bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Path dependence and path creation
Authors: Caron Marie‐Andrée , Turcotte Marie‐France B. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze so‐called sustainability, corporate social responsibility or citizenship reports, as artefacts of a compromise between an institutional entrepreneur (IE), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and companies. Some companies take on this invitation but to which extent the information they produce as a result corresponds to the ideal promoted by the IE?Design/methodology/approachA sample of ten reports from Canadian companies were analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive coding techniques. The discourse and pictures were analyzed to identify whether they represent path creation (adherence to the sustainability ideal) or path dependence (the expression of traditional business interests and practices).FindingsThe study findings show that companies adopt the sustainability reporting guideline and ideal promoted by IE, but only partially. Path dependence and path creation are in tension, a condition typical of innovative processes according to the actor network theory (ANT) framework. It suggests that the market for sustainability information is under construction.Originality/valueThe value of the paper is that it examines voluntary disclosure of social and environmental performance by companies, using the notion of IE from the neo‐institutionalist theory, as well as the innovation model from the ANT. The originality of the paper also lies in its methodology – particularly the use of a mixed method—including the composition of “poems” with “verses” extracted from the corporate reports.
The advent of twenty‐first century library services
Authors: Fox Robert 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis column aims to examine the issue of modular library technology infrastructure, and how it can help libraries to offer more flexible services to patrons.Design/methodology/approachThis column is exploratory, and looks at the pros and cons of various technology approaches to digital library services.FindingsIn order to remain flexible with regard to the evolving needs of patrons, libraries should seriously consider a technology model which would allow the digital library to offer more responsive services to patrons. It is suggested that a deeper look at service‐oriented architecture (SOA) design principles as opposed to the standard model of large monolithic systems be examined and adopted.Originality/valueThis column offers alternatives in the area of digital library services, and focuses primarily on the possibilities rendered by service‐oriented architectures and robust web services.
The GNU/Linux desktop: an open access primer for libraries
Authors: Delozier Eric P. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the GNU/Linux operating system, with special attention to its use as a desktop computing platform in libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the connection between libraries and the open source communities. It provides a model for an open source desktop computer that incorporates the needs of libraries. Specific topics covered include the graphical desktop, office productivity, electronic mail, web browsing and viewers, and public access computing.FindingsIt is possible to model a desktop computer around open source software, however the ultimate decision on whether to proceed must be measured against potential costs, governing policies, and organizational cultures.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the improvement, growth, and development of the library and open source communities.
Establishing a central open access fund
Authors: Cockerill Matthew 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide detailed information on how the University of Nottingham established a central fund to pay for open access publication of research coming out of the university in direct response to mandates from research funders.Design/methodology/approachThis case study looks into the steps taken by the University of Nottingham to establish a central, institutional fund for the payment of article processing charges (APC) for open access publications. It also examines the initialisation of processes to support investigators at the university in disseminating their research to a global community. The materials included in the case study were the result of interviews with key stakeholders and the review of policy documents from the university.FindingsThe case study demonstrates that a great deal of cooperation among departments is needed in order to establish a central fund for open access publishing.Research limitations/implicationsThe University of Nottingham Central Fund is one of the earliest such funds. While this case study provides an excellent road map for establishing future funds, some challenges will be peculiar to individual institutions.Originality/valueThe paper provides detailed information on how a central fund to pay for open access publication of research coming out of a university in direct response to mandates from research funders can be established.
Measuring and mapping team interaction
Authors: Lingham Tony , Richley Bonnie A. , Serlavos Ricard S. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is four‐fold: to highlight the emerging stream of team interaction in research; to present a methodology to measure and map out team interaction; to compare team interaction between US and Spanish MBA teams so as to identify any differences between the two cultures; and to propose team interaction focused programs in educational institutions and organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative research design and administered a survey that captures ten aspects of team interaction in four major dimensions to 32 US MBA teams (n  =   176) and 31 Spanish MBA teams (n  =   152) engaged in the same group exercise and used ANOVA analysis to compare the two groups.FindingsThe findings show that the US and Spanish teams differ only in the diverging dimension of their actual team interaction (F  =   26.42,p  <  0.000). A comparative analysis of the ideal team interaction show that both MBA samples desire increased levels of the diverging (F  =   37.7,p <  0.000) and recursiveness (F  =   23.65,p  <   0.000) dimensions.Practical implicationsThe study provides a methodology and highlights the significance of employing a team interaction perspective for team learning and development programs in educational and organizational settings.Originality/valueThe paper presents team interaction along four major dimensions – divergent, convergent, status and recursiveness – and provides a brief overview of the theory of Conversational Learning. The approach used in this study contributes to this emerging stream of team research and presents the significance of focusing on the social‐emotional aspects of team interaction in educational and organizational team development programs.
The interactive effect of collectivism and organizational rewards on affective organizational commitment
Authors: Williamson Ian O. , Burnett Meredith F. , Bartol Kathryn M. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an interactionist framework for examining how the cultural dimension of collectivism interacts with workplace attributes to influence organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approachThese issues are studied by using a longitudinal survey to examine the development of affective organizational commitment by a racially diverse set of young professionals in the USA.FindingsConsistent with predictions, results showed a significant two‐way interaction between the cultural dimension of collectivism and organizational rewards on employees’ commitment.Research limitations/implicationsThese results suggest that research may benefit from the development of theory that simultaneously considers the role that workplace attributes and cultural values play in shaping organizational commitment.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study suggest that organizations may increase existing employees’ commitment by strategically managing the types of rewards they provide to employees with different cultural values.Originality/valueWhile an extensive amount of research has been conducted on affective organizational commitment, the question of whether employees’ cultural values influence commitment formation is still largely unanswered. Thus, this study provides initial evidence on the interactive effect of culture and rewards on the formation of employee commitment.
Managerial perspectives on HRM in Nigeria: evolving hybridization?
Authors: Azolukwam Veronica A. , Perkins Stephen J. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine managerial opinion regarding human resource management (HRM) practices in eastern Nigeria (western Africa).Design/methodology/approachThis paper is informed by a survey administered to a small sample of Nigerian HR practitioners (n = 50 usable responses, 25 per cent response rate), replicating earlier work in different regions of the same country.FindingsNigerian HR practitioners appear open to people management practices under the HRM rubric. But rather than predicting convergence with western‐inspired approaches, evidence suggests that cultural and institutional influences on how normative HRM may be interpreted and acted on may result in a blend of transplanted and indigenous managerial behaviour.Practical implicationsSensitivity to individuals’ socialization as well as economic, historical, political, and social contexts may enable multinational organizations to capitalize on the potential to transplant forms of HRM from parent country cultures to developing countries such as Nigeria, at least among managerial employees.Originality/valueThe paper augments and builds on limited empirically informed research to date on people management issues in African country contexts, helping to ground consideration of abstract debates in the literature around convergence and divergence in culturally and institutionally embedded managerial practice.
Extent to which financial services compensation scheme can pursue claims assigned to it by investors whom it has compensated
Authors: Gray Joanna 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe paper's aim is to report and comment on two preliminary issues that arose from claims being pursued by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) against Abbey National Treasury Services (ANTS) and NDF Administration Ltd (NDF).Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the facts and explains the decision.FindingsThe FSCS commenced action against ANTS as assignee of the assigned claims and alleged that ANTS had collaborated with NDF in product development and promotion of the Structured Capital at Risk Products and was liable in negligence and misrepresentation to the investors whose claims it held as assignee. Having considered the arguments, the Judge concluded that FSA did have power to make rules enabling FSCS to take assignment of investor claims.Originality/valueThe issues in this case go to the heart of the funding mechanism of the FSCS. The financing of such compensation schemes is a perennially controversial issue in every jurisdiction that has them.
Benchmarking of thesis research: a case study
Authors: Shahalizadeh Mohammad , Amirjamshidi Grannaz , Shahalizadeh Solmaz 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of the thesis research in the industrial engineering related master's programmes in Chalmers University of Technology for benchmarking implementation in Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch (IAU‐STB), taking into consideration the different conditions of two universities and respective countries of Sweden and Iran.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, case study strategy was employed. In total, 17 thesis reports from 2003 to 2006 and other related published/web‐based documents were studied to explore the theses' execution procedure, research method and report organization. To gain primary data, some interviews were carried out. Qualitative research method, along with descriptive statistical method was used to illustrate structural points.FindingsThe results of the study help to develop group work in thesis execution, to identify the role of qualitative strategy in industrial engineering research, and to adopt a flexible approach in organization of thesis report provided that some mandatory regulations are followed. In addition, it helps to build research‐oriented inter disciplinary departments vs traditional education‐oriented departments on the basis of the requirements of ongoing socio‐economic processes in national economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe acquired knowledge has been partly adapted and adopted by departments of industrial engineering in IAU‐STB. The main implication is the need to explore how the entire industrial engineering departments (IEDs) in Iranian universities can efficiently and effectively adapt and adopt such knowledge for thesis research.Practical implicationsThis work provides effective assistance for IEDs in Iranian universities embarking on their benchmarking journey on thesis research.Originality/valueThis study represents a knowledge gap and offers practical help to IEDs in Iranian universities to leverage the skills and expertise of their faculty members together with the talents of their students and consequently to maintain and enhance their thesis research capability.
Benchmarking Six Sigma application in Brazil
Authors: Augusto Cauchick Miguel Paulo , Marcos Andrietta João 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present part of the results from a survey on Six Sigma, more specifically to identify the best practices in the use of the Six Sigma methodology.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in an exploratory‐descriptive survey on Six Sigma adoption in companies operating in Brazil. Then, the paper presents and discusses best practices in Six Sigma application.FindingsThe results point out relevant aspects related to the professionals involved with the program, the number of projects developed per year, as well as the return on investments made by companies. It is concluded that a good proportion of respondents adopt best practices according to the literature, but the subject needs a more detailed investigation of the financial benefits achieved with its application.Research limitations/implicationsIt is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects vary with the type of company but, overall, they might be generalised within the sample.Practical implicationsThe results show that there are relevant points when applying Six Sigma that should be considered by companies interested in adopting it.Originality/valueAs the application of Six Sigma is relatively recent and there is little data published about its utilisation in a developing country, it is important to expand knowledge on this subject. The best practices identified in this paper may be useful to Six Sigma users and academics.
Excellent patient environments within acute NHS trusts
Authors: Macdonald Rachel , Price Ilfryn , Askham Phil 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible common factors in 15 Acute Hospital Trusts in the UK that achieved excellent scores at all their sites in four years of national Patient Environment audits.Design/methodology/approachA desk‐based study tested for external factors, organisational commonalities or particular contractual arrangements which the sample might have in common. A second piece of work was then undertaken; an ethnographic study that examined the behaviours exhibited by 22 managers in six of the trusts. The second phase of research will be described in a separate paper.FindingsThe research found that no external, organisational or contractual commonalities could be identified as shared by the trusts that formed the Research Group. This led the researchers to ask further questions as to the management/leadership of the FM Managers who had achieved consistantly high standards of Patient Environment over the four year period.Practical implicationsThe research reveals that the trusts which achieved high standards of Patient Environment had no shared advantage in terms of external, organisational or contract characteristics. Thus, it should be possible for all trusts to achieve consistently high standards.Originality/valueThis is believed to be the only study looking at influences and characteristics that are outside the FM Managers' control and impact on the FMs' ability to deliver consistantly high standards.
A process‐oriented analysis of facility management services in hospitals as a basis for strategic planning
Authors: Diez Karin , Lennerts Kunibert 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe research which investigated the interdependencies between facility management performance and costs, and primary processes in hospitals. Through the implementation of the German diagnosis related grouping (DRG) system and the resulting cost pressure, the need for optimized use and operation of the spatial resources in hospitals is growing. In the DRG system, the provision of ready to use infrastructure is treated as a fixed cost and is allocated to patient cases by a single cost driver. In reality, very different services are needed to provide ready to use functional space.Design/methodology/approachA primary activity based cost model for facility management (FM) services in relation to functional space units in the hospital is developed. Using process and cost data of an empiric research study from four German hospitals, a model is developed for a key functional space unit in the hospital, the operation unit. The relevant FM services structured by a product‐oriented approach are determined by real data. For these services, process figures are derived and implemented in a basic cost estimation model. The cost estimation model is compared to the cost approach of the DRG system.FindingsIn an explorative study, the model provides an approach for a patient focused cost allocation of FM services for the operation unit. Depending on the time spectrum of operations great differences between this approach and the legal cost allocation approached in Germany can be determined. One way for hospitals to face the consequences may be the determination and optimization of relevant FM services according to a primary process portfolio.Research limitations/implicationsThe activity based cost model should be developed for further space units in the hospital. Thus, a holistic approach to FM and strategic planning of space and FM services could be achieved. Further, the explorative study should be enlarged to a greater database for the development of general key figures for FM in relation to the primary processes.Practical implicationsThe model can be used by hospitals for strategic planning of the FM costs and services in relation to the capacity and utilization of the operation unit. The impact of changes of the primary performance portfolio on the utilization of corresponding infrastructure can be simulated. Thus, cost data can be made available to support strategic decisions.Originality/valueThere is no existing cost model for the hospital considering FM in a holistic way in relation to the primary processes.
Evaluation of a refurbishment scheme incorporating the King's Fund “Enhancing the Healing Environment” design principles
Authors: Payne Helen , May Daryl 
Published: February 2009

PurposeIn 2000, a national initiative “Enhancing the Healing Environment” (EHE) was launched by the King's Fund to celebrate the millennium. This aimed to support nurse‐led teams to undertake an environment improvement programme in their National Health Service (NHS) hospital. Sheffield Care Trust (SCT) decided to carry out this project in its intensive treatment suite, a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) providing care for up to six patients. There were no known examples of an EHE project being undertaken in a PICU elsewhere in the NHS. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of EHE design principles in improving the patient experience, from the perspectives of staff and patients.Design/methodology/approachA focus group and individual interviews were used as the primary method of data collection. Secondary data comprised sets of statistics related to pre‐ and post‐refurbishment periods.FindingsIt was found that staff and patients liked many aspects of the changed environment. Staff felt improved openness of space, natural light, fresh air, reduced noise levels and greater choice of spaces to provide care, were most important. Patients cited a high quality, comfortable and homely environment (not like a typical NHS ward) as important; they also valued high standards of cleanliness, tidiness, choice and being able to view the outside, open windows and let in fresh air. Experiencing high quality clinical care was equally important. Incidence of physical assaults decreased markedly in the new environment.Practical implicationsNHS mental health services trusts will understand the benefits of applying EHE principles in PICUs or similar environments. Some project management shortcomings are identified and improvements suggested.Originality/valueThis paper is of value to NHS mental health trusts which need to decide on the effectiveness of different design principles for PICUs or similar environments.
Incongruence in the value of employees: organizational actions speak louder than words
Authors: Schraeder Mike 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this viewpoint is to highlight the importance of organizational actions toward employees matching the stated value of employees.Design/methodological approachThis viewpoint highlights the importance of organizational actions toward employees matching the stated value of employees.FindingsOrganizations may benefit from consciously endeavoring to treat employees in a manner that is consistent with explicit and implicit statements made with regard to the value of employees to the organization.Originality/valueThe article reminds managers and leaders to consider their actions toward employees, noting that inconsistencies between their actions and their words may be detrimental to organizational effectiveness.
Knowledge transfer after retirement: the role of corporate alumni networks
Authors: Koc‐Menard Sergio 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe paper argues that organizations can use corporate alumni networks to capture and transfer the knowledge of baby boomers after the latter retire.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces the concept of corporate alumni network and explains how this tool can facilitate post‐retirement knowledge transfer.FindingsCorporate alumni networks enable organizations to recover the know‐how and know‐who of their retired employees in two ways. On the one hand, they help employees to preserve their personal relations with retired baby boomers. As a result, employees can rely on their retired colleagues for information and referrals in the same way that they do with other members of their informal networks. On the other hand, corporate alumni networks allow organizations to create a portfolio of working retirees who can be called up when necessary.Originality/valueAlthough most organizations are aware of the need to preserve the in‐depth knowledge of soon‐to‐retire baby boomers, they focus mostly on pre‐retirement knowledge transfer activities. The paper expands the horizon by discussing a post‐retirement strategy.