cycle. The identity theft cycle explains how a perpetrator goes through various stages of confidence and experimentation when stealing an individual's identity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes a conceptual approach by first describing identity theft in detail and then discussing the seriousness of identity theft for consumers today. The paper then presents and explains the identity theft cycle in greater detail including the stages of discovery, action, and trial.FindingsThe paper provides evidence to suggest that if identity theft is detected early, consumers can protect themselves from the vast and difficult consequences of identity theft.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an important area of research by providing basic information about the nature of identity theft. This paper also discusses the various ways that perpetrators steal consumers' information, as well as teaches consumers how to proactively protect themselves from identity theft.
Client's championing characteristics that promote construction innovation
Authors: Kulatunga Kushan , Kulatunga Udayangani , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard 
Published: October 2011

PurposeClients or users of products, processes or services are currently being identified as potential sources of innovation in construction. There are concerns about the degree of innovation within the construction industry, despite having potential to be innovative. The role that can be played by the construction client to promote innovation in the industry is well documented. However, lack of knowledge on the desirable characteristics of the construction client was identified as one of the barriers for the construction client to be an effective innovation promoter. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the characteristics of the construction client that promote innovation.Design/methodology/approachMultiple holistic case studies were used as the research strategy and semi‐structured interviews were used as the principal data collection technique. Code‐based content analysis and cognitive mapping were used to analyse the interviews. Data analysis was supported by two computer‐aided softwares, NVivo and Decision Explorer.FindingsClients can increase the efficiency of work carried out towards the construction process, stimulate team dynamics, and team action through the championing characteristics, which in turn can strengthen the innovation process that lead to the innovative product. Being a team player, promoting respect for people, and knowledge and information dissemination are identified as constituents of the championing characteristics of clients that promote innovation in construction projects. The personal skills of clients such as competence, value judgement, flexibility, and self‐motivation will energise the success of the championing characteristics.Originality/valueThe client characteristics identified from the study widen the knowledge base of the client to successfully engage in construction innovation.
A methodology for evaluating construction innovation constraints through project stakeholder competencies and FMEA
Authors: Murphy Martina , Heaney George , Perera Srinath 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for extracting innovation constraints from building projects through stakeholder management competencies and failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA).Design/methodology/approachThe methodology was an iterative grounded theory process using case studies. A literature‐based concept model was generated which mapped project procurement stages against the innovation process. Constraints and stakeholder management strategies were extracted from 30 case studies using content analysis and mapped against the procurement stages. FMEA was used to evaluate the criticality of the constraints. For the purposes of this paper, a sample case study was detailed and referred to as the pilot study. The m\ethodology was applied to all the case studies and a schedule of constraints (SoC) extracted.FindingsThis paper evidenced that it is not project constraints which require management to sustain innovation but rather failures in stakeholder competency. This study established the benefits of FMEA as a risk assessment tool for construction innovation research and generated a database of innovation constraints which can be used as a benchmarking framework for future research.Originality/valuePrevious construction innovation research has focused on established project management techniques to manage innovation. This study identified that rather than a process‐driven approach, a stakeholder‐centred approach is required, where successful innovation delivery is incumbent on the right stakeholder competencies being in place at the appropriate stages of the procurement process. The benefit of this contribution is an established risk assessment methodology which can be used by project stakeholders when adopting innovation into construction projects.
Colleges as agents for construction innovation
Authors: Morledge Roy 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the low level of adoption of innovative products in the UK. The paper presents a case study conducted for investigating the potential for UK further education colleges (FECs), in order to extend their existing activity and develop a role as independent centres for specialist knowledge of innovative products.Design/methodology/approachTo test assumptions which had been previously published by government departments (Departments of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Trade and Industry), two surveys were conducted, focusing on the level of knowledge and experience of construction small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) regarding innovative products and processes. In total, six colleges collaborated and successfully bid for funding to test their ability to deliver a wider role in the construction community. Each appointed a fully funded full‐time adviser to research, collect, and diffuse information about a specific specialist area.FindingsThe results indicate that there is evidence of the need for independent sources of information about innovative products. The colleges have shown their ability to build knowledge and capacity to offer independent advice. The outcome however indicates that the sustainability of the role is unlikely without an effective business case and the commitment of senior college management teams.Research limitations/implicationsA unique agreement to collaborate was an important factor throughout this project and would be a pre‐requisite to any generalisation of the model.Practical implicationsThe provision of independent advice of this nature is not otherwise readily available in the UK for key SME suppliers (including designers, specifiers, clients, and builders). In the absence of such facilities, the barriers to innovation identified are less likely to be reduced.Originality/valueThe originality of the research lies in determining a new role for locally accessible FECs and a new resource for SMEs engaged in designing and delivering construction projects.
Innovations in domotics: fulfilling potential or hampered by prevailing technological regime?
Authors: van Egmond‐de Wilde de Ligny Emilia L.C. , Mohammadi Masi 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning, as well as the drivers, of innovation in theory and practice for gaining insight into the reasons why the diffusion of innovative technologies fails; even though they promise a superior performance compared to incumbent technologies. The paper describes an explorative study of the diffusion of domotics technologies in residential construction.Design/methodology/approachInnovation systems theory, which points to the “technological regime” in the actor network as a key element in the diffusion, acceptance, and application of new technologies was used to analyse the diffusion of domotics technologies in residential construction.FindingsThe results underscored the expected “bottlenecks” in the technological regime of the innovation system that curtailed the diffusion of domotics technologies in construction.Originality/valueThe novelty of the paper is in the approach of the research and the collected data on the technological regime amongst the stakeholders. These stakeholders were principally involved in development and implementation of the domotics technologies in residential construction; these observations provided useful insights into the diffusion of domotics technologies.
Partnership for integrating the corporate social responsibility of project stakeholders towards affordable housing development
Authors: Othman Ayman , Abdellatif Mahmoud 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of partnership in integrating the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of project stakeholders towards better housing affordability.Design/methodology/approachA research methodology, consisted of literature review and field studies, is designed to accomplish four objectives. First, to provide a comprehensive literature review of the concepts of affordable housing, project stakeholders, CSR and partnership; second, to present and synthesis the results of relevant field studies examined the experiences of CSR and partnership among selected construction firms and the Government of South Africa (SA) in affordable housing projects; third, to develop a CSR‐partnership model (and its action plan) that integrates the CSR of project stakeholders to achieve greater housing affordability; finally, to draw some conclusions and recommendations to improve the practice of CSR and partnership among government authorities and construction professionals.FindingsAffordable housing is one of the greatest challenges that face countries around the globe, especially developing countries. The complexity of the problem hinders governments, alone, from achieving their plans for sustainable development. Project stakeholders must have social responsibilities towards supporting government initiatives for affordable housing development. The five‐domain CSR‐partnership model developed by the authors will help integrating the CSR of project stakeholders as an approach for developing affordable housing project.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the conceptual nature of the proposed model, it has to be tested and validated to ensure its capability to integrate the CSR of project stakeholders as an innovative approach for overcoming the difficulties facing governments in providing housing for the poor.Originality/valueThe conducted review provides better understanding of the issue related to the practice of social responsibilities and partnership of project stakeholders, both worldwide and in SA. Through its five domains (government, society, economy, law, and technology), the proposed CSR‐partnership model and its action plan are expected to serve as a foundation for optimising the partnership of project stakeholders with government authorities towards better housing affordability. This ideology has received scant attention in construction literature. The developed model represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.
Operationalising CMMI: integrating CMMI and CoBIT perspective
Authors: Alfaraj Hussain M. , Qin Shaowen 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe use of capability maturity model integration (CMMI) on its own can be problematic for the organisation because it does not provide a roadmap to implementation or identification of key process improvement areas, but instead only provides the goals for each level of implementation. Addition of another framework such as control objectives for information and related technology (CoBIT) can add the required operational data, but poses some unique challenges for implementation. However, the integration of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), CoBIT, and ISO/IEC 22007 provides a roadmap to the integration of CMMI and CoBIT. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this co‐implementation and integration of the two frameworks, as well as the underlying framework of a new proposed integration model.Design/methodology/approachA literature review approach is used to address issues that have evolved from the empirical literature regarding the integration of CMMI and ITIL with other standards and determining whether this approach can be applied to the integration of CMMI and CoBIT as well. This literature review also provides insight into roadblocks to the implementation and structural improvements for CMMI.FindingsThe literature review demonstrated that the integration of CMMI and CoBIT could potentially be performed using the same techniques used in integrating ITIL and CoBIT, which provides a valuable guideline for further research into this area. However, further work will be required in order to determine the specifics of integration.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the existing literature by discussing the integration of CMMI and CoBIT and examining how these two frameworks can work together in order to create the basis for a new integration model.
Analytical analysis of long‐haul DWDM optical transmission systems in the presence of fiber nonlinearities
Authors: Kaur Gurmeet , Singh M.L. , Patterh M.S. 
Published: October 2011

PurposeFiber nonlinearities are anticipated to impose transmission limitations due to the enhanced total interaction length in long‐haul dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) optical transmission systems. The purpose of this paper is to analytically study the combined effect of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and four‐wave mixing (FWM) in the presence of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise generated by erbium‐doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents analytical analysis of DWDM optical transmission systems in the presence of two significant fiber nonlinearities (SRS and FWM).FindingsSimple expressions are derived to study the dependence of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) on the amplifier spacing between two consecutive amplifiers.Originality/valueThe authors have analytically studied the combined effect of SRS and FWM in the presence of ASE noise generated by EDFAs. The novelty of the work is that it has considered all the three factors simultaneously and the expressions are derived for calculation of SNR.
Tourist photographs: signs of self
Authors: Belk Russell , Hsiu‐yen Yeh Joyce 
Published: October 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons that tourists capture images of their trips on cameras or camcorders.Design/methodology/approachOver a period of approximately five years, the authors observed, photographed and interviewed tourists taking photos or videos in diverse international locations. Upon returning home, informants e‐mailed their trip photos together with descriptions of what the images meant and what they had done with them when at home. These data were archived and interpreted in line with the central research questions.FindingsWhy does almost every tourist carry a camera or camcorder? What are they doing making these images? And what do they do with them once they return home? The accompanying video conveys most of the findings, while the manuscript elaborates on certain theoretical points and provides contextualizing and supportive evidence from the literatures dealing with tourism and photography.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that the images form part of an identity project, serving as a means of conveying internal tales to the self rather than as a means of, beyond the immediate family, communicating with others. The images act as tools for displacing meanings that are too fragile and tenuous to be contained in the fragile present as Grant McCracken describes more generally with regard to tying hopes and dreams to places and times of the past and future.