bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innovation process and innovativeness of facility management organizations
Authors: Mudrak Tomas , van Wagenberg Andreas , Wubben Emiel 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe innovation patterns and processes in facility management (FM) organizations are crucial for the development of FM as a discipline, but they are not yet fully explored and understood. This paper aims to clarify FM innovation from the perspective of innovation processes and the innovativeness of FM organizations.Design/methodology/approachIt explores the innovation patterns in FM organizations by applying the innovation management concepts to FM practices. A sample of four FM organizations is analyzed by means of a comparative case study approach. Based on their innovative performance, the sample of FM organizations are divided into two groups – a group of high‐performers and a group of low‐performers. The major similarities and differences in managing the innovation process between these two groups are described.FindingsBased on this study it is concluded that FM organizations innovate only mildly. The innovation in FM industry is incremental due to the day‐to‐day nature of decision‐making in FM projects and fast changing demands and needs of the client organizations.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should concentrate on a specific type of innovation projects, where the points of interest would be the routines followed, activities performed and the tools used by the FM teams when carrying out the innovation projects.Originality/valueThis paper provides a different perspective on studying the innovation patterns in FM industry.
Adaptable office buildings: theory and practice
Authors: Arge Kirsten 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe importance of adaptability in office buildings has increased during the past years, mostly due to factors like rapid change, both in private and public organisations, new and innovative work place design and growing environmental concerns about building redundancy.Design/methodology/approachThe research design of the study presented here is a comparative case study, where recently built office buildings by 11. Norwegian real estate developers are assessed with regard to 16 different adaptability measures.FindingsThe study shows that office buildings built by owner‐occupiers are more adaptable than office buildings built by the group who develop property for renting and management, and considerably more than the office buildings built by the group who develop property for sale to investors. A short‐term perspective on property investment, i.e. that of the group who develop property for sale to investors, does not favour adaptability concerns. A long‐term perspective as well as a use‐value perspective on property investment, i.e. that of the owner‐occupier stakeholder group, on the other hand, do favour adaptability in office buildings.Research limitations/implicationsWhether this research can help making buildings more adaptable, depends on whether the real estate customers, i.e. the users, they who pay for using the office building, understand the value of adaptability and are willing to pay the extra cost of adaptability. The building professions, including the real estate developers, claim that they know how to make office buildings adaptable.Originality/valueThe value of this paper may lie in demonstrating that this knowledge is not used in practice.
Network service organisation: a multiple pilot study
Authors: Tuomela Antti , Salonen Anssi 
Published: July 2006

PurposeCentralised workplace and decentralised facilities management organisations combine several interacting functions. Different levels of a network service organisation are presented. The interacting functions are divided into three organisational levels: strategic clients, network integrators, and functional service units. The research paper demonstrates proposals, data collection plans, and relevant lines of questioning for future case studies and network analysis on the basis of the connections discovered in the pilot study environments.Design/methodology/approachStrategic, operational, and functional connections are analysed by studying formal and informal links between the managers responsible for various functions. The research was conducted with four pilot cases divided into four types of business units: a corporate headquarters (a financial services group); a large business unit/subsidiary (a telecommunications service provider); a medium business unit in the area of property management (a real estate investment company); and a small business unit (a technology park). The pilot cases function as a laboratory for the authors future case studies.FindingsThe article provides information how formal connections such as cross‐functional teams, task forces, and liaison roles create stronger ties between strategic planning and operational service delivery. The pilot study implies that without formal connections the functions of the network service organisation faces barriers to both vertical and horizontal interaction.Research limitations/implicationsRegardless of the popularity of the network analysis method, the conducted pilot cases and the found connections did not explain the whole value of centralised planning and strategic interaction between different workplace and service functions.Originality/valueThe network analysis takes place in a new facilities management environment. The article argues on a general level that post‐modernistic organisations, such as network, boundaryless, temporary, hybrid and virtual organisations, that are fragmented and managed informally can benefit from formal control mechanisms and meetings.
Effects of sound in offices: subjective experience vs objective assessment
Authors: Chigot Pierre 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo guide facilities professionals regarding the use of scientific research and provide an objective framework in the decision making on facilities planning and management.Design/methodology/approachEleven abstracts of scientific studies addressing the effects of sound in offices are reviewed and discussed. The correlation between subjective experience and objective assessment is investigated. The study indicates that subjective experience seldom parallel the objective assessment of the effects of sound in offices.FindingsFew of the abstracts use standardised assessment strategies. This impairs comparison between studies. There is seldom convergence between end‐users’ view on the workplace (subjective experience) and the view of designers and facilities managers (objective assessment). This might make communication difficult between the users and professionals in projects.Research limitations/implicationsThis pilot study needs to be extended to a larger sample to confirm the results. Also, it indicates the need of measurement procedures and metrics that better correlate to the subjective experience of sound, to facilitate comparison between field studies.Practical implicationsThis paper will help workplace managers and/or designers to make a better use of research in the decision making. It should not be used alone and should not replace the involvement of staff in the implementation of new work styles.Originality/valueThis paper stresses the importance of both research and end‐user involvement in design and management of workplaces. Also, the role of facilities managers as mediators between research and the end‐users of the facilities is emphasised.
Step‐by‐step process analysis for hospital facility management
Authors: Lennerts Kunibert , Abel Jochen , Pfründer Uwe , Sharma Vishal 
Published: July 2006

PurposeHealthcare systems are very costly and the inpatient treatment in hospitals is a major part of these costs. The question is, how can greater efficiency be effected without influencing the core business of a hospital – the cure of patients. Through improving the process flow of facility management (FM) processes, savings within these processes and less disturbance of primary processes should be accomplishable.Design/methodology/approachIn order to help introducing professional FM methods in hospitals the OPIK research project has designed standard processes for typical FM services. Processes have been field tested and evaluated in terms of interference with the core process as well as cost and quality factors have been determined.FindingsThe research has shown that standard processes can be defined and the performance can be improved through restructuring the process flow by having detailed knowledge of the process characteristics. The analysis of data through linear regression shows a significant correlation between product costs and possible clearing units. These results encourage to look for reasonable methods of cost allocation.Research limitations/implicationsIn terms of statistical significance the good results can be up valued through increasing the amount of data by applying the method in other hospitals. Future activities should concentrate on this room for improvement.Originality/valueFor the first time a reasonable basis for comparing FM processes in hospitals has been defined.
Useful buildings for office activities
Authors: Steen Jesper , Blombergsson Magnus , Wiklander Johanna 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThere is lack of knowledge about how movements and interaction within offices are related to the work activities and the premises. This paper aims to develop such knowledge and to develop analytic methods for differentiating office buildings regarding their usefulness to different kind of office activities and sectors.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data were collected from several comparative case studies. The spatial configuration of each office is analysed with Space syntax‐methods. The organisation and work activities of each office and the use of the spatial system are surveyed by means of interviews, observations and private logbooks and questionnaires.FindingsThe spatial configuration influences the relation between movements and actual interaction, and, as most interaction occurs at one's workstation, which people will be interacting with whom. The building's spatial influence is largest on intra‐group movement. The spatial behaviour – the pattern of occupation and movement of the office workers – is on an average level quite the same for different organisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe project is so far concentrated on the main work category in many large organisations, the handling officer, a clerk handling tasks individually more or less routinely. The sample of office concepts, or spatial forms, is also restricted so far.Practical implicationsThe findings are of great interest for architects in designing offices in order to be both well functioning for a specific organisation and robust in permitting changes of different kind. For the real estate owners the knowledge will facilitate defining the market and for the users this will strengthen the potential to express the demands.Originality/valueThis research project is focused on spatial configuration and interaction, unlike the most of the studies about the individual workstations.
Development of the instrument IMAQE‐Food to measure effectiveness of quality management
Authors: van der Spiegel M. , Luning P.A. , Ziggers G.W. , Jongen W.M.F. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeManufacturers use several quality assurance systems to assure quality. However, their effectiveness cannot be assessed because an instrument does not exist. This article is based on a study that was set up to identify performance measurement indicators of an instrument that measures effectiveness of food quality systems, called IMAQE‐Food.Design/methodology/approachThe instrument has been developed by translating a conceptual model in quantifiable performance measurement indicators. Literature research, qualitative research, Delphi sessions, and quantitative research were used.FindingsIn total, 28 relevant and comprehensible indicators were obtained that measure performance of quality management, production quality and their influencing factors in the bakery sector.Originality/valueThis paper will make a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of food quality management by developing an instrument to measure effectiveness instead of compliance with norms and requirements or merely performance. This will support food manufacturers in deciding which system is most suitable to achieve their objectives. The developed procedure can be used for providing insight in determining the desired level of quality management, and for extending the instrument for other applications.
Paul A. Samuelson: philosopher and theorist
Authors: Szenberg Michael , Gottesman Aron A. , Ramrattan Lall 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo assess not how Samuelson's individual models contributed to human knowledge but the very true foundation on which they rest, namely, sound theory, facts, and philosophy.Design/methodology/approachThis article has placed Samuelson as a philosopher seeking the truth, and as a theoretical contributor to the many sub‐disciplines of economics.FindingsShows that his truths bear the evidence of reality, and that his theoretical contributions are not different in kind from the logical theorists. Demonstrates how easily one could formulate a Samuelsonian impossibility theorem that places his thought on the level of the mathematical research started by Hilbert and concluded by Kurt Godel.Originality/valueThe literature that has assessed his contributions in this regard is fragmented, and myopically sparse, leaving gaps to be filled in by a paper such as this.
Union duopoly with heterogeneous labour
Authors: Martins Ana Paula 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAims to analyse the labour market outcome when there are two unions in the industry, representing heterogeneous workers – imperfect substitutes in production.Design/methodology/approachCompetition between union policies are viewed in terms of both employment and wage strategies. Results for substitutes and complements are inspected. Attention is given to the strategic behaviour of the unions, towards one another and/or the employer side. Cooperation is modelled using the Nash‐maximand approach.FindingsGathers some notes and enlargements to the standard collective bargaining problem in which unions maximise utility. Extends the framework to model union competition behaviour for jobs and/or employment that reproduces the standard market product analysis of imperfect competition. Focuses on heterogeneous labour.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis concentrates on the case of union duopoly, but can easily be enlarged to the n‐union setting – which is left for further investigation.Originality/valueA simple analytical example with Stone‐Geary union utility functions and a linear labour demand system is forwarded.
A primer for navigating the shoals of applying wireless technology to marketing problems
Authors: Aungst Stan G. , Wilson David T. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to help marketers become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the current state of wireless technology that is being applied to marketing problems.Design/methodology/approachThe paper first examines successful applications of wireless technology to connect marketing applications to wireless technology. A total of 11 important issues and questions are presented to help marketers know the key points in building a successful wireless application. A glossary to clarify the acronyms is presented.FindingsThe main focus is business persons as they will create the technology environment that will become the research environment. The excitement caused by new developments such as wireless has the potential to have significant impacts on marketing practice or lead to major failures. Mobile commerce (m‐commerce) driven by wireless technology is generating interest from marketers. A partnership between marketers and technology developers is needed to create a successful application. Developers are enthusiastic and speak in acronyms and may overwhelm marketers with the excitement of an application.Originality/valueThe paper presents new developments such as wireless technology that have the possibility of significant impacts in marketing and organizational performance that are counterbalanced by the potential of significant failures. This changing business environment will be the environment that scholars doing research in sales and service marketing must understand in order to design relevant research studies.
Behavioral implications of the transition process from products to services
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Friedli Thomas 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper attempts to provide a better understanding of behavioral processes and their impact on the transition from products to services.Design/methodology/approachCase studies are the main tool of theory development. The paper focuses mainly on German and Swiss product manufacturers, whose products require a high level of customer investment.FindingsThe objective was merely to explain behavioral dimension of transition. The paper indicated seven behavioral processes which play a critical role during the transition. Managerial service awareness and role understanding, as well as employee service awareness and role understanding seem to be the right triggers to change the behavioral processes in the desired manner.Research limitations/implicationsThe main focus was on the German and Swiss machinery and medical equipment manufacturing industries, and the remarks are limited to these sectors.Practical implicationsThe key managerial implications and recommendations can be formulated as follows: establish a “value‐added” managerial service awareness; change managerial role understanding – from traditional customer support to business manager; establish a “value‐added” employee service awareness; and change employee role understanding – from selling products to providing services.Originality/valueThe authors were able to add a complementary perspective to existing literature on the transition process from products to services. For service management theorists, it is suggested that the transition from product manufacturers into service providers is influenced strongly by several behavioral processes. A complete theory of the transition process requires an interdisciplinary theory that integrates service management and human decision making.
An application of a multi‐criteria approach to assessing the performance of Portugal's economic sectors
Authors: Augusto Mário , Figueira José , Lisboa João , Yasin Mahmoud 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo propose a multi‐criteria approach for ranking the performance of the economic sectors of the Portuguese economy and to identify the most attractive sectors.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐criteria approach using ELECTRE III and SRF software for eliciting the weights of criteria is used to solve the ranking problem statement.FindingsThe sector non‐metallic mineral products was ranked in first place in relation to all the rankings; the wholesale trade and retailing trade sectors were ranked in second place in relation to all the rankings; the sector wood, cork and furniture was ranked often in second place; the electronic and electrical industry sectors was ranked in third place; the agriculture and fishing sector was ranked in the tail‐end of the ranking; the agro‐industry sector and the transportation and distribution sector consistently were ranked in the lowest positions, just before the agriculture and fishing sector.Research limitations/implicationsOther evaluation criteria can be used to improve the relative ranking classification, namely strategic and operational performance measures.Practical implicationsThe results of this application are useful for investors, business leaders, and policy makers. From the perspective of potential investors, investment opportunities can be evaluated based on the attractiveness of the economic sectors studied. From the perspective of Portuguese policy makers and business leaders, sectors of the Portuguese economy that are in need of fundamental restructuring are easily identified. For these sectors, business strategies and policy initiatives that are based on benchmarking effective innovations are in order. Therefore, joint partnership between business leaders, policy makers and higher education to lay the ground for innovative practices in these sectors may prove very useful.Originality/valueThe proposed multi‐criteria approach utilized in this study is simple; furthermore it has the capacity to deal well with uncertainty. This study also contributes to an important, yet relatively new body of application‐based literature, dealing with a multi‐criteria approach to decision making with the aid of fuzzy theory methodologies.
Governance and global effectiveness of the Serbian economy
Authors: Petrovic‐Lazarevic Sonja 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper attempts to present what business people may expect in terms of governance if entering the Serbian market.Design/methodology/approachAttention is paid to the building and construction industry that has significantly contributed to the economic recovery of the country destroyed by political disaster.FindingsIf foreign companies know what constitutes the role of governance in improving the effectiveness of the Serbian economy, they will make quicker decisions to enter this market and consequently gain competitive advantages.Originality/valueEmphasizes how the new management styles influence market orientation of firms and consequently the efficiency of the Serbian economy.
The China market and European companies
Authors: Ju Choi Chong , Nailer Christopher 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the changing nature of competition in China. China received over $60 billion in foreign direct investment in 2003, and its economy is already the world's second largest in PPP terms. Thus, there is a tremendous need for executives to understand the changing business environment in China.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is primarily theoretical complemented by applied cases of foreign companies and their experiences in the Chinese business environment.FindingsMultinational companies face intense price pressure competition in China. The primary factor is due to the growing competitiveness of local Chinese competitors.Practical implicationsChina is a complex market combining a transition economy, deflationary economic conditions and local competitors that learn about global products and services in the shortest possible time. Multinational companies are underestimating the speed at which Chinese companies are becoming globally competitive.Originality/valueExisting business and management research on China has tended to focus either on the transitional nature of the Chinese economy, or on the nature of competition among multinational corporations. This paper illustrates the importance of emphasising China's local companies, that are rapidly becoming multinational corporations.