bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relational factors that explain supply chain relationships
Authors: Ferrer Mario , Santa Ricardo , Hyland Paul W. , Bretherton Phil 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the types of relationships that exist along the supply chain and the capabilities that are needed to manage them effectively.Design/methodology/approachThis is exploratory research as there has been little empirical research into this area. Quantitative data were gathered by using a self‐administered questionnaire, using the Australian road freight industry as the context. There were 132 usable responses. Inferential and descriptive analysis, including factor analysis, confirmatory factor and regression analysis was used to examine the predictive power of relational factors in inter‐firm relationships.FindingsThree factors were identified as having significant influence on relationships: sharing, power and interdependency. “Sharing” is the willingness of the organisation to share resources with other members of the supply chain. “Power” relates to exercising control based on experience, knowledge and position in the supply chain. “Interdependency” is the relative levels of dependency along the supply chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe research only looks at the Australian road freight industry; a wider sample including other industries would help to strengthen the generalisability of the findings.Practical implicationsWhen these factors are correlated to the types of relationship, arm's length, cooperation, collaboration and alliances, managerial implications can be identified. The more road freight businesses place importance on power, the less they will cooperate. The greater the importance of sharing and interdependency, the greater is the likelihood of arm's length relationships.Originality/valueThis paper makes a contribution by describing empirical work conducted in an under‐researched but important area – supply chain relationships in the Australian road freight industry.
Education for sustainable development at Universities in Japan
Authors: Kitamura Yuto , Hoshii Naoko 
Published: July 2010

PurposeEducation for sustainable development (ESD) aims at changing the approach to education that integrates principles, values and practices of sustainable development, and needs to be incorporated into all forms of learning and education. The purpose of this paper is to review the way in which ESD has been developed at universities in Japan. The paper also seeks to examine major patterns of education and research related to ESD at Japanese universities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted two research approaches: a review of literature and electronic resources, mainly the web sites of universities, to present the overview of ESD at Japanese universities; and a questionnaire survey which analyzed responses from 18 undergraduate programs and 14 postgraduate programs at Japanese universities.FindingsThe paper points out that the ESD implementation in higher education in Japan lacks coherence with other education reforms and is not linked with ESD at school and local levels. The paper also stresses that initial stages of ESD in Japan have prioritized environmental sustainability and have not yet adequately expanded to include wider issues concerning ESD. Moreover, the paper discusses that there is a lack of internal consensus to promote ESD and shared recognition inside universities, combined with a lack of effective guidance designed to enable students to acquire cross‐disciplinary perspectives.Originality/valueThere are many universities implementing ESD‐related programs and activities in various countries. Yet, there has not been enough study done to reveal the constraints/problems universities are facing to promote ESD. This paper's originality and value addresses this research gap.
Environmental management systems for educational institutions
Authors: Jain Suresh , Pant Pallavi 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to put forth a model for implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) in institutes of higher education in India.Design/methodology/approachThe authors carried out initial environmental review (IER) and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to identify the major environmental concerns in the university. This was followed by preparation of environmental policy and plan based on ISO 14001 guidelines.FindingsThe key concerns in the university have been identified as energy consumption, waste generation, transportation, etc. The SWOT analysis shows that the university is doing satisfactorily in energy efficiency and water conservation while there is scope for improvement in case of waste management, transportation and landscaping. The environmental management plan has been prepared keeping in mind the gaps observed through the IER and SWOT analysis.Research limitations/implicationsCarbon footprint and water footprint analysis have not yet been carried out and hence, quantifiable targets have not been included in the environmental management plan.Practical implicationsImplementing an EMS at the university will help reduce the impact on environment due to various day‐to‐day activities. It will also lead to developing environmental consciousness in the minds of young professionals who graduate from the university as well university staff.Originality/valueThere have been very few examples of environmental consciousness in educational institutions in India. There is a need for model systems for incorporating environmental management in the university set‐up. This research documents the process of identification of environmental concerns followed by preparation of the management plan for an educational institution. The research also documents the need for different aspects of the environmental management plan.
Integrating sustainability in higher education: a generic matrix
Authors: Rusinko Cathy A. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a framework in the form of a generic matrix of options for integrating sustainability in higher education (SHE) so that university faculty and administrators can make more appropriate and strategic choices with respect to SHE.Design/methodology/approachThis original matrix draws from and extends previous empirical and conceptual research on integrating SHE. The paper addresses the needs and weaknesses stated in earlier literature on SHE.FindingsThe matrix includes four different options or scenarios for integrating SHE; these options are based on delivery of SHE and focus of SHE. Advantages and disadvantages of each option are discussed, as well as rationales for choosing each option. In addition, suggestions for future research are included.Practical implicationsThe matrix can provide a platform from which to launch discussions about SHE, as well as a template with respect to “how to” integrate SHE.Originality/valueThis original matrix contributes to the literature by providing a broad, non‐discipline‐specific orientation; it is applicable at course, program, and cross‐disciplinary/cross‐university levels, and can be applied internationally. Users can move between and among options, and can implement multiple options simultaneously. Further, the matrix includes all dimensions of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic/financial.
Knowledge sharing in architectural design institutes: a multiple‐case study
Authors: Ding Zhikun , Ng Fungfai 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe complexity of knowledge in architectural design results in its unique management characteristics not being fully recognized and appreciated. Little research has been done in this area. This paper aims to bridge this knowledge gap.Design/methodology/approachA multiple‐case study methodology is applied to identify the knowledge sharing pattern in architectural design institutes in the People's Republic of China. Content analysis is employed to analyse the qualitative data collected by in‐depth interview, site observation and document review.FindingsThe results show that individual architects share their own knowledge by means of reflection‐in‐action, conversation and problem solving. Either formal or informal mentoring, legitimate peripheral participation, communities of practice and workshops are the major mechanisms for architectural design institutes to share organizational knowledge but the knowledge sharing pattern are quite different for different kinds of architectural design institutes.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this research is associated with sample selection. Although the cases being selected are fairly representative of the architectural design institutes in People's Republic of China, not all types of architectural design institutes are included due to the availability of data.Practical implicationsThe identified knowledge sharing patterns can help managers of architectural design institutes as well as individual architects to better understand how knowledge is shared in their field and how to improve their overall performance.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing body of research on how knowledge is shared in the construction industry. In particular, a knowledge sharing pattern is identified to offer insights in architectural design institutes in China. The paper addresses a number of research questions which are not fully explored in current literature.
Is your team truly aligned?
Authors: Stone Laura 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article describes a four‐step process for guiding leaders and teams through an effective alignment process.Design/methodology/approachThis four‐step process is based on the author's extensive experience helping companies achieve better alignment with the needs and goals of their customers.FindingsBy clarifying the team's perspective, soliciting external feedback, understanding the gap and planning for the future, a company can ensure that the right work is getting done.Practical implicationsWhen teams are aligned, they are far more efficient and effective than when they are fragmented. Taking a small amount of time upfront to have the critical questions answered and integrated into plans can yield positive financial, customer and employee results.Originality/valueThe value of the article to leaders and managers lies in its clear description of an alignment process, with real‐life examples drawn from the author's experiences working with companies.
Mergers in Indian industry: performance and impacting factors
Authors: Ramakrishnan K. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeEven though there is a vast body of research on the performance of mergers in the developed markets, many issues are still unresolved. There is almost negligible research in the form of published papers on the performance of merged firms and the strategic factors impacting this performance, in the context of Indian industry. This study aims to address this gap in knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a quantitative method and statistically analyses secondary data.FindingsThe study finds that merged firms demonstrate better operating performance as compared to both their industries and their pre‐merger performance. Merging firms belonging to unrelated industries appear to be performing better in the long‐term as compared to the related firms. Mergers which witness transfer of corporate control demonstrate a better performance than the ones that do not. Sick acquired firms negatively impact long‐term performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation of the study is that the financial sector has not been included since it follows different accounting norms. The second limitation is that the findings apply broadly across Indian industry and the limited sample size does not facilitate an industry‐specific focus. The study points towards further research using a longer time frame that might help understand longitudinal variations in merged firm performance. It also encourages future finer‐grained studies on each of the factors which impact merged firm performance.Practical implicationsManagers can prudently utilize mergers to improve firm performance in Indian industry. It appears that firms belonging to unrelated industries bestow better long‐term post‐merger cash flow returns. Managers in India do not thus have to constrain themselves to only horizontal mergers. Managers would be well‐advised to improve on their managerial capabilities since this study points towards a developing market for corporate control in the Indian context.Originality/valueThis is probably the first paper of its kind on research on the performance of merged firms in India.
The boom and the lean times in global REITs: the 2000‐2008 period
Authors: Parhizgari A.M. , Pavlova Ivelina 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider two global real estate periods (2000‐2006 and 2007‐2008) that will probably be recorded in history as the most significant periods in terms of a surge and then an eventual downturn in the real estate prices and returns. The paper aims to offer investment strategies in the real estate sector and pinpoint the optimum momentum strategies that provide the maximum returns in the real estate investment trusts (REITs) markets of seven countries.Design/methodology/approachWithin an iterative framework, a two‐step procedure was employed. The first step drew upon an established momentum approach. The second step, however, departed from it and employed an evolutionary (genetic) algorithm to optimize the investment strategies that could be pursued.FindingsThe findings suggest that momentum effects have been present during the 2000‐2008 periods. However, in contrast with prior studies, momentum portfolio returns are statistically insignificant during the boom years, but are highly significant during the downturn periods. These findings are attributed to the heterogeneous returns during these periods.Practical implicationsProfitable REITs momentum investment is not uniform across the countries considered. Taking long positions in the winners and short positions in the losers during the boom periods in the real estate market may not necessarily be an optimum strategy. Since the profitability of the investment strategy during the downturn is driven by short positions, the practical implementation of such strategy will be limited if short sales constraints are imposed.Originality/valueThe paper employs a unique and novel approach for the first time in the field of real estate investment. It introduces genetic algorithm into the momentum literature. This approach pinpoints the optimum profitability of the momentum/persistence strategies that could be pursued.
Tenurial “competition”, tenure dynamics and the private rented sector
Authors: Hulse Kath , Jones Colin , Pawson Hal 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to re‐appraise the role of the private renting in the housing system drawing on a review of public policies toward the sector in six countries. It re‐examines the adequacy of explanations about tenurial “competition” and the dynamics of tenurial change using a cross disciplinary perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe paper critiques key explanations on the nature and type of competition between housing tenures, notably dual and unitary models, and the role of private renting in explanations of tenure dynamics. The paper also explores some of these ideas empirically by examining the changing role of the private renting relative to other tenures in a number of European countries and in Australia.FindingsThe paper expresses doubts about the potential for unitary markets to develop/continue as integrated markets because of the fundamental problems about ensuring continuing investment in the private rented sector and constraints on the maturation process, particularly where ownership of rental housing is diverse and small‐scale. The analysis suggests that housing tenures are quite fluid and with a general trend towards deregulation of private rents there is a blurring of the distinction between different types of rental systems.Practical implicationsThe analysis suggests that it is critical to understand changes in private renting taking into account broader economic conditions, trade‐offs about housing consumption and investment, and public policy settings.Originality/valueThe analysis draws out theoretically, and explores empirically, the process of change in tenure relations by for the first time focusing on the role of private renting in these dynamics.
Does the judiciary matter for accountability of administration in Bangladesh?
Authors: Awal Hossain Mollah Mohammed 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyze the role of the judiciary in ensuring legal accountability of government officials and its impact on governance in the context of Bangladesh. Although, the judicial system of Bangladesh comprises Supreme Court, subordinate courts and tribunals. However, this study focuses Supreme Court only to keep the study in a manageable extent.Design/methodology/approachThe study is qualitative in nature and based on content analysis. Dhaka Law Report (DLR), which is a monthly published report on case laws[1] decided by the Supreme Court has been selected as content for this study. Some case laws selected from DLR (2004‐2008) were analyzed using purposive sampling method, with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of judiciary (as an external but formal mechanism of accountability) in accountability of government administration and management and its impact on overall governance.FindingsThe most important finding of this paper is that the judiciary is very effective for ensuring legal accountability of government officials, which ultimately contributes to human rights and good governance. However, a major problem found was that until and unless an affected person files a case against a government authority, maintaining the required procedures of judiciary, it (the judiciary) has no scope to settle any disputes. Though there is a provision of Suo Muto (by own initiative) rule of the Supreme Court, this practice is very rare in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the executive is responsible for implementing the verdict of the judiciary. Therefore, if the government has not enough respect for, or does not care to implement judiciary's verdict, justice and rule of law will not be ensured. This study also found some cases like this.Research limitations/implicationsThis work does not address detailed issues of governance and is not based on empirical data.Practical implicationsThis is a mixed study of judiciary and public administration, which is very rare in Bangladesh. Therefore, it will be brought into line with current practice by the concerned researchers and policy makers in public administration and judiciary.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to legal practitioners, policy makers, academicians and those in the field of governance.
Empirical study of the relations between the knowledge base and innovation performance of an economy
Authors: Niu Panqiang , Xie Fuji , Leonard Tchuta 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThere are many literatures on the factors that affect innovation performance, but few on the effects of knowledge base of an economy on innovation performance. One of the reason is that knowledge base is difficult to measure. Leydesdorff put forward a new method called the triple‐helix model of “technology, organization, and territory” to measure knowledge base of an economy. So, the purpose of this paper is to attempt to validate empirically whether knowledge base in terms of triple‐helix relations among “technology, organization, and territory” has a positive effect on innovation performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed three hypotheses on the basis of reviews, and used multiple regression models and data from the Statistical Yearbook of China to study empirically the relations between knowledge base of an economy, expressed in terms of the triple‐helix relations among “technology, organization, and territory”, and innovation performance.FindingsNot all types of innovation performance are promoted by knowledge base in terms of the triple‐helix relations among “technology, organization, and territory”. The positive effect of knowledge base on patent produced as innovation performance is significant, but is not significant on technology produced and new product development. The technology level and organizational type of a region are important factors that affect patent produced and technology produced. However, their effect on new product development is not significant. “Size of enterprises” can better represent a helix of triple‐helix relations than “ownership of enterprises”. This means that the effect of “size of enterprises” is more direct. Medium‐tech sectors are more important than high‐tech sectors to patent production when the mechanism of interaction and synergy of technology, organization and territory exists.Originality/valueThis paper designs multiple regression models in terms of the triple‐helix relations among “technology, organization, and territory”, and helps to put forward some suggestions to enhance the innovation performance of a country or region.
Towards new organizational forms
Authors: Sanchez‐Bueno Maria J. , Suarez‐Gonzalez Isabel 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to analyze the organizational change in 100 of the largest Spanish firms (a new national context) over the period 1993‐2003 (a more recent time period).Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this purpose, consideration has been given to both traditional organizational categories and new organizational forms, such as cooperative multidivisional, competitive multidivisional, and the internal network. Detailed definitions of the new organizational forms being developed by companies are provided in the paper. Thus, these new organizational forms may differ in several aspects, such as the decision‐making process and integration between divisions.FindingsThe results show that over this period, Spanish firms experienced a steadily rising trend towards divisionalization. The cooperative multidivisional structure is the one most frequently adopted in Spain, as opposed to the competitive multidivisional form and the internal network.Originality/valueThe systematic study of the distinctive attributes of the new forms of organization, providing accumulated knowledge, is in an emergent phase of development in the international field, and this work seeks to contribute to such development. The nature of the study strengthens the global implications of the work, and the information obtained from top practitioners in these Spanish firms enhances the contribution of the study.
Is Vancouver Canada's supervised injection facility cost‐saving?
Authors: Pinkerton Steven D. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTObjective  To determine whether Vancouver's Insite supervised injection facility and syringe exchange programs are cost‐saving—that is, are the savings due to averted HIV‐related medical care costs sufficient to offset Insite's operating costs?Methods  The analyses examined the impact of Insite's programs for a single year. Mathematical models were used to calculate the number of additional HIV infections that would be expected if Insite were closed. The life‐time HIV‐related medical costs associated with these additional infections were compared to the annual operating costs of the Insite facility.Results  If Insite were closed, the annual number of incident HIV infections among Vancouver IDU would be expected to increase from 179.3 to 262.8. These 83.5 preventable infections are associated with $17.6 million (Canadian) in life‐time HIV‐related medical care costs, greatly exceeding Insite's operating costs, which are approximately $3 million per year.Conclusions  Insite's safe injection facility and syringe exchange program substantially reduce the incidence of HIV infection within Vancouver's IDU community. The associated savings in averted HIV‐related medical care costs are more than sufficient to offset Insite's operating costs.