bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using knowledge management to leverage training and development initiatives
Authors: Goodman Neal , Schieman John 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to educate professionals on the importance of knowledge management and the ways to best leverage their existing knowledge, including finding ways to create, identify, capture and distribute organizational knowledge to those in the organization who need it.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the need for a knowledge management process, then explains the challenges involved with establishing such a system. It demonstrates examples of tangible benefits that can be gained from a knowledge management system, and shows a model of a current and successful cross‐cultural knowledge management system.FindingsThrough work in the field, Global Dynamics has found that corporations, especially large global corporations, are needlessly spending money on training and development to “gain” knowledge that they already have. Key statistics cited here are that employees spend 7 to 20 percent of their time on the job replicating existing solutions for others (according to Delphi Group) and believe that 44 percent of employees are poor or very poor at transferring knowledge (according to Ernst & Young).Practical implicationsKnowledge management systems, as described here, can, and should, be implemented in all large organizations in order to maximize existing knowledge. For multinational organizations, a knowledge management system is even more significant and should be leveraged with corporate globalization efforts.Originality/valueThe paper provides a detailed description of a successful existing cross‐cultural management model.
Interview with Rachel Cairns
Authors: by Juliet Norton Interview 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsSince joining Keele University in 2001, Rachel has been the key HR support for the commercial & facilities management directorate, which currently employs around 600 people. Its strategic drivers are to generate income for the University and to provide excellent customer service to all of its students, staff, conference guests and visitors.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Six Sigma quality: a structured review and implications for future research
Authors: Gamal Aboelmaged Mohamed 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify emerging aspects and trends of Six Sigma literature over 17 years, from 1992 to 2008.Design/methodology/approachThe literature on Six Sigma from 417 referred journal articles in business and management disciplines, information systems and computer science, engineering, healthcare, etc. were systematically analyzed based on a scheme that consists of four distinct dimensions: publication year and journal, major themes, research type, and application sector (i.e. manufacturing vs service).FindingsA number of key findings emerged: Six Sigma research is growing rapidly, covering various disciplines and domains with a great focus on Six Sigma tools and techniques; empirical research is dominant with more emphasis on case study approach; and the growing gap between manufacturing‐ and service‐focused articles implies the return of Six Sigma to manufacturing as its initial base. Although a large volume of literature is available on Six Sigma, the topic is still under development and offers potential opportunities for further research and applications.Originality/valueThe paper provides both academics and practitioners with a useful framework for pursuing rigorous Six Sigma research through explaining the chronological growth of Six Sigma, challenging themes of Six Sigma research, dominating research types and application areas in Six Sigma, and the major sources of Six Sigma information.
Normal approximation through data replication when estimating DisPMO, DePMO, left‐side and right‐side Sigma levels from non‐normal data
Authors: Setijono Djoko 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a way of estimating DisPMO, DePMO, left‐side and right‐side Sigma levels (as the “mutations” of DPMO and Sigma level when applied on customer satisfaction measurements), where all critical attributes (CTQs) contain data sets that are non‐normally distributed.Design/methodology/approachThe calculation of DisPMO, DePMO, left‐side and right‐side Sigma levels is based on dynamic‐multiple CTQs without the need for assuming 1.5 Sigma shift from the mean. Using step‐wise multiple regression, CTQs are then the attributes that significantly influence overall customer satisfaction. This further developed method no longer takes normality assumption for granted, which means that, prior to calculating DisPMO, DePMO, left‐side and right‐side Sigma levels, the data should be proven as being normally distributed. To fulfil the assumption of normality, the primary data are being “replicated” by first generating random numbers that follow normal standard distribution and then adjusting (re‐calculating) these random numbers with the mean, standard deviation, and the skewness of the primary data. Simulation technique is then applied to generate a larger amount of secondary data as the basis for estimating DisPMO, DePMO, left‐side and right‐side Sigma levels.FindingsThe application of the method in a Swedish house‐building construction project suggests that: the use of multiple CTQs may reduce the risk for under‐/overestimation of Sigma levels, and DisPMO and DePMO are each other's “mirror” and both of them should be considered when calculating Sigma levels. The calculated Sigma levels suggest that the developer's performance is still quite far below Six Sigma level of performance.Originality/valueUsing the replica of the primary data as a way of approaching normality may be regarded as the main contribution of the paper in addressing one of the challenges in Six Sigma theory.
Using net present value methods to evaluate quality improvement projects
Authors: Caryer Cook Valerie G. , Ali Ahad 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to propose the use of net present value methods to derive the quality costs of quality improvement projects. The proposed methodology is then demonstrated in a case study of a quality improvement to an inspection process in an automobile assembly plant.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of application of accounting net present value methods to the cost of quality methods.FindingsQuality improvements in the manufacture of durable goods do not usually have instantaneous results in warranty cost reductions, customer satisfaction or revenue expansion. The net present value method proposed gives a more accurate accounting of the expected results of quality improvement projects by considering the temporal effects of the change and the time value of money.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study presented contains fictitious data to protect the confidentiality of the source. While it is useful in demonstrating the application of the net present value method, it should not be used as an indication of actual costs of plant operations.Originality/valueThe paper provides a unique approach to cost of quality analysis that is particularly useful in the assessment of quality improvement projects for durable goods. While much research is focused on cost of quality methods and philosophies, only a little provides the level of detail in the actual application of the methods found in the case study.
Cost analysis for a deteriorating system using monotone processes with warranty
Authors: Yedida Sarada , Unnissa Munavar Mubashir 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate preventive‐repair warranty policies for repairable deteriorating systems using Zhang's geometric process repair model.Design/methodology/approachThe paper aims to establish the importance of preventive repair during warranty. Three cost models have been developed using the average cost rate for the system as the objective function, employing N‐policy for two models therein.FindingsThe models have practical applications in warranty cost analysis, as product warranty is an important factor in designing an optimal maintenance policy.Originality/valueThe paper observes that product warranty has not been considered in the study of maintenance policies for repairable deteriorating systems using monotone processes. The numerical example given illustrates that a preventive repair during warranty with N‐policy is preferable compared with a non‐warranted product or a warranted product without preventive repair.
Endogenous examination of underwriter reputation and IPO returns
Authors: Jones Travis L. , us Swaleheen Mushfiq 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between underwriter reputation and initial public offerings (IPOs) initial returns over a 24‐year period, from 1980 to 2003.Design/methodology/approachTwo‐stage least‐squares regression analysis on data from IPOs offered from 1980 to 2003 is used to determine how the choice of IPO underwriter is related to initial returns when considering reputation as an endogenous variable.FindingsThis study shows, consistent with prior literature, that underwriter reputation is statistically significantly negatively related to initial returns from 1980 to 1991 and statistically significantly positively related to initial returns from 1992 to 2003, when reputation is taken as an exogenous variable. When considering the choice of the reputation of underwriter as endogenous to characteristics of the firm, the reputation of an underwriter is significantly positively related to IPO initial returns for 1980 to 2003 and 1992 to 2003 and insignificantly related, for 1980 to 1991.Originality/valueThis study adds value to finance literature in that it extends the research on the relationship between IPO initial returns and underwriter reputation. It also furthers the existing research on IPO anomalies and notes characteristics in this field of financial markets that may be important to both issuers and investment banks.
Capital structure and outcome of proxy contest targets
Authors: Gao Ning , Everett Brooks Jason 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of capital structure changes by target firms on the outcome and ex post performance of firms targeted by proxy contests.Design/methodology/approachThe influence is examined by using predictions of control‐driven model developed by Harris and Raviv and signaling theory of debt in capital structure.FindingsThe results are consistent with the predictions of both control‐driven model and signaling theory. Significant differences are found between two groups of target firms – management victory targets and dissident victory targets. Specifically: management victory targets feature proxy contests that are accompanied by leverage increasing changes in target firms' capital structure; the same group also realizes better long‐run stock performance compared to dissident victory targets; and the long‐run abnormal stock performance of management victory targets is significantly positively related to the increases in leverage in the capital structure during proxy contest period.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to directly address the relationship between leverage change and the outcome and long‐run performance of proxy contest targets, thus confirming both the defensive and the signaling role of debt on firm's capital structure decision.
Economies of scope and scale in the mutual‐fund industry
Authors: Banko John , Beyer Scott , Dowen Richard 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine market concentration, economies of scale, economies of scope, and the relative size of a particular fund, within a fund family, as determinants of mutual‐fund expense ratio. This examination is focused at the asset‐manager level and is based on the Morningstar equity and fixed‐income style classifications.Design/methodology/approachAll data used in this study come from the July Morningstar Principia database for the years 1997 through 2006. One challenge of working with these data is that Morningstar treats each separate class of a fund as though it were an individual fund. As a result all Morningstar data items are reported for each fund class as though they are data items for a separate fund. The data are modified so that the items for separate classes of a fund are merged into data for a single fund. For example, assets in a fund become the total of the assets in each class of the fund.FindingsThis study contributes to the literature on mutual‐fund managers, and the literature on the structure of mutual funds, by showing that market concentration at the asset‐manager level varies substantially across Morningstar styles, particularly for the fixed‐income funds. The paper shows that increased market concentration is associated with greater expenses for the funds under management, within a given Morningstar‐style box, for both equity funds and for fixed‐income funds. We also show that increased costs are partially offset by economies of scope for the fixed‐income funds.Originality/valueThis paper extends the current literature in several ways. First, it confirms the existence of economies of scale at the fund level within Morningstar style classifications. Second, it documents the existence of varying levels of market concentration within different Morningstar style classifications. Third, the results demonstrate that there is a negative relation between the scope of funds handled across the Morningstar classifications by a particular fund manager and the expense ratio for particular funds. Finally, the results presented in this paper show that the largest funds within a family are associated with the highest expense ratios in the family.
Examining student satisfaction with higher education services
Authors: Gruber Thorsten , Fuß Stefan , Voss Roediger , Gläser‐Zikuda Michaela 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how students perceive the services they are offered at a German university and how satisfied they are with them.Design/methodology/approachAn evaluation study using a new tool to measure 15 dimensions of student satisfaction at an institutional level that covers most aspects of student life was used. It was decided to develop a new measurement tool as many existing surveys are poorly designed, lack standardization and give no evidence concerning reliability or validity. Questionnaires were handed out in eight lectures for the pilot study and 18 lectures for the main study. The response rate was 99 percent. A total of 374 students (pilot study) and 544 students (main study) filled in the newly developed questionnaires using Likert scales.FindingsThe study gave a valuable insight into how students perceive the quality of the services offered at a university and how satisfied they are with these offerings. The results show that students' satisfaction with their university is based on a relatively stable person‐environment relationship. Thus, the satisfaction of students seems to reflect quite well perceived quality differences of offered services and of the wider environment. Students were particularly satisfied with the school placements and the atmosphere among students. Students were mostly dissatisfied with the university buildings and the quality of the lecture theatres.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study involved only two samples of students from one university, the results cannot be generalized to the German student population as a whole.Originality/valueThe study was the first to successfully apply a measurement tool, which has previously not been used. The study has hopefully opened up an area of research and methodology that could provide considerable further benefits for researchers interested in this topic. It also shows how the concept of student satisfaction could be assessed in future studies.
An analysis of customer satisfaction in a higher education context
Authors: Munteanu Corneliu , Ceobanu Ciprian , Bobâlcă Claudia , Anton Oana 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to investigate differences in student satisfaction across different programs of the same business college, and to identify dimensions underlying overall perceived quality. It also aims to investigate the existence of differences in perceived quality among programs and factors determining those differences. Based on these results, it seeks to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each program. Finally, differences in satisfaction constituents among high performing students and low performing students are to be analysed.Design/methodology/approachResearch was conducted in two stages. First, a focus group method was employed in order to identify critical incident specificities for the population under study. Then, a survey based on Likert‐type items was used for data collection. Data processing involved both univariate and multivariate analysis.FindingsThree major findings can be pointed out. First, in comparison with similar studies developed in western universities, the list of critical incidents contains noticeable differences. Secondly, it was found that students with different academic performances are concerned with different critical incidents. Thirdly, differences in overall satisfaction with educational experience were found among different lines of specialisation.Research limitations/implicationsA major concern is related to not considering student motivation as an important influential variable on both academic performance and overall satisfaction. Then, a gender based analysis considering differences in satisfaction constituents could have been conducted.Practical implicationsService organisations, including higher education providers, increasingly recognise that today's customers have many alternatives to chose from, that they may more readily change providers if they are not content, and that satisfaction largely depends on the quality of service provided. In the case of higher education institutions, this seems to be the case at the time (when prospective students apply to several colleges to get admitted), during the break between semesters (when students transfer from one college to another) or at the end of the program (when they can choose whether or not to continue their education within the same college).Originality/valueThe originality of this paper relies on the educational context in which it was conducted, and on the internal competition perspective. Compared with studies conducted in western universities, important differences were found. Romanian students report slightly different issues when evaluating perceived quality and satisfaction. Issues such as campus safety are not a major concern, while professors' personal behaviour problems are highlighted.
What defines “successful” university brands?
Authors: Chapleo Chris 
Published: March 2010

PurposeBranding in universities has become an increasingly topical issue among practitioners, with some institutions committing substantial financial resources to branding activities. Although it is receiving increased academic investigation, to date this has been limited. The particular characteristics of the sector present challenges for those seeking to build brands and it therefore seems timely and appropriate to investigate the common properties of those universities perceived as having successful brands; this paper aims to do that.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs qualitative research techniques in an exploratory study, examining the institutions perceived to be “successful” in terms of brand management, and seeking to explore any commonalities of approach or circumstance.FindingsThe findings and conclusions identify issues surrounding university branding activity. It was found that even among those brands considered “successful”, challenges such as lack of internal brand engagement and limited international resonance may be apparent. Certain common positive success factors are also suggested, however.Research limitations/implicationsExploration of the literature does point to a gap that makes this work challenging – a seeming lack of knowledge underpinning the precise objectives of university branding programmes. In other words; it is hard to measure how successful university brands are when there is little empirical literature on the aims of branding in universities.Originality/valueFrom an academic viewpoint gaps in current literature on branding in the education context are identified and the need for a model of brand management that addresses the particular qualities of higher education is reinforced.
The influence of school leadership styles and culture on students' achievement in Cyprus primary schools
Authors: Kythreotis Andreas , Pashiardis Petros , Kyriakides Leonidas 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis study aims to examine the validation of both the model of direct effects and the model of indirect effects of principals' leadership on student academic achievement.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal study was conducted in which 22 schools, 55 classes and 1,224 Cypriot primary students participated. Specifically, achievements in Greek Language and Mathematics were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the same school year. Moreover, leadership style of school principals and teachers as well as school and classroom culture was measured.FindingsThe findings provide some empirical support for the model of direct effects of principals' leadership on student academic achievement. Moreover, student achievement gains were found to be related with five factors at the school level: the principals' human resource leadership style and four dimensions of organizational culture. At the classroom level, three dimensions of learning culture significantly influence student achievement in each subject. Finally, relationships between effectiveness factors operating at different levels were identified.Originality/valueThe article presents an original empirical study which examined the relationship among school leadership, school culture and student achievement in order to validate both the model of direct effects and the model of indirect effects of school principals on student achievement.