bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The family as a developmental issue in expatriate assignments
Authors: Chiotis‐Leskowich Irene 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to highlight the central role of family adjustment in expatiate effectiveness, and presents it as a developmental issue.Design/methodology/approachLiterature reviews were used to create this article.FindingsThough family adjustment appears among the top reasons for expatriate assignment failure, the family as an interdependent system is regularly overlooked in expatriate preparation. This paper offers a family systems perspective and developmental techniques for expatriate family preparation.Practical implicationsMore focused attention to the family system in expatriate assignments – as learning and development issue, rather than a “managed” corporate issue – may well address much of the cause of expatriate failure.Originality/valueWhile existing literature concerning expatriate failure is increasingly extensive, very little of it attends to family system concerns and issues. Moreover, none of the literature treats family adjustment as a phenomenon for developmental activity.
A world in crisis? Does learning help to create future opportunities?
Authors: Csath Magdolna 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to see how companies from different fields try to cope with the consequences of the economic crisis.Design/methodology/approachManagerial approaches were analyzed. Members of the top management teams in 15 enterprizes were interviewed.FindingsThe macro and micro environments of these firms were found to be very similar, but the decisions they were making were very different. It was found that the differences in strategic approaches could be explained mostly by the attitudes and values of the top management team.Originality/valueThe author uses her experience in research on relationships among organisational learning, innovation, managerial values and business to describe the key differences of the two companies, who are both Hungarian owned.
Are redundancies a possibility in your organization?
Authors: Kilkelly Eddie 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to look at how the learning and development (L&D) teams can enable businesses to handle redundancies efficiently and effectively, in order to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties.Design/methodology/valueThis article is based on the authors own knowledge and views.FindingsRedundancy is unpalatable at the best of times and managing the process is never going to be easy. However, the L&D department has a critical role to play in mitigating the long‐term negative effects through timely intervention, excellent communication, compassion, and appropriate support and assistance.Originality/valueThis paper provides a redundancy management plan.
Learning through action
Authors: Walker Esther 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide L&D Managers with an informative overview of how drama works in the context of learning and development, the key methodologies involved and their benefits to the organization.Design/methodology/approachThis article is a case study providing information on how drama has been applied for learning and development purposes in a number of UK organizations.FindingsOne of the key points of this article, and central reasons for Drama's ongoing success as an L&D tool, is its ability to evoke an emotional response to the learning process. Through emotion, we can engage staff and inspire them to learn, in a way that transcends other training methodologies.Originality/valueThis paper introduces L&D managers to a new approach to learning. It offers a brief overview of what drama‐based learning can add to the mix, and explains how these methods are helpful both to staff and the organisation as a whole. The article includes a series of case study examples from the public and private sectors to illustrate key points and methods.
Exploiting the concept of a manufacturing system part II
Authors: Parnaby John , Towill Denis R. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the influence and discipline of process control and systems engineering theory plus engineering practices in the chemical process industry on current operations management development. Part I has laid the requisite groundwork for this paper; Part II covering the concept of a manufacturing system, its evolution into the managing‐by‐projects (MBP) methodology, and application to the extended enterprise. Later, Part III will concentrate on the usage of MBP within individual manufacturing and other businesses. Hence, the concentration will then be on cellular operations and the “natural grouping” task force genré.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on experiential case study outputs from a large number of European and international organisations. Benchmarking of total business performance is shown to be a driver of change. Via the systems approach, it is shown how a set of interlinking programmes are planned and executed to enable comprehensive improvements in business performance. The core characteristics of MBP are detailed plus how systems engineering principles can enable effective BPI.FindingsMBP is an holistic approach. It can start at the competitive achievement plan level to scheme and implement total business change executed by internal task forces. The procedure is illustrated for an international enterprise via results obtained from re‐organising a multi‐site auto components business. Large gains in key performance indicators are evident.Research limitations/implicationsA key finding is the importance of generating internal experience and competence. Learning has to belong to the organisation, not some external group. There must be careful sequencing of projects, otherwise there will be “indigestion”. Elephants should be eaten in bite‐sized chunks.Practical implicationsThis original concept has now evolved after some 30 years and proven routes to implementing MBP have been established. Furthermore, a vast quantity of supporting material is now available. Setting up an effective, and organisationally relevant user‐friendly open‐learning facility is a top priority.Originality/valueThe originality lies in the concept of a manufacturing system. But the innovation manifests itself in the successful transformation into the MBP methodology for engineering effective change in a wide range of organisations.
Enhancing product development through knowledge‐based engineering (KBE)
Authors: Corallo Angelo , Laubacher Robert , Margherita Alessandro , Turrisi Giuseppe 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show with figures the potentialities of knowledge‐based engineering (KBE) methods in new product development (NPD). It estimates the business value generated by a tool which integrates the handoff between engineering groups of a large aerospace company.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on three years of observation and interviews at a leading Italian firm. A process‐based approach is used for assessing business value.FindingsThe KBE application automated the preparation of data transferred to computer‐aided engineering engineers for analysis by computer‐aided design engineers and reduced the time required by more than 90 percent. This allowed time savings which contributed to enhance product quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a single case, though its findings are consistent with prior studies. Future research will implement like applications in other contexts at the subject firm and other firms.Practical implicationsThe paper helps managers to understand the uses and potential value of KBE applications, enhancing the awareness of NPD practitioners in a field which is still partially untapped.Originality/valueThe paper combines discussion of the technical aspects of implementing a KBE tool with estimates of performance improvement achieved. It can be a useful illustration of a good practice and a proof‐of‐concept for further implementations in complex engineering settings.
Business strategies and the adoption of ERP
Authors: Jang Woan‐yuh , Lin Ching‐i , Pan Ming‐ju 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between business strategies and the adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in Taiwan's communications industry. This sector has experienced astounding growth in production over the past three years.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 100 organizations through face‐to‐face interviews. A discriminant analysis is used to test the hypotheses pertaining to the ERP adoption decision.FindingsThe results show that a number of identified variables among the key internal and external descriptors of the firm's business strategies are the chief factors that determine whether ERP is adopted or not. Another variable, organization size, is also important, indicating that companies of different size approach the adoption of ERP differently. These variables correctly classify 78 percent of the decisions made with respect to the adoption of ERP.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical research study that examines the relationship between a firm's business strategy and the adoption of ERP in the rapidly expanding communications industry in Taiwan. With an increased understanding and better insight into this relationship, it should be possible for managers to be more proactive in their planning of the future adoption of an ERP system.
Advanced manufacturing technology adoption in developing countries
Authors: Abd Rahman Azmawani , Bennett David 
Published: October 2009

PurposeDeveloping countries are heavily dependent on the resources and commitment of foreign providers to ensure successful adoption of advanced manufacturing technology (AMT). The purpose of this paper is to describe the important role of buyer‐supplier relationships (BSRs) in the process of technology selection, acquisition and implementation.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 147 Malaysian manufacturing firms is the main instrument used in the research investigations and data analysis is carried out by the structured equation modelling (SEM) technique. In particular, the authors examine the impact on performance of different patterns of relationship between technology buyers and suppliers.FindingsAlthough the majority of the firms reported improvements in their performance since the acquisition of AMT, closer investigation reveals that those demonstrating a closer relationship with their suppliers are more likely to achieve higher levels of technology and implementation performance (IP) than those that do not.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper only assesses the strength of BSR from the buyers' perspective and they may have limited experience of acquisition, whereas suppliers may have more experience of selling AMT. Also, the research is undertaken in Malaysia and the findings may be different in other countries, especially where the technology being acquired is not imported but sourced locally.Practical implicationsThe findings relating to BSR, technology acquisition and IP have important implications both for customers and supplier firms as well as for industrial policy makers in developing countries.Originality/valueThe result of the research provides useful insights that are especially pertinent to an improved understanding of BSRs in the procurement of capital equipment, about which the current research literature is limited.
A methodology for cost‐oriented assembly line balancing problems
Authors: Padrón Mario , de los A. Irizarry María , Resto Pedro , Mejía Heidy P. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe efficiency of assembly lines is a critical factor for the competitiveness of industries in the global market. The purpose of this paper is to present a line balancing methodology consisting of the combination of a heuristic model and an exact algorithm with intelligent task location or line zone constraints. The objective is to find a minimum cost solution in a feasible computational time with a realistic cost function considering short‐term operation costs, task‐related and workstation capital investment costs, and workstation paralleling.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is evaluated using different problem sizes, zone sizes and cycle time scenarios. The quality of results is measured by the closeness to the global optimum and the computational time requirements.FindingsThe proposed methodology is found to be highly effective with an average percentage difference of −0.63 percent from the optimum solution. In the experimentation, results are compared against the global optimum in 24 of the 36 scenarios tested. In 23 of the 24 (95.8 percent) results, the largest percentage difference is 0.55 percent. In eight of the 12 cases in which the global optimum is not found, the algorithm with zone constraints provided a better solution than the upper bound available when the simulation model pursuing the optimum is stopped. These unfinished runs are stopped after a minimum run time of 24 hours.Originality/valueThe originality of the methodology is on the strategy used to consider workstation paralleling with task‐related capital investment costs. It is the only one with an exact algorithm considering task‐related capital investment costs in combination with workstation paralleling.
Sustainability – a new dimension in information systems evaluation
Authors: Piotrowicz Wojciech , Cuthbertson Richard 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce sustainability as a new dimension of information systems (IS) evaluation. Customers, policymakers and business partners increasingly require the monitoring and reporting of the organisational impact on sustainability. However, traditional IS evaluation approaches are not able to capture the impact of information technology (IT)/IS on sustainability, especially in relation to social and environmental dimensions, so the authors want to stimulate discussion and research related to this area.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is conceptual. However, it is based on the results of an existing related research project focussed on supply chain evaluation.FindingsIn order to stimulate discussion and research, the authors propose a framework that was originally developed to evaluate supply chain practices, in which IS often play a major role. The framework is built on three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – which are divided further into three sub‐dimensions. It can be used as a starting point to develop a framework for sustainability‐oriented IS evaluation.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework was originally developed for supply chain evaluation; however, it has generic features that can be adjusted or modified in order to be applied to a whole range of IT/IS initiativesPractical implicationsSustainability and its new dimensions create new challenges for information systems evaluation. Companies require frameworks and tools that can help them to measure and evaluate the impact of IS on sustainability. The researcher's role is to answer such needs and focus on this emerging research topic; this paper aims to stimulate such research.Originality/valueSustainability is a new dimension in IT/IS evaluation. Current approaches do not include all sustainability dimensions (environmental aspects are excluded, evaluation of the social impact is limited).
An analysis of the major issues for successful information technology transfer in Arab countries
Authors: Al‐Mabrouk Khalid , Soar Jeffrey 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn the history of technology transfer in Arab countries, it is probably true that there has been more failure and disappointment than satisfaction and success in achieving the expected results from the technology transfer agreements. Many complex issues are involved in the consideration of technology transfer in Arab countries. The purpose of this study is to identify, analyse and discuss the major issues for successful information technology (IT) transfer in Arab countries.Design/methodology/approachA three‐round, non‐anonymous, Delphi‐type survey is designed and connected to understand and explicate major issues from the perceptions of stakeholder groups in Arab countries.FindingsThe coding approach and synthesis procedures result in a master set of ten major issues categories for successful IT transfer in Arab countries.Originality/valueThis paper serves to focus discussion and promote constructive interaction for the purpose of developing an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the nuances of IT transfer process in Arab countries.
A situated cultural approach for cross‐cultural studies in IS
Authors: Ali Maged , Brooks Laurence 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework of a situated culture approach to studying culture within the IS discipline.Design/methodology/approachThis is achieved via an articulation of structuration theory and the provision of an approach to study cross‐cultural phenomena within the IS discipline. The paper proposes two main components of a structuration theory based analysis model which is proposed as a way to study culture within IS discipline. First, the paper presents ideas behind the practice lens for studying the use of technology, as proposed by Orlikowski. Second, the paper presents a structurational analysis approach as detailed by Walsham. The paper argues that using a practice lens contributes to identifying the mediated shared structures between actors through understanding the actions of the actors within the phenomena. Then, using a structurational analysis approach contributes to identifying the cultural dimensions that are embedded in the identified mediated shared structures.FindingsThis paper contributes to cultural studies within the IS discipline and provides a framework for researchers aiming to investigate cultural influences for different phenomena within IS.Originality/valueCultural anthropology seeks to understand the similarities and differences among groups of people in the contemporary world. Although there are many different models of national culture, most IS research has tended to rely almost solely on Hofstede's cultural model. However, Hofstede's cultural model been criticised, and using structurational analysis will provide researchers within cultural studies in the IS discipline with a more broad perspective for the phenomena.
Exploring the relationship between IT governance practices and business/IT alignment through extreme case analysis in Belgian mid‐to‐large size financial enterprises
Authors: De Haes S. , Van Grembergen W. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeMany thought leaders are promoting information technology (IT) governance and its supporting practices as an approach to improve business/IT alignment. This paper aims to further explore this assumed positive relationship between IT governance practices and business/IT alignment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper explores the relationship between the use of IT governance practices and business/IT alignment, by creating a business/IT alignment maturity benchmark and qualitatively comparing the use of IT governance practices in the extreme cases.FindingsThe main conclusion of the research is that all extreme case organisations are leveraging a broad set of IT governance practices, and that IT governance practices need to obtain at least a maturity level 2 (on a scale of 5) to positively influence business/IT alignment. Also, a list of 11 key enabling IT governance practices is identified.Research limitations/implicationsThis research adheres to the process theory, implying a limited definition of prediction. An important opportunity for future research lies in the domain of complementary statistical correlation research.Practical implicationsThis research identifies key IT governance practices that organisations can leverage to improve business/IT alignment.Originality/valueThis research contributes to new theory building in the IT governance and alignment domain and provides practitioners with insight on how to implement IT governance in their organisations.
Blended and online learning: student perceptions and performance
Authors: Adam Stewart , Adam Stewart 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve educator knowledge of the antecedents and consequences of blended learning in higher education.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal case study approach is adopted. Three case studies each involve tracking a student evaluations of teaching (SET) measure (willingness to recommend) and grade point average for three subjects from the same business discipline over six years. The cases involve comparison of: a business subject taught solely online; a business subject where experimentation in the blend of face‐to‐face teaching and learning is involved; and a business subject where face‐to‐face teaching is primarily used, and where in the most recent iteration online content supplements the learners' experiences.FindingsThe findings suggest that there are situations where integrated use of blended learning involving face‐to‐face teaching, digital media and digital communication with simple navigation between the content items leads to positive student perceptions. This is in contrast to negative student perceptions in the situation where learners must navigate in online learning, and where there is little or no face‐to‐face instruction. While not examined in detail, nor part of the research question, it is not surprising to find no relationship between learning mode and grade point averages is evidenced.Research limitations/implicationsThe effects of prior computer literacy and language proficiency across the students used in this study, and potential demographic and experiential differences between on‐campus and off‐campus students are not controlled for. Additionally, only three business subjects are investigated and it is recognised that there is a need for a broader study. Finally, with response levels to the university‐controlled SET that typically range between 20‐43 per cent for these large subjects, there is possible non‐response bias that it was not possible to counter over the six years involved.Practical implicationsThe findings in this study suggest that while blended learning offers many benefits to higher education institutions and learners alike, care needs to be taken in the manner in which such approaches are implemented in light of possible negative learner perceptions where a less traditional approach is taken.Originality/valueA major contribution of this study is the fact that experimentation has taken place in terms of the degree of face‐to‐face and online learning that have been blended in at least one subject (case study two), and the fact that the SET for this subject are compared, longitudinally, with two other subjects which lie on either side of this subject in terms of the extent of online and face‐to‐face teaching and learning employed – 100 per cent online in case study one and almost 100 per cent face‐to‐face in case study three.