bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A sensitivity analysis of an optimal Gantt charting maintenance scheduling model
Authors: Oke S.A. , Charles‐Owaba O.E. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to work on an analytical approach to test sensitivity of a maintenance‐scheduling model. Any model without sensitivity analysis is a “paper work” without advancing for wider applications. Thus, the simulation of simultaneous scheduling of maintenance and operation in a resource‐constrained environment is very important in quality problem and especially in maintenance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an existing model and presents a sensitivity analysis by utilising an optimal initial starting transportation tableau. This is used as input into the Gantt charting model employed in the traditional production scheduling system. The degree of responsiveness of the model parameters is tested.FindingsThe paper concludes that some of these parameters and variables are sensitive to changes in values while others are not.Research limitations/implicationsThe maintenance engineering community is exposed to various optimal models in the resource‐constraint‐based operational and maintenance arena. However, the models do lack the sensitivity analysis where the present authors have worked. The work seems significant since the parameters have the boundary values so the user knows where he can apply the model after considering the constraints therein.Originality/valueThe underlying quest for testing the sensitivity of the model parameters of a maintenance scheduling model in a multi‐variable operation and maintenance environment with resource constraints is a novel approach. An optimal solution has to be tested for robustness, considering the complexity of the variables and criteria. The objective to test the model parameters is a rather new approach in maintenance engineering discipline. The work hopefully opens a wide gate of research opportunity for members of the maintenance scheduling community.
An investigation of ISO 9000 adoption in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Magd Hesham A.E. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results from a survey on ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical survey of 175 certified manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. This study is focused on the benefits achieved from ISO 9000 implementation, level of satisfaction with the standard, the anticipated steps after ISO 9000 implementation, factors influencing the choice of registration agencies and the associated problems with registration agencies.FindingsCertified firms in Saudi Arabia have performed well in their registration process and have benefited from ISO implementation. This could be due to the high level of interest in the area of quality, as most customers request quality or a certificate to prove existence of quality products/services.Research limitations/implicationsFor effective implementation of the standard in other organizations, the study recommended that organizations should plan carefully, measuring internal as well as external aspects and performing cost‐effective analysis of the implementation process. Also they should use gap analysis to assess their actual abilities against ISO requirements. When this study was performed, the number of certified organizations was still small, constraining more in depth research in this area.Originality/valueAdds to the body of knowledge concerning the ISO 9000 with particular interest on Saudi Arabia.
Managerial levels and the effects of budgetary participation on managers
Authors: Frucot Veronique , White Stephen 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo investigate the effects of managerial level – a manager's position in the organizational hierarchy – and budgetary participation on managerial performance and job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires were administered to 184 managers that participated in an executive development program conducted at a major US university. The responses to 178 questionnaires were subjected to multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results suggest that both budgetary participation and managerial levels have a direct positive impact on self‐reported managerial performance and job satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThis study shares some inherent limitations with other survey research. All measures used are self‐reported and may be based on self‐perception. As such, they may not reflect formal participation in or influence over budget settings by the respondents. The sample was not randomly selected, and consequently the results might not be generalizable to all managers. In addition, some self‐selection bias might be present: managers who enroll in executive development programs could differ from other managers.Practical implicationsThe results have practical implications for organizations that use a budgeting system. They provide further evidence of the positive impact of increased budgetary participation by managers at all levels.Originality/valueThis study fulfils a gap in prior research by examining the effect of managerial levels, a variable not previously included in studies of the impact of budgetary participation in the US. The findings have implications for future research into the effects of budgetary participation by emphasizing the need to include managerial levels. They also have implications for the implementation of participative budgeting in organizations.
Islamic macroeconomics?
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to offer a new perspective on the strictly microeconomic nature of all of Islamic economics. Writers in this field continue to work in the mainstream tradition without noticing the micro‐interface of the theoretical nature of Islamic economics. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a comparative study of received literature in the history of economic thought and contrasts the ethical foundations of Islamic economics from the mainstream dichotomy between microeconomic and macroeconomic parts.FindingsThere is a cogent microeconomic foundation of Islamic economics for the economy‐wide treatment of ethical economic issues and problems including the policy framework.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a theoretical exploration. The empirical part is yet to be expanded upon.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical implications for graduate students on policy formulation and economic theorizing, by making them analytically aware on the extensive relevance of microeconomics in the building block of ethical content of economic theory, policy and institutions.Originality/valueThe paper presents original thinking along lines of microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic theory from the social and ethical vantage points of Islamic economics and finance that writers in this field should not ignore. The paper is meant for serious students and academics of economic theory and ethical social policy embedded in the economic treatment.
The exchange rate exposure of UK nonfinancial companies: industry level analysis
Authors: El‐Masry Ahmed A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeFinancial theory predicts that a change in an exchange rate should affect the value of a firm or an industry. To a large extent, past research has not supported this theory, which is surprising especially after considering the substantial exchange rate fluctuations over the three decades. This study seeks to extend previous research on the foreign exchange rate exposure of UK nonfinancial companies at the industry level over the period 1981‐2001.Design/approach/methodologyIn this study, exchange rate exposure is defined as the change in the value of the firm or industry due to the changes in exchange rates. This study differs from previous studies in that it considers the impact of the changes (actual and unexpected) in exchange rates on firms’ or industries’ stock returns. The approach employs OLS model to estimate foreign exchange rate exposure of 364 UK nonfinancial companies over the period 1981‐2001. All data are collected from the Datastream database.FindingsThe findings indicate that a higher percentage of UK industries are exposed to contemporaneous exchange rate changes than those reported in previous studies. There is also evidence of significant lagged exchange rate exposure. This lagged exchange rate exposure is consistent with findings in previous studies that may exist some market inefficiencies in incorporating exchange rate changes into the returns of firms and industries.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research in the area should consider additional factors that might affect a firm's and an industry's exposure to exchange rate changes.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study have interesting implications for public policy makers who wish to understand links between policies that affect exchange rates and relative wealth affects. These findings should also be of particular importance to investors who under or overweight large multinational corporations.Originality/valueThe study extends previous research on foreign exchange rate exposure of UK companies.
Derivatives use and risk management practices by UK nonfinancial companies
Authors: El‐Masry Ahmed A. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeIn the last two decades, a number of studies have examined the risk management practices within nonfinancial companies. For instance, some studies report on the use of derivatives by nonfinancial firms. Yet, another group of researchers has investigated the determinants of corporate hedging policies. These and other studies of similar focus have made important contributions to the literature. This study sheds light on derivatives use and risk management practices in the UK market.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey, which focused on determining the reasons for using or not using derivatives for 401 UK nonfinancial companies. Furthermore, it investigates the extent to which derivatives are used, and how they are used.FindingsThe results indicate that larger firms are more likely to use derivatives than medium and smaller firms, public companies are more likely to use derivatives than private firms, and derivatives usage is greatest among international firms. The results also show that, of firms not using derivatives, half of firms do not use these derivative instruments because their exposures are not significant and that the most important reasons they do not use derivatives are: concerns about disclosures of derivatives activity required under FASB rules, and costs of establishing and maintaining derivatives programmes exceed the expected benefits. The results show that foreign exchange risk is the risk most commonly managed with derivatives and interest rate risk is the next most commonly managed risk. The results also indicate that the most important reason for using hedging with derivatives is managing the volatility in cash flows.Research limitations/implicationsAs with other survey research, a major limitation is that responses might represent personal opinions. We cannot verify that the opinions coincide with actions. We suggest that further research could improve the understanding of firms’ derivatives use by including more detailed data, different time spans, and larger samples.Originality/valueTo highlight the extent of derivatives usage and risk management practices in UK nonfinancial companies.
Anomalous evidence in dividend announcement effect
Authors: Gunasekarage Abeyratna , Power David M. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the long‐run financial and return performance of UK companies which are grouped according to whether or not they have changed their dividends and earnings. Prior research has been conducted using US data and they are limited to extreme dividend changes such as dividend initiations and omissions. They have also arrived at contradicting results; some report a drift in performance, while others document evidence of mean reversion in performance. The current paper hopes to resolve this conflict using data for a large sample of UK firms which disclosed more general changes in dividends and earnings.Design/methodology/approachThe aims of the paper are addressed using a stock market‐based study of share price performance and a detailed analysis of company performance based on financial ratios. These analyses are conducted from five years before to five years after the announcement of dividend/earnings news.FindingsAt the time of the announcements, share returns tend to be positive (negative) where companies have increased (decreased) the dividend and earnings. There is also evidence to suggest that the stock market has anticipated some of this news in the preceding 12 months. However, the dividend/earnings news does not appear to act as a signal of long‐term future company performance; companies which cut this dividend and reported lower earnings achieved the largest excess returns over the next five years. A similar mean‐revealing pattern existed in the financial ratios. Finally, most of the future long‐term share performance was attributable to the earnings rather than to the dividend news.Research limitations/implicationsThe main implication of this research is that current dividend/earnings news is not a good guide to future company performance. Indeed, it is these firms which cut their dividends along with reporting a reduction of earnings which achieve excellent results over a subsequent five‐year period. Of course, there are a number of limitations with the research; it draws on data from two previous studies, looks only at the UK and does not consider sophisticated models of investors' expectations with regard to dividend and earnings information.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is the long‐run analysis of UK company performance following joint dividend‐earnings announcements. The analysis is comprehensive in that it considers both stock market performance as well as financial ratio performance for a period of up to five years following the dividend‐earnings news. Thus, it should be of interest to most UK investors as well as to financial managers with large quoted firms. Academics will also be interested in the results since they shed some light on an existing debate in the literature.
Modelling the rural community library
Authors: Dent Valeda Frances 
Published: June 2006

PurposeTo provide background on how the Kitengesa Community Library in rural Uganda, which serves as both a community library and a school library, might be seen as a model for other similar libraries in developing countries. To use a case study of the library to highlight certain characteristics of rural libraries as developed by B.J. Mostert and presented in his 1998 article.Design/methodology/approachThe information in the article comes from a two‐year study of the Kitengesa Community Library. The methodology included focus groups, interviews, door‐to‐door visits, questionnaires, examination of library circulation information, and many hours of observation. Information from the study was then used to support the comparison to Mostert's characteristics of the rural community library. A review of the professional literature is also provided.FindingsFindings indicate that the Kitengesa Community Library is a successful working model that might be used in other similar rural villages to serve both schools and the community. Implications of the findings are discussed in detail.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research might include the impact of the library on the achievement of students, and the impact of the library on the teaching and learning practices of users.Practical implicationsThe information presented in this paper offers some basic considerations in terms of the implementation of rural library services. Provision of such services is becoming increasingly important as more and more of the world's population becomes literate, and more of the world's attention is focused on the welfare of those living on the African continent.Originality/valueThe study itself is unique in that the data hail from a two‐year study of a small village library. Literacy is a major factor in terms of development in underdeveloped nations, and libraries have the potential to play an important role in the eradication of illiteracy, and provision of services for the “newly literate”.
Strategic impact of new product development on export involvement
Authors: Lim Jeen‐Su , Sharkey Thomas W. , Heinrichs John H. 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis study seeks to evaluate the importance of new product development cycle time for firms that have a strategy of pursuing exporting as a means of achieving and sustaining competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachA mail survey utilizing the key informant approach for selecting senior executives of US manufacturing firms was chosen because of the importance of executive involvement in international marketing strategy decisions.FindingsThis study supports the argument that faster new product development capability must be augmented for firms striving for a higher degree of export involvement. Additionally, the importance of integrating the marketing, R&D, and engineering functions to develop competitive advantage is highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsResults must be interpreted as explorative since the sample was based on US manufacturing firms. Additional research is needed to test differential effects of innovative product and modification/extension cycle time on export involvement and other indicators of performance.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates the importance of the resource‐based theory of competitive advantage, new product development cycle time as a determinant of export involvement, and competitive advantage for firms which pursue international opportunities. It suggests that product development capabilities are not a critical determining factor of the level of export involvement. The findings show that the ability to develop competitive products faster than competitors is a prerequisite for export involvement.Originality/valueThis study suggests that the speed of new product development is a precondition for export involvement and that the new product development cycle time measures were significantly related to the perception of a firm's overall competitive position in global markets.
New channels/old channels
Authors: Hughes Tim 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to concern itself with the implications for the management of customer relationships of pursuing a multi‐channel approach.Design/methodology/approachThe case study method is used in analysing the situation of four organizations from the UK financial services industry. A conceptual framework covering structural, people and process elements is utilized to examine the challenges to be overcome in providing an integrated approach to customer management.FindingsThe addition of new channels alongside those already in existence opens up new areas of the organization to customer contact and creates significant challenges in relation to staff roles and existing processes for interacting with customers. Channel integration is a strategic issue potentially requiring structural changes to the organization and changes in the behaviour of customers.Research limitations/implicationsThis exploratory research suggests the need for studies in relationship marketing to take cross‐disciplinary approaches in investigating what organizational forms operate most effectively in multi‐channel environments. There is also a need to develop a better understanding of how different groups of customers use different channels and of how service quality dimensions operate in this environment.Practical implicationsMulti‐channel customer management adds another dimension to traditional methods of segmenting customers and requires sophisticated understanding of the way that customers use channels. The addition of new channels offers a range of opportunities for interacting directly with the customer, raising new questions about how best to manage customer communications holistically.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to one's understanding of the implications for organizations in managing customers in a multi‐channel environment.
Improving customer service: issues in customer contact management
Authors: Spencer‐Matthews Sarah , Lawley Meredith 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThis research aims to better understand the issues of why individualised communications should be incorporated into customised customer contact service and how customer contact management should be implemented.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative methodology of case research was used. In total nine Australian service industry case studies, involving 34 in‐depth interviews, were undertaken.FindingsThe analysis revealed three themes: optimisation of market factors, the process of implementation, and requirements for smooth customer contact management implementation. These findings showed minor implementation problems with service and organisational requirements driving customer contact management implementation overall. In addition, factors to assist with smooth customer contact management implementation are identified.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations, which could be addressed by future research, include application to other industries, expansion to other countries, the consumer perspective and the need for statistical generalisation.Practical implicationsKey practical implications include the identification of the need for firms to consider customer contact management as an avenue for differentiation and competitive advantage as well as providing guidelines for the successful implementation of customer contact management.Originality/valueThis research builds theory about customer contact management for the first time.
Human resource development practices as determinant of HRD climate and quality orientation
Authors: Hassan Arif , Hashim Junaidah , Zaki Hj Ismail Ahmad 
Published: June 2006

PurposeThe aim of the study was to measure employees' perception of human resource development (HRD) practices, to explore whether ISO certification leads to any improvements in HRD system, and to examine the role of HRD practices on employees' development climate and quality orientation in the organization.Design/methodology/approachA total of 239 employees belonging to eight organizations (four of them ISO certified) responded to a questionnaire which measured the following variables: career system, work planning system, development system, self renewal system, and HRD system.FindingsResults indicated large inter‐organizational differences in HRD practices. In general, however, employees' ratings were moderate. ISO certified companies, compared to others, obtained higher means on some HRD variables. Organizations with better learning, training and development systems, reward and recognition, and information systems promoted human resource development climate. Quality orientation was predicted by career planning, performance guidance and development, role efficacy, and reward and recognition systems.Research limitations/implicationsComparison between ISO and non‐ISO certified companies did yield some significant differences, yet it was difficult to conclude that the differences were due to ISO certification alone as organizations in the sample were not matched.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used by HR practitioners and scholars in building management concerns and advocacy for better HRD systems and practices.Originality/valueVery little empirical knowledge is available on this subject from transitional economies like Malaysia. The study makes a modest attempt in that direction.