bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurship education in developing country
Authors: Jaafar Mastura , Rashid Abdul Aziz Abdul 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the entrepreneurship module offered in the Master's Degree in Project Management by the School of Housing Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the scenario of the construction industry to demonstrate the necessity of entrepreneurship education in the University's construction programme.FindingsThe findings are discussed in relation to the important role played by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in supporting the national growth. The existence of high number of SMEs in the construction industry indicates the significant role of entrepreneurship education in the courses related to construction management. The importance of entrepreneurship education in Malaysia is in line with Malaysia's quest to achieve developed status by 2020, as many business opportunities across all economic sectors will be created. This also applies to the construction industry, owing to its significant contribution to the country's development.Originality/valueThe findings of the paper are of relevance to entrepreneurial development in the construction industry by showing that entrepreneurship education should be emphasized in the industry to produce better quality entrepreneurs in the future.
Efficient change management for the flexible production of the future
Authors: Stanev Stilian , Krappe Hardy , Abul Ola Hischam , Georgoulias Konstantinos , Papakostas Nikolaos , Chryssolouris George , Ovtcharova Jivka 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to introduce an innovative methodology to support manufacturing changes in the foundation of flexibility measurements and evaluations and to integrate this in the companies' internal as well as companies' cross‐organisational processes of change management.Design/methodology/approachThe approach consists of two phases: first, a consistent systematics for the production systems flexibility evaluation is presented; second, the change processes are analysed and quantified flexibility indicators are integrated to support the decision – making process.FindingsThe application of the methodology in manufacturing environments has demonstrated that consideration of flexibility in the production and its integration into the manufacturing change processes has a great potential.Originality/valueThe originality of this work is in the integrated approach to consider flexibility as support for the change management. In particular the integration of quantified flexibility measurements into the change processes comes out to be the real innovation of the project.
A conceptual framework for analysing risk in supply networks
Authors: Keow Cheng Seu , Hon Kam Booi 
Published: August 2008

PurposeSharing of risk benefits supplies network collaborations. The complex mix of heterogeneous collaborators in supply networks, however, also increases the complexity of the risk profiles of inter‐related components within these networks. For a given network collaboration, several structures of network relationship are possible, with each carrying distinctive risk implications. This paper seeks to develop a conceptual framework for analysing the differential risks in alternative network structures.Design/methodology/approachTo capture the structural significance of inter‐organisational dependency in networks, alternative typology of network relationships is formulated using agency theory. Basic constructs were developed for analysing risks in supply networks, with configurations ranging from the single‐principal, single‐agent to the complex multi‐principal, multi‐agent scenarios.FindingsThe study finds that dynamics of risk in network systems depend not only on the typology of networks, but also on the functional role of each collaborator inherent in the network through agreements on supply and incentives, and supply performance.Originality/valueThe proposed framework provides a structured approach for identifying and assessing risk dynamics and their differential impacts on different levels of supply networks. It provides insights into the dynamics of risk events and identifies network configurations that are vulnerable to different levels of risk.
Accreditation program design: a survey of supply chain professionals
Authors: Larson Paul D. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report results of a survey in support of re‐designing the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) professional accreditation program, the Certified Professional Purchaser (CPP).Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was developed, embedded in e‐mail messages via hyperlink, and transmitted to the PMAC membership. The questionnaire included 54 topics, tools and techniques for supply chain management (SCM). Over 2,000 PMAC members commented on CPP program design, by returning the questionnaire electronically. Data analysis culminated with a principal components analysis of the 54 items, from which seven distinct components emerged.FindingsThe paper finds that PMAC members lack a common view of SCM. While 63 percent have adopted a broad SCM perspective; 37 percent have a more narrow perspective. However, the most important topics for supply chain professionals are robust across the perspectives. These topics pertain to general managerial skills (e.g. communication, leadership and relationship building); rather than specific functional or analytical tools and techniques.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the current study focuses exclusively on Canadian supply chain professionals, it would be very interesting and worthwhile to expand this research to other geographic locations.Practical implicationsA renewed CPP program, taken out of the somewhat narrow and tactically‐oriented purchasing area – and into the broader and more strategic SCM space, seems to be in order. The survey provides valuable information to support design and development of this new program.Originality/valueBased on electronic survey returns from more than 2,000 supply chain professionals, insights are gained into various perspectives on SCM, along with important knowledge (topics, tools and techniques) for effective SCM.
A “genomic” classification scheme for supply chain management information systems
Authors: McLaren Tim S. , Vuong David C.H. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper has the objective of demonstrating a more structured and useful method for evaluating functionality of enterprise software packages such as supply chain management information systems (SCM IS). Existing taxonomies have limited utility for software selection and analysis due to the variation and overlap in functionality found in modern enterprise systems.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative analysis of over 1,800 pages of SCM IS documentation and independent analyst reports is used to identify relevant SCM IS functional attributes in the seven most widespread SCM IS packages. Pattern matching and coding of constructs is used to iteratively build a hierarchical taxonomy of SCM IS functionality.FindingsThe taxonomy developed describes 83 major functional attributes that form five top‐level categories: primary supply chain processes, data management, decision support, relationship management, and performance improvement. The codes representing supply chain processes agree with the widely used Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) process model, although the terminology was not used consistently in vendor and analyst documents.Research limitations/implicationsThe approach described enables richer classification schemes to be built that will better distinguish between the wide‐ranging functionality found in modern enterprise information systems.Practical implicationsSelection and analysis of SCM IS is difficult due to the functional overlaps in different systems. The approach described enables a more structured, detailed, and useful analysis of an organization's current or proposed information systems.Originality/valueThis paper contributes a novel approach for conceptualizing and analyzing complex information systems using hierarchical rather than traditional flat taxonomies.
A measurement system for managing performance of industrial clusters
Authors: Cesar Ribeiro Carpinetti Luiz , Cardoza Galdámez EdwinVladimir , Cecilio Gerolamo Mateus 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present and discuss a conceptual model for performance measurement and management of a cluster based on the concepts of the Balanced Scorecard and other models.Design/methodology/approachThis paper was based on a case research as the field research methodology for theory testing and refinement.FindingsThe proposed model adequately captures the perspectives of performance management of a cluster, emphasizing the importance of measuring leading and lagging dimensions of performance such as collective efficiency and economic/social results.Research limitations/implicationsResearch is still at an early stage and applications of the model need to be carry on further so as to review and validate it.Practical limitationsAbsence of a culture of decision making based on analysis of information and lack of resources may create some difficulty in using metrics for a cluster of SMEs.Originality/valueThe paper proposes applying the concepts and techniques of business performance management and measurement to manage performance of clusters of companies, offering a new approach on how to improve the collective efficiency of a cluster.
Competitiveness of Visegrad countries
Authors: Kadeřábková Anna 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine issues surrounding the competitiveness of the Visegrad countries that have recently joined the European Union, and in particular, to analyse a set of structural indicators that help assess the degree to which they are meeting the terms of the Lisbon agreement.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is to examine and analyse published economic and associated performance data.FindingsThe Visegrad countries lag behind in many of the structural indicators and thus have progress to make in raising their competitiveness to general European levels. There are also some surprising areas where these counties are in advance of general European levels – such as in technical education.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests areas where governments might intervene to improve longer‐term competitiveness.Originality/valueThe paper performs a useful analysis of available data to highlight key policy areas and issues.
A simple dynamic clustering approach to achieve energy efficiency for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Lee Giljae , Kwon Yoonjoo , Seok Woojin , Lee Minsun 
Published: August 2008

PurposeRecent wireless communication and electronics technology has enabled the development of low‐cost, low‐power, and multi‐functional sensor nodes. However, the fact that sensor nodes are severely energy‐constrained has been an issue and many energy‐efficient routing protocols have been proposed to resolve it. Cluster‐based routing protocol is one of them. To achieve longer lifetime, some cluster‐based routing protocols use information on GPS‐based location of each sensor node. However, because of high cost, not all sensor nodes can be GPS‐enabled. The purpose of this paper is to propose a simple dynamic clustering approach to achieve energy efficiency for wireless sensor networks (WSN).Design/methodology/approachInstead of using location information of each sensor node, this approach utilizes information of remaining energy of each sensor node and changes in the number of cluster head nodes dependent on the number of sensor nodes alive. Performance results are presented and compared with some related protocols.FindingsThe simulations described in the paper show that both residual energy of each sensor node and changing cluster head nodes depending on the number of sensor nodes alive are very critical factors to obtain performance enhancement in terms of lifetime and data transmission. Especially, in some special environment, the proposal has better performance than GPS‐enabled protocol.Originality/valueThe paper is of value in proposing a simple dynamic clustering approach to achieve energy efficiency for WSN.
Acquisition actions in Australia: a test of acquisitions theory
Authors: Malone Christopher B. , Ou Zicheng 
Published: August 2008

PurposeTo examine Australian corporate acquisitions data in the context of contemporary acquisitions theory.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical analysis using event study procedures.FindingsThe study of Australian acquisitions shows that domestic acquisitions are more likely to produce favourable market responses for acquirers than foreign direct investment actions. Companies with recent upwards price momentum are also more likely to engage in successful acquisitions. However, the relative “valuation” of acquirers appears to be unimportant in the Australian acquisitions process. The results are linked to the smaller, more isolated, nature of the Australian economy.Research limitations/implicationsA long horizon event study methodology could be used. Alternative treatments could be used to assess relative value and competitive advantage. Other smaller isolated markets, similar to Australia, could be considered.Originality/valueThe use of international corporate acquisitions data, from Australia, supports both Competitive Advantage Theory and Market Driven Acquisitions Theory. There is little evidence to suggest that Cheap Capital motivates a large number of acquisition actions. The results are linked to the smaller, more isolated, nature of the Australian economy, and show that recent price momentum and the location of the investment are important. This latter finding suggests a form of market segmentation still prevails.
A framework of assessable mutual fund performance
Authors: Wu Cheng‐Ru , Chang Hsin‐Yuan , Wu Li‐Syuan 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper tries to find how investors evaluate mutual fund performance, not only based on both quantitative but also qualitative criteria.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts the modified Delphi method and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to design an assessment method for evaluating mutual fund performance.FindingsThe most important criteria of mutual fund performance should be “mutual fund style,” following is “market investment environment.” This result indicates investors' focus when they evaluate the mutual fund performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe AHP assumes the criteria are independent between each other. However, in many real cases, the criteria to evaluate the funds' performance may not be independent. Therefore, the authors recommend correlation between each criterion can be considered in the future research.Practical implicationsWhen making investment decisions, investors should be more concentrate on gathering information of mutual fund style. As for mutual fund issuers, they could also leverage these results to communicate with their clients in more efficient way.Originality/valueThis study presents a framework of assessable mutual fund performance where the AHP were employed for finding the both tangible and intangible key criteria of performance evaluation.
The strategic motives behind firm's engagement in cooperative research and development
Authors: Bai Yiping , O'Brien G.C. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aim is to investigate and group the strategic motives that firms engage in cooperative R&D by exploring a new method.Design/methodology/approachFour theories are adopted to explain the motives and they are cited as the base to categorize the motives into four factors. A survey questionnaire of participants in the aluminum industry is used to examine the empirical prevalence and clustering of these different categories of strategic motives. Factor analysis is used to test this measurement modeling.FindingsThe results of the confirmatory factor analysis support this grouping of strategic motives as reliable and valid method. Research limitations/implications – The techniques used in this study when applied to group other motives or other similar issues could produce useful information in business and management research. Moreover, the theories employed in this research can help in hypothesis development and the relationship test between the factors and the formation of R&D alliances.Practical implicationsThe incentives such as strategic motives and the formation of R&D alliances studied in this paper can be used to investigate how they might be related to the aluminum or any other industry characteristics.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the modeling of measurement model in management by exploring a new method.
Management and national development in Kenya: toward a normative framework
Authors: Shrestha Nanda R. , Smith Wilbur I. , McKinley‐Floyd Lydia , Gray Kenneth R. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a normative framework focusing on the need to enhance the roles of the four fundamental environmental forces of management – socio‐demographic, techno‐economic, politico‐institutional, and cultural. The objective is to create a business climate of certainty so that Kenya can achieve its goals of national and private sector development and of elevating its global competitiveness in terms of foreign direct investment and exports.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses secondary data to describe Kenya's development goals, its current level of private sector development, its position in the global economy, and the historical and cultural dimensions of its management practices. Against that backdrop, the article combines systems thinking and broad‐based reasoning to develop a normative management framework for policy makers and for domestic and international business managers. After using data to describe Kenya's status with respect to the four environmental forces, the article explains how Kenya – through reforming private and public institutions and implementing enlightened national development polices – could shape its management system and its prevailing climate of uncertainty in order to enhance its competitiveness in the present global economy.FindingsThe paper concludes that, if Kenya takes policy actions necessary to redirect and enhance its environmental forces, it would improve the efficacy of its resource management system and reduce the uncertainty inherent in the system. This would also promote openness to international trade and business and reduce the “cost” and other real or perceived barriers to business in the country to world levels, leading Kenya to become more competitive in the present global economy in terms of both increased foreign investment and export. As a result, Kenya should experience higher levels of private sector development, economic growth, and employment and, consequently, reduced poverty and higher standards of living for its citizens.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a normative, broad‐based management framework for national and private sector development in a cross‐cultural context. This framework should prove particularly useful to governments, policy makers, and business managers in countries that are in the early stages of private sector development and who are charged with achieving national development goals and with increasing the global competitiveness of their countries' economies.
Competitiveness of crossbred chicken and its implications for poverty reduction in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Athieno Kato Rose , Shuwu Hyuha Theodora , Mugisha Johnny 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the competitiveness of two enterprise chicken regimes (upgraded and indigenous) in Eastern Uganda for poverty reduction in small farm enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes primary data collected using a structured questionnaire from a randomly selected sample of 108 chicken farmers (54 crossbred and 54 indigenous). Econometric methods are employed to analyze the data. Competitiveness is measured using unit cost ratio while the determinant factors are identified by the use of regression analysis.FindingsThe econometric results show that the most critical factors in increasing the competitiveness of the chicken enterprise are: proportion of birds weaned to the total flock, number of chickens reared and farmer's rearing experience. The main conclusion is that in order to increase performance of chicken enterprise and improve income of the rural population, upgrading of indigenous chickens through crossbreeding should be pursued. This approach should put emphasis on improving the management systems which will involve offering an enabling environment for farmers to access credit and markets.Originality/valueGiven the importance of poultry rearing in every household in Uganda, the sub‐sector provides a good entry point for poverty alleviation in this part of Uganda. However, limited information on economic analysis exists and hence the value of this study. The paper identifies a number of variables that must be addressed, if the sector is to play its rightful role in poverty reduction.
Credit risk management system of a commercial bank in Tanzania
Authors: Richard Evelyn , Chijoriga Marcellina , Kaijage Erasmus , Peterson Christer , Bohman Hakan 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model to be used further in understanding credit risk management (CRM) system of commercial banks (CBs) in an economy with less developed financial sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews existing literature that consists mostly evidence from developed countries. A study model is proposed with amendment to fit Tanzania's environment. This is achieved through the use of both secondary (various relevant documents) and primary (interviews) information from a CB and key management officials dealing with credit management. The selected CB is active in lending, has both foreign and local characteristics in its operations and has been in operation for a relatively longer period.FindingsThe main finding of this paper is that the components of CRM system differ in CBs operating in a less developed economy from those in a developed economy. This implies that the environment within which the bank operates is an important consideration for a CRM system to be successful.Originality/valueTanzania, a less developed economy, provides an excellent case for studying how CBs operating in economies with less developed financial sector manage their credit risk. The paper identifies issues to be studied further in order to establish a CRM system by CBs operating in Tanzania.