bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing participation practice: an ANT account
Authors: Perillo Suzanne 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how participation can be investigated as an open and non‐exclusive sociomaterial practice.Design/methodology/approachFramed by translation discourse and a view of the social world as a sociology of associations, participation in organisations is conceptualised as a network building practice. Actor‐network theory (ANT) is used as an analytical method to describe the character of everyday constructions of participation practice related to changes in curriculum and its delivery in an Australian independent school.FindingsIt was found that participation was performed as an uncertain practice. People in relation with technology and other material entities, co‐constructed and re‐constructed multiple participation practices.Practical implicationsFor researchers, an ANT account of constructing participation practices provides an additional analytical tool for investigating participation in terms of relationality. The idea of constructing participation as networked practice provides practitioners with a reflective tool for detecting and enabling multiple (and sometimes inconsistent) participation practices.Originality/valueCompared to participation research approaches that predetermine and predict variables of relevance, this paper is concerned with the everyday management of participation as an uncertain sociomaterial practice. In pursuing a critical line of inquiry, managerialist informed notions of planning, organising and coordinating are not debunked form relevance. Rather, it is proposed that translation and managerial discourses are co‐implicated in complex investigations of participation practice.
Lost in translation? Language, culture and the roles of translator in cross‐cultural management research
Authors: Xian Huiping 
Published: November 2008

PurposeTo promote more open discussion on translating data, this paper aims to provide a critical and reflexive evaluation of the problems and issues that the author experienced with regard to qualitative data translation.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on personal experiences of translating Chinese women's narratives into English, the author demonstrates that qualitative data translation may have linguistic, cultural and methodological problems.FindingsResearchers and translators should recognize the linguistic and cultural differences that data translation must negotiate. It is argued here that researchers and translators should preserve and highlight cultural differences rather than resembling the dominant values of the target culture by translation. A translator is an integral part of the knowledge producing system. The roles of the translator as both an inter‐cultural communicator and a data interpreter must be acknowledged in the research process.Originality/valueThis paper challenges common assumptions that data translation is merely a technical problem, and that a translator could “objectively and faithfully” transfer meanings of research data from source language to target language.
The simultaneous identification of strategic/performance groups and underlying dimensions for assessing an industry's competitive structure
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Grewal Rajdeep , Hwang Heungsun , Wang Qiong 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to integrate aspects of the literature on strategic and performance groups and explicitly derive strategic/performance groups which exhibit differences with respect to both strategy and performance, as well as display associations and potential interrelationships between the two sets of variables.Design/methodology/approachA two‐way clusterwise bilinear spatial model was formulated (e.g. a scalar products or vector multidimensional scaling model (MDS)) for the analysis of two‐way strategic and performance data which simultaneously performs MDS and cluster analysis. An efficient alternating least‐squares procedure was devised that estimates conditionally globally optimum estimates of the model parameters within each iterate in analytic, closed‐form expressions.FindingsThis bilinear MDS methodology was deployed in the context of strategic/performance group estimation using archival data for public banks in the NY‐NJ‐PA tri‐state area. For this illustration, four strategic/performance groups and two underlying dimensions were found.Practical implicationsConsideration of both strategy and performance data should be employed in describing the heterogeneity amongst firms competing in the same industry.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new spatial methodology to derive strategic/performance groups in any given industry to more completely summarize intra‐industry heterogeneity.
Flexibility in global supply chain: modeling the enablers
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Shankar Ravi , Yadav Surendra S. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the relationships among the flexibility enablers and to prepare a hierarchy of these enablers to know their influences over each other in global supply chain. The framework suggests that the priority of enablers in supply chain should be determined on the basis of their driving power and dependency.Design/methodology/approachVarious enablers used by researchers and practitioners for flexibility management of global supply chain have been identified. These enablers have been classified as strategic, operational and performance‐based enablers. Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to establish mutual relationships among the flexibility enablers and to prepare a hierarchy‐based model.FindingsIt has been observed that some enablers having high‐driving power and low dependency are of strategic importance. These enablers require more attention while other enablers based on operations and performances are dependents of strategic enablers.Practical implicationsThe index of enablers based on driving power and dependency provides an insight to supply chain managers to make the entire supply chain highly flexible and help them to respond to global uncertainties.Originality/valuePresentation of enablers in the form of hierarchy using ISM and ranking them into various driving power and dependent categories is a good effort to make flexible global supply chain.
Can Ethical Decision Making be Taught? The JUSTICE Approach
Authors: Lau Cubie , Hulpke John F , To Michelle , Kelly Aidan 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ask whether ethics can be taught? Can we teach how to make decisions in issues involving ethics? Preliminary results suggest we can.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes how managerial ethical decision making is taught using a tool called the JUSTICE framework. Each letter introduces a decision making criterion: J for Justice, U for Utilitarian, S for Spiritual Values, T for TV Rule, I for Influence, C for Core Values, and E for Emergency.FindingsIt is not known if ethics can be taught, but we now believed we can teach our students learn ways to face managerial ethical decisions. What the JUSTICE model lacks in theoretical underpinning it makes up for in pragmatic results. Students learned (memorized) all seven criteria, and learned to select their three favorites, and then to use the model to decide in numerous cases. It works.Originality/valueThe paper introduces the JUSTICE approach.
Stakeholders' Activisms: Indigenous Peoples' of Sarawak Resistance against the State Government and Corporations
Authors: Rafi Yaacob Mohd , Wong Loong 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to problematise the notions of both “corporate social responsibility” and “stakeholder theory”. In particular, it seeks to challenge the promises it claims to hold regarding social responsibility and community engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a discussion of indigenous stakeholders’ activism in Sarawak, Malaysia.FindingsIt is shown that despite the rhetoric of corporate social responsibility and stakeholderism, there is a clear failure of the state government and corporations to actively involve local affected communities. In so doing, both the state and corporations have rendered the local indigenous peoples, a significant and legitimate stakeholder, powerless, redundant and inevitably compromised both the development and management process. The paper also suggests that community engagement can be problematic for indigenous peoples and for it and stakeholderism to be efficacious, they need to involve the discourse of rights and activism within Sarawak and Malaysia.Originality/valueThe paper offers insight into the indigenous peoples at Sarawak resistance against the state Government and corporations, Focusing on stakeholder activism.
Averting the Catastrophe of Cyberspace
Authors: Shaw Julia J.A. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeTo address the impact of information technology on culture and society, in particular the potential for control and manipulation afforded to state, government and unregulated corporations, by the medium of sophisticated communication networks. The paper sets out to expose the corporate world's manipulation of IT and the multi‐media as it exercises a powerful coercive force, constituting a legitimating principle for economic and cultural domination. It is suggested that the relentless progression of science as profit and the individual as profit‐generating automaton constitutes the subversion of a world rightly ordered by human principles. The paper calls for the ethical regulation of cyberspace, necessitating a philosophical approach and one which prizes human endeavour.Design/methodology/approachExamples from the technosocial world taken from across a range of uses, providers and users are explored according to their impact on everyday life. The ontological and phenomenological nature of the technological medium is also explicated with reference to various academic sources including Castells and Bauman. A sociological / philosophical / ethical approach is adopted by reference to the writings of inter alia Baudrillard and Kant.FindingsThe traditional territories of communication in which social exchange takes place have been dislocated and we have formed new attachments to the pervasive replacement technoculture and technologies. Many examples evidence the extent to which human values and achievements are increasingly organised around various enslaving technological mediums. Cyberspace is in need of a regulatory framework, one which has an ethical basis.Originality/valuePresents an alternative perspective on a significant topic.
The Bologna Process: Implementation and Developments in Portugal
Authors: Fátima David , Abreu Rute 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation and developments of the Bologna Process in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as a new paradigm of the European system of higher education, in general, and of the Portuguese system, in particular.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses firstly, higher education system statistics; secondly, Government and European Union documents; and thirdly, academic papers that conceptual frame the issues under discussion.FindingsPortuguese HEIs are engaged in the Bologna process, but it shows some contradictions within the higher education system. One of these contradictions is the restructuring of the degrees and cycles had led to the apparently destruction of the binary system (universities and polytechnics) which existed in for more than 30 years. Another contradiction is carry out common European priorities and, at the same time, maintaining the national culture, language, education systems and HEIs autonomy. Although, the system promotes the cooperation between HEIs and increases the research, the innovation and the sustainable development, at a national level, as well as, an international level.Practical implicationsHEIs need to promote the strategic function of higher education and it demands a constant adaptation of the conceptual field, especially, in the social, economic and technological perspectives. These perspectives will assurance the enhancement and the preservation of quality of teaching/learning. These will improve the education for sustainable development that it develops higher growth and better educational performance.Originality/valueProvides empirical evidence about the social dimension of the higher education system and analyse the Bologna Process in the HEIs.
Pease Drum and Tank Recycling and Reconditioning: The Impact of Legislation and Limitations on Being Green
Authors: Jahdi Khosro S 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, which has been to a large extent based on a recently completed PhD thesis, is to examine the case of Pease Drum and Tank Recycling and Reconditioning Company based in Leeds.FindingsLegislation and the nature of industry have been the prime drivers of the company's green efforts. However, despite the MD's genuine commitment to green issues and the impact of legislation, limitations are imposed directly or otherwise on the degree and extent of caring for the environment.Design/methodology/approachThe company MD participated in an interview carried out in 1999 as part of primary research for a PhD in green marketing, however, attempts at the second interview with the new owners of the organisation in 2003 were not successful.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates how organisations that are required by legislation to be green comply and in this case go beyond mere compliance.
Tourism Industry Working Practices and Its Impact on a Geo‐brand Image
Authors: Freire Joao , Crowther David 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis article is a result of a much broader investigation that was seeking to understand which factors composed a geo‐brand. It is argued that not only should products and services develop a system of brand management focused on their identity which helps develop a coherent execution, places should also develop a similar brand management system. This paper aims to investigate perceptions of the branding of a location.Design/methodology/apporachThe methodology is based upon interviews conducted with local people and with tourists to the location.FindingsOne of the most interesting findings of this on going research was the realisation that a main and significant factor on a geo‐brand is its local people. Moreover and after some considerations it was concluded that this factor was essentially composed by people who work for the tourism industry. Interestingly it was then concluded that management and entrepreneurs from the tourism industry had a major responsibility and impact on a geo‐brand.Practical implicationsIn order to achieve a satisfactory service performance, the local geo‐brand authorities should develop tools to scrutinize how entrepreneurs and managers train and motivate their staff. In this case the tourism boards should control directly or indirectly performance in different establishments. As revealed in Spain, a bad experience might jeopardise the overall competitive stand. No doubts that tourism boards have the obligation to, not only inform entrepreneurs and managers on how they should care for the tourists, but also granting some kind of incentives in order to achieve excellence in services since a good or bad experience will have an impact on the overall brand. If “local people” has such a relevant role on a geo‐brand, which might even affect its competitive position in the market, than extra consideration should be given to this factor. In addition, and because this factor is partly controllable, than it is reasonable to argue that there should be some kind of central managerial tools that helps to monitor employees performance.Originality/valueAversion to the use of marketing tools and to the geo‐brand conceptual management is a mere signal of misunderstanding for what a geo‐brand is and for what it can do to society. It has been argued that geo‐brands (brand applied to places) might be a practical solution to promote local development and fight the standardisation tendency of a globalised world.
Corporate Sustainability in the Portuguese Financial Institutions
Authors: Peneda Saraiva Paulo , Silva Serrasqueiro Zélia Maria 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis work draws on important issues that are related to all socio‐economic agents. We refer to Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Socially Responsible Investments (SRIs), arguing on the clear benefits they provide to companies and financial institutions. The main empirical objective of this work is to show a theoretical framework for the existence and supply of non‐financial information on financial products by financial institutions in the Portuguese Investment Market (comprising of Banks and Fund and Investment Companies – FIMCs).Design/methodology/approachOverall, 55 Banks and 41 FIMCs, were analysed, totalling 96 observations for analysis. The paper studies the supply of non‐financial information (i.e. social and environmental information) regarding the financial products in the Portuguese investment market (comprising of Banks and Fund and Investment Management Companies). Through surveys’ analysis, which were sent to 96 of these financial institutions, we conclude that the supply of these informations’ sets is practically inexistent.FindingsOverall, the conclusions point to the fact that financial institutions surveyed are very much behind in this new framework and related tools, when considering similar financial institutions outside Portugal. There are some institutions that do provide, but when compared to other European and non‐European countries, the discrepancy is huge. It is concluded that much needs to be done in this field, starting with a clear definition of the benefits and costs of providing non‐financial information.Originality/valueAt the academic level, the authors have not found any good study neither on CSR nor on SRIs done by Portuguese researchers nor on its Market. A priori the authors felt that the Portuguese Banks and The Fund and Investment Management Companies were not committed to Sustainability issues, because they believe that for these business agents, Sustainable Development still means, Environmentalism. Through this study the authors seek to provide an image of how the Investment Market is to regards to Sustainable issues, in Portugal, and thus help financial institutions and economic agents (e.g. bank managers, portfolio managers, among others) to know more about these issues that are important to any company.
Personnel's Perceptions in Three Finnish Companies: Local CSR vs. Global CSR?
Authors: Mattila Merita 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide new aspects to corporate social responsibility (CSR) research, especially in a Finnish context. The aim is to compare personnels perceptions in three case companies (a forest company, a cooperative bank and a retail cooperative): how the contexts and aims of practising CSR are understood? Special focus is in the organizational form: to compare CSR in one exchange‐listed and in two cooperative companies (local vs. global CSR).Design/methodology/approachIn Finnish companies CSR is taken into account quite well. Though, in this paper the personnel's perceptions are studied further by content analysis. The interview data consist of three different levels: the top management, the middle management and the employee level.FindingsProvides information about each company, comparing the personnel's perceptions in different hierarchical levels. The organizational form is also an important factor in CSR, since two of the case companies are cooperative (the bank and the market) and the forest company is an exchange‐listed company. This brings new interesting aspects to the context of CSR.Research limitations/implicationsThe research context is Finnish, so there might be limitations when applying the results to countries very dissimilar to Finland.Practical implicationsA useful source of information about CSR “inside” the companies: getting the personnel perspective.Originality/valueThis paper brings more information about CSR seen by the personnel: very often CSR is studied through stakeholders/owners/customers etc., but this paper gives the insider picture about CSR in Finnish companies.
The Current State of Corporate Social Responsibility Among Industrial Companies in Malaysia
Authors: Janggu Tamoi , Joseph Corina , Madi Nero 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe main aim of the study is to find out the level and trend of CSR disclosure pattern of industrial companies in Malaysia and its relationship with companies' characteristics.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis is used to analyse the data from the corporate annual reports of the companies from 1998 to 2003. Samples are selected using simple random sampling technique.FindingsResearch findings, inter alia, indicate that there is positive relationship between CSR and companies' turnover but no apparent relationship is noticed with companies' capital. Relationship between CSR and companies' profitability is also found to be positive but weak. More disclosure by local companies as compared to their foreign counterparts is another noteworthy finding. Overall, CSR level of industrial companies in Malaysia is increasing both in terms of amount of the disclosure and the number of participating companies.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of annual reports may not give a complete picture of the disclosure practices as the company may use other medium to disseminate the information. In addition, his study focuses on industrial companies in Malaysia. Thus all conclusions derived cannot be generalized to other industries.Originality/valueThe current research is the only study in Malaysia thus far that covers a disclosure pattern of six years thereby widens the horizon of CSR research. Besides that it extends the previous research to cover new variables such as individual and corporate ownership, influence of the chairman's race on the disclosure and exploring the disclosure pattern by paid‐up capital.
Evolution of Reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility by the Companies in ISE National‐30 Index in Turkey
Authors: Nalan Altintas N. , Adiloglu Burcu , Taylan Altintas A. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe Purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the evolution of reporting on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Istanbul Stock Exchange companies.Design/methodology/approachIn order to monitor the evolution of reporting on CSR relevant information in the 2003, 2004 and 2005 annual reports of the ISE‐30 Index Companies were examined. The data collected were used to study in depth the following issues: information disclosed related to corporate governance; environmental policy; and social policy.FindingsThe study highlights that the companies' attitude towards CSR is encouraging and they try to fulfill their duties as a corporate citizen regarding the social responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe study covers only 20 companies, which were in the ISE‐30 Index for all of the three years in order to provide comparable information. Since the annual reports of two of these 20 companies cannot be obtained, the research was conducted on the annual reports of the remaining companies that published their annual reports in their websites.Practical implicationsAccording to the study, the listed companies' disclosures on CSR are not at a desirable level in respect of the best practices. The study reveals that the Turkish companies should give more weight to reporting, especially on environmental and social issues.Originality/valueAlthough similar research had been conducted in various countries, this is one of the first studies related to reporting on CSR conducted in the ISE‐30 Index in Turkey.