bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Charismatic leadership in Sri Lankan business organizations
Authors: Jayakody J.A.S.K. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeAs the number of studies reported on the new leadership approach in the South Asian region and especially in Sri Lanka is very limited, the present study aims to explore to what extent the Conger and Kanungo (C‐K) model can be employed to explain the leadership phenomenon in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachA survey was undertaken among 53 managers who are reading for MBA degrees using the questionnaire devised and validated by Conger and Kanungo, and the data were subjected to principle component factor (varimax rotation) analysis.FindingsThe paper finds that the Sri Lankan version of charismatic leadership is found to be similar to the C‐K model in terms of personal risk, sensitivity to member needs and sensitivity to the environment. However, it differs from the C‐K model, as it does not contain unconventional behavior and articulation of vision, and contains a new dimension – creating excitement. The variation is attributed to some aspects of culture i.e. conservative, hierarchical, caring and less futuristic.Originality/valueThere have not been very many attempts at replicating new leadership theories in the South Asian region that is in some ways, i.e. level of development, religion and cultural values, different from the rest of the world. The present study fills this empirical gap.
Team roles, team balance and performance
Authors: van de Water Henny , Ahaus Kees , Rozier Robert 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to test the relationship between team composition and team performance by applying the construct of Ten Haaf, Bikker and Adriaanse.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a sample of 39 teams out of a population of 234 undergraduate MBA students. Four performance indices of each team were tested against the Ten Haaf et al. scores by using Spearman's rank test.FindingsA statistical relation between team composition according to Ten Haaf et al. and team performance was not found. It is argued that Ten Haaf et al. and other authors do not use constructs according to Belbin's theory of balancing teams.Research limitations/implicationsThere is need for a construct, which is isomorphic with Belbin's notions of team balancing. The relation between this construct and performance should be tested.Practical implicationsThe current team balancing constructs in literature are of limited use. As the various constructs give differing assessments of balance these constructs should not be used. Implications are suggested for more prescriptive algorithms for designing balanced teams.Originality/valueThe team composition algorithm of Ten Haaf et al. has not been tested up to now with regard to team performance. The study amplifies on the ambiguity of the concept of team balance.
What happens after the developmental assessment center?
Authors: Hetty van Emmerik I.J. , Bakker Arnold B. , Euwema Martin C. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeDeparting from Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory, the paper aims to examine the relationship between resource losses (excessive job demands and unfavorable performance feedback) on the one hand, and negative job attitudes (dissatisfaction, reduced commitment, intention to leave) and burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment) on the other hand.Design/methodology/approachThe sample included surveys from 272 male constabulary officers who had participated in a developmental assessment center. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression.FindingsThe results showed direct associations between resource losses and negative outcomes. There were indications for the development of loss spirals for four out of six negative outcomes. Specifically, these relationships between job demands and negative outcomes were stronger for those officers receiving unfavorable feedback than for officers not receiving unfavorable feedback.Practical implicationsEmployees confronted with excessive job demands and unfavorable developmental assessment center (DAC) feedback were most vulnerable to combined resource losses, and this experience was associated with negative outcomes (i.e. more dissatisfaction, less affective commitment, more emotional exhaustion, and more cynicism).Originality/valueThe unique contribution of this study is that, besides balancing the benefits of using DACs with the costs of implementation, it is emphasized that it is important to anticipate consequences of unfavorable feedback. Moreover, the disappointment and association with negative outcomes should be explicitly considered in the design of the DAC.
Developing practical management wisdom
Authors: Gibson Paul S. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to propose and explain a procedure for developing practical wisdom in novice managers.Design/methodology/approachA heuristic model of practical management wisdom which articulates and displays its dynamic nature was constructed from the literature. The model was then applied to two recently published narrative accounts of effective management, and to an empirical case study that was conducted by the author, to test the heuristic value of the model for novice managers.FindingsThe literature review revealed that practical wisdom relies on a dynamic interaction between perception, experience, character, and an insightful vision of what is proximately and ultimately good for people, organizations, and business. The applications of the model demonstrated its capacity to illuminate the thinking and actions of senior managers for novices.Research limitations/implicationsFurther empirical evaluation of the model is required to confirm its heuristic value.Practical implicationsThe model and the applications reported in this paper should be of use to academics and human resources practitioners interested in the professional development of managers within classroom settings and organizational settings.Originality/valueThe heuristic model is an advance in that it brings together and integrates a wide range of views about the factors that constitute and enable the operation of practical management wisdom. The applications commence the task of enriching the abstract model with illustrative examples, and provide a practical means of assisting novice managers to understand what has often been considered ineffable and inaccessible.
Enabling the business strategy of SMEs through e‐business capabilities
Authors: Raymond Louis , Bergeron François 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe present study aims at a deeper understanding of the performance outcomes of the alignment between the e‐business capabilities of manufacturing small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and their business strategy in terms of Miles and Snow's recognised strategic typology that includes prospectors, analyzers, and defenders.Design/methodology/approachFrom a contingency theory perspective, a survey of 107 Canadian manufacturers was used to collect data that were analyzed through correlation analysis.FindingsResults indicate that the ideal e‐business profiles vary in the relation to the firms' strategic orientation, whether it is of the defender, analyzer or prospector type. E‐business alignment has positive performance outcomes for manufacturing SMEs in terms of growth, productivity and financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe nature of the sample impose care in generalizing the results of the study. These results also allow us to emphasise the nature rather than the investment value of the SMEs' information technology investment, given that certain forms of e‐business would be more appropriate for certain firms, depending upon their strategic orientation.Practical implicationsFor SME owner‐managers that require greater manufacturing flexibility, increased systems integration, products and services of better quality, and higher levels of product and process innovation, the results of this study allow us to prone an examination of their firm's level of e‐business assimilation, this being done in conjunction with their strategic intent.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to have used a rigorous conceptualisation and measure of alignment to confirm the theoretical validity and empirical usefulness of this notion and of the strategic contingency approach for research on e‐business, and to compare this approach with the universalistic approach founded upon “best practices”.
The adoption of RFID in fashion retailing: a business value‐added framework
Authors: Moon K.L. , Ngai E.W.T. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) will create a revolutionary change in the management of a supply chain, particularly in the retail sector. The aim of this paper is to study the views of fashion retailers on RFID applications and, in turn, to analyze the added value to be gained by adopting this technology.Design/methodology/approachA two‐stage methodological approach was adopted. The first involved a multi‐case study of five large, highly representative fashion retailers in Hong Kong, in which in‐depth interviews were conducted with ten senior staff members. The second involved the design of a framework with four propositions for examining the values generated for fashion retailers upon the RFID implementation.FindingsThe findings show that RFID could be implemented in the fashion retailing in the customer relationship management, shop floor management, marketing and promotion, and logistics and inventory management. Improved operational efficiency and effectiveness, and increased sales and profits, are the major perceived benefits, while implementation cost, compatibility with current systems, data accuracy, top management attitude, and staff acceptance are the key challenges.Practical implicationsThe results give fashion retailers a better understanding of the potential benefits and challenges of adopting RFID. The retailers will, therefore, be able to make more informed decisions in operational planning and resource allocation. Moreover, the results may inspire more fashion retailers to use this technology.Originality/valueBy integrating the views of the potential users, the RFID‐based business value‐added framework supports a research agenda for further investigation of the use of RFID in commercial sectors and contributes to the understanding of technology transfer in a less technologically advanced fashion retailing industry.
e‐Gaps in the economy: a case of Poland
Authors: Pastuszak Zbigniew 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to present the results of the author's research on the development of the new economy in Poland. It focuses on identifying two types of so‐called “e‐gaps”, and shows the connection between e‐technology and e‐organisational gap.Design/methodology/approachThe factors determined the e‐gaps have been identified based on the author's past research, and on the review of reports and statistics coming from different sources (net readiness indexes, public institutions, etc.).FindingsDespite the unfavourable macroeconomic, exogenous conditions which determine the high level of the e‐technological gap in the Polish economy, Polish enterprises display a relatively lower level of the e‐organisational gap. One of the methods of limiting the scope of the e‐technological gap in economy seems to lie in initiating macroeconomic activities aimed at reducing the setback of particular enterprises and – consequently – facilitating the increase of economic competitiveness, taken as a whole.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on the net readiness research made in Poland, and to see the international sight of e‐gaps, the international net readiness research are needed.Practical implicationsThis paper makes possible to prepare a diagnosis of now‐a‐days net readiness development in Poland and indicates the most needed areas of activity of polish government and polish CEO's.Originality/valueThe research may be used by other countries not as well developed in the e‐business area as international leaders in order to know and to decrease the level of their e‐gaps.
A knowledge management approach to data mining process for business intelligence
Authors: Wang Hai , Wang Shouhong 
Published: May 2008

PurposeData mining (DM) has been considered to be a tool of business intelligence (BI) for knowledge discovery. Recent discussions in this field state that DM does not contribute to business in a large‐scale. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of business insiders in the process of knowledge development to make DM more relevant to business.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a blog‐based model of knowledge sharing system to support the DM process for effective BI.FindingsThrough an illustrative case study, the paper has demonstrated the usefulness of the model of knowledge sharing system for DM in the dynamic transformation of explicit and tacit knowledge for BI. DM can be an effective BI tool only when business insiders are involved and organizational knowledge sharing is implemented.Practical implicationsThe structure of blog‐based knowledge sharing systems for DM process can be practically applied to enterprises for BI.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that any significant DM process in the BI context must involve data miner centered DM cycle and business insider centered knowledge development cycle.
Maturity in IT outsourcing relationships: an exploratory study of client companies
Authors: Solli‐Sæther Hans , Gottschalk Petter 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThis research is concerned with the validation of a maturity model for information technology outsourcing relationships. The paper aims to focus on this research.Design/methodology/approachThis research is validating the cost, resource and partnership stages, respectively, as maturity stages in outsourcing relationships developed and proposed by Gottschalk and Solli‐Sæther.FindingsFirst, stages of growth and benchmark variables were validated. Then, the evolving path of growth was examined. Limited support for the stage of growth model was found.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests a broad range of organizational activities and structures to guide development from one stage of maturity to the next. To stimulate growth developments, individuals and organizations have to understand and experience transitional events in relationship maturity.Originality/valueValidation procedure linking stages to benchmark variables is presented. Future empirical research should rephrase some of the authors benchmark variables as well as measurement issues concerned with stages of growth.
Logistics service quality: a new way to loyalty
Authors: Gil Saura Irene , Servera Francés David , Berenguer Contrí Gloria , Fuentes Blasco María 
Published: May 2008

PurposeNow‐a‐days, logistics research focuses on the ability of logistics to deliver a quality service and generate greater satisfaction with the delivered service. Therefore, the aim of this work is to analyze the quality, satisfaction, and loyalty sequence in the logistic service delivery context, with the purpose of considering the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in this chain of effects.Design/methodology/approachAfter reviewing the different approaches given by the literature, SEM analysis is used to contrast the hypotheses for the analyzed constructs in the presence of high/low ICT level. A questionnaire based on personal survey was conducted among manufacturers. The study collected data from 194 companies. Structural equation modeling was applied to these data to test relationships among the variables in the study.FindingsThe reliability and validity tests show satisfactory results. The conclusions confirm this chain of consequences, and emphasize the incidence of ICT in the description and intensity of these relations.Research limitations/implicationsAs non‐probabilistic sampling methods have been used, in subsequent research, it would be useful to obtain a more representative population sample. In future, works relations between the variables proposed would be analyzed contemplating the sectoral nature of the sample, accepting that relationship intensity may be modified according to the company's sector of activity.Originality/valueThis paper describes a framework to explore the relationships between service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty in the supply chain from the perspective of ICT.
Safeguard gaps and their managerial issues
Authors: Tsaih Rua‐Huan , Lin Wan‐Ying , Chen Ada 
Published: May 2008

PurposeTargeting the information security issue related to a bank loan process, this study aims to explore an approach that is user‐friendly to non‐information technology managers to be actively participative in the process of investigating the underlying information‐processing infrastructure.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is used to analyze the safeguard gaps between the physical information assets (IAs) of a business process and their digital counterparts.FindingsThis study shows the existence of safeguard gaps between the physical IAs of a business process and their digital counterparts, explores a way of investigating such gaps, and provides (detection‐ and prevention‐oriented) managerial proposals to cope with the safeguard gap issue.Originality/valueThe existence of safeguard gaps releases (warning) signal to executives and executives should consult managers on how to manage these safeguard gaps. There are two types of managerial proposals to cope with the safeguard gap issue. The detection‐oriented proposals aim at ensuring early detection and interception of security breaches;, e.g. setting up a cross‐audit function to discover the security breaches. The prevention‐oriented proposals aim at alleviating the safeguard gaps;, e.g. re‐designing the processes of operation management and the associated risk management.
Assessing forecast model performance in an ERP environment
Authors: Catt Peter M. , Barbour Robert H. , Robb David J. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to describe and apply a commercially oriented method of forecast performance measurement (cost of forecast error – CFE) and to compare the results with commonly adopted statistical measures of forecast accuracy in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a quantitative methodology to evaluate the nine forecasting models (two moving average and seven exponential smoothing) of SAP®'s ERP system. Event management adjustment and fitted smoothing parameters are also assessed. SAP®is the largest European software enterprise and the third largest in the world, with headquarters in Walldorf, Germany.FindingsThe findings of the study support the adoption of CFE as a more relevant commercial decision‐making measure than commonly applied statistical forecast measures.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study provide forecast model selection guidance to SAP®'s 12+ million worldwide users. However, the CFE metric can be adopted in any commercial forecasting situation.Originality/valueThis study is the first published cost assessment of SAP®'s forecasting models.
Proactive risk management in emerging and Islamic financial markets
Authors: Al Janabi Mazin A.M. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide proactive risk management techniques and strategies that can be applied to trading and investment portfolios in emerging and Islamic illiquid financial markets, such as the Moroccan foreign exchange and stock markets.Design/methodology/approachThis paper demonstrates a practical approach for the measurements, management and control of market risk exposure for financial portfolios that contain illiquid foreign exchange and equity securities. This approach is based on the renowned concept of value‐at‐risk (VAR) along with the innovation of a software tool utilizing matrix‐algebra technique.FindingsIn order to illustrate the proper use of VAR and stress‐testing methods, real‐world examples and feasible reports of risk management are presented for the Moroccan financial markets. To this end, several case studies were achieved with the objective of creating a realistic framework of trading risk measurement and control reports in addition to the inception of procedures for the calculation of VAR limits.Practical implicationsThe versatile risk management procedures that are discussed in this work will be of value to financial entities, regulators and policymakers operating within the context of emerging and Islamic markets. The risk management procedures that are outlined in this paper will aid in setting‐up of realistic policies for the management of trading/investment risk exposures in illiquid markets. The document includes comprehensive theory, analyses sections, conclusions and recommendations, and full viable risk management reports.Originality/valueEven though considerable literatures have investigated the statistical and economic significance of VAR models, this article provides real‐world techniques and optimum asset allocation strategies that are useful for trading/investment portfolios in emerging and Islamic financial markets. This is with the objective of setting‐up the basis of a proactive methodology/procedure for the measurement, management and control of equity and foreign exchange exposures in the day‐to‐day trading/investment operations.
Mitigating legal risk in Islamic banking operations
Authors: Djojosugito Reza 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline the principles of and legal risk faced by Islamic banking and suggest necessary steps to mitigate them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines ideal concept of Islamic banking and its practice. A range of publication is used, however the bulk of it concerns existing practices to provide practical insight on the subject rather than theoretical discourse. The paper is sorted into sections: Introduction, Islamic banking system, existing practices, legal risk and proposed reform.FindingsIslamic banks face risks stemming from legal structure chosen due to the differences between principles of Shariah and law. While compliance to Shariah is paramount for Islamic banks, the law governing Islamic banking transactions may not necessarily give any consideration to Shariah. The paper elaborates legal risk exposed to parties to Islamic banking transactions encompassing the issues of the capacity of the parties to enter into a contract and its enforceability, uncertainty in laws, regulations, and legal actions pertaining to Shariah; as well as the legality of Islamic financial instruments.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper reviews relevant laws and regulations related to Islamic banking, however no specific reference to any particular jurisdiction.Practical implicationsThis paper is a source of information for those in the Islamic banking industry without legal background or lawyer new to it.Originality/valueThis paper touches upon a new area, the legal risk due to the divergence between the principle of Shariah and law. It offers practical insight into the legal aspect of Islamic banking operations.