bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alliance structuring behavior: relative influence of alliance type and specific alliance experience
Authors: Rahman Noushi , Korn Helaine J. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeFurther understanding of structural hierarchy is critically needed to assess the usefulness of different alliance structures. This study goes beyond transaction cost reasoning and incorporates social exchange theoretic perspective with the aim of capturing the concurrent relationships of alliance type and specific alliance experience with hierarchy of alliance structure.Design/methodology/approachLogistic regression analysis of data on 402 strategic alliances is used to test the two hypotheses advanced in the paper.FindingsThe social‐exchange‐based hypothesis is supported – specific alliance experience is negatively related to hierarchy of alliance structure. The transaction‐cost‐based hypothesis is not supported – hierarchy of alliance structure is not greater in horizontal alliances than in vertical alliances.Research limitations/implicationsStrategic alliances with different purposes, such as R&D, supply procurement, marketing, co‐production, and co‐development, may have different industry norms of structuring alliances. This study does not account for these underlying differences within strategic alliances.Practical implicationsThe social exchange theory‐based variable (i.e. specific alliance experience) has a more salient influence on alliance structure than does the transaction cost‐based variable (i.e. alliance type). The findings signal the relative importance of communal harmony compared to competitive rivalry.Originality/valueThe paper shows that results suggest that high bureaucratic costs of more hierarchical structures diminish the transaction cost economizing benefits of such structures. This is especially the case when alliances are not expected to experience very high levels of relational hazards (usually in vertical alliances). It appears that partnering firms' concerns with high bureaucratic costs may at times exceed the marginal benefits of control and coordination of exceedingly hierarchical alliance structures.
Are students their universities' customers? An exploratory study
Authors: Gillespie Finney Treena , Zachary Finney R. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeIn this study, the aim is to empirically examine the relationship between students' perceptions of themselves as customers of their university and their educational attitudes and behaviors. It also seeks to investigate the extent to which students' characteristics predict their involvement with education.Design/methodology/approachThe authors obtained data by surveying 1,025 students from a medium‐sized university in the southern United States.FindingsConsistent with exchange theory, students who perceived themselves as customers were more likely to feel entitled and to view complaining as beneficial. Satisfaction with their university, but not their perceptions of themselves as university customers, predicted educational involvement. Not surprisingly, students who were more involved in their education tended to be older, have higher grade point averages, and attend class more often. However, these students also felt more entitled to outcomes, although they did not differ in their perceptions of whether or not they were customers of the university.Practical implicationsStudents who view themselves as customers are likely to hold attitudes and to engage in behaviors that are not conducive to success. However, if the aim is to increase student involvement, how the student's role is defined is less important than efforts to build student satisfaction with the university.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to examine empirically the prevalence and effects of student‐as‐customer perceptions. In addition, this study serves as a basis for better understanding the drivers of student involvement.
Undergraduate research training and graduate recruitment
Authors: Towl Michael , Senior Carl 
Published: May 2010

PurposeFormal opportunities for psychology undergraduates to carry out research training are starting to emerge. In spite of the fact that such training programmes would have a high authentic learning component little is known of undergraduate expectations and attitudes towards such programmes. This paper aims to focus on the issues.Methodology/design/approachIn total, 108 undergraduate participants were surveyed in two experiments that recorded both the prospective and retrospective attitudes towards research training participation. Questionnaires and focus groups were employed and the data were triangulated together to converge on an understanding of student expectations towards authentic learning programmes.FindingsWhile psychology undergraduates expect to be trained in contemporary research techniques it is the sense of community development that is the prime motivator for participation.Originality/valueThe paper places these findings within the context of increasing the employability profile of the undergraduate cohort.
Provision of second‐chance education: the Hong Kong experience
Authors: Lim David 
Published: May 2010

PurposeMany students do not benefit from mainstream education and are forced to leave it. Governments and non‐government organisations concerned with the social injustice and problems that such rejection could cause offer these students second‐chance education programmes. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of such opportunities, using as a case‐study the Vocational Training Council (VTC) of Hong Kong, which offers programmes in vocational education and training (VET) but draws lessons for the offer of such programmes elsewhere.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a case‐study approach but sets it within the general literature on, and discussion of, second‐chance education. It concentrates on programmes that prepare students for the younger end of the labour market.FindingsThe VTC is effective because its programmes are easily accessible and have excellent student progression rates. Its graduates from lower‐level progammes perform as well as those with better academic backgrounds from other institutions in the VTC's higher‐level programmes, and also as well in the labour market. Reasons for this success include course design and implementation that avoid much of what put the young off mainstream education, the provision of a caring environment, the removal of the stigma attached to second‐chance education and VET, and the provision of a through‐train education system.Research limitations/implicationsIn assessing the effectiveness of the VTC, most attention is placed on the criteria where reliable data are available. This means that less evidence is presented on employment performance, a gap that will be filled by future research.Practical implicationsThe findings enable policy makers in Hong Kong and elsewhere to improve the effectiveness of their second‐chance education.Originality/valueThe paper examines an unexplored area of education in Hong Kong, using a methodology that is applicable for similar studies elsewhere.
Negotiating, power and strategic competition: a teaching case
Authors: Ahn Mark J. , Sutherland Kathryn , Bednarek Rebecca 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to demonstrate the value and critical importance of negotiating skills within the wider context of “employability”. It posits that the intensity, rich context, and ambiguity of juxtaposing ancient and modern cases provides a creative, engaging format to stimulate learning about negotiating and power among parties.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is the culmination of teaching undergraduate and graduate business students, as well as continuing education courses, in the USA and New Zealand respectively. The authors developed a participatory, mixed‐mode educational simulation. Using thematic analysis of student survey responses, they summarize learning points associated with the suggested teaching case.FindingsAn analysis of post‐exercise questions suggested six key themes identified by students: value of leadership, self‐knowledge, maturity, and judgment; need for creativity, versatility, and adaptability in bridging differences; focus on settlement (rather than absolute win‐lose scenarios); managing risk due to uncertainty and unidentified incentives among participants; dire consequences of inflexibility, self‐righteousness, and unhealthy ego; and need for increasing negotiating skill proficiency is valuable and timeless.Practical implicationsThe outlined teaching case is put forward as providing a creative, interesting and rich format to stimulate learning about negotiating and power among parties, as well as team dynamics.Originality/valueThe paper outlines a novel teaching tool that allows students to learn and appreciate the dynamics of negotiating in complex environments.
Building conservation philosophy for masonry repair: part 1 – “ethics”
Authors: Forster Alan M. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe techniques available for the repair of historic masonry structures are extremely wide ranging. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of repair can be evaluated in terms of cost, time and quality as with modern projects. It is however, important to realise that when repairs to historic buildings are selected they must conform to building conservation philosophy, or an ethical and principle based evaluation. This paper (part 1 of 2) aims to establish what is meant by ethics in this context and wherever possible seeks to apply practical examples to these concepts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of an evaluative literature review of the ethics encapsulated within building conservation philosophy utilising them to stimulate discussion on practical repair interventions.FindingsIt is shown that ethical considerations are of prime importance for decisions relating to masonry repairs. These repairs have varying degrees of defensibility, and will ultimately lead to good or bad conservation approaches. The paper briefly discusses the ethics, highlighting some of the issues that may be initially confusing to the practitioner.Research limitations/implicationsIt must be emphasised that as with any aspect of philosophy, there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer, only higher levels of defence for the selected repairs.Originality/valueThe evaluation of building conservation philosophy and more specifically, ethical considerations for masonry repair has been little studied. The importance of this undervalued aspect of building conservation cannot be over emphasised and far from being an esoteric concept, it affects every practical repair. This paper brings together the study of the philosophical and practical, enabling practitioners to better understand the implications of building conservation philosophy on their projects.
Modern methods of construction and RSL asset management: a quantitative study
Authors: Kempton Jim 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe UK Housing Corporation announced that it expected a minimum of 25 per cent of registered social landlord (RSL) new build housing to use modern methods of construction (MMC). This resulted in higher numbers of MMC dwellings becoming the responsibility of asset management departments who then have the task of planning and executing maintenance plans for the stock. This paper seeks to determine asset managers' views on the incorporation of MMC into RSL housing portfolios and its implications for long‐term maintenance.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was developed from both the literature and a previous qualitatively based study. The questionnaire sought to solicit the opinions of asset managers on the use of MMC and long‐term maintenanceFindingsFrom 130 distributed survey forms a response rate of 66 per cent was achieved (n=86). The responses to the questionnaire indicate a generally negative view towards MMC and its future maintenance viability.Practical implicationsThe research should be of interest to a broad range of people, including asset managers and surveyors, housing developers, and all those involved in the MMC supply chain.Originality/valueLittle work has been located on the subject of MMC and its specific impacts on RSL asset management operations. This paper fills some of the gaps.
The role of the project manager: all things to all people?
Authors: Sommerville James , Craig Nigel , Hendry Julie 
Published: May 2010

PurposeWriters over the years have sought to define the nature and roles of a project manager. The attempts at these definitions have been based on rather historic writings of what a manager should do. This paper seeks to provide an up‐to‐date understanding of the current roles of a construction project manager.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is used to develop a time role analysis matrix which is completed by 24 project management staff working for a multi‐national contractor located in west‐central Scotland.FindingsWhat becomes clear from this research is that the definition of the actual roles is vague and poorly defined and the role basket is loose with each project shaping the final range. The research shows that the number of roles undertaken by a project manager changes with age and also the nature of the roles undertaken moves with the maturity of the project manager.Practical implicationsThe historic view of what roles project managers undertake needs to be moulded in light of the findings from this research. Specifically, the rather low response to the basket of commercial roles suggests that these functional areas are being addressed elsewhere in the project team.Originality/valueThe paper provides a snapshot of practising project managers from one geographic location and wider research needs to be undertaken to ascertain the broader view.
Concrete with crushed, graded and washed recycled construction demolition waste as a coarse aggregate replacement
Authors: Richardson Alan , Allain Pierre , Veuille Maxime 
Published: May 2010

PurposeA current trend is to use waste and by‐products in concrete to replace binders and aggregates. This trend reduces the impact on the environment and the use of finite natural resources. This paper aims to investigate whether concrete which includes crushed, graded and washed recycled construction demolition waste, used as a coarse aggregate, can be manufactured to a comparable strength as concrete manufactured from virgin aggregates.Design/methodology/approachLaboratory testing investigated the strength development of concrete manufactured with varying degrees of coarse aggregate replacement. All of the concrete samples were tested at five, seven, 14 and 21 days and the concrete with the recycled aggregate was compared to a plain control sample manufactured with virgin aggregates. The mixes tested against the control sample were: 100 per cent gravel replacement with recycled aggregate, and the same mix with a viscosity modifying agent. A 50 per cent partial coarse aggregate replacement was used in one batch to compare against the control and the 100 per cent recycled aggregate concrete. Compressive strength was used to compare the different concrete batch performance. Density was used to indicate the degree of particle packing and void content which was measured across the range of samples to evaluate the relationship between the different concrete mixes.FindingsThe optimum concrete mix design using recycled construction waste was obtained by using a 50‐50 per cent mix of virgin gravel and recycled aggregates. Using recycled construction waste as a 100 per cent coarse aggregate replacement produces concrete with a lower compressive strength when compared to concrete made with virgin aggregates.Originality/valueThe paper investigates ways of incorporating construction demolition waste as recycled aggregate to reduce the environmental impact of the production of concrete.
Going global: examining issues and seeking collaboration for international interlending, the view from the US
Authors: Atkins David P. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeInternational interlibrary loan remains a persistent and sometimes vexing topic in US libraries. Technology's advance allows libraries and library users to easily identify resources from across the globe. This ease of discovery belies the difficulty of delivery. To contribute to the conversation, the ALA RUSA STARS International Interlibrary Loan Committee conducted a survey of US libraries regarding international interlibrary loan activity. The survey uncovered elements impacting ILL success and failure and identified opportunities for US academic libraries global ILL participation. Issues that concern the survey's participants included communications, copyright, customs, payment methods, shipping, and language barriers. US interlibrary loan librarians seek cooperative responses to these problems. This paper seeks to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses the current climate of international interlibrary loan from a US perspective and highlights efforts to use STARS survey results to inform international ILL programs and best practices.FindingsTo expand international interlending, STARS can build on today's extra‐OCLC resource sharing strategies and leverage survey results to focus programming and promotional efforts. At the same time, librarians must improve communications and foster international resource sharing communities which contributes to the international dialog essential for interlending success.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new initiative from the major professional association for North American librarians dedicated to resource sharing.
Now we're getting somewhere – adventures in trans Tasman interlending
Authors: Hanington Debbie , Reid David 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe a decade's worth of ISO‐ILL implementation in Australia and New Zealand. It aims to background key historical decisions and the drivers for respective implementations. The paper also aims to consider a number of key issues with interoperable systems and propose some avenues of development for the future.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology adopted in this paper is one of description and interpretation.FindingsFindings highlighted in this discussion emphasise the interconnectedness of operations, the need for synchronisation of data and the influence this has over transactions. While it is important to get the basics right, the ISO‐ILL protocol does take time to master. What we have seen develop is a user community understanding a common language and a growth in customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsThis paper discusses a number of issues pertinent to the interoperability of systems and describes the solutions arrived at. They could act as a blueprint for others considering similar implementations.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies in the adoption of local solutions to resolve local problems. Underlying this are the concepts of best operating principles and better operating practices.
Federated search as a transformational technology enabling knowledge discovery: the role of WorldWideScience.org
Authors: Warnick Walter 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the work of the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) in the US Department of Energy Office of Science and OSTI's development of the powerful search engine, WorldWideScience.org. With tools such as Science.gov and WorldWideScience.org, the patron gains access to multiple, geographically dispersed deep web databases and can search all of the constituent sources with a single query.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is both historical and descriptive.FindingsThat WorldWideScience.org fills a unique niche in discovering scientific material in an information landscape that includes search engines such as Google and Google Scholar.Originality/valueThis is one of the few papers to describe in depth the important work being done by the US Office of Scientific and Technical Information in the field of search and discovery.
UK PubMed Central: becoming the information resource of choice for the UK's life sciences research community
Authors: Davey Paul 
Published: May 2010

PurposeSupported by the UK's eight principle funders of biomedical and health research, UK PubMed Central (UKPMC) is being developed in close consultation with its intended user community – the researchers. This paper seeks to outline why there is a need to develop a UK‐specific version of this well‐known and very popular free service, and what practical approaches have taken towards bringing a Beta service live for all to use and feedback on.Design/methodology/approachThe approach to development of UKPMC has been consultative and iterative. Through surveys, focus groups and one‐to‐one user tests the aim has been to develop a service which can fit neatly into a researcher's workflow. Coordinating the programme itself has required close collaboration between organisations which are quite diverse both culturally and administratively.FindingsThrough developing UKPMC, technology has been melded together with practical delivery. The text mining functionality that the service now offers is truly innovative, and there is further potential to develop this. The recently launched Beta service (beta.ukpmc.ac.uk) will continue to be honed – particularly its text mining functionality – through ongoing user consultation and feedback. It is perceived that this flexible approach to development is essential in offering a service that is truly useful for the UK's life sciences research community and offers a compelling reason to use it as a valid and ground breaking alternative to PubMed Central (the US version).Originality/valueThe originality and value of UKPMC should be judged by the research community. All life sciences researchers are invited to try the beta site.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 70
Authors: McGrath Mike 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.FindingsThe paper finds that document supply (both returnables and non‐returnables) continues to grow in the USA albeit more modestly than in the past; however globally decline continues although again more modestly. The tension caused by the Big Deals and Serial backfiles consuming more and more of reduced library budgets will increase as the cuts bite. Statistical analysis of serial usage continues with interesting results showing that 50 per cent of journals in many libraries only account for a few percentage points of demandOriginality/valueThe paper is a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.