bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficiency of African equity markets
Authors: McMillan David G. , Thupayagale Pako 
Published: October 2009

PurposeIn order to assess the informational efficiency of African equity markets (AEMs), the purpose of this paper is to examine long memory in both equity returns and volatility using auto‐regressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA)‐FIGARCH/hyperbolic GARCH (HYGARCH) models.Design/methodology/approachIn order to test for long memory, the behaviour of the auto‐correlation function for 11 AEMs is examined. Following the graphical analysis, the authors proceed to estimate ARFIMA‐FIGARCH and ARFIMA‐HYGARCH models, specifically designed to capture long‐memory dynamics.FindingsThe results show that these markets (largely) display a predictable component in returns; while evidence of long memory in volatility is very mixed. In comparison, results from the control of the UK and USA show short memory in returns while evidence of long memory in volatility is mixed. These results show that the behaviour of equity market returns and risks are dissimilar across markets and this may have implications for portfolio diversification and risk management strategies.Practical implicationsThe results of the analysis may have important implications for portfolio diversification and risk management strategies.Originality/valueThe importance of this paper lies in it being the first to systematically analyse long‐memory dynamics for a range of AEMs. African markets are becoming increasingly important as a source of international portfolio diversification and risk management. Hence, the results here have implication for the conduct of international portfolio building, asset pricing and hedging.
Smart complexity
Authors: Mahler Daniel , Bahulkar Adheer 
Published: October 2009

PurposeFor many firms the problems of manufacturing, marketing and distributing a complex product line persist, and it is driving up costs in an economy where cutting costs is essential to survival. This paper aims to promote the innovative concept of “Smart Complexity.”Design/methodology/approachThis paper explains how a firm can adopt this new complexity management concept. It is an approach that challenges the notion that every new product variant drives growth.FindingsRecently, a company that adopted this approach increased margins by 1 to 3 percent and set the foundation for ongoing improvements in profitability.Practical implicationsThis four‐pronged approach to complexity management starts with consumer research to find the right level of variety. It adds richer SKU‐based data on costs across each step of a newly transparent value chain. It brings this data to a cross‐functional, integrated decision process. Finally, it implements process changes to ensure complexity is governed and managed over time.Originality/valueThe leadership lesson: desirable complexity drives consumer buying decisions. Undesirable complexity unduly complicates internal processes without making a whit of difference to the consumer. The new concept of Smart Complexity distinguishes between the two.
Entering the Chinese mid‐market segment: key to long‐term success?
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Fischer Thomas , Fleisch Elgar 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe paper aims to provide guidance for managers seeking to successfully position their products in the Chinese mid‐market segment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected and analyzed from about 25 international and Chinese manufacturing companies.FindingsFindings identify barriers and key success factors and give guidance for international and Chinese firms to adopt a long‐term strategy to succeed in the Chinese mid‐market segment.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies in the context of product strategies in China would be beneficial when considering the long‐term effects of the perspectives and advantages of global scale and branding.Practical implicationsManagers benefit from a practical framework to overcome barriers during the strategy process on market entry into the Chinese mid‐market segment.Originality/valueNew strategic potentials and risks in China's emerging market make considering an entry into the mid‐market an imperative step for international and domestic firms.
A tiny start‐up offers invaluable innovation lessons for large manufacturers
Authors: Hoegl Martin , Weiss Matthias , Gibbert Michael , Välikangas Liisa 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis case aims to look at a small start‐up car maker called Loremo, Inc. in Marl, Germany, that hopes to thrive by challenging resource constraints with bold innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe authors found Loremo as part of their five‐year long study looking at how innovation manages to flourish in firms despite resource scarcity.FindingsThe paper finds that Loremo engineers had no other choice but to make virtue of necessity, to develop their car with existing technology and affordable materials, but to reconsider the traditional principles of automobile engineering, which other companies take for granted.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors are doing research on companies that achieve bold innovation despite limited resources.Practical implicationsThe Loremo engineers overcame the costly process that results from taking a “design stance,” a commitment to design parts to do a particular job.Originality/valueManufacturers in all the developed countries that are struggling with the need for radical innovation might take number of lessons from the tiny Loremo car company.
When an initiative is stalled by warring factions
Authors: Stone Laura 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to reveals how taking an elegantly simple approach to resolving complex issues can help teams identify, align and quickly execute on the areas with the greatest impact by examining a case of a failing, but ultimately successful, $180‐million offshore outsourcing project beset by disparate interests.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes how a retail company and a technology service provider recently underwent a turbulent process to implement a transformational outsourcing initiative.FindingsA consultant used a simple five‐step process to guide the parties through the systemic challenges and issues plaguing the business relationship and operational functions.Research limitations/implicationsThe case draws on the consultant's experience during the assignment.Practical implicationsLeaders need to cultivate their organization's readiness and ability to change quickly. By emphasizing this kind of “nimbleness” businesses can gain a powerful strategic advantage, the capability to adapt faster than their competition.Originality/valueThe consultant improved the business relationship by aligning managers of the client and the outsourcing firm around a one‐team strategic partnership that focused on end‐user (customer) issues.
Bottom‐up or top‐down?
Authors: Heart Tsipi , O'Reilly Philip , Sammon David , O'Donoghue John 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe limited success of electronic health records (EHRs) implementation in the healthcare services in general, and a national EHR in particular, requires better understand and documentation of the current drivers and inhibitors of EHR adoption, together with a definition of a national EHR. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachFactors affecting EHR adoptions are elicited from extant literature and the stakeholder/actor framework is used as the theoretical framework. The multiple case study approach is used as the research method, and data are collected in Ireland and Israel by interviews and analysed using text coding methods.FindingsFactors elicited in the literature are generally corroborated, yet the salient factor on the localized perspective appears to be the degree of centralization of the healthcare services; while different factors affect the national perspective. In summary, it seems that Israel is more ready for national EHR implementation than Ireland due to the high level of computerization and high levels of integration of primary and secondary care patient data.Research implicationsContribution to research is in the definition of a national EHR, the illustration of various levels of analysis and their relative impacts on EHR adoption, the analysis framework, and by showing that EHR adoption is a top‐down, change management process.Practical implicationsEHR adoption should be driven by a powerful actor in the healthcare sector addressing the need for a high level of integration within and between care levels, while focusing on clinicians' requirements. Technological and legislative infrastructures are mandatory for establishing a national EHR.Originality/valueData for this study are collected in two countries that represent different healthcare structures, one being highly centralized while the other is just the opposite. These differences provide an additional interesting lens through which factors affecting EHR adoption can be assessed. As far as we know, not many previous studies have compared EHR adoption across two diverse healthcare systems.
A comparison study of using a mobile medical information system
Authors: Jokela Jorma , Han Shengnan , Harkke Ville , Kallio Markku , Lindgren Leena , Castrèn Maaret 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of a comparison study of using a mobile medical information system between civilian medical students and physicians undergoing military service in Finland. Special emphasis is on differences in system usage, and perceptions towards the mobile medical system. Other points of interest are the important features of the mobile medical system, advantages and disadvantages of using the system in actual emergency situations and use of the device to search for general information.Design/methodology/approachThe study is conducted between two groups of users, medical students and physicians undertaking military service.FindingsThe two groups are found to have similar behaviors toward the mobile system in different contexts. This study helps develop an understanding of how the two groups of users use a mobile medical information system while also providing insights of some behavioral differences between them. Not all of the differences are significant; indicating the possibility of developing a universal tool for both military and civilian contexts, but more contents of military medicine should be supplemented for military physicians.Originality/valueThis paper addresses an area of increasing research interest, i.e. mobile medical informatics.
Standards for information security and processes in healthcare
Authors: Söderström Eva , Åhlfeldt Rose‐Mharie , Eriksson Nomie 
Published: October 2009

PurposeRegardless of who or where we are and when we get sick, we expect healthcare to make us well and to handle us and our information with care and respect. Today, most healthcare institutions work separately, making the flow of patient information sub‐optimal and the use of common standards practically unheard of. The purpose of this paper is to emphasise the use for standards to improve information security in process‐oriented distributed healthcare.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces a real‐life case which is analysed to highlight how and where standards can and should be used in order to improve information security in process‐oriented distributed healthcare.FindingsIn total, 11 flaws or problems in information security and process‐orientation are identified. From these, six changes are suggested which address how information is handled, and how organizational routines should be standardized.Research limitations/implicationsThe case setting is Swedish healthcare, but problems can be shared across international borders. The purpose is to highlight the issues at hand.Practical implicationsIf suggested changes are implemented, healthcare processes will be more streamlined and focused on patients. Routines will be standardized and uncertainties thus removed in terms of how to act in certain situations.Originality/valueHealthcare and academia has yet to address both document and process issues concerning standardization in distributed healthcare. There are also few actual cases from a patient perspective. This paper provides lessons learned from a real‐life case, where results may impact how standardization is addressed in healthcare organizations.
The entrepreneurial marketing mix
Authors: Martin Diane M. 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper identifies and examine a divergence of philosophies and practice between corporate/traditional marketing (CTM) and entrepreneurial marketing (EM). The paper examines the case of an entrepreneur who also possesses a deep understanding of CTM practices. The purpose of this paper is to learn which set of marketing practices entrepreneurs are likely to privilege.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is an ethnographic investigation of a marketing entrepreneur: one who possesses a deep understanding of CTM and who is also a successful entrepreneur. Data collection and analysis included participant observation, multiple interviews, and interpretation of textual and video data.FindingsEntrepreneurs with CTM expertise privilege elements of EM. Rather than relying on the traditional four Ps (product, price, place, and promotion), their marketing strategy and practice is reminiscent of the entrepreneurial four P's (purpose, practices, process, and people). Communication competency is foundational to successful EM.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurs are encouraged to assess their personal situations and identify ways to improve their organizational and interpersonal communication skills and personal contact network processes.Originality/valueThis paper provides a provocative look at how CTM theory and practice are superseded by the creativity, flexibility, and innovation of day‐to‐day entrepreneurship. The paper validates a framework for analysis of marketing practices specific to entrepreneurs.
Internationalisation and sport branding strategy: a French perception of the Big Four brands
Authors: Chanavat Nicolas , Bodet Guillaume 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide better understanding of potential foreign customers or satellite fans' perceptions of professional‐football brands, as this constitutes a necessary step toward setting up an internationalisation strategy to create a global professional‐sport brand.Design/methodology/approachTwelve semi‐directed individual interviews with French satellite fans about how they perceive the English Big Four brands of Arsenal Football Club (FC), Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC and Manchester United are conducted.FindingsThe paper found the common and specific features of each club's brand equity and the typical fans' perceptions of the clubs, which constitute major dimensions upon which the clubs are differentiated in the customers' minds. It also identified such key antecedents to building strong professional‐sport brand equity in the French market as the fit between the image, the values or both of the foreign club and the local club a fan supports.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the size of the sample, even if the saturation‐semantic criterion is applied.Practical implicationsThis paper emphasises the need for professional‐sport clubs not to underestimate the need for strategic‐marketing steps different from those used at home before implementing foreign marketing operations and constitutes a first step toward future research into the analysis of the perceptions of potential foreign customers or satellite fans in broader contexts.Originality/valueAlthough many studies have dealt with the perception of local professional‐sport brands, this paper represents one of the first empirical studies of the perceptions of professional‐football brands in a foreign market.
Integral team effectiveness: validity analysis of a theory‐based team measure
Authors: Cacioppe Ron , Stace Roger 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to develop a self‐report instrument completed by team members, the Integral Team Effectiveness Measure (ITEM), in order to assess team strengths and weaknesses based on a review of research and models of effective teams. The ability of the instrument, based on an “integral” or holistic framework, to capture a latent factor relevant to team success is tested. Based on two studies, support for the construct and predictive validity of the ITEM measure is provided.Design/methodology/approachPsychometric evaluation of a survey instrument is described. A quasi‐experiment to see whether an objective measure of team performance can be predicted from the instrument and multi‐level modelling was also incorporated.FindingsAlthough there are many elements necessary for good teamwork, there is nevertheless an underlying common theme. This underlying theme or construct of integral team effectiveness can be measured with a self‐report instrument, which successfully predicted subsequent team performance in a sample of 45 teams.Practical implicationsThe Integral Team Effectiveness Measure (ITEM) is an instrument that captures an important underlying quality of teams. Organisations relying on teams may benefit from using the ITEM to diagnose weaknesses and to design corrective interventions.Originality/valueAlthough many previous studies have described variables which impact team performance, integral team effectiveness is an original contribution in that it describes and measures an underlying essence of teamwork. Managers and team members may find integral team effectiveness valuable for overcoming the apparent complexities and contradictions that confound sincere efforts to improve team performance.
Team training for creating performance templates
Authors: Lyons Paul 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to explain how team training in template construction and maintenance is achieved to improve the performance of individuals and teams on the job. The aim is to explain the training model in detail and to present the theory base for the model. Also, another important purpose is to demonstrate how the model is actually used in the field.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology consists of two major features: the explication of how the template approach is applied, in general; and then the performance of teams and groups of employees is compared following training. It shows that one group was trained in the template approach, while the other group was trained using more conventional methods.FindingsThe hypotheses stated that in comparing the differently trained teams/groups there would be no difference in performance on these measures: gross sales attained; manager rating of employee performance; and customer satisfaction with regard to sales representatives; product knowledge; helpfulness in the business context; and overall performance. Significant differences were noted for manager rating, product knowledge, and overall performance. The groups could be compared; however, the teams were too small to rely on standard statistical tools for analysis.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was exploratory in nature with a limited range of performance measures. The sample sizes (teams) were not large; however, the groups were large enough to make comparisons. The use of different pairs of trainers for the sub‐samples helps to dampen trainer bias but also creates differences in training conditions that could influence employee learning and performance.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate that the training approach has merit and warrants further study. The study depicts how a partnership among trainers, managers, and employees can lead to successful training outcomes. Another implication is that it is possible to involve trainers, teams and managers, cooperatively, to create models of training and performance improvement.Originality/valueThere are only a few templates or script‐based approaches reported in the training literature; hence this work adds to the literature. The template approach helps team members leverage their learning and also improve performance.
A case study of total productive maintenance implementation at precision tube mills
Authors: Ahuja I.P.S. , Kumar Pankaj 
Published: October 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributions of successful total productive maintenance (TPM) initiatives to competitive manufacturing. It also seeks to critically examine the implications of strategic TPM implementation initiatives in an Indian manufacturing organisation.Design/methodology/approachThe study is carried out at a precision tube mill that has successfully implemented TPM and has reaped significant benefits as a result of TPM implementation, to study the TPM implementation issues and achievements realised as a result of strategic TPM implementation. The approach is directed towards the justification of TPM implementation for its support to competitive manufacturing in Indian industries.FindingsThe study reveals the exploits of Indian entrepreneurs with TPM practices and highlights the contributions of TPM in realising the overall organisational goals and objectives. The study reveals that strategic TPM initiatives can significantly contribute towards the improvement of manufacturing performance in the organisation, leading to the realisation of core competencies for meeting global challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is conducted to develop an understanding of contributions of TPM initiatives towards building manufacturing competencies in Indian manufacturing industry. The present study endeavours to investigate the effect of an aggressive TPM implementation plan for strategically meeting global challenges and competition.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the contributions of strategic TPM initiatives to organisational performance and highlights the need for the successful management of TPM programmes for establishing sustained maintenance improvement initiatives.Originality/valueThe study highlights the contributions made by holistic TPM implementation at a precision tube mills in an Indian manufacturing enterprise.
Comparison and evaluation of maintenance operations in lean versus non‐lean production systems
Authors: Moayed Farman A. , Shell Richard L. 
Published: October 2009

PurposePrevious studies have found general differences between non‐lean and lean production systems, but none of them have identified the major factors in supporting operations such as maintenance which are important in shifting the production from a non‐lean to a lean system. The purpose of this paper is to determine the major factors and parameters of maintenance operations that are most effective in enhancing production to a lean system.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire is constructed and a direct mail survey is conducted in the greater Cincinnati/tri‐state region. The data collected are analyzed with SAS software using contingency tables with Fisher's exact test and a logistic regression analysis method.FindingsThe results show strong correlations between a lean production system and some of the major maintenance variables and parameters such as annual costs of maintenance personnel, parts/materials, and training.Originality/valueThe results of this study can be used as a guideline for engineers, experts and managers in order to monitor the maintenance operation during the transition process from a non‐lean to a lean production system.