bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Narrating the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a Scottish fishing community
Authors: Smith Robert 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to explore the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a “Scottish Fishing Community”, namely the village of Gourdon in Kincardineshire, Scotland over a 60‐year period.Design/methodology/approachPresents the material in a historical perspective, as remembered by two persons who lived through the experience. Using two ethnographic accounts the paper reconstructs a vivid picture of a thriving form of subsistence type entrepreneurship, in a bygone era, when enterprise was more closely bonded to community activities, the work ethic and pride.FindingsThis paper narrates a dramatic story relating to the economic decline visited upon a living community by the forces of market change affecting multiple income streams. In this tale, there are no heroes or villains, as is normal in narrative accounts, merely victims of changing circumstances and changing patterns of social action.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this research paper have obvious limitations, because of the methodology employed, and because of the limited number of respondents interviewed. However, socio‐historical studies such as this have their place in developing an understanding of entrepreneurship as enacted in individual communities.Originality/valueThis paper tackles an under‐researched area of rural entrepreneurship using narrative methods which bring the subject to life.
An evaluation of stakeholder relationship marketing in China
Authors: Murphy Brian , Wang Rongmei 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the applicability of the stakeholder relationship marketing model, a new marketing model, to Chinese businesses.Design/methodology/approachWithin the stakeholder relationship marketing model holistic marketing performance is reflected in the delivery of long‐term economic, social, and environmental value to customer, employee, supplier, community, and shareholder stakeholders of a business in order to enhance sustainable financial performance. Stakeholder relationship marketing performance is measured in a stakeholder performance appraisal. The applicability of the Western stakeholder relationship marketing model in the Chinese context is tested by undertaking stakeholder performance appraisals on two Chinese businesses.FindingsResults show that the performance of the two Chinese businesses is in line with the 57 Western businesses in the Future Research Group stakeholder performance appraisal benchmark database, and that the stakeholder relationship marketing model is applicable to the Chinese context both philosophically and practically.Research limitations/implicationsThe results can be considered as an indicative evaluation of stakeholder relationship marketing in China as a foundation for definitive validation from planned research on more Chinese businesses.Practical implicationsThe stakeholder performance appraisal provides Chinese businesses with a perceptual overview of holistic marketing performance and concomitant business financial performance from stakeholders. These data enable Chinese businesses, like their Western counterparts, to plan stakeholder relationship marketing strategies to enhance marketing performance and to predict future financial performance.Originality/valueThis study extends the newly developed stakeholder relationship marketing model from a Western context to the Chinese context and demonstrates the congruence between Western and Chinese holistic business philosophy.
Silicon‐on‐insulator lateral dual sidewall Schottky (SOI‐LDSS) concept for improved rectifier performance: a two‐dimensional simulation study
Authors: Jagadesh Kumar M. , Linga Reddy C. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo develop a silicon lateral Schottky rectifier with low forward voltage drop and low reverse leakage current while its breakdown voltage is significantly larger than that of a conventional Schottky rectifier.Design/methodology/approachA two‐dimensional device simulation has been used, to examine the effect lateral dual sidewall Schottky concept on the current‐voltage characteristics of a lateral Schottky rectifier on silicon‐on‐insulator. The Schottky contact consists of a low‐barrier metal and a high‐barrier metal.FindingsResults show that, during forward bias, the low‐barrier Schottky (LBS) contact conducts resulting in a low forward voltage drop. During the reverse bias, the LBS contact is shielded by the depletion region of the high‐barrier Schottky contact resulting in a low reverse leakage current.Practical implicationsWith this approach, silicon Schottky rectifiers with low power dissipation and improved breakdown voltage can be realized.Originality/valueThe proposed device has a large commercial potential as a low‐power high‐voltage switching device.
Thermal analysis of LED package
Authors: Aizar Abdul Karim N. , Aswatha Narayana P.A. , Seetharamu K.N. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo demonstrate thermal modeling technique for a through hole light emitting diode (LED) package using a commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code and to improve its thermal performance through a series of sensitivity analyses.Design/methodology/approachThermal resistance of the standard through hole LED is calculated using the simulation result. The result is then compared with actual measurement to establish the correct model. Using the validated model, series of sensitivity analyses are carried out through simulation. Taking the most optimum design, a prototype of the improved LED is fabricated and the thermal resistance performance is compared with the simulation result.FindingsThe simulation result of the standard LED is close to actual measurement with 5 percent difference. The thermal resistance of the through hole LED is reduced by changing the leadframe material from mild steel to copper alloy and increasing the leadframe width. Combination of both design changes resulted in thermal resistance reduction of 51 percent.Originality/valueThis paper identified the practicality of using CFD codes in achieving fast and accurate result in thermal modeling of LED package and also offers solutions on reducing the LED thermal resistance.
Integrating the US textile and apparel supply chain with small companies in South America
Authors: Gary Teng S. , Jaramillo Hector 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe South American textile industry is experiencing unprecedented opportunities to enter the US textile/apparel market and be a collaborator in the US textile/apparel supply chain. This study intends to provide an illustration of South American small to medium‐sized companies in the textile/apparel industry concerning supply chain management such as quality, logistics, forecasting techniques, lead time, inventory management, and integration of supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe study in this paper first identifies the principal issues that concern US companies that must be addressed by small companies in their chase to become suppliers in the US textile/apparel industry. Second, this paper provides general descriptions of small textile companies in South America and discusses their performance in the different areas of supply chain management such as quality, logistics, forecasting, production planning, and supply chain integration. A survey is done to provide the comparison between what is expected in the US textile/apparel industry and the performance of South American companies.FindingsThe analyzed results provide recommendations based on the evaluation of strengths and weaknesses that may be used as references for these small companies to increase their potential of being active partners in the US supply chain.Practical implicationsThis research provides the US and South American textile/apparel companies with the understanding of the issues and constraints of potential South American suppliers and allows them to establish strategic alliances with South American suppliers.Originality/valueThe study provides a clear view of the strengths and weaknesses of South American small to medium‐sized textile/apparel companies that can help both US and South American companies in the pursuit of new opportunities in textile/apparel supply chain collaborations.
Toward a new taxonomy for understanding the nature and consequences of contingent employment
Authors: Feldman Daniel C. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe main goal of this article is to present a new taxonomy of contingent employment that better represents the wide variety of part‐time, temporary, and contract employment arrangements that have emerged since Feldman's review.Design/methodology/approachReviews the literature over the past 15 years.FindingsThe paper suggests that contingent work arrangements can be arrayed along three dimensions: time, space, and the number/kind of employers. In addition, analysis of the recent research on contingent employment should be expanded to include worker timeliness, responsiveness, job embeddedness, citizenship behaviours, quality of work, and social integration costs.Originality/valueThe article suggests that a wider range of individual differences (including education, race, citizenship, career stage, and rational demography) all serve to moderate the relationships between different kinds of contingent work arrangements and outcome variables.
The chameleon career
Authors: Ituma Afam , Simpson Ruth 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore claims about the changing nature of careers by focusing on how information technology (IT) workers enact careers in the context of Nigeria. The theoretical framework guiding this research is that societal context (social structure and institutions) has an influence on the career patterns exhibited by individuals.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a qualitative research approach, which involved semi‐structured interviews with 30 IT workers.FindingsAnalysis of the findings indicates that the career trajectory of these workers conforms in part with the traditional view of hierarchical and progressive careers and partly with recent models of the boundaryless career. In order to capture a more contextual understanding, and based on findings from this research which highlight both the dynamic and the reactive nature of the careers of IT workers in Nigeria, the concept of the chameleon career isi ntroduced.Originality/valueThis research contributes the Nigerian context and perspective to the wider discourse on changing nature of careers.
Contradictions in portfolio careers: work design and client relations
Authors: Fenwick Tara J. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to explore “Portfolio work”, an emerging form of flexible self‐employment, which has been identified as significant but under‐researched. This paper also seeks to explore the challenges and benefits of portfolio work from the perspective of individuals' experiences.Design/methodology/approachThe argument draws from a qualitative study involving 31 individuals practising portfolio work in two different occupational groups: nurses and adult educators. Participants were interviewed in semi‐structured in‐depth conversational interviews to explore their everyday experience and work history in portfolio work.FindingsTwo dimensions of portfolio work, work design and client‐relations, are found to generate experiences of both deep satisfaction and deep anxiety and stress. The paper argues that portfolio careers simultaneously embed both liberating and exploitative at dimensions for workers, which are at least partly related to their own conflicting desires for both contingency and stability. Further, portfolio work embeds labour that often remains unrecognized, even by the self‐employed individuals assuming responsibility for it.Practical implicationsPortfolio workers need to recognise and document their unpaid but necessary labour in work design and client relations that sustains their careers; portfolio workers may need to educate clients about the nature of portfolio work; and employers who contract to portfolio workers must take more responsibility for negotiating fair contracts that are sensitive to overwork and unfair time pressures, and that anticipate and compensate contractors.Originality/valueThese findings challenge existing conceptions of portfolio work aseitherexploitativeorliberating, and expose contradictions embedded in both the conditions of the work and individuals' expectations and attitudes towards it.
Using knowledge management to revise software‐testing processes
Authors: Nogeste Kersti , Walker Derek H.T. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to use a knowledge management (KM) approach to effectively revise a utility retailer's software testing process. This paper presents a case study of how the utility organisation's customer services IT production support group improved their test planning skills through applying the American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) KM framework to define a software‐testing process. This included the ongoing maintenance and use of a business knowledge repository comprising software test cases.Design/methodology/approachAn action learning approach was used for workplace training facilitated by one of the authors. Applying and refining learnings gained in a series of three workshops achieved these outcomes. The first two workshops focused on improving test‐planning skills and the third on introducing KM concepts, the APQC KM framework and the development of a KM based software‐testing process that combined explicit and tacit knowledge.FindingsThe combination of workshop outputs, workshop evaluation feedback and lessons learned during the following two months suggests that the KM approach was an effective way for teams or organisations wanting to capture and convey tacit knowledge on software testing.Research limitations/implicationsParticipants viewed the described approach as an easily comprehensible and relatively quick method to define a KM based process and define the factors that can influence the success of a KM based process. While our results suggest that this KM approach could be more generally applied to transfer of high‐intensity tacit knowledge workplace training situations, the case study was confined to a single group and focused on software testing only.Originality/valueProvide information on a utility retailer's software testing process.
Approaches to learning in the workplace
Authors: Geertshuis Susan A. , Fazey John A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore approaches to learning in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachComputer based questionnaires are used with a sample of over 300 employees.FindingsUsing a version of the Revised Approaches to Study Inventory (RASI) adapted to workforce development, the factor structure of deep, surface and strategic approaches was obtained. Differences in approaches to learning as measured by the RASI were associated with training and learning histories, reasons for engaging in training, perceptions of current skill level and self reported development needs. Practical implications – It is argued that the notion that approaches to learning impact on success in a given degree course and/or are context/teaching style dependent under represents the impact that approaches to learning may have on workplace learning. Originality/value – The study demonstrates that the adapted RASI can be used with employees and that its principal psychometric properties reflect those reported for student samples.
Premium growth, underwriting return and segment analysis
Authors: Calandro Joseph , Flynn Robert 
Published: June 2006

PurposeMany insurance companies vigorously pursue top‐line growth, even though it has the potential to develop unprofitably over time. The time lag (or tail) between when insurance is sold and when claims are paid generates risks unique to insurance companies. Furthermore, the insurance market is both mature and efficient (i.e. its level of competitive risk is very high), which means that profitable opportunities are both rare and untenable unless protected by competitive advantage. There is currently no practical measure available (of which the authors are aware) at the business unit level to evaluate insurance premium growth in the face of the industry's risks, impairing executives' ability to assess segment opportunities (and hazards), thus hampering strategic decision making. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a practical measure developed by the authors called Underwriting Return (UWR) which aims at helping to alleviate this situation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces UWR which was developed during the course and scope of the authors' work in the insurance industry, and their research into applying value‐based management to that industry.FindingsThe paper finds that UWR is a practical measure that property and casualty executives can use at the business unit level to help quantify market segments to grow, hold, harvest and abandon.Originality/valueA variety of strategic analysis tools, such as the popular Boston Consulting Group matrix, are utilized today. In general, the application of such tools is hampered by an imprecision of measurement but each can add a level of insight to executives' resource allocation options. UWR can further aid insurance executives in strategic analysis by helping to quantify in which segments to compete, and which ones to abandon. The paper demonstrates the utility of the measure in an example based on an actual analysis.
Testing the limits of solicitor‐client privilege
Authors: Schneider Stephen 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo explore how lawyers are used to launder the proceeds of criminal activity. Regulatory measures that compel legal professionals to report suspected money laundering, and the implications this has for solicitor‐client privilege, are also addressed.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a sample of Royal Canadian Mounted Police proceeds of crime (POC) case files using a standardized questionnaire.FindingsA statistical analysis reveals that lawyers came into contact with the POC in 49.7 percent of all RCMP cases examined. Lawyers are implicated in money laundering (both wittingly and unwittingly) primarily through their role as an intermediary in a commercial or financial transaction. In the majority of these cases, lawyers were facilitating a real property transaction by an individual engaged in drug trafficking. Lawyers were also used by offenders or their nominees to incorporate companies, purchase securities, and conduct bank transactions, including those pertaining to legal trust accounts.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis of money laundering is based exclusively on an analysis reliance of police cases. The RCMP database from which the sample was drawn was not as complete as originally thought.Practical implicationsAssociations representing the legal profession have vehemently resisted mandatory reporting obligation, arguing that it abrogates solicitor‐client privilege. This paper supports the tacit consensus emerging internationally that mandatory reporting for legal professionals should apply only to the financial and commercial transactions mediated by lawyers on behalf of clients.Originality/valueThis research helps to inform the debate over the extent to governments should mandate lawyers to report transactions or clients that may be involved in money laundering.
Protecting the financial system from abuse
Authors: Barry Johnston R. , Carrington Ian 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo examine the implications of the changing compliance environment confronting banks as the international anti‐money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards have become more rigorous and more attention is paid to integrity related concerns by supervisors and market participants.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes recent regulatory and financial sector developments and draws analytical lessons.FindingsBanks are facing increasing pressure from a number of sources to improve their compliance with AML/CFT and integrity related standards, and a number of institutions are responding positively to the challenge to establish robust AML/CFT regimes. However, there is a risk of disruption of legitimate business lines.Practical implicationsStriking the right balance in protecting systems from abuse while avoiding disruption to legitimate business lines will require further research on how best to implement the standards.Originality/valueThe paper initiates a discussion on the cost/benefit analysis of the implementation of the AML/CFT standard and outlines some of the challenges involved in going forward.
Financial enmeshment – banking systems in Western, and Central and South‐Eastern Europe
Authors: Ridley Nicholas 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the banking systems in Western, and Central and Southeastern Europe, focusing on the interactive factors of anti‐money laundering, transitional economies and the underground illicit economy.Design/methodology/approachProvides a comparative analysis of the banking systems in Western, and Central and Southeastern Europe.FindingsThe transition economies of central and Southeastern Europe face, and have been confronted for over a generation by, the interlinked problems of the transition stage post‐1989, the alternative or illegal economy, and the vulnerability of banking systems to money laundering. In contrast, by the 1990s, Western European central banks have become established as an essential government organ in macro‐economic policies.Originality/valueSuggests an interesting lesson that might be gained from the experiences of central and Southeastern Europe and anti‐money laundering since the late‐1990s, where a national bank or central bank has not been essential, indeed has been comparatively unimportant, compared to the developed banking system led by the individual banks.
Underground banking in Malaysia: a case study of ROSCAs
Authors: Bawani Satkunasingam Elsa , Shanmugam Bala 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo provide arguments in favour of legalising rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) as they play an important role in savings and credit for women in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe paper refers to previous studies on ROSCAs in Malaysia and extracts information that shows that ROSCAs are used mostly by women as a method of forced‐savings, credit and insurance against uncertainties. It suggests different methods that can be used to make ROSCAs more efficient. Finally, it provides suggestions for amendments to existing legislation which will not interfere with the social structure that supports ROSCAs, yet permit participants to sue defaulters.FindingsThe findings show that ROSCAs are widely practised in Malaysia especially in the rural and suburban areas. The participants are mostly women from middle income and low‐income groups who used it as a form of savings or credit. The benefits of permitting ROSCAs outweigh the risks. Legalising ROSCAs will not remove the benefits but will substantially reduce the risks.Originality/valueThis paper provides arguments to legalise ROSCAs in Malaysia and provides suggestions to ensure greater efficiency and a lower default rate. It also suggests amendments to the legislation to enable participants to take quick and cheap legal action against defaulters.