bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On excitable dynamic systems with delays
Authors: De la Sen Manuel 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the properties of transparency and excitability of positive linear time‐invariant systems under internal point delays.Design/methodology/approachThe problem is solved by combining the algebraic conditions for positivity, excitability, and transparency for the case of linear and time‐invariant dynamic systems in the presence of discrete lags.FindingsIt is shown that the excitability independent of delay is guaranteed if an auxiliary delay‐free system is excitable. Necessary and sufficient conditions for excitability and transparency are formulated in terms of the parameterization of the dynamics and control matrices, and equivalently, in terms of strict positivity of a matrix of an associate system obtained from the influence graph of the original system. Such conditions are testable through simple algebraic tests involving moderate computational effort.Practical implicationsThe practical implications mainly rely on some biological and medical problems where delays are present by nature, excitability means the activation of all the state components under positive controls after a short time in the sense that it cannot remain identically zero. In the same way, it relays on the activation of all the output components under zero controls and non‐negative initial conditions.Originality/valueThe paper extends the concepts of excitability and transparency to dynamic systems with point time‐lags which are very common in nature and some practical problems.
Why is interest prohibited in Islam? A statistical justification
Authors: Zakir Hossain Mohammad 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an analytical justification from statistical view point about why Islam has strictly forbidden interest for the humankind.Design/methodology/approachIt is a theoretical paper that looks into analytical views of justification in order to investigate the motivation of prohibiting interest.FindingsThe results of the paper suggest that interest has a great negative impact on the society, economy and morality of human beings. Analysis found some solid reasons which proved that interest has been really an evil system for the humankind and society as a whole for all times in the history of civilizations. On the other hand, from the statistical information given in the paper it was found that interest‐free financial institutions have been very successful in terms of their deposit, investment, foreign exchange business, financial stability and popularity as compared to the interest based financial institutions.Research limitations/implicationsThe impact of interest‐free financial institutions in development financing and in establishing sustainability of a welfare community remains a potential problem due to our shortage and/or lack of proper knowledge.Practical implicationsIt is, therefore, very important to be aware of the exact stance of Islam on interest first. Then more extensive networking and complementary relations are needed among the financial and socio‐economic development goals in accordance with the tenets of the Islamic Shariah.Originality/valueThe paper shows its originality in substance and makes a unique contribution to the literature on systems and ethics.
Are consumer surveys valuable as a service improvement tool in health services?
Authors: Patwardhan Anjali , Patwardhan Prakash 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn the recent climate of consumerism and consumer focused care, health and social care needs to be more responsive than ever before. Consumer needs and preferences can be elicited with accepted validity and reliability only by strict methodological control, customerisation of the questionnaire and skilled interpretation. To construct, conduct, interpret and implement improved service provision, requires a trained work force and infrastructure. This article aims to appraise various aspects of consumer surveys and to assess their value as effective service improvement tools.Design/methodology/approachThe customer is the sole reason organisations exist. Consumer surveys are used worldwide as service and quality of care improvement tools by all types of service providers including health service providers. The article critically appraises the value of consumer surveys as service improvement tools in health services tool and its future applications.FindingsNo one type of survey is the best or ideal. The key is the selection of the correct survey methodology, unique and customised for the particular type/aspect of care being evaluated. The method used should reflect the importance of the information required.Research limitations/implicationsMethodological rigor is essential for the effectiveness of consumer surveys as service improvement tools. Unfortunately so far there is no universal consensus on superiority of one particular methodology over another or any benefit of one specific methodology in a given situation. More training and some dedicated resource allocation is required to develop consumer surveys. More research is needed to develop specific survey methodology and evaluation techniques for improved validity and reliability of the surveys as service improvement tools. Measurement of consumer preferences/priorities, evaluation of services and key performance scores, is not easy.Practical implicationsConsumer surveys seem impressive tools as they provide the customer a voice for change or modification. However, from a scientific point‐of‐view their credibility in service improvement in terms of reproducibility, reliability and validity, has remained debatable.Originality/valueThis artcile is a critical appraisal of the value of consumer surveys as a service improvement tool in health services – a lesson which needs to be learnt.
When your heart isn't smart
Authors: Crotty Susan K. , Thompson Leigh 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the decision‐making implications of “regrets of the heart” versus “regrets of the head” in economic decision making.Design/methodology approachThe phenomenon in three empirical studies is examined. Study 1 is a protocol analysis of people's “regrets of the heart” and “regrets of the head”. Study 2 uses the same recall prompt and examined decision makers' choices in an ultimatum bargaining game. Study 3 tests regrets of heart versus the head in an interactive face to face negotiation setting.FindingsOverall, it is found that people who were prompted to recall a time in which they regretted “not following their heart” were more likely to recall situations in which they experienced a loss or lost opportunity compared to people who recalled a time when they regretted “not following their head”. Recalling a regret of the heart prompts decision makers and negotiators to put a greater value on maintaining relationships and avoid loss in an interpersonal exchange situation.Research limitations/implicationsThese findings contribute to the literature on how emotions affect economic decision making and provide a more nuanced examination of regret.Practical implicationsFocusing on “regrets of the head” may lead to greater economic gains in economic decisions.Originality/valueThis article examines a different type of regret and demonstrates how this type of regret impacts economic decision‐making behavior.
Negotiation role‐play exercise: “what's in a name?”
Authors: Loersch Joseph , Ross William 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a classroom negotiation exercise. A case involving controversy over the naming of a sports stadium containing a university football field and track is described. A local municipality, representing veterans groups, negotiates with university officials over a university plan to rename “Veteran's Memorial Stadium” after a recently‐retired football coach.Design/methodology/approachThe negotiation activity is adapted from an actual case. It requires little advance preparation and can be used with either pairs or small groups of participants. “Teaching notes” provide instructions for using the activity.FindingsThe “Teaching Notes” examine how this controversy illustrates several concepts related to conflict, integrative bargaining, power and negotiating on behalf of constituents.Originality/valueThe case differs from many published cases in that one side's position is apparently rooted in values and matters of principle whereas the other side's position is interest‐based. The student must grapple with these dynamics, while seeking an integrative solution to the issues.
A QFD‐, concurrent engineering‐, and target costing‐based methodology for ODM companies to formulate RFQs
Authors: Ho Ying‐Chin , Lin Chih‐Hsin 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe problem that original design manufacturing (ODM) companies encounter with the request for quotation (RFQ) process is that there is no effective and efficient methodology for them to formulate accurate and profitable RFQs. The purpose of this paper is to present a quality function deployment (QFD)‐, concurrent engineering (CE)‐, and target costing‐based methodology for ODM companies to formulate accurate and profitable RFQs.Design/methodology/approachFrom eight Taiwan electronics ODM companies, 15 people are interviewed to understand their current methods for formulating RFQs and the problems of these methods. Based on the interview results, it was decided to make use of the merits of QFD, CE, and target costing by integrating them into the proposed methodology.FindingsA case study is presented to illustrate a successful application of the proposed methodology in a case company. The case study shows integrating QFD, CE, and target costing into the proposed methodology allows the authors to effectively and efficiently formulate an accurate and profitable RFQ for the case company.Research limitations/implicationsThe interview sample quantity of this study is limited to eight Taiwan electronics companies, which is insufficient to represent all ODM companies in various industries. For the future research, it is suggested researchers collect more samples from different industries in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in ODM companies from different industries.Originality/valueThis paper aims to integrate QFD, CE, and target costing to come up with a systematic ten‐step approach that can accurately formulate the three parts of an RFQ: the product specifications proposal, the product price quotation, and the product development schedule. By adopting this methodology, ODM companies can provide accurate and profitable RFQs to ODM customers, thus increasing their chances of obtaining ODM business.
Trust or distrust in the web‐mediated information environment (W‐MIE)
Authors: Nuraihan Mior Ibrahim Emma , Laila Nor , Mehad Shafie 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe proliferation of the internet as the means for knowledge and information exchange gives rise to new issues of sustaining trust within web‐mediated information environments. However, researchers have not studied trust on websites that evoke emotionally charged topics that are culturally and ethically oriented as much as they have studied e‐tailing trust. Hence, this paper aims to explore the notion of trust within the web‐based information for Islamic content environment and how consumers' trust evaluations on topics that are sensitive to their cultural norms would give different a connotation of trust and its guidelines.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the notion of trust, its dimensions, conceptualisation and operationalisation in the online environment. The paper presents the results of a descriptive study conducted via an online survey distributed to online Muslim users through the mailing list of the Federation of Universities in the Islamic World (see www.fuiw.org) database.FindingsThe analysis highlights issues surrounding trust among 605 respondents from different continents. The outcome of the findings indicates the importance of third‐party seals and overall site presentation in mediating the interaction of trustworthy communication.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the huge population of Muslims from different ethnic groups, the research is unable to capture a general order of the perceptions of trust. In addition, what are presented here are “possible issues” of trust that exist amongst Islamic communities and not something definitive.Practical implicationsDesigners of information artefacts should consider the cultural aspect in which the information domain resides, because the culture within which a person operates will shape his or her perception of trust. Hence, creating the right appearance on the web by imposing online legitimacy, appropriate communication styles and appearance are integral issues for designers to consider in developing information systems for a sensitive information context.Originality/valueThe research should be of value to those who have an interest in exploring, enquiring and communicating knowledge or information pertaining to a Muslim user group within the wider human‐computer interaction scope.
An empirical investigation of the moderating effects of BPR and TQM on ICT business value
Authors: Loukis E. , Pazalos K. , Georgiou St. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate and compare the moderating effects of the two basic business process change paradigms – business process reengineering (BPR) and total quality management (TQM) – on the business value generated for firms by their information and communication technologies (ICT) investment.Design/methodology/approachUsing data collected through a survey of 271 Greek firms, moderated regression models founded on the Cobb‐Douglas production function are estimated, which have as the dependent variable the firm value added (objective measure of business performance), and as independent variables the yearly labour expenses, the value of the non‐computer capital, the value of the computer capital and BPR (TQM) measures.FindingsFrom the above models it is concluded that both BPR and TQM have considerable positive moderating effects of a similar magnitude on the relationship between ICT investment and firm value added. Also, different BPR and TQM activities have different moderating effects on ICT business value; process simplification, process improvement and the creation of a horizontal interdepartmental process are the BPR activities with the largest moderating effects, while measurement of employee satisfaction and simplification of work methods for quality improvement are the TQM activities with the largest moderating effects.Research limitations/applicationsThe basic limitation of this study is that it is based on data from Greek firms. Another limitation is that only one business performance measure, although quite important and theoretically fundamental (i.e. firm value added), is used.Practical implicationsBoth BPR and TQM are important ICT “complementary factors”, which, if combined with ICT, can increase the business value it generates. Therefore ICT should not be used simply as a tool for automating existing business processes, but for creating and supporting new business processes and practices, such BPR and TQM.Originality/valueThis study investigates and compares the moderating effects of the two main business process paradigms – BPR and TQM – based on reliable measurement of both through validated multi‐item scales, and also on theoretically sound models, founded on the Cobb‐Douglas production function.
The evolution of institutional arrangements to support the internationalisation of real estate involvements
Authors: D'Arcy Éamonn 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the evolution of institutional arrangements to support the internationalisation of real estate involvements in European markets.Design/methodology/approachUsing a broadly institutional economics approach to markets the paper first outlines a market rational for institutional arrangements to support internationalisation and then examines how such arrangements have evolved in the context of European real estate markets.FindingsSignificant new institutional arrangements have evolved to support the internationalisation of real estate involvements in Europe. The need to address the information costs and new information requirements necessitated by internationalisation has been a key driver of institutional formation. Both regulatory and informal barriers to internationalisation have also been important drivers of the evolution of new institutional arrangements to support internationalisation. Taken collectively the new institutional arrangement identified should be viewed as a significant step change in the structure of European real estate markets. Broad market evidence points to the success of these arrangements.Originality/valueThe paper provides the first systematic account of the evolution of new institutional arrangements to support the internationalisation of real estate involvements in Europe. It identifies the key drivers of institutional formation and provides a sketch of the key characteristics of the institutions which have evolved.
Integrating e‐learning in real estate education: the iLearn and ULearn case studies
Authors: Doak Joe , Khan Osama S.M. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide two contrasting case studies of the integration and application of e‐learning in real estate education.Design/methodology/approachThe two cases presented in this paper provide good practical illustrations of the integration of e‐learning practice into real estate education. The first examines integration at the programme level through the use of iLearn as a mechanism for personal development planning (PDP). The second examines the use of a technologically enhanced learning and teaching environment at the level of an individual module.FindingsBoth case studies report some degree of success in achieving specific learning objectives using e‐learning techniques. With respect to PDP, it is too early to fully evaluate the exact contribution of iLearn. The evidence from the second case study suggests that use of a technologically enhanced class room set‐up to solve simulated cases in the context of a real finance and investment module, facilitates creative learning, promotes team work and increases interaction within and across the participant group.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into current best practice in the use of e‐learning techniques in real estate education as a mechanism for enhancing the teaching and learning experience.
A content analysis of gaming research: 1994‐2008
Authors: Kwon Eunjin , Back Ki‐Joon 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to overview and summarize all articles published in the UNLVGaming Research & Review Journal(GRRJ) from 1994 to 2008, in order to understand the gaming research trend.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis is performed on a total of 129 articles in 24 issues ofGRRJ.FindingsThe paper suggests thematic content analysis and the trend of the research in order to better understand the scope of gaming research area.Practical implicationsThe overview ofGRRJhelps identify research gaps to suggest future research.Originality/valueThis paper is the first review of theGRRJ. It provides an overview of the research that is available to managers and researchers interested in the gaming business.
Quality management systems and value creation
Authors: Rönnbäck Åsa , Witell Lars , Enquist Bo 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a quality management system (QMS) for the assurance and improvement of value in an inter‐organizational business relationship. The study is carried out in the public transportation industry where service provision has been outsourced.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews are conducted with 26 participants from two organizations involved in an inter‐organizational business relationship. From the interview material, the authors identified the drivers that create value for the inter‐organizational business relationship and for the customers of public transportation. All value drivers are categorized according to the central areas in a QMS.FindingsThe results show that internal processes and management responsibility are central areas where value is destroyed. Since service provision has been outsourced, this means that the intended value is never experienced by the customer.Research limitations/implicationsThe identified value creators and destroyers originate from the suppliers' view and focus on how the different suppliers create value for customers.Practical implicationsManagers should acquire knowledge about the value they create or destroy and focus on improving the value‐creation processes. The QMS can be used to assure and improve value creation in an inter‐organizational business relationship.Originality/valueThe research sheds light on the difficulties and possibilities in value creation where service provision has been outsourced.