bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retailer supply chain capability assessment in Russia
Authors: Lorentz Harri , Lounela Juhana 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the relevant assessment criteria for retailer supply chain capability from the perspective of foreign food manufacturers, in an emerging market context, and to evaluate the development level of Russian retail chains in this sphere.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for the modelling and research method, with an exploratory workshop for the specification of the model structure, a web‐based questionnaire for priority weight development, and semi‐structured interviews for the validation of results. A food manufacturing‐based focus group participated in the modelling process.FindingsA four‐level capability assessment model was created, with operational assessment criteria allocated into management, logistics or marketing categories. The results indicate that management‐related criteria have a dominant role in assessing the supply chain capability of a retail chain company. Furthermore, the priority weight of logistics capability is only somewhat higher in comparison to marketing capability, although it is ranked significantly lower in comparison to management capability. Operational level criteria weights are also provided. In terms of the evaluation of Russian retailers, the results indicate the slight dominance of logistics capability over marketing.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is based on an AHP process with a focus group discussion, implying a limited level of generalisability to other contexts.Practical implicationsThis research provides practical insight on how to assess retailer supply chain capability in general, and describes the level of development of various capabilities and functional areas among Russian food retailers.Originality/valueOur research provides a framework that may be used in Russia and other emerging market settings to evaluate the capability of retail partners from the manufacturer perspective.
Service climate, employee commitment and customer satisfaction
Authors: He Yuanqiong , Li Wenli , Keung Lai Kin 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study attempts to contribute to the knowledge of how service climate improves customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry based on evidence from mainland China. It considers different dimensions of service climate separately, including customer orientation, managerial support and work facilitation, and introduces an important mediator – employee commitment – to examine the relationship between service climate and customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical framework is proposed to suggest links among the three dimensions of service climate, employee commitment and customer satisfaction. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from employees in the hospitality industry of China. The constructs were measured by using established scales. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the theoretical hypotheses.FindingsEmpirical results indicate that different dimensions of service climate have different effects on customer satisfaction. For instance, customer orientation, as one dimension of service climate, has a direct and positive influence on customer satisfaction, while two other dimensions of service climate, managerial support and work facilitation, have indirect positive influence on customer satisfaction, through improving employee commitment.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that managers should create customer orientation in hotels, including clarifying the value of providing customers with high quality service, and developing a system of emphasizing the importance of customer feedback. Meanwhile, managers need to pay attention to two neglected components of service climate, managerial support and work facilitation, rather than focusing on physical infrastructure only.Originality/valueThis paper makes an important empirical contribution by treating various dimensions of service climate separately, and exploring their relationships with customer satisfaction by introducing a mediator, employee commitment. The results indicate that various dimensions of service climate play different roles in improving customer satisfaction. This study contributes to the theories of service climate and customer satisfaction.
Are hotel managers becoming more professional: the case of hotel financial controllers?
Authors: Burgess Cathy 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the following question: does the industry context influence management attitudes towards being a professional?Design/methodology/approachPrevious research has identified traits that define a professional. Using this framework, the features of a profession are explored from the perspective of hotel financial controllers. Primary research is used to further explore attitudes towards the achievement of these traits.FindingsThe characteristics of this particular industry do appear to impact on attitudes towards professionalism, from the perspective of organizations and the professional association, in comparison to more traditional professions. Although the industry desires to become more professional, there is unwillingness to promote career development and other approaches for hotel controllers. Individuals, however, wish to meet the desired traits and hence improve their personal status and careers.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has examined only one type of manager in hotels, and various contradictions have emerged. Other managers in hotels may also demonstrate certain characteristics influenced by the industry context that could be further explored, and further attitudes towards professionalism in the industry investigated.Practical implicationsHotel companies must demonstrate commitment to their managers by investing in their development to improve levels of professionalism and hence profits. Professional associations can assist by providing appropriate courses at various levels, with a consequent increase in their own status as well as that of the industry.Originality/valueMost previous research has focused on the profession rather than the industry context. This research raises questions as to the dominance of a particular industry on attitudes and hence on standards.
Logistics innovation process revisited: insights from a hospital case study
Authors: Ivan Su Shong‐Iee , Gammelgaard Britta , Yang Su‐Lan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to learn more about logistics innovation processes and their implications for the focal organization as well as the supply chain, especially suppliers.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical basis of the study is a longitudinal action research project that was triggered by the practical needs of new ways of handling material flows of a hospital. This approach made it possible to revisit theory on logistics innovation process.FindingsApart from the tangible benefits reported to the case hospital, five findings can be extracted from this study: the logistics innovation process model may include not just customers but also suppliers; logistics innovation in buyer‐supplier relations may serve as an alternative to outsourcing; logistics innovation processes are dynamic and may improve supplier partnerships; logistics innovations in the supply chain are as dependent on internal stakeholders as on external relationships; and logistics innovation process may start out as a dialectic, conflict ridden process and end up in a well‐ordered goal‐oriented teleological process.Research limitations/implicationsIn general, the study contributes to the knowledge base of innovation process in logistics that is still sparse although literature on innovation in many other disciplines is well‐developed. As this research is only one study highlighting a special context of a hospital, further studies on the dynamic logistics innovation processes and their implications for the relevant parties as well as the supply chain are needed. This study does not claim statistical generalizability of the findings but provides insight into complex organizational processes that, for example, surveys cannot.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study have provided valuable insights into the process of a logistics innovation in an oriental healthcare supply chain context. The study is, however, still limited in disclosing end‐to‐end supply chain benefits including concrete performance improvements at the suppliers. Examining logistics innovation processes should result not only in the implementation of innovative processes, but also in improved supplier relations leading to improved financial results in the supply chain.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the knowledge of the dynamic processes of logistics innovation both downstream and upstream in a supply chain. It elaborates on an existing model by methodological triangulation in order to learn more about the qualities of actual processes and their implications for theory and practice.
Optimizing efficiency‐robustness trade‐offs in supply chain design under uncertainty due to disruptions
Authors: Shukla Aviral , Agarwal Lalit Vishal , Venkatasubramanian Venkat 
Published: July 2011

PurposeSupply chain network design is an important strategic decision that firms make considering both the short‐ and long‐term consequences of the network's performance. The typical design approach implicitly assumes that, once designed, the facilities and the links will always operate as planned. In reality, however, facilities and the links connecting them, fail from time to time due to poor weather, natural or man‐made disasters, or a combination of any other factors. This work aims to propose a design framework that addresses the facility and link failures explicitly by accounting for their impact on a network's performance measures of efficiency and robustness.Design/methodology/approachThe study incorporated a robustness metric for evaluating the resiliency of supply chains in the case of a network disruption. This robustness metric is based on expected losses incurred due to network failures. It defines efficiency and robustness in terms of operational cost and expected disruption cost (EDC), respectively. The EDC is defined in terms of loss of opportunity cost incurred due to not meeting demand on time after a disruption has occurred. The study used a scenario planning approach and formulated a mixed integer linear program model with the objective of maximizing both efficiency and robustness. It also evaluates the trade‐offs between efficiency and robustness.FindingsThe resulting supply chain is much more reliable in the long term since we have shown that a significant amount of robustness can be built into the system without compromising a lot on efficiency.Originality/valueThis work demonstrates a methodology which incorporates such disaster scenarios into the design of a supply chain network. This leads to a more reliable supply chain which would lead to higher profitability and lower disruption rates.
On generalised penalty approaches for slip, free surface and related boundary conditions in viscous flow simulation
Authors: Stokes Yvonne , Carey Graham 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the penalty concept to treat partial slip, free surface, contact and related boundary conditions in viscous flow simulation.Design/methodology/approachThe penalty partial‐slip formulation is analysed and related to the classical Navier slip condition. The same penalty scheme also allows partial penetration through a boundary, hence the implementation of porous wall boundaries. The finite element method is used for investigating and interpreting penalty approaches to boundary conditions.FindingsThe generalised penalty approach is verified by means of a novel variant of the circular‐Couette flow problem, having partial slip on one of the cylindrical boundaries, for which an analytic solution is derived. Further verificationis provided by consideration of viscous flow over a sphere with partial slip on the surface, and comparison of numerical and classical solutions. Numerical studies illustrate the versatility of the approach.Research limitations/implicationsThe penalty approach is applied to some different boundaries: partial slip and partial penetration with no/full slip/penetration as limiting cases; free surface; space‐ and time‐varying boundary conditions which allow progressive contact over time. Application is made to curved and inclined boundaries. Sensitivity of flow to penalty parameters is an avenue for continued research, as is application of the penalty approach for non‐Newtonian flows.Originality/valueThis is the first work to show the relation between penalty formulation of boundary conditions and physical boundary conditions. It provides a method that overcomes past difficulties in implementing partial slip on boundaries of general shape, and which handles progressive contact. It also provides useful benchmark problems for future studies.
Application of the Exp‐function method for solving a partial differential equation arising in biology and population genetics
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi , Manafian Heris Jalil , Saadatmandi Abbas 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use He's Exp‐function method (EFM) to construct solitary and soliton solutions of the nonlinear evolution equation.Design/methodology/approachThis technique is straightforward and simple to use and is a powerful method to overcome some difficulties in the nonlinear problems.FindingsThis method is developed for searching exact traveling wave solutions of the nonlinear partial differential equations. The EFM presents a wider applicability for handling nonlinear wave equations.Originality/valueThe paper shows that EFM, with the help of symbolic computation, provides a straightforward and powerful mathematical tool for solving nonlinear evolution equations. Application of EFM to Fitzhugh‐Nagumo equation illustrates its effectiveness.
Lull after the storm? Municipal leaders reflect on multiple crisis experience
Authors: Hede Susanne 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a theoretical understanding of how multiple crisis experience affects preparedness issues, and how the learning potential of municipal crisis experience can be developed. The focus is on municipal decision‐makers.Design/methodology/approachTwo group interviews were conducted with a total of 13 municipal Chief Officers and Politicians. Data were analysed by a grounded theory approach.FindingsA theoretical model is presented, which includes both managers' views on their experiences related to preparedness and how development/revision of crisis can be explained. Experiences are not entirely positive or negative. Managers have developed a good preparedness in some aspects but they are also conscious about shortcomings in their preparedness. The model includes: level one, primary assessments, including strengths and limitations; and level two, reflection, where difficult choices and dilemmas faced are recalled, and future concerns are expressed.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is small and range of experience is limited, since both municipalities studied have been fairly successful in their crisis management.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used to develop evaluation and application of crisis experience by individuals and in the crisis management system, and to develop exercises.Originality/valueThe empirical data resulting from this study show the complexity in crisis experience, the need for better evaluation and the value of group reflection in evaluation.
Health needs: policy plan and school practice in Greece
Authors: Soultatou Pelagia , Duncan Peter , Athanasiou Kyriacos , Papadopoulos Irena 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of health‐related needs on a policy design and curriculum enactment basis in terms of the national school health education curriculum in Greek secondary education.Design/methodology/approachA single case study, using an ethnographic approach, was conducted in Greece, seeking to understand the continuum from policy design to curriculum enactment in respect of health‐related needs. Three sources of data were used to meet this goal: policy texts, observation, and interviews. Multilevel sampling was employed to select one secondary school as a site for “good practice”. Grounded theory coding, thematic analysis and critical discourse analysis identified themes associated with the idea of health‐related through the corpus of data.FindingsOn a policy plan level the concept of health‐related needs was coupled with and reduced to a predetermined list of health‐related subjects; and the list of health‐related topics had not been updated for long and was characterised by a rather biomedical orientation. On a school practice level the stage of needs assessment was not applied, the list of health‐related subjects advocated in the policy plan was used on a proactive, normative and top down basis, and the students' felt needs tended to be disregarded.Originality/valueThis study followed up the continuum from policy design to school practice regarding the concept and practice of health needs, highlighting the possibilities and the problems from both perspectives.
A comparison of medical students' perceptions of three experiential methods
Authors: Koponen Jonna , Pyörälä Eeva , Isotalus Pekka 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to compare Finnish medical students' perceptions of the suitability of three experiential methods in learning interpersonal communication competence (ICC). The three methods it seeks to explore are: theatre in education; simulated patient interview with amateur actors; and role‐play with peers. The methods were introduced in a pilot course of speech communication.Design/methodology/approachStudents (n=132) were randomly assigned to three groups. The data were collected via questionnaire and focus group interviews, and analysed using qualitative content analysis and cross‐case analysis.FindingsMost of the medical students thought these methods were suitable or very suitable for learning ICC. The methods had five similar elements: the doctor's role, the patient's role, reflective participation, emotional reactions and teachers' actions. Being in a doctor's role, realistic scripts and patient‐roles, observing the interaction and reflection in small groups were the most helpful elements in these methods.Originality/valueThe results of this study show that simulated patient interview with amateur actors, role‐play with peers, and TIE are very suitable methods for practising professionally relevant ICC in the context of doctor‐patient encounters from the medical students' perspective.
Five principles that will determine the new mainstream
Authors: Marques Joan 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to present an emerging, human‐resource‐based paradigm in organizational thinking.Design/methodology/approachReviews macro changes of the first decade in the twenty‐first century, focuses on previous‐century mainstream thinking and its weaknesses, and then presents the five principles that encompass the “new” mainstream.FindingsCalls for organizational leaders, particularly principals in human resources, to seriously consider nurturing these principles in order to contribute to the better general well‐being of the organization and all its stakeholders.Practical implicationsArgues that an outdated mindset still lies at the foundation of managerial thinking in many organizations, and that this mindset should be rectified, so that recurrences of past‐decade corporate calamities can be avoided.Social implicationsHighlights the interconnected approach and influence of the SMILE principles for corporate workers and the society at large.Originality/valueIntroduces, in an easily understandable format, a set of principles that have been considered inappropriate in corporate settings, but that have proved their merit in high‐performing organizations.
Interview with Edward M. Hallowell, MD, author of Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People
Authors: by Juliet Harrison Interview 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Edward M. Hallowell, bestselling author, psychiatrist and ADD expert and author of Shine: Using Brain Science to Get the Best from Your People.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent interviewerFindingsIn his latest book, Shine Edward M. Hallowell combines new research into brain science with what we know about performance management to offer a proven process for managers to get the best from their teams and their people. Hallowell introduces what he calls, “the cycle of excellence” – a five‐step plan that draws on his own work of helping people overcome attention deficit problems and become more productive in everyday life.Practical implicationsProvides guidance on how to go about ensuring the happiness and well being of your employees, which will in turn, lead to high performance throughout your organization.Originality/valueA lot of people do not achieve their best because they are simply in the wrong job. Through his book, and drawing on his professional experiences, Edward is able to provide some guidance on the various instruments that people can use to assess whether they are in the right place or not.
Organizational culture and performance: the role of management accounting system
Authors: Agbejule Adebayo 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to examine the combined effect of the interactive and diagnostic management accounting system (MAS) use and organizational culture on performance. Using the contingency perspective, this study suggests that the performance is enhanced by the interaction of organizational culture and the simultaneous use of both types of MAS.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire, and responses from 147 senior managers provide support for the research model and demonstrate that each type of organizational culture requires different combinations of both types of MAS uses to enhance performance.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that although both uses of MAS are required, highest performance for flexibility value firms is achieved when high interactive and low diagnostic MAS use is employed. On the other hand, for control value firms, this study indicates that using both high diagnostic and interactive MAS creates a positive effect on performance.Research limitations/implicationsAs in the case of most survey empirical studies, this study is static and may not capture the changes in organizational culture over time. To prevent this bias, longitudinal follow up studies would be required. Second, the self‐report data may be affected by common method bias.Practical implicationsThe present study indicates that managers should be aware of the dominant values of their organization cultures before deciding to use MAS in a specific way, and thus contributing to the effectiveness of organizations when both interactive and diagnostic are employed simultaneously.Originality/valueThe results of the present study increase extant knowledge and understanding on the knowledge of the relationships between organizational culture and the use of MAS and how they influence performance. This is important because there are few empirical studies that have examined organizational culture using the competing values framework.