bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An examination of pharmaceutical supply chain for artemisinin‐based combination therapies in Ghana
Authors: Asamoah David , Abor Patience , Opare Martin 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the pharmaceutical supply chain for artemisinin‐based combination therapies (ACT) in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed an inductive approach in examining the dynamics of the pharmaceutical supply chain. The study also used analytical hierarchical process in identifying factors that are detrimental to the ACT supply chain.FindingsThe study revealed that there are basically two main supply channels through which ACT enters the Ghanaian pharmaceutical system – private and public. The ACT network depicts a strong evidence of actor interdependence and long‐term relationships. However, the key supply chain enabler – the use of information technology – was found to be lacking, leading to delays and disruptions in the supply chain system. Disruption was found to be the main detrimental factor to the supply chain although delay was found to be occurring more frequently. Price increases indicated a low effect on the supply network at the pharmacy level, but the general price of the highly subsidised effective ACT (Coartem) remains very high.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to constraints in accessibility, it was challenging to contact all the actors in the network individually, especially the consumer. Drugs considered in the study were the WHO approved ACT, even though efforts were made to compile available anti‐malarial drugs on the market.Practical implicationsThis study has provided insights into the supply chain for ACT. The findings of the study are relevant in improving the supply chain system.Originality/valueThe paper brings to the fore the need for a proper pharmaceutical supply chain management in the health sector with regards to one of the world's most infectious and deadly diseases – malaria.
Entrepreneurial social capital and cognitive model of innovation
Authors: Xu Yang 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the social origin of an entrepreneurial cognitive model of the innovation process.Design/methodology/approachThe specific research question is how an entrepreneur's social capital diversity influences the characteristics of his/her cognitive model of innovation – complexity and centrality. Data were collected in a survey conducted in two waves on a sample of 1,000 new ventures in the USA. Social capital is measured by the position generator method. Cognitive models are measured by the causal mapping method. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the regression analysis support both hypotheses. The analysis shows that social capital diversity at the startup stage increases the complexity and centrality of an entrepreneurial cognitive model of innovation.Research limitations/implicationsPossible limitations are: the low survey response rate; the spread of industries involved; and respondents being the sole data source. Future research could use multiple data sources, focus on a single industry or a set of related industries, and explore other determinants of the cognitive model of innovation.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurs should proactively build a diverse social network at the startup stage because it will positively affect their internal cognitive model of innovation. In the domain of public policy, initiatives such as encouragement of professional, regional, and international networks targeted to early‐stage entrepreneurs may help them build a diverse social network and ultimately shape their strategic actions in new venture innovation.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the research on mental models and entrepreneurship by studying the role of social relations in the formation of an entrepreneurial cognitive model of innovation. It reveals the positive impact of social capital diversity at the startup stage on the entrepreneur's cognitive framework of an information domain – the innovation process. In addition, empirical measures of latent constructs (complexity and centrality of cognitive models) were developed.
Nordic subsidiaries in the Baltic States: is model transfer possible?
Authors: Sippola Markku 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis research seeks to ask to what extent model transfer in employee relations (in terms of employee representation, participation and workplace bargaining) occurs between Nordic and Baltic countries from the principal firm to the subsidiary. It also looks into explanations as to why model transfer occurs – or does not occur – from the perspective of the Nordic industrialist's labour management strategy.Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study comprising three clothing manufacturers and three engineering shops in different Baltic States: Estonia (population 1.4 million), Latvia (2.3 million) and Lithuania (3.4 million). These production sites have headquarters in three Nordic countries: Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Semi‐structured (thematic) interviews are carried out among managers, shop stewards and employees of the subsidiaries.FindingsThere is little model transfer between the Nordic principal firm and the Baltic subsidiary, whereas the Nordic employer prefers local forms of employee relations. Modest model transfer derives from the desire for controlling the labour process, where the Nordic investor seeks to utilise differences between the regimes.Social implicationsThe Nordic industrialists' search for the distinction between different regimes and the Baltic drive at liberal market economy (LME) together may prove fatal for labour conditions. Such production policy will not improve the position of the Baltic worker.Originality/valueThe findings question the very idea of model transfer: where any labour management strategy existed, there was either an unambiguous assertion of indigenous solutions or adoption of “best practices” not peculiar to the Nordic labour relations regime.
Information barriers in libraries: types, typologies and Polish empirical studies
Authors: Świgoń Marzena 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe the Polish empirical studies of information barriers. The focus is to highlight the hierarchy of barriers, and the relation between demographic variables (sex, age, discipline etc.) and perception of barriers.Design/methodology/approachAfter a deep literature review some empirical studies have been conducted. Respondents were divided into groups in terms of: sex, field of study (social sciences, human sciences, natural sciences and technical sciences), age, science degree and year of study. In analysis of data two statistical methods: analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a chi‐square test (χ2) were used.FindingsThe phenomenon of information barriers is very common, encountered by around 80 per cent of users. The most troublesome barriers were barriers connected with libraries. The study showed that the sex variable had varied the respondents' answers to the greatest extent. The women perceived information barriers as a more serious problem than men (p<0.001). With regard to types of discipline, the faculty group found information barriers more troublesome in such disciplines as humanities and social sciences than in natural or technical sciences (p=0.001).Research limitations/implicationsThe hierarchy of barriers obtained from the study is related to a particular environment, a given group of users, the equipment of home library.Practical implicationsStudies of this subject may prove valuable in identifying people that are likely to experience difficulties in access to information.Originality/valueThe knowledge of the relation between demographic variables and perception of barriers, in earlier literature, was fragmentary. Findings may lead to a better understanding of the information barriers phenomenon by librarians and library users as well.
Gender and potential wage in Europe: a stochastic frontier approach
Authors: Ángeles Díaz Ma , Sánchez Rosario 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide evidence concerning wage differentials and the existence of gender pay discrimination in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used the stochastic frontier approach as an alternative method to measure the relevance of gender discrimination. This methodology allows them to explain the differences between the potential and the observed wage that an individual could obtain, given his or her human capital endowment.FindingsThe authors found support for wage discrimination against women. The results show that a significant part of the gender wage gap in all the countries analysed is not attributable to differences in human capital endowment or personal and job‐related characteristics.Research limitations/implicationsThe definition of education in the data set is modest and broadly defined.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the debate on gender discrimination by analysing the determinants of the gender gap using an innovative methodology in the gender gap literature: the stochastic frontier approach.
Maximising the effectiveness of talent pools: a review of case study literature
Authors: Yarnall Jane 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the potential implications of selecting and developing discrete pools of talent within organizations and to answer the question “If talent is singled out as a separate group of high‐potential individuals in organizations, what measures could be put in place to help ensure their effectiveness?”Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the literature on talent pools and examines existing case study research, drawing on an analysis of over 50 companies. This analysis was used to draw out aspects which impact the effectiveness of talent pools at particular points in time; from the initial establishment of pool members through to the ongoing maintenance of an established talent pool.FindingsFindings indicate that during the establishment phase, ensuring appropriate segmentation of the pool and limiting bias in the nomination process were particularly significant. The ongoing maintenance of a successful talent pool was also found to be a challenge from both an organizational and an individual perspective. Specific factors that were identified were dealing with changing business needs; changing individual circumstances; providing development opportunities; maintaining senior commitment; and defining success measures.Practical implicationsThe research identifies a number of critical factors that practitioners may need to address in the process of establishing and maintaining talent pools, such as pool segmentation, work‐life balance and the impact on the psychological contract.Originality/valueThe ongoing maintenance of talent pools is rarely discussed in the literature and the recommendations for practice will be relevant for all human resource and organizational development practitioners.
Influence of the joint angular characteristics on the accuracy of industrial robots
Authors: Taek Oh Yeon 
Published: July 2011

PurposeAngular errors in the robot axes can make a significant contribution to robot positioning accuracy. This paper seeks to propose a new measuring method for measuring angular errors.Design/methodology/approachNew techniques were devised for the detailed investigation of joint angular errors using a reference encoder together with a precision electronic level and autocollimator. This equipment enabled vertical and horizontally orientated joint axes to be measured with the robot located on‐site. Circle contouring measurements were also undertaken to assess the significance of multi‐axis movements on the accuracy of the end effector.FindingsThe technique, devised using a simulation program for the robot geometry with results from a circular test, enables robot errors to be characterised in terms of datum location error, backlash, gear transmission error, axes misalignments and joint encoder offset.Originality/valueThe paper describes the experimental and theoretical accuracy characteristics of an articulated industrial robot. Close correlation was obtained between the experimental and theoretical results. This paper offers the practical robot calibration method for industrial application.
A novel hybrid electromagnetism‐like algorithm for solving the inverse kinematics of robot
Authors: Yin Feng , Wang Yaonan , Wei Shuning 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a new real‐time effective method for solving the inverse kinematics (IK) problem, especially for those manipulators with high‐dimensional nonlinear kinematic equations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper transforms the IKs problem into a minimization problem. Then, a novel meta‐heuristic algorithm, called the electromagnetism‐like method (EM), is used to solve this equivalent problem. Moreover, in order to further improve the computational efficiency and accuracy of EM, a hybrid method which combines EM with the Davidon‐Fletcher‐Powell (DFP) method is proposed.FindingsThe results showed that EM is a powerful yet easy algorithm for solving the IKs problem of robot manipulators. Its complexity is independent on the characteristics of the kinematic equations involving dimensionality and the degree of nonlinearity. Moreover, EM can be used as an accompanying algorithm for DFP method to get better precision at a lower iteration number.Originality/valueThe method developed in this paper is a generalized approach that is efficient enough to obtain IK solutions independent of robot geometry and the number of degrees of freedom.
Complementarity and lean manufacturing bundles: an empirical analysis
Authors: Furlan Andrea , Vinelli Andrea , Dal Pont Giorgia 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to test and validate the complementarity effects on operational performance of two of the main lean manufacturing bundles, just‐in‐time (JIT) and total quality management (TQM). The paper also explores the role played by the human resource management (HRM) bundle as an enhancer of the complementarity between JIT and TQM.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on statistical analysis on the high performance manufacturing round III database, a survey that involves 266 plants in nine countries across three different industries (electronics, machinery and transportation components).FindingsThe paper proves the existence of complementarity between JIT and TQM and shows the enabling role of HRM on such complementarity.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides analytical and empirical argumentations showing that JIT and TQM mutually reinforce each other's marginal returns on operational performance. The study also indicates that only those plants characterized by a significant implementation of HRM practices enjoy the complementarity effects of TQM and JIT on operational performance.Practical implicationsThe research suggests a pattern of improvements where JIT and TQM have to be implemented hand‐in‐hand to take full advantage of their complementarity. HRM, the soft part of lean initiatives, provides the ground over which complementarity originates, spreading its benefits throughout the organization.Originality/valueThe study represents one of the few attempts trying to operationalize and empirically validate the concept of complementarity. The study also provides original suggestions to practitioners on how to make the most out of lean initiatives.
Managerial processes: business process that sustain performance
Authors: Bititci Umit S. , Ackermann Fran , Ates Aylin , Davies John , Garengo Patrizia , Gibb Stephen , MacBryde Jillian , Mackay David , Maguire Catherine , van der Meer Robert , Shafti Farhad , Bourne Michael , Umit Firat Seniye 
Published: July 2011

PurposeIt is argued that whilst operational and support processes deliver performance presently, it is the managerial processes that sustain performance over time. The purpose of this research paper is to better understand what these managerial processes are and how they influence organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical background is reviewed covering literature on the subject of business process management, resourced‐based view (RBV), dynamic capabilities and managerial processes. A research framework leads to qualitative case study‐based research design. Data are collected from 37 organisations across Europe, classified according to their performance.FindingsFindings suggest that the five managerial processes and their constituent managerial activities, identified through the empirical research, influence performance of organisations as an interconnected managerial system rather than as individual processes and activities. Also, the execution and maturity of this managerial system is influenced by the perceptions of the managers who organise it.Research limitations/implicationsWithin the limitation of the study the discussion leads to eight research propositions that contribute to our understanding of how managerial processes influence organisational performance. These propositions and ensuing discussion provide insights into the content and structure of managerial processes, as well as contributing to the debate on RBV by suggesting that managerial processes and activities could be considered as valuable, rare and inimitable resources. Furthermore, the discussion on how managerial perceptions influence the organisation and execution of the managerial system contributes towards our understanding of how and why dynamic capabilities develop.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that in higher performing organisations, managers: demonstrate a wider awareness of the overall managerial system; achieve a balance between short‐term and future‐oriented activities; exploit their managerial activities for multiple purposes; demonstrate greater maturity of managerial activities; and pay greater attention to the organisation of the managerial system.Originality/valueThis paper presents one of the first empirical studies that attempt to understand how business processes, and particularly managerial processes, as an interconnected managerial system serve to sustain performance of organisations.
Real‐time multiple mobile robots visual detection system
Authors: Yan Caixia , Zhan Qiang 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how the authors designed a small satellite formation ground test bed in order to study the small satellite formation flying technologies, such as autonomous formation control and network communication. As one of the subsystems, the vision detection system is responsible for the pose (position and orientation) detection of the three small satellite simulators, each of which is composed of a wheeled mobile robot and an on‐board micro control unit. In this paper, the rapid vision locating of the three small satellite simulators in the wide field is discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe scene size required by the test bed has exceeded the scope of one camera, thus how to obtain the complete scene becomes a difficulty. On the base of image mosaic, a vision system composed of two cameras is designed to capture the scene simultaneously. After the two overlapped images are rapidly stitched, the real‐time view of the big scene is attained. Second, the new color tag representing the pose of small satellite simulators is designed, which can be easily identified.FindingsA real‐time multiple mobile robots visual locating system is introduced, in which the global search algorithm and track search algorithm are combined together to identify the real‐time pose of multiple mobile robots. The switching strategy between the two algorithms is given to ensure the accuracy and improve retrieval speed.Originality/valueThe paper shows how, without camera calibration, the pose of each small satellite simulator in the world coordinate system can be directly calculated by the coordinate transformation from the image coordinate system to the world coordinate system based on relative measurement. The accuracy and real‐time performance of the vision detection system have been validated by experiments on locating static tags and dynamic tracking three small satellite simulators.
Simple expert systems to improve an ultrasonic sensor‐system for a tele‐operated mobile‐robot
Authors: Sanders David , Tewkesbury Giles , Stott Ian J. , Robinson David 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how to make tele‐operated tasks easier using an expert system to interpret joystick and sensor data.Design/methodology/approachCurrent tele‐operated systems tend to rely heavily on visual feedback and experienced operators. Simple expert systems improve the interaction between an operator and a tele‐operated mobile‐robot using ultrasonic sensors. Systems identify potentially hazardous situations and recommend safe courses of action. Because pairs of tests and results took place, it was possible to use a paired‐samples statistical test.FindingsResults are presented from a series of timed tasks completed by tele‐operators using a joystick to control a mobile‐robot via an umbilical cable. Tele‐operators completed tests both with and without sensors and with and without the new expert system and using a recently published system to compare results. The t‐test was used to compare the means of the samples in the results.Research limitations/implicationsTime taken to complete a tele‐operated task with a mobile‐robot partly depends on how a human operator interacts with the mobile‐robot. Information about the environment was restricted and more effective control of the mobile‐robot could have been achieved if more information about the environment had been available, especially in tight spaces. With more information available for analysis, the central processor could have had tighter control of robot movements. Simple joysticks were used for the test and they could be replaced by more complicated haptic devices. Finally, each individual set of tests was not necessarily statistically significant so that caution was required before generalising the results.Practical implicationsThe new systems described here consistently performed tasks more quickly than simple tele‐operated systems with or without sensors to assist. The paper also suggests that the amount of sensor support should be varied depending on circumstances. The paired samples test was used because people (tele‐operators) were inherently variable. Pairing removed much of that random variability. When results were analysed using a paired‐samples statistical test then results were statistically significant. The new systems described in this paper were significantly better at p<0.05 (95 per cent probability that this result would not occur by chance alone).Originality/valueThe paper shows that the new system performed every test faster on average than a recently published system used to compare the results.
Wireless sensor networks for structure health monitoring: recent advances and future research directions
Authors: Aygün Bengi , Cagri Gungor Vehbi 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a contemporary look at the current state‐of‐the‐art in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for structure health monitoring (SHM) applications and discuss the still‐open research issues in this field and, hence, to make the decision‐making process more effective and direct.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a comprehensive review of WSNs for SHM. It also introduces research challenges, opportunities, existing and potential applications. Network architecture and the state‐of‐the‐art wireless sensor communication technologies and standards are explained. Hardware and software of the existing systems are also clarified.FindingsExisting applications and systems are presented along with their advantages and disadvantages. A comparison landscape and open research issues are also presented.Originality/valueThe paper presents a comprehensive and recent review of WSN systems for SHM applications along with open research issues.