bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transgressive vs conformative: immigrant women learning at contingent work
Authors: Maitra Srabani , Shan Hongxia 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore workers' learning in relation to the racialized and gendered organization of contingent work.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is informed by Marxist theorization of labour power and learning. It draws on the interview data of 24 highly educated immigrant women from the research project “Skilled In Vulnerability: Work‐related Learning Amongst Contingent Workers”.FindingsThe two types of learning that we have identified include conformative and transgressive learning. Conformative learning refers to the learning that workers engage in to conform to the workplace expectations. The workers are not rewarded or acknowledged for their learning endeavors, and their efforts end up being appropriated by employers to maximize surplus value. Transgressive learning refers to the learning initiatives undertaken by workers to challenge and transcend the depressing work environment and life conditions.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was not able to capture what conditions facilitate transgressive learning versus conformative learning.Practical implicationsThe study first calls on the state to deal with the systemic negation of professional immigrants' previous skills and learning experiences. Second, it encourages employers to provide appropriate training and reward the workers for their learning endeavor. Third, drawing on the research findings, work educators could help foster the forms of learning that are conducive to workers' better control of work and life. The authors also suggest that to optimize their work and life opportunities in general, immigrant women workers need to come together, exchange information and knowledge, learn from each other, and form collective actions amongst themselves.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on workplace learning from a learning perspective. It is one of the first endeavors to look at how highly educated immigrant women learn to exercise agency to challenge contingent work structures.
The role of gender in US microenterprise business plan development
Authors: Cook Ronald G. , Belliveau Paul , Lentz Christine 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper proposes to examine the role that gender plays in a microenterprise program (MEP) that focused on developing quality business plans.Design/methodology/approachData were collected over four years from 1,013 participants in a microenterprise business development program. Empirical evidence is presented on the outcomes of the program.FindingsWomen and men had similar program completion rates and similar overall business plan scores. However, women scored significantly better on the presentation of their plan to judges. The level of formal education a participant had upon entering the program mattered, but only for women.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research could determine whether the type of formal education made a difference in producing higher scoring plans (liberal arts, business, etc.) or is it the process of formal learning that matters? Startups and existing firms, segmentation of firm type (retail, service, etc.) should be researched in conjunction with gender.Practical implicationsMEPs that emphasize helping women should pay particular attention to the level of formal education a participant has upon entering the program. Women were also found to do a better job of explaining their business plan to outsiders, which should enhance their growth potential.Originality/valueThis article systematically examines differences that gender makes in completing a business plan development program.
Development of performance measurement system in managing supplier relationship for maintenance logistics providers
Authors: Choy K.L. , Chow Harry K.H. , Lee W.B. , Chan Felix T.S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo develop a performance measurement system (PMS) in the application of supplier relationship management operated under a supply chain benchmarking framework. Acting as a monitoring tool for evaluating the performance of maintenance logistics providers against the defined performance levels stated in the contract, and facilitating the application of benchmarking approach in maintenance logistics activities.Design/methodology/approachA six tiers collaborative management model is designed in building the PMS, by which information sharing of performance history of suppliers is made possible. By following the work flow of the PMS, performance of suppliers is benchmarked with the best‐in‐class supplier, resulting in the identification of the most appropriate supplier for the particular requirement.FindingsPMS helps a company and its suppliers to understand the performance gap between its service levels with the best‐in‐class practice. The resulting performance gap provides valuable information in the formulating of a new supply chain and strategic plan in solving problems and challenges in aviation industry. By means of PMS, a company can make decisions with the basis of a good relationship with its business partners, especially in the maintenance logistics area.Research limitations/implicationsThe design of PMS must take into consideration of the data sources, the duration of taking the required data, and the focal point on collecting information. Moreover, findings from the study have to be revised every two years.Originality/valueBy applying PMS in one of the leading airlines in Hong Kong, suppliers' deficiencies in the logistics performance are identified easily. Moreover, current operational service level is effectively enhanced and the combination of the best‐in‐class supplier service package is accurately selected.
Beyond formalization: rethinking the future of work
Authors: Williams Colin , Round John 
Published: June 2007

PurposeA long‐standing meta‐narrative regarding the future of work is that, over history, economic activity has shifted from the informal into the formal economy and that the informal economy is now a residue existing only in the margins. This paper aims to evaluate critically this formalization thesis so as to question whether the future of work is inevitably and immutably one of formalization.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data are drawn upon from a study of the work practices of 600 households in Ukraine conducted during 2005/2006 to evaluate the centrality of the formal economy in this post‐socialist society.FindingsThis study reveals only a relatively shallow permeation of formalization in this post‐socialist society and how the informal economy is a core integral component of contemporary work organization relied on not only by some 28 per cent of households who, excluded from the formal economy, utilize this sphere as their principal livelihood practice but also by the vast majority immersed in the formal economy who heavily depend on informal work to secure their livelihood.Research limitations/implicationsThis snapshot survey identifies only that the informal economy is not some minor residue as depicted by the formalization thesis. It cannot decipher whether there is movement in Ukraine towards greater reliance on the formal (or informal) economy.Originality/valueThis paper de‐centers the formal economy by re‐positioning it as just one of a plurality of work practices and foregrounds the informal economy as a core component of work organization in this post‐socialist society.
Number portability in Central America
Authors: Garcia‐Murillo Martha A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to identify policy strategies for the implementation of number portability in Central America. It attempts to determine why carriers have generally been opposed to the implementation of this service and what regulators in the region can do to allow for the provision of this service.Design/methodology/approachUsing secondary data this paper provides an analysis of the economic and regulatory circumstances prevailing in Central America that will affect their number portability decisions.FindingsThe conceptual piece of this paper identifies the negative economic incentives such as scale economies and revenue losses that will motivate carriers to delay implementation or increase switching costs for users through fees, long‐term contracts, and quality deterioration of telecommunication services.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the economic circumstances of the telecommunications sector in Central America, it is recommended that the region begin with national implementations with plans for a regional deployment. User switching fees should be kept low and number portability should be required of both wired and wireless providers.Originality/valueSeveral original ideas are presented in the paper. First, it identifies the economic disincentives that carriers have to implement number portability. Second, it focuses on a region that receives little scholarly attention in spite of the fact that many things can be learned from their experiences and third, it suggest a regional implementation of number portability which has not been done anywhere else in the world.
Mobile number portability on customer switching behavior: in the case of the Korean mobile market
Authors: Shin Dong H. , Kim Won Y. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the effect of mobile number portability (MNP) on mobile subscribers in Korea by focusing on subscribers' perception and behavior related to MNP.Design/methodology/approachThe study collected data on subscribers who had changed mobile carriers between the beginning of MNP (July 2003) and December 2005. The data were analyzed by statistical analyses such as ANOVA and logistic regression.FindingsStatistical analyses in this study reveal that subscribers perceive the switching barrier still as high, discouraging subscribers from switching carriers. While MNP lowered switching costs considerably, a significant level of switching costs still remains despite MNP. Carriers develop new subscriber lock‐in strategies that make them stay with current carriers. In addition, there are hidden costs other than MNP that should burden subscribers with number portaling.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings imply that the MNP has directly affected the industries to a greater extent than subscribers, which suggests implications for both regulators and industries: how to effectively enforce MNP to achieve the intended goals and how to achieve competitive advantage with MNP.Originality/valueThis research is particularly interested in investigating the effect of the introduction of MNP on subscribers' behaviors and perceptions, and therefore their motivations for changing or remaining with mobile carriers (operators) with the introduction of MNP. Although there have been many studies looking at the effect of number portability on competition at the industry level, little attention has been shown on the individual level such as subscribers' behavior or perception.
An examination of the stages of change construct for health promotion within organizations
Authors: Berry Tanya R. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Raine Kim , Anderson Donna , Naylor P.J. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the organizational stages of change construct of the transtheoretical model of behavior change.Design/methodology/approachData on organizational and individual stages of change for tobacco reduction, physical activity promotion, and heart healthy eating promotion were collected from service provider, senior management, and board level members of provincial health authorities across three data collection periods.FindingsResults revealed significant correlations between individual and organizational stages of change for management level respondents, but inconsistent relationships for service providers and no significant correlations for board level respondents. There were no significant differences between respondent levels for organizational stage of change for any of the promotion behaviors. In general, changes in stage failed to predict whether there was a belief in an organization's capability of addressing any of the health promotion activities. There was also a large amount of variance between individual respondents for most health authorities in their reported organizational stages of change for physical activity and healthy eating.Practical implicationsBased on the results of the present study it is concluded that there is little evidence that the organizational stages of change construct is valid. The evidence indicates that assessing individual readiness within an organization may be as effective as asking individuals to report on organizational stages of readiness.Originality/valueThis paper reports on the validity of the organizational stages of change construct in a health promotion context and provides information for those who are considering using it.
Fault‐lines between policy and practice in local partnerships
Authors: Marks Linda 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore gaps between policy and practice in relation to the involvement of voluntary and community sector (VCS) members in local strategic partnerships (LSPs), using the example of inequalities in health.Design/methodology/approachDocumentary analysis; semi‐structured interviews with VCS representatives from a sample of LSPs in one region of England; semi‐structured interviews with key researchers and national stakeholders.FindingsNational policy imperatives to expand the role of the VCS in decision‐making and to make LSPs an important avenue for addressing inequalities in health are not always translated into practice. VCS members are at the sharp end of tensions in LSPs between thematic and neighbourhood approaches, local views and strategic priorities and between democratic and participatory approaches to decision‐making. Effective engagement in addressing inequalities in health requires a strategic approach across the LSP which is reflected in the priorities of each of the constituent partnerships.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a snapshot of LSPs at one point in time and local interviews are restricted to one region of England.Practical implicationsThe article illustrates good practice and barriers to VCS involvement in addressing inequalities in health through LSPs. This is relevant to a range of public health partnerships.Originality/valueThe views of VCS members on addressing inequalities in health through LSPs have not previously been researched, despite their key role. Lessons are relevant for multi‐agency strategic partnerships with a public health focus in England and internationally.
Bridging the gap?
Authors: South Jane 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe creation of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) was part of a range of measures to make the NHS more patient‐centred. The purpose of this paper is to present a critical analysis of PALS through examining the impact on major stakeholder groups.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts by examining the drivers for reform and the significance of PALS in the wider policy context. Key issues for implementation are then discussed including access to information, independence, cultural change in the health service and relationships with the voluntary sector. Research literature on the provision of advice in health care settings is drawn on.FindingsTaking a critical perspective, the paper argues that the current model of PALS can never succeed in bridging the gap between users and the health service and will end up merely defending service interests. It concludes by arguing for an alternative model of development based on fostering strong partnerships with the community and voluntary sector.Practical implicationsThis paper highlights critical issues for service development and delivery, including examining the impact on service users and the voluntary sector.Originality/valuePALS is a very significant development in the health care provision, operating at the interface between the service and the public and yet its development has attracted little critical comment. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the new service and proposes an alternative model of development.
Organizational leadership and its relationship to regional health authority actions to promote health
Authors: Barrett Linda L. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Raine Kim 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine organizational leadership and its relationship to regional health authority actions to promote health.Design/methodology/approachThrough use of four previously developed measures of Perceived Organizational Leadership for Health Promotion, this paper focused on leadership as a distributed entity within regional health authority (RHA) jurisdictions mandated to address the health of the population in the province of Alberta, Canada.FindingsFirst, examination of differentials between organizational levels (i.e. board members, n=30; middle/senior management, n=58; and service providers, n=56) on ratings of the four leadership measures revealed significant differences. That is, board members tended to rate leadership components significantly higher than service providers and middle/senior managers: from across all 17 RHAs; and in low health promotion capacity and high health promotion capacity RHAs. Second, regression analyses identified that the leadership measures “Practices for Organizational Learning” and “Wellness Planning” were positively associated with health authority actions on improving population heart health (heart health promotion). The presence of a “Champion for Heart Health Promotion” and the leadership measures “Workplace Milieu” and “Organization Member Development” were also positively associated with health authority actions for health promotion. A subsidiary aim revealed low to moderate positive relationships of the dimensions of Leadership, Infrastructure and Will to Act with one another, as proposed by the Alberta Model on “Organizational Capacity Building for Health Promotion.”Originality/valueThis paper, conducted on the baseline dataset (n=144) of the “Alberta Heart Health Project's Dissemination Phase”, represents a rare effort to examine leadership at a collective organizational level.
Processing swaps: controls, challenges, and considerations
Authors: Corbett Francis P. , Healy Girard M. , Poudrier Kenneth R. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to discuss the business and operational considerations and controls involved when derivatives, specifically swap contracts, are used as investment vehicles. Overall, the paper attempts to provide the baseline for understanding swap processing requirements and guidance to professionals who have compliance and oversight responsibility for these investment products.Design/methodology/approachThe approach focuses on the core understanding of the swap investment vehicle and the procedures, controls, and operating environment required to process them correctly.FindingsHistorically, firms have addressed the procedures and controls surrounding swap investment vehicles as a reaction to processing errors. Financial services companies and their service providers need to proactively review their portfolios, procedures, and controls in an effort to mitigate and manage the risks associated with the processing of swap contracts.Originality/valueBased on first‐hand experience working at and/or with asset managers and service providers, the paper has endeavored to present current and thought provoking information for management consideration on this hot‐button issue.
An overview of the Chinese construction market and construction management practice
Authors: Zou Patrick X.W. , Fang Dongping , Qing Wang Shou , Loosemore Martin 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to provide useful information and suggestions for future improvement in relation to China's construction industry and market. With China's rapid economical development and its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO), much attention has been paid to the China construction business opportunities. However, not much information is available on the history, practices and business cultures of the Chinese construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThrough literature review and interviews with industry professionals, this paper discusses the Chinese construction industry in terms of its market and management practice with a focus on tendering processes, contract management, project on‐site supervision and occupational health and safety (OHS) issues. It also discusses the challenges that face the Chinese construction industry.FindingsChina has gone over a long way in construction tendering, contract management and OHS. Its current practice is in the right direction. However, further development and improvements are necessary.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful information to Chinese construction personnel for future improvement. This paper also provides useful information to overseas companies who are planning to enter China's construction market in the near future.
Florence Nightingale: nineteenth century apostle of quality
Authors: Meyer Brad C. , Bishop Debra S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeFlorence Nightingale has long been known for her contributions to the nursing field, but her pioneering work in quality management has gone virtually undiscussed. This paper addresses the significant contributions of Nightingale to the field of quality management.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a brief biographical background and then discusses her work during the Crimean War. Florence's approach to addressing service quality issues and her use of statistical methods are detailed. The paper then extends to her work following the Crimean War and concludes with an interesting comparative commentary relating Florence Nightingale to Dr W. Edwards Deming. Quotes from Florence's writings are interjected liberally throughout.FindingsThis paper brings a new historical perspective to the field of quality management and reveals a nineteenth century apostle of quality. The current alarm regarding quality in health care practice bears more than a fleeting resemblance to Florence Nightingale's world, 150 years ago.Practical implicationsWhile many hospitals have already experimented with some kind of quality program based on Deming's ideas, the call is out afresh to analyze processes and eliminate mistakes and other quality problems.Originality/valueThis historical paper provides the reader with a unique perspective on Florence Nightingale's well deserved place in quality history and the relevance of her philosophies for today.