bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pursuing successful rapid manufacturing: a users' best‐practices approach
Authors: Munguía Javier , de Ciurana Joaquim , Riba Carles 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to present the results of a study carried out within rapid manufacturing (RM) service providers and engineering centres in Northern Spain. By disclosing strategies for their everyday operation, it is intended to show how the internal expertise acquired overtime copes with the lack of standards within this industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study was deployed by means of a survey including four main issues: RM concepts, process planning, materials and costs. Questions range from general RM perceptions to specific production criteria like: layer thicknesses, laser power, quality assurance methods, etc. A special emphasis is made on cost parameters, since they play a major role when selecting the final manufacturing route.FindingsThe so‐called “de facto standards” were found to be widely used in order to minimize production risks for RM. The study also suggests the need for specific RM standards based on key issues like material recycling, process planning and costs assignment.Practical implicationsThe study is mainly focused on additive RM processes used in Spanish centres. Although, some other technologies applied elsewhere might not be considered, it is assumed that most of the technologies mentioned in this study are available worldwide, thus providing valuable information to increase the general RM base of knowledge.Originality/valueUnlike most of the RM literature based on benchmarking of processes to provide information, this paper shows first hand data from users and service providers, showing RM practices and preferences from a different approach.
In pursuit of a sustainable supply chain: insights from Westpac Banking Corporation
Authors: Keating Byron , Quazi Ali , Kriz Anton , Coltman Tim 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide clues to industry and academia on how best to approach the challenge of developing a sustainable supply chain.Design/methodology/approachA case study was undertaken of the Westpac Banking Corporation – one of the world's most socially responsible banks – to examine how they approached the challenge of managing corporate social responsibility (CSR) in their supply chain.FindingsThis paper highlights some of the challenges and opportunities associated with extending corporate governance beyond the firm boundary. Specific attention is given to a discussion of assessment and governance tools.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a single case study limits the generalizability of these findings. Future research can build on these findings by extending the scope to include additional firms, regions and methods.Practical implicationsA best practice model is developed from the discussion to provide practical guidance to firms.Originality/valueWhile the extension of CSR to the supply chain is an emerging area of interest, the literature provides few clues on how best to pursue sustainable supply chain management. This paper provides a valuable and timely contribution to this topic by reviewing the lessons and practices of a recognised CSR leader.
The roles of self‐disclosure, modesty, and self‐monitoring in the mentoring relationship
Authors: Blickle Gerhard , Schneider Paula B. , Perrewé Pamela L. , Blass Fred R. , Ferris Gerald R. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the role of protégé self‐presentation by self‐disclosure, modesty, and self‐monitoring in mentoring.Design/methodology/approachThis study used three data sources (i.e. employees, peers, and mentors) and a longitudinal design over a period of two years.FindingsEmployee self‐disclosure and modesty at time 1 predicted an increase in mentoring received and mentoring given at time 2. Further, self‐monitoring moderated the modesty‐mentoring given relationship such that employees high in self‐monitoring had the strongest positive relationship between modesty at time 1 and mentoring given two years later. Also, modesty interacted with self‐monitoring at time 1 to influence the number of mentors involved with employees. That is, the modesty – number of mentors relationship was positive for those high in self‐monitoring, and negative for those low in self‐monitoring.Research limitations/implicationsEmployees can exercise influence over the amount and type of mentoring experiences they receive based on the style on interaction they utilize with potential mentors, with specific reference to self‐monitoring and the use of modesty.Practical implicationsIt is modesty, and early career employees' ability to present it well, that will lead to positive affect (i.e. liking) and behavior (e.g. benevolence and generosity) by senior managers.Originality/valueInvestigates the role of protégé self‐presentation by self‐disclosure, modesty, and self‐monitoring in mentoring.
Are humans resources?
Authors: Inkson Kerr 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to offer a critique, from a career studies perspective, of the common term “human resource management.”Design/methodology/approachProvides a literature review and critique.FindingsThe term “human resource management” is a metaphor that presents employees as passive commodities or assets rather than as active agents, and thereby potentially de‐humanizes them. In an alternative view based on career studies, individual employees are active agents utilizing the resources of employing organizations to pursue personal goals. Alternative terms to “human resource management” are suggested.Research limitations/implicationsThere is scope for study of the effects of “human resources” terminology on employees' and others' view of and attitude to the human resource management function.Practical implicationsExamination of “human resources” discourse may promote examination of the implications of current discourse for practice, facilitate moderation of practice, and stimulate the search for new discourse and new practice, by both organizations and individuals.Originality/valueThis paper questions a prevailing and widely accepted form of discourse in management and advocates change.
Defining knowledge management (KM) activities: towards consensus
Authors: Beesley Lisa G.A. , Cooper Chris 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present a vocabulary of terms that clearly define knowledge management (KM) activities in order to move towards consensus in the adoption of a common language within the field.Design/methodology/approachExisting literature across several disciplines has been integrated to provide a clear description of the sorts of activities an individual undertakes in order to move from knowledge acquisition to innovation, and a clarification of the terms used to describe such activities is put forth.FindingsAdoption of a common vocabulary to describe KM activities provides a platform to better understand how best to manage these activities, and enables clearer identification of the knowledge management capabilities held by various sectors within the broader business community.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to undertake empirical research and in‐depth case studies of knowledge management practices using a common vocabulary as a framework with which to interpret findings.Practical implicationsThe adoption of a common frame of reference to describe knowledge management activities will deepen understanding of current KM practices, enable identification inhibitors and facilitators of KM, lead to increased dialogue between academia and industry, and present opportunities to the education sector to incorporate such a vocabulary into its curriculum.Originality/valueThe framework presented here will remove the veil of mystery that currently clouds knowledge management and facilitate broader uptake of KM practices, thereby realising the benefits of a knowledge‐based economy in the broader business community.
Tax evasion and avoidance typologies
Authors: Simser Jeffrey 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore tax evasion and avoidance typologies with a view to understanding how they work and the implications for those who handle the wealth of others.Design/methodology/approachAmerican, Canadian and UK cases of tax avoidance and tax evasion are studied.FindingsStructuring transactions to avoid or minimize taxes is highly complex, and thus, fraught with risk, particularly for advisors.Research limitations/implicationsCommercial and taxation law in a globalized economy is an ever‐changing matter.Practical implicationsThere is an enormous potential for reputational risk which can bear significant consequences for the unwary financial advisor. Money launderers can hide their assets applying methods similar to those used to evade or avoid taxes.Originality/valueThousands and thousands of pages documenting tax evasion and avoidance cases have been distilled into an overview paper.
Export problems perceptions and clustering of Greek wine firms
Authors: Karelakis Christos , Mattas Konstadinos , Chryssochoidis George 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to further develop the extant export problems literature by focusing on a context that has attracted limited attention so far, namely the wine sector. The objective is to examine empirically Greek wine firms' perceptions of the factors that may impede their export activities.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were gathered from 110 wine firms that responded to a battery of exporting problem items. A combination of exploratory, confirmatory and cluster analyses were employed to classify and profile firms according to their perceptions about the frequency of export problems.FindingsThree clearly distinct clusters were formed. The results indicate that export problems are likely to occur in firms that are more passive in terms of export activities than in firms that adopt active and competitive export postures.Research implications/limitationsThe findings are interpreted and discussed in the light of extant theory. Particular attention is paid to the implications for management and public policy administrators. The study is confined to a single country/single industry context and provides an overview of the problems experienced only by indigenous wine firms in export markets.Originality/valueAlthough the study corroborates the extant literature, it is innovative in that the sample, i.e. the census population of Greek exporting wine firms, lends more credence to the findings for the particular sector and the export problems literature.
Developing inter‐regional brands
Authors: Ruediger Kaufmann Hans , Durst Susanne 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe contribution of the present research and aim of the present paper is a provision and discussion of eclectic interdisciplinary concepts constituting a body of knowledge for developing and managing inter‐regional brands, hence contributing to closing the scientific gap as to an inter‐regional brand development conceptualisation.Design/methodology/approachThe research method used was a case study, targeted to develop an understanding of a neglected academic field. Based on a documentary analysis, semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted and interpreted. The InterReg IIIB‐supported RegioMarket project and a case study on Liechtenstein provide the background for the project.FindingsBased on an extensive literature review, the present paper states that interdisciplinary theoretical development of the concept of branding has not kept pace with the increasing practical application of the branding concepts in a variety of sectors leading to application gaps and dissatisfying results. Representing the ultimate level of complexity, the development and management of inter‐regional brands crossing nations and cultures currently lacks any empirically researched systematic theory. Following the exploratory stage, an initial conceptualisation is presented to bridge the scientific gap as to the development of inter‐regional brands.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of the research is that it focuses on only one participating region. Hence, the initial conceptualisation needs to be validated in other participating regions. A further limitation refers to a lack of research on the specific influence of SMEs on the success of the development of inter‐regional brands.Originality/valueThe discussion interlinks the interdisciplinary concepts of branding, perception, region, leadership, culture and identity and provides an initial conceptualisation so far not identified in the field of inter‐regional branding.
Role typologies for enterprising education: the professional artisan?
Authors: Anderson Alistair R. , Jack Sarah L. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the context, approach and teaching techniques used for entrepreneurship education need to reflect the different roles that encompass enterprise.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyse and reflect upon what attributes, qualities, skills and knowledge are required for the different roles involved in entrepreneurship.FindingsFrom the analysis the authors identify role typologies and argue that teaching entrepreneurship needs to produce a combination of the creative talents of the artist, the skills and ability of the artisan, yet include the applied knowledge of the technician with the know‐what of the professional. The authors then present some examples of pedagogies in entrepreneurship that might be used to develop the skills required for these roles.Practical implicationsThe authors demonstrate why the teaching of entrepreneurship requires a combination of theory and practice.Originality/valueThe paper shows that a different approach to understanding entrepreneurial pedagogy may be useful for educators and students.
Entrepreneurship education in Germany and Sweden: what role do different school systems play?
Authors: Fuchs Kathrin , Werner Arndt , Wallau Frank 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe question arises whether entrepreneurship education will be able to facilitate the entrepreneurial attitude in the near future. Unfortunately, the decisive role of compulsory schooling has long been neglected in this context. Until recently it was considered sufficient to provide education in entrepreneurship in universities (especially in the area of Business Administration) or in the form of special courses for people who consider starting their own business. Picking up the discussion at this point, the purpose of this paper is to analyse to what extent compulsory school education in Germany and Sweden facilitates a more entrepreneurial way of thinking among pupils.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the paper briefly summarises the relevant research literature and specify important components of entrepreneurship education. Second, it discusses what exactly is to be understood by entrepreneurial qualities and present a holistic approach based on a model by Dahlgren. Third, it describes the unique data and presents some empirical results. The empirical analysis concentrates on Germany. Yet, for reasons of comparison, it additionally analyses the situation in Sweden. Finally, the paper summarises the results and discusses the policy implications.FindingsThe results presented clearly suggest that German schools do not succeed very well in presenting self‐employment as an attractive alternative to dependent work. Swedish pupils generally show a higher preference for self‐employment than their German counterparts. Furthermore, the results suggest that German schools diminish rather than encourage pupils' ambitions to become self‐employed as the pupils become older.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge this is the first empirical study which compares the effect of different school systems on entrepreneurial attitude simultaneously (i.e. with the same questionnaire and at the same point of time).
An efficient wireless network discovery scheme for heterogeneous access environments
Authors: Siddiqui Farhan , Zeadally Sherali 
Published: May 2008

PurposeSeveral new network types have emerged over the last couple of years. Many of these networks are being connected together to provide mobile users with the capability of staying always connected to the Internet which requires seamless transitions from one network to another without causing interruption to on‐going connections. To maintain connectivity during handoff, all the networks that are accessible to the mobile station need to be known. The paper aims to propose a novel energy‐efficient network discovery approach that enables fast discovery and selection of available access networks.Design/methodology/approachThe performance of the proposed approach over an actual network testbed consisting of heterogeneous networks (such as wireless local area, cellular) is evaluated.FindingsIt was found that the approach yields between 12.4 and 19.1 per cent improvement in battery power consumption over other network discovery approaches.Originality/valueThe paper proposes and implements a novel scheme to discover wireless networks in a multi‐access environment consisting of heterogeneous networking technologies.
Organizing: how to study it and how to write about it
Authors: Czarniawska Barbara 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review emerging approaches to field studies of organizing that aim to avoid the problems of traditional methods and techniques.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based in pragmatist philosophy and constructionist perspective. Within this frame, the paper starts with a brief history of fieldwork methods in organization study, continues by diagnosing their shortcomings in the light of contemporary developments, and ends by reviewing promising approaches to studying contemporary organizations.FindingsYoung researchers are warned about possible risks and gains from experimenting with new methods.Originality/valueThe potential value of the paper is in its function of a guide for organization scholars looking for innovative approaches to their study object.
Competitive advantage as a legitimacy‐creating process
Authors: Grandy Gina , Wicks David 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how small firms in the tattooing industry actively shape institutional expectations of value for consumers in a changing industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws upon interviews with key actors in the firms under study to explore their experiences with consumers and other constituents in determining how competitive advantage is constructed in this environment. These data are complemented data with interviews with governmental representatives and material from secondary sources.FindingsThe results reveal efforts of firms to construct and increase organizational legitimacy through the prominence of discourses of professionalism based on artistry and medicine/public health. These bases of competitive differentiation are not the clear result of exogenous pressure, rather they arise through the active efforts of the firm to construct value guidelines for consumers and other constituents.Practical implicationsStrategic management in small firms is a complex and dynamic process that does not necessarily mirror that of large organizations. Constructing competitive advantage is an interacting process between key actors of small firms and various constituents.Originality/valueThe paper extends the application of institutional theory in strategic management by illuminating the active role that firms play in creating industry norms, especially in industries where norms are not well established or no longer entrenched. Moreover, exploring an alternative site of study offers a means through which to see well‐studied issues in new ways.
Cultural revitalisation
Authors: Callan Samantha J. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to challenge the notion that culture change programmes will inevitably gain support from employees by exploring ways in which policy implementation is affected by and provokes shifts in organizational cultures.Design/methodology/approachCase studies investigated aspects of cultural change post‐implementation of family‐friendly policies. A grounded theory approach was adopted in the collection and analysis of the data, largely but not exclusively obtained through three sets of interviews, giving a limited longitudinal dimension to the study.FindingsAs both organizations had been sated with change, the idea that further adjustment was necessary to facilitate better work‐life balance for employees was potentially alienating to the very members most needing to be “brought on board”. Harnessing widely esteemed values and adopting the language of “cultural revitalisation” rather than cultural change appeared more effective in securing broader support of employees.Research limitations/implicationsStudies began after policy implementation so there was significant dependence on participant recall to access perceptions of any shifts and HR managers determined sample composition. Both necessitated the use of a wide range of supplementary evidence (as befits case study research) and the latter the development of an “informal track” of participants.Practical implicationsCultural change programmes must appreciate the importance of enduring values, correctly identifying those which appear most resonant for employees, ensuring that these feature prominently when promoting a “work‐life balance” agenda.Originality/valueIt is unusual for case studies to look in detail at processes of change. This paper refines notions of organizational culture change and considers how best to include employees most likely to be resistant to a “work‐life balance” agenda.
e‐Government in Jordan: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Elsheikh Yousef , Cullen Andrea , Hobbs Dave 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges encountered in e‐government implementation, as well as the potential opportunities available in the context of Jordanian society.Design/methodology/approachA detailed examination and analysis of Jordan's published e‐government vision and strategy is presented, together with a review of other relevant literature.FindingsThe findings and implications of this study reveal Jordan is still lagging behind in utilising information and communication technologies for delivering government services online.Practical implicationsAn understanding of the current status of e‐government in Jordan can help policy makers in the country pursue development of the public sector organisations on the one hand, and would be of importance for Jordan's economic future success on the other.Originality/valueThis is believed to be the most up‐to‐date and comprehensive analysis of Jordan's plans and assessment of its level of readiness for delivery of e‐government services.