bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐commerce and globalization: an exploratory study of Egypt
Authors: Elbeltagi Ibrahim 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address how cultures could affect the way different people use the internet. The study showed that there is a great potential for e‐commerce in Egypt in particular and Arab world in general. However, there are many challenges, where people are used to paying cash for what they buy, the credit or debit card as an instrument for buying things is not readily acceptable by public Egyptians.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory study based on analysing secondary data and observation. The reason for choosing this approach in this stage of research is the lack of research that deals with this particular issue in the chosen case study.FindingsThe results showed that e‐commerce has some merit in targeting global customers, if it considers cultural differences when adopting and applying global marketing strategy. Although there are many governmental initiatives to adopt ICT on all levels in Egypt, the reality still far behind and there is still a lot need to be done from both government and private sector to gain the benefits required. Research limitations/implications–Limitations include the use of secondary data and observation as the research method in this study. Empirical data and sampling will be required for further research. A comprehensive cross culture study among Arab countries and how a framework of culture could affect the online shopping behavior will be required for further research. Managerial implications are discussed with respect to formulating suitable marketing strategy to fit with the cultural differences of the Middle Eastern courtiers especially the language, values and religion.Originality/valueProvides insights for future researchers.
Adapting the congruent temperament model with culturally specific work motivation elements
Authors: Humphreys John 
Published: August 2007

PurposeAlthough China is beginning to emerge on the world economic stage, many Chinese workers are newcomers to the Western notions of leadership. Those examining leader behavior and follower motivations should consider unique traditions that influence the motivation process in other cultural settings. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is the theoretical adaptation of the congruent temperament model based upon personal experience and study of Chinese history and culture.FindingsA valid criticism of the congruent temperament model is the exclusion of distinctive cultural norms, as Western ideas of leadership, personality, and motivation may not be congruent with other cultures. This article, modifies this paradigm by acknowledging the influence of various culturally specific work motivation catalysts (e.g. guanxi, mianzi). Although the original model lacks universality, the general framework can be adapted to account for cultural differences.Research limitations/implicationsThe greatest limitation is the conceptual nature of the graphical representations provided. As such, empirical testing of the proposed relationships should commence to ascertain support.Practical implicationsAs China moves rapidly towards global integration, an attempt to understand leadership and work motivation in relation to Chinese workers is certainly warranted. Western leaders must consider cultural variables as they strive to provide effective leadership.Originality/valueCultural diversity and globalization mandate the development of models appropriate for unique cultures. This is the first attempt to adapt the congruent temperament model to Chinese followers and provides a defined conceptualization that lends itself to intellectual debate and empirical inquiry.
Cultural diversity in hospitality work
Authors: Baum Tom , Dutton Eli , Karimi Shamim , Kokkranikal Jithendran , Devine Frances , Hearns Niamh 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the growing importance of migrant workers to the hospitality industry of peripheral locations in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on data collected through in‐depth surveys of and focus group discussions with migrant workers in hotels in three peripheral locations in the UK.FindingsFindings point to varied experiences for international workers in terms of recruitment and selection of international workers; their work‐related and social integration within the workforce and the wider community; aspirations for training and development among international employees; insights into the futures that migrant workers see for themselves; and their overall experience of living and working in the UK.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is located in three regions of the UK and each study is of relatively small scale. This is a potential limitation but compensation is afforded by the depth of information collected in each location.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that employers are unwilling to invest in the development of international staff who have high levels of general education and training that is not sector specific. Promotion opportunities are seen to be limited. The paper points to the need for hospitality management to make more effective use of this source of labour.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to undertake a study of the migrant worker experience in peripheral areas of the UK and to focus on a diverse skills sector such as hospitality.
An outsourcing decision model for airlines' MRO activities
Authors: Al‐kaabi Hamad , Potter Andrew , Naim Mohamed 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the main business models used for airlines' maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities and determine the activities to which these relate.Design/methodology/approachA critical literature review is used to develop a conceptual model of MRO activities. This is evaluated through a SWOT analysis before an exploratory study of eight airlines is used to confirm the applicability of the conceptual model.FindingsFour levels of MRO outsourcing are identified; from fully outsourced to fully in‐sourced. From the exploratory study it is shown that critical MRO activities such as line maintenance are frequently in‐sourced, while activities with low demand at an airline level such as engine maintenance are often outsourced.Practical implicationsMRO represent around 10‐15 per cent of an airline's operational costs. By identifying the strength and weaknesses of different MRO models, it is possible to evaluate alternative MRO strategies.Originality/valueUnlike other research in maintenance which was aimed mainly at the manufacturing sectors, this research provides insights into the maintenance practises in a service sector. In particular this research studies the different outsourcing levels existing in airlines' MRO. The knowledge gained by understanding the mechanism of outsourcing in airlines' MRO can be further extended to other industries and help in best configuring their maintenance units.
Short‐term maintenance scheduling for utility systems
Authors: Matsuoka Shinobu , Muraki Masaaki 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to optimize short‐term maintenance scheduling of utility systems satisfying network constraints.Design/methodology/approachA mathematical programming model with network constraints is presented.FindingsThere are some cases in which the maintenance of a certain unit affects the operations of non‐maintenance units. The schedule should be evaluated by labor cost, material cost and opportunity costs. However, most utility systems contain dual‐directional flows, making the interdependency of the units an unstable element. In such systems, the dependency between one unit and the other should be adjusted depending on the conditions.Practical implicationsPower, steam and water are distributed by utility systems. Unit maintenance affects the operation of non‐maintenance units within the networks. Effective short‐term maintenance scheduling of utility systems must work within these network constraints. Unlike conventional scheduling methods, the excessive concentration of maintenance tasks should be controlled to reduce supply losses. A mixed integer linear programming model was utilized for identifying the solution of the problem. The present model can be applied to various utility systems.Originality/valueThe model can address alternative flows to reflect current conditions. Binary variables are applied to preserve the consistency of flow balances. The logic tree analysis expressed the current flow balances using linear constraints. The effectiveness of the model was supported by case examples.
Development of a multi‐criteria hierarchical framework for maintenance performance measurement (MPM)
Authors: Parida Aditya , Chattopadhyay Gopi 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a multi‐criteria hierarchical maintenance performance measurement framework, which is balanced, holistic and integrated to various levels of the organization.Design/methodology/approachConsolidation of published research and current practices are combined to study, identify and develop this proposed framework.FindingsA framework for maintenance performance measurement is proposed for developing and implementing a relevant, timely, reliable, cost and time‐effective and user‐friendly system for stakeholders at various levels. The indicators at the subsystem/component level, plant level and corporate level are linked with the MPIs for the organizational objectives and strategy.Practical implicationsManagement of maintenance performance is critical for long term economic viability of business and industry. Development of an integrated, balanced and holistic MPM system needs to consider various issues to measure the contribution of maintenance towards total business goals. In this paper, a multi‐criteria hierarchical MPM framework has been developed. This framework can be used by the operating managers for their maintenance decisions at various levels of an organization.Originality/valueThe paper presents a proposed MPM framework, which is integrated, and focuses on both internal and external effectiveness.
Shifting family involvement during the entrepreneurial process
Authors: Klyver Kim 
Published: August 2007

PurposeUsing an entrepreneurial network perspective, this article seeks to investigate the involvement of family members during early stages of the entrepreneurial process – the time from intention until the business is established.Design/methodology/approachA multivariate statistical regression analysis was carried out on data generated through two associated data collections: the Danish Global Entrepreneurship Monitor population survey and a connected follow‐up survey using the name‐generator approach.FindingsThe survey results reveal that the family members’ involvement differs depending on the phase of the entrepreneurial process. Family members are most strongly involved in the emergence phase when the final decision to start or not has to be made. Furthermore, involvement of family members is most common when entrepreneurs are young and have higher education of no more than three years duration. Family members tend to be males with whom entrepreneurs have strong ties and these family members tend to be more critical than other actors in other role‐relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThe article provides empirical support for a family embedded perspective on entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThe study uses a representative sample of entrepreneurs across four phases of the entrepreneurial process which enables an investigation on how family inclusion changes during the entrepreneurial process.
Legal professionals and money laundering in Spain
Authors: Faraldo Cabana Patricia 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse those obligations to share information and deliver assistance which flow from the legislation intended to prevent the money laundering as contained in the Law 19/2003 of the 4 July, which transposes into Spanish law the provisions of Directive 2001/97/EC, which provisions set out the obligations of notaries, registrars, lawyers and court attorneys and their compatibility with their duties of professional privilege.Design/methodology/approachThe new law has provoked a debate centred in the compatibility of the obligations of disclosure with legal professional privilege and the rights of the defence. This issue is discussed in the paper.FindingsWith regard to lawyers there arises a conflict between the duty to maintain client confidentiality and the obligations of disclosure in the prevention of money laundering which must be resolved in favour of the former, it being established in Spain by a law of superior status. This means that if a lawyer transfers the information concerning his suspicion he should therefore be punished as committing the crime of disclosure of confidential material.Research limitations/implicationsOnly Spanish literature is used.Practical implicationsWith respect to the lawyers, the carrying out of the obligations of disclosure imposed by the new Spanish Law 19/2003 breaches the duty of client confidentiality. For notaries, registers and court attorneys the problem does not exist.Originality/valueAn overall view is offered of the difficult situation in which some legal professionals find themselves in light of the prevention of money laundering in Spain.
Are OFCs leading the fight against money laundering?
Authors: Rosdol Alexa 
Published: August 2007

PurposeTo examine if recent changes to the law and practice of certain offshore financial centres (OFCs) means that some OFCs now have more stringent anti‐money laundering measures in place compared to their “onshore” counterparts. To further explore the allegation by some that there is a dual standard in terms of the pressure applied to OFCs on the one hand and “onshore” jurisdictions on the other.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis will focus on the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. The “onshore” jurisdictions include the UK, the USA and Australia. Comparison of the implementation of the FATF 40 Recommendations (using the most recent IMF Assessments), trust and company services legislation, and the “Know Your Customer” requirements.FindingsThe results show that the Crown Dependencies and the selected Overseas Territories are not only keeping up with the USA, the UK and Australia but in many cases “outdoing” the AML/CFT regimes of these onshore jurisdictions.Research limitations/implicationsComparison limited to only certain OFCs and “onshore” jurisdictions. There is a two year difference between the IMF assessments for the OFCs and for the onshore jurisdictions. Future research would include the results of the second phase of the OFC Assessment Program and IMF assessments due in the next few years.Originality/valueThis paper examines a very topical area of financial crime based on the most recent data available.
Factors affecting money laundering: lesson for developing countries
Authors: Vaithilingam Santha , Nair Mahendhiran 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe primary objective of this paper is to examine the factors that underpin the pervasiveness of money laundering. An empirical method was used to study the relationship between technology (information and communication technology infrastructure), quality of human capital, efficiency of the legal framework, ethical behavior of firms (corporate governance) and capacity for innovation on the pervasiveness of money laundering in developed and developing countries. Based on the empirical findings, key strategies and policies to reduce the pervasiveness of money laundering were examined in this paper.Design/methodology/approachThe sample period for this study was 2004‐2005 entailing 88 developed and developing countries. The ordinary least square method was used in this paper to examine the impact of the above‐mentioned factors on the pervasiveness of money laundering.FindingsThe empirical analysis showed that efficient legal framework with good corporate governance lower the pervasiveness of money laundering activities. The empirical analysis also showed that a high‐innovative capacity contribute negatively to the pervasiveness of money laundering activities.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this study is the lack of quality data measuring pervasiveness of money laundering patterns over a longer period of time. Over the next two years, as more data becomes available, a more robust econometric modeling framework called the dynamic panel data method can be used to assess the impact of the above‐mentioned factors on the pervasiveness of money laundering. This new method will not only capture the factors contributing to variations of pervasiveness of money laundering across the different countries but also across the time period.Practical implicationsStrategies to reduce the pervasiveness of money laundering in developing countries are discussed.Originality/valueWhile there are numerous studies in the literature that critically examine factors that contribute to money laundering, the number of empirical studies that examined the factors that contribute to money laundering are rather scarce. This study hopes to fill this gap in the literature.
Problems of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering in Poland
Authors: Bojarski Janusz 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to present a picture of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering at a special moment in the history of Poland – the time of Polish accession to the European Union structures. Another aim of the paper is to explain the problem of efficiency of the system counteracting these phenomena.Design/methodology/approachThe paper illustrates the situation in this area by analysis of legislation, statistics, criminal law, criminological and sociological literature, and specialized press relations.FindingsDuring the last ten years a new criminal law and institutional framework of control of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering has been created. Even though this system looks adequate in the present situation, there is difficulty in evaluating its real efficiency. A surprising characteristic is a lack of determination of agencies in fighting illegal immigration. The reason could be the permissive attitude of the society.Originality/valueThe paper can be useful for comparative research in the spheres of control of black labour, illegal immigration and money laundering – among new members and Poland and “old” members of the European Union.
University technology transfer: network bridge promotion by the Medici Fellowship Scheme
Authors: Mosey Simon , Westhead Paul , Lockett Andy 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore whether the Medici Fellowship Scheme addressed attitudinal and resource barriers to the commercialisation of knowledge within five research‐intensive universities. The following research questions were explored: Did the Medici fellows change the attitudes of academic network members in host departments towards the commercialisation of research? Did the Medici Fellowship Scheme encourage fellows to accumulate human and social capital? Did the Medici Fellowship Scheme encourage fellows to leverage their academic and practitioner networks?Design/methodology/approachThe scheme was implemented in Biomedical departments across five universities located in the Midlands in England. Six months after the completion of the scheme information was consistently gathered from six Medici fellows, six technology transfer officers (TTOs) and six senior academics. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Information was gathered through structured and semi‐structured open‐ended questions.FindingsFellows who accumulated human and social capital were able to act as agents of attitudinal change in their host departments. The fellows did not markedly change the culture towards commercialization, but they addressed several structural holes by building network bridges with actors positioned in practitioner networks. They created new weak ties with external actors who provided early stage funding, market and legal information and potential customers. Fellows also strengthened existing ties within academic networks both inter and intra university. The career destinations of the fellows after the scheme helped sustain bridging behaviour by providing points of contact for their peers and/or by demonstrating the viability of alternative sources of funding and prestige for academics.Practical implicationsDespite a widely perceived successful scheme, structural holes were still apparent in the monitored departments. Additional bridges need to be built between academic networks and actors, such as surrogate entrepreneurs and private equity financiers, to ensure the sustained development of new ventures.Originality/valueGuided by insights from human and social capital theory and network theory the outcomes associated with a novel structured training initiative were monitored. Case study evidence was gathered from three types of university stakeholders (i.e. Medici fellows, TTOs and senior academics) involved in the commercialisation process.
Preparing for business start‐up: “pre‐start” activities in the new venture creation dynamic
Authors: Atherton Andrew 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the activities and behaviours of potential entrepreneurs as they move towards engagement in business start‐up.Design/methodology/approachBased on in‐depth engagement with seven founders of new businesses, and informed by a review of the relevant literature.FindingsA series of transitions towards business start‐up are identified, which in turn produced a five‐step framework for examining and understanding the “pre‐start” phase of preparation for entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implicationsThe case‐based approach provided detailed and contextualised insight into how a small group of founders prepared for business start‐up. There may be a need to test the framework with a larger group of business founders to assess its wider relevance and applicability.Practical implicationsThe pre‐start framework identifies how individuals progress towards start‐up, and so could be used as the basis for a programme to encourage individuals to move through each step towards engagement in business start‐up. The movement from step to step can also be used to assess overall levels of preparation for entrepreneurship within the wider population, and so has the potential to be a useful indicator of overall levels of entrepreneurial orientation.Originality/valueThe paper presents a process‐focused model of the pre‐start dynamic.
Ownership structure, business growth and financial performance amongst SMEs
Authors: McMahon Richard G.P. 
Published: August 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine in some depth the relationships between ownership structure, business growth and financial performance amongst small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with different degrees of overlap between management and ownership.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs panel data for 1,872 SMEs legally organised as proprietary companies, taken from the Australian federal government's Business Longitudinal Survey for three financial years from 1995‐1996 to 1997‐1998.FindingsThe study finds that there is no statistically significant relationship between the proportion of equity held by SME managers and achieved business growth in the businesses examined. Furthermore, for most financial performance measures examined, it would appear that there is no statistically significant relationship between the proportion of equity held by SME managers and achieved financial performance in the businesses examined.Originality/valueThis is the first such investigation undertaken with SMEs and the findings are consistent with prior research on large business concerns. The findings can be seen as seriously challenging the relevance of agency theory in its application to smaller businesses.