bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building relationship with customers by using technological solutions in commercial banks of Latvia
Authors: Brige Andra 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to give a short overview on bank/customer relationship experience in the Latvian banking system and the impact of developing technology in banking. Without usage of technology commercial banks cannot provide customers with effective services, but short banking history increases the danger of such a reduced loyalty towards the services supplier.Design/methodology/approachLiterature studies, quantitative surveys combined with in‐depth interviews with bank customers and employees, and experts representing ITC sector.FindingsSatisfaction with services provided is not the only factor influencing customer loyalty level. Customers experiencing a short banking history can be loyal to the service provider due to the lack of financial literacy. A great impact on loyalty level is made by other factors, such as: image, prestige, word of mouth, etc.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample used for research did not include all 23 commercial banks of Latvia. Further research should be developed to compare customer loyalty levels in the more technologically developed and less technologically developed banks, and additional loyalty‐influencing determinants could be included.Originality/valueAn analysis of ITC development in banking side‐effects provides useful information not only for transitional countries but also for developing countries.
The Latvian market constructed
Authors: Borg Erik A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo identify essential building‐blocks in the construction of the Latvian market after the Latvian transition to a market economy.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses a social constructivist approach to deconstruct the Latvian experience of economic change. The Latvian market is viewed as socially constructed, and essential events in the economic transition and national independence are viewed as essential to the interpretation of the Latvian experience of inclusion in the global economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to Latvia, but is portrayed against the change taking place in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States in particular.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this research are many, and could be taken into consideration not least by enterprises investing in the Latvian economy.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in the interpretations of the broader context of the Latvian market and some of the conditions in which enterprises are managed. The Latvian experience of transition is a background for reaching a better understanding of Latvian society.
Converging human resource management
Authors: Vanhala Sinikka , Kaarelson Tõnu , Alas Ruth 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to participate in the convergence‐divergence debate related to the trends in European human resource management (HRM). The paper evaluates the converging vs diverging implications in Estonia and Finland by comparing HR strategies, policies and practices between the two countries in the context of HRM in the Nordic and EU‐15 countries.Design/methodology/approachThe research is part of a large international comparative HRM project (CRANET), which covers over 30 countries. Empirical data were collected by a survey questionnaire mailed to large private and public organisations employing over 200 employees. The Estonian survey data involve 69 organisations and the Finnish data 269. The data cover private companies and public sector organisations.FindingsThe comparison of HRM in Estonia and Finland revealed a few interesting empirical observations: First, in spite of Estonia's short history as an independent Baltic state, HRM has stabilised its position at both strategic and policy level's as well as in HR practices. Second, there is a converging (directional) trend between Estonian and Finnish HRM. Third, the Estonian HRM matches with the EU‐15 HRM; Estonia does not increase diversity in the European HRM.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is related to survey methodology. In further research longitudinal data as well as case studies and triangulation are needed to open country‐level trends in the convergence‐divergence debate.Practical implicationsEstonian companies and public organisations might need to pay more attention to equality/diversity policy. Special attention should be paid to HRM in public organisations.Originality/valueThe main value of the paper is related to the contribution to the convergence debate in HRM.
The company's involvement in international networks as an entrepreneurial decision
Authors: Roolaht Tõnu 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose is to show the interconnections between the management style of an internationally expanding company and the pattern of its network connections, while incorporating the company size and corporate traditions as secondary determinants.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses multiple case study analysis. Included case studies characterise the various management attitudes of Estonian companies in engaging in international inter‐company relationships. To allow for the generalisation of results, the cases analyse the companies from several sectors and size groups.FindingsResearch concludes that the decision to participate in an international network could be made either because of socio‐economic circumstances or as the innovative entrepreneurial choice toward more rapid expansion. Thus, the paper views certain decisions of a company about its relationships with other agents, including suppliers and competitors, as entrepreneurial choices made by its general management. This research also categorises these choices as irreversible and temporary and positions company size and traditions as secondary factors, besides management style, which are important in determining the usage of relational support.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study analysis might fail to illuminate the most archetypical features that could be generalized to all similar companies. Thus, one should exercise extreme caution when generalizing given results. In the case of qualitative research, the danger of misinterpretation of facts or events is bigger than in the case of quantitative research. The methodological variations make it more difficult to bring in cause and effect patterns.Practical implicationsThese results imply the role and authority of an entrepreneur not only in multinational or ownership‐based networks but also in solely relational networks. This issue at present is not the subject of the research focus. The managers should also increasingly account for the impact of entrepreneurial management style in the corporate setting of takeovers and partnerships. Thus, innovative choices might achieve an increasingly important role in the formation of industrial networks.Originality/valueThis paper establishes the position of entrepreneurial management style as a determinant of partnership contacts, while controlling for company size and its management traditions. It offers case evidence about this entrepreneur‐led relationship building in Estonian companies.
From administrative humanism to the awareness of anomalies: the role of the human sciences
Authors: Cruz Kronfly Fernando 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe first purpose of this paper is to show that the so‐called “Administrative Humanitarian” is not a derivation from the “Human Science”. It is really derivated from “Antroprocentrismo” innocence, echo, at the same time from Geocentrismo. The second purpose of this paper is to explain why in the administrative humanitarian, while the human being in productive organization is, in a rhetoric way, “the center” of all, denies its essence on practices related to the act of work.Design/methodology/approachTo support these two purposes, the paper suggests a brief presentation of the different “humanitarians” that really exist. Some of them, the “Christian Humanitarian” and the “Liberal Laïco Humanitarian” and other human sciences including organization studies before it goes through some considerations about the up‐to‐date promises, related to the cultural project of the “Administrative Humanitarian” and its ideal.FindingsThis paper is challenging traditional humanism and is denouncing discrepancies between discourses and action. If one observes the contemporary business world, one might conclude that the humanist paradigm in business administration is in crisis, since it is incapable of explaining the lack of correspondence between what is preached and what is practised in reality.Originality/valueThis paper belongs to a long tradition, which is still marginal is administrative science. This is why such a position should be important for further researches.
Technology management in China: a global perspective and challenging issues
Authors: Li‐Hua Richard , Khalil Tarek M. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper reviews the framework of the management of technology (MOT) field and examines some application cases of technological development and innovation in China. It addresses various crucial issues necessary in the establishment of infrastructure, strategies, mechanisms and systems of technology management in China. It draws upon knowledge acquired from the US experience in this field for the past two decades.Design/methodology/approachAn overview and conceptual paper based on observations and research experience.FindingsThis paper stresses the importance of keeping‐up with the fast pace of technological change and the emerging new global paradigms of the business environment. MOT is an important strategic instrument to improve competitiveness and create prosperity in countries that effectively apply it. The paper draws upon the experience of the US in MOT over the past two decades and projects what may be needed for China to continue its development and economic growth in the future. There is a need for appropriate infrastructures, strategies and mechanism to be established in order to support the diffusion of MOT principles throughout China. Educational institutions offering business and engineering education need to introduce MOT curricula following the US model or develop a new model shaped by the Chinese culture.Originality/valueThis paper presents the crucial tenets of technology management and provides some observations and insights on technology transfer, technology strategy and innovation process in China today. It suggests critical areas that decision makers in government agencies, enterprises and international funding agencies need to address with respect to MOT in China. Understanding the existing gaps in the process of technology management will assist in implementing more sustainable arrangement for successful technology transfer and development.
Northeast China – cradle of change
Authors: Sigurdson Jon 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe Northeast of the People's Republic of China is now termed the “rustbelt” of the country: there is a need to reform and restructure enterprises in the region. China's major industrialization is underway elsewhere, with factories located in coastal area and primarily oriented towards exports into global markets. In the meantime the original primary industrial base in Northeast has been almost been forgotten.Design/methodology/approachThis preliminary mapping and tentative analysis of the Chinese rustbelt is based on intensive field interviews in three major cities in Northeast China – Dalian, Changchun and 1Harbin. The empirical results are complemented with official statistics and other government information. This research paper is a first attempt to take stock of the remaining technological and industrial structures that exist in the area and how they can become revitalized to service the overall economy.FindingsThis paper provides a preliminary examination of the possibility of using the region's strong higher education base to develop new high technology industries. It argues that this is a possible option for the future.Originality/valueThe information and analysis provides insights into a region of China not well‐known to the rest of the world, which has many challenges, but also many opportunities.
Innovation practices success in China: the use of innovation mechanisms in Chinese SOEs
Authors: Ren Liqin , Krabbendam Koos , de Weerd‐Nederhof Petra 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe climate for technical innovation has been improving in the past few years in China. This paper describes a case research concerning technical innovation practices success in three Chinese state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) in the manufacturing industry. This is executed by applying a technical innovation audit tool based on “Western” good practices.Design/methodology/approachStudies on technical innovation in the Chinese SOEs started in the 1990s, but most investigations in this field were based on statistical survey and mathematical modelling. In this research, case study research method, including such strategies as open‐ended, in‐depth questions, intensive interviews and observations, are applied for the validity of information.FindingsThe data and results reveal that the investigated Chinese SOEs have already some mechanisms for innovation in place. But there is still room for improvement and enhancement with respect to the effect on innovation success. It is also concluded that benchmarking (through the application of the technical innovation audit tool) does guide the Chinese management toward deciding which innovation mechanisms to adopt so as to provide the basics for innovation success. Additionally, based on the case studies the interesting conclusion could be drawn. In the context of the Chinese economy in transition, the case companies with less openness to the market (i.e. with high government involvement) have a more widespread use of innovation mechanisms.Practical implicationsThe last finding seems to contradict the positive relationship between market focus and innovativeness as suggested in “Western” innovation management theories. For clarification we relate this to the way the SOEs deal with their adaptive cycle, thereby considering their way of dealing with (increased) complexity as compared to “Western” companies (complexity absorption versus reduction). The considered cases are embedded in the institutional setting of China in transition. Therefore, the conclusions and findings enrich the theory of transition by revealing the point that entering an open market abruptly may not be the solution for SOEs, which are rooted in a socialist economy, to become more competitive and more innovative. This was mostly elaborated through the influence of the two main stakeholders (i.e. government and customer/end‐user) on the openness of the SOEs and their use of innovation mechanisms in China, the largest socialist system of the world.Originality/valueThis paper is based on a doctoral research project, containing reliable, first hand data from the practice.
Exploring sources of competitive advantage
Authors: Matthew Hinton C. , Tao Yan 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo investigate the key sources of competitive advantage gained from e‐business applications by Chinese real estate developers and whether the value chain theory and its related theories can explain this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approachA key issue in e‐business is how established companies can gain competitive advantage. Despite the interest in e‐business applications, few empirical studies have been carried out to look at how “clicks‐and‐mortar” approaches offer competitive advantages, especially from specific industry perspectives. By using a qualitative case study approach this study addresses this.FindingsThe study shows that the value chain framework is useful to identify and categorize possible e‐business application areas. Moreover, this categorization makes identification of key sources of competitive advantage explicit. However, this framework cannot fully explain the success of e‐business applications nor the realization of intended motivations.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to make the value chain model become an easily‐used, practical guideline for e‐business implementation. This study has focussed on one specific industry within China (centre on real estate) so generalisation to other industries is limited at this stage. Similar research in other sectors will go a long way to addressing this.Practical implicationsOffers organizations a theoretical framework which helps to support the identification of appropriate e‐business applications. Furthermore, it closes the gap between strategic direction and subsequent system implementation.Originality/valueThis paper provides empirical evidence of how established organizations gain competitive advantage through their e‐business applications. Furthermore, it offers insight into how value chain theory helps to explain this phenomenon within the context of ongoing changes within the Chinese economy.
Executive insight: evaluating the market size for service franchising in emerging markets
Authors: Alon Ilan 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to propose a framework for analyzing the comparative economic market size for service franchisors in emerging markets using current and available data from the World Bank.Design/methodology/approachData is transformed through simple manipulations to derive information‐filled rankings of 20 popular emerging markets. Emerging markets constitute the largest and most dynamic markets for international franchisors.FindingsThe findings show that Brazil, Russia, and Mexico outranked China and India as the markets with the largest economies for service franchising. Future research should enhance the economic analysis and measures developed in the article and use them in conjunction with other environmental, industry, and company variables to estimate the market potential and select the appropriate markets for entry.Practical implicationsAttempting to estimate the market size of emerging markets is often only the first step in international market selection.Originality/valueThis paper encourages managers to think beyond simple measures of market size when considering the attractiveness of franchising opportunities which hitherto has been under‐emphasized in the extant literature.
The impact of group membership on knowledge sharing in Russia and China
Authors: Hutchings Kate , Michailova Snejina 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo explore the contention that, contrary to earlier research suggesting that people in transition economies such as Russia and China have a propensity not to share knowledge, Russians' and Chinese' may in fact be more inclined to share knowledge than people in Western, industrialised countries but that this willingness to share knowledge is highly influenced by group membership.Design/methodology/approachOur argument is based on reviews of previous literature and cases and the authors' own semi‐structured interview research conducted with Western and local managers and employees in Russia and China over the past decade.FindingsThe research finds that the extent to which group membership influences the processes of knowledge sharing and whether it is impeded or facilitated in Russia and China is determined by both cultural and institutional factors.Practical implicationsThe paper has important practical implications in providing guidelines on the initiatives that international businesses can implement to create knowledge‐sharing organizational cultures in their subsidiary operations in Russia and China.Originality/valueThe research is original and adds value to existing literature in that we examine an issue erstwhile not explored in mainstream organizational writings, namely an in‐depth consideration of the relationship between groups and knowledge sharing, with particular reference to two emerging markets.
Progress in the development of guidance strategies for the landing flare manoeuvre using tau‐based parameters
Authors: Jump Michael , Padfield Gareth D. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo provide a progress report into research conducted to establish guidelines for the development of guidance vision aids.Design/methodology/approachThe first stage of the research is to establish a coherent engineering basis for the methods of (visual) motion perception and control to inform the design of pilot aids that will support flight in degraded visual conditions, particularly when close to the ground. The next stage will then be to construct and evaluate synthetic displays that recover the visual cues necessary to allow flight in degraded visual conditions for a range of manoeuvres using the flight simulation facilities at the University of Liverpool (UoL). The research is guided by tau (time to contact) theory from the field of ecological psychology.FindingsThe closure of spatial gaps for a number of aircraft manoeuvres are presented in the tau domain. Analysis of the landing flare manoeuvre suggest that both a constant rate of change of tau strategy and an intrinsic tau‐guidance strategy will yield benefits in terms of touchdown descent rate if presented as display symbology.Research limitations/implicationsResults are presented from trials where only one professional pilot was used. Results from a wider population of pilots need to be analysed to ensure that the observed trends are generic.Practical implicationsThe reported results are being used in the next phase of the research project to inform the design of a guidance vision‐aid for the flare manoeuvre. These displays will be tested in flight simulation trials.Originality/valueThe research takes a theory of motion perception and applies it to aircraft guidance display technology.
The helicopter – efficiency or efficacy?
Authors: Newman Simon 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper reflects the design characteristics of helicopters and how each addresses the requirements of efficiency in operation and the ability to perform these operations effectively.Design/methodology/approachThe basic requirements of a helicopter are discussed. A survey of the various rotorcraft configurations follows. A brief perusal of possibilities for the future concludes the paper.FindingsThe helicopter appears in various guises. Each version is designed to a particular brief and fulfils its own particular purpose.Originality/valueThe paper content is generally available from the various rotary wing texts both in print and within libraries. The originality comes from the assembly of these items within one paper which attempts to highlight the particular difficulties faced when designing rotary wing aircraft.
The influence of human factors on operational efficiency
Authors: Harris Don 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo describe how airline operational efficiency may be improved by adopting a socio‐technical systems approach which emphasises and integrates the role of human factors within a wider context.Design/methodology/approachAfter describing what is meant by a socio‐technical system, the paper uses four short case studies to illustrate the benefits and dis‐benefits of using (or failing to use) a socio‐technical systems approach.FindingsReaders are encouraged to acknowledge the role of the human being in a wider system context. It is also suggested that improving individual aspects of airline operations in isolation may not actually improve overall efficiency.Research/limitations/implicationsThe case studies discussed are meant to be illustrative of the socio‐technical systems approach rather than an authoritative review of the area.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of adopting a socio‐technical systems view of improvements aimed at improving efficiency are emphasised in that with early consideration of system changes bottlenecks may be identified which will reduce the efficacy of these changes.Originality/valuePossibly the first attempt at providing a wider socio‐technical systems framework for the assessment of operational efficiency explicitly incorporating the role of the human in the system.