bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A knowledge centred framework for collaborative business process modelling
Authors: Adamides Emmanuel D. , Karacapilidis Nikos 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to present the design rationale, the structure and the use of a web‐based information systems framework for collaborative business process modelling.Design/methodology/approachBy viewing process modelling as a “problematic situation” that entails a considerable amount of social and knowledge activity in order to be resolved, a novel process modelling construct has been developed and a participative problem‐structuring methodology adapted to the specific domain. The framework presented is the result of an action research study for process improvement and has been introduced in a real organizational setting as a pilot application.FindingsExperiences from the use of the framework presented indicate that it stimulates interaction and makes participants more accountable for their modelling contributions, as well as aiding them to define, understand, document, analyze and improve business processes in a holistic manner by interacting with one another and with the model under construction.Research limitations/implicationsCurrently, the application of the framework is limited by and depends on the availability and the technical abilities of a technical facilitator, but work is under way towards automating the inter‐process communication between the system implementing the problem‐structuring methodology and the modelling environment.Practical implicationsThe framework presented can be used in distributed organizational settings for business process management through a structured modelling process.Originality/valueThe paper presents an IS framework for business process management that integrates a problem‐structuring methodology, a Knowledge Management System and a modelling/simulation environment in a consistent way.
Addressing the challenges of mainstreaming education for sustainable development in higher education
Authors: Down Lorna 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address research on major challenges faced in attempting to mainstream education for sustainable development (ESD).Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a project for infusing ESD in a teachers' college programme in Jamaica.FindingsChallenges include colleagues' scepticism, students' expectations of course, content vs the actuality of an “expanded” course with ESD input, an absence of policy, syllabus constraints, and ways in which these were addressed.Originality/valueIn analysing the ways in which these challenges were addressed, important principles are uncovered that can guide the introduction of ESD in higher education: how “threats” can become opportunities, how constraints can make for creativity.
Counting what counts: performance measurement and evidence‐based practice
Authors: Booth Andrew 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore conceptual and practical links between performance measurement and evidence‐based library and information practice (EBLIP) and to identify lessons to be learned from evidence‐based healthcare.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a selective review of key writings in EBLIP for reference to performance measurement.FindingsThe paper finds that performance measurement may variously be viewed as one small, but essential, stage of EBLIP or an overarching approach to utilisation of data of which research‐derived evidence is a single sourceResearch limitations/implicationsSimilarities and potential linkages between the two activities are currently underdeveloped and need to be explored through rigorous empirical research.Practical implicationsThe stages of EBLIP are modelled in relation to a single case study of reference checking.Originality/valueThis is the first article to develop explicit links between these two areas of information practice, following in passim mentions at previous conferences.
Open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information
Authors: Jacsó Peter 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses open access to scholarly indexing/abstracting information.FindingsOpen access versions of the traditional ready reference tools cannot always substitute for the commercial, subscription‐based indexing/abstracting databases, but they can complement them.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into scholarly indexing/abstracting.
No longer “out of sight, out of mind”
Authors: Burgman R.J. , Roos G. , Ballow J.J. , Thomas R.J. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the logic and processes for identifying, measuring and managing intellectual capital resources along side traditional economic resources to achieve sustainable outcomes valued by investors.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is founded on classical finance theory and draws on and multi‐attribute value theory, system dynamics and the strands of thought known as intellectual capital in order to produce a grounded framework that both produces reliable results as well as achieves acceptance in the financial community.FindingsThe findings from this approach, the FVMT Methodology, provide a comprehensive management framework that is agnostic as to the form of resources being utilized and the activities that are involved in the transformation of one resource form into another on the way to achieving sustainable outcomes valued by investors.Research limitations/implicationsWhilst the approach has proven to work well the limitations are that it requires both effort and access to market makers.Practical implicationsThe implications is that for the first time an approach is now available that provides the same rigor for managing the future value component of a firm's share price as there already exist for managing the current value component of the firm's share price. This means that managers can both reduce the volatility surrounding their share price as well as predict the value outcomes of a given set of actions.Originality/valueThe authors believe that this is the first presentation of a methodology grounded in classical finance theory for the managing of the future value component of a firm's share price.
How to measure IC in clusters: empirical evidence
Authors: Luis Hervas Oliver Jose , Dalmau Porta Juan Ignacio 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a strategic framework and tool to measure and value intellectual capital (IC) in regional clusters.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical cluster strategic framework is presented and cluster fundamentals are discussed for proper model development. Design methodology was used to construct a model which achieves the aforementioned purpose.FindingsThe paper provides a comprehensive model to describe, map, measure and value IC on clusters and systematically control the IC evolution.Research limitationsThe system provided is not an exhaustive use of all the available measures. A more comprehensive practical application on several clusters would be necessary to validate and readapt the model.Practical implicationsA very useful tool of information and practical assessment for IC is provided to cluster agents and policymakers to establish proper strategic initiatives. New ideas about IC measurement in clusters are provided to academia.Originality/valueSo far, no IC cluster model has been designed. This paper fulfils an IC measurement model to help individuals involved in clusters, such as mangers, policymakers, etc.
Human capital in service organizations: identifying value drivers
Authors: Namasivayam Karthik , Denizci Basak 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw attention to value‐creating processes and their impacts on human capital valuation in high‐contact service industries.Design/methodology/approachThe main argument in this paper is developed from existing theoretical and empirical research in the fields of intellectual capital, organizational behavior, marketing, and economics. This paper is conceptual and the approach adopted is analytical. Extant research and concepts have been used to develop a human capital valuation model in high‐contact service industries and to discuss both research and managerial implications.FindingsProvides conceptual description of a value matrix that can be employed to identify more accurately value drivers of human capital in various industries.Research limitations/implicationsThe article provides a novel conceptualization of value drivers in industry. A limitation of the paper is that it is conceptual.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a useful tool to identify human capital value drivers in various industries. The value matrix can help group industries based on these value characteristics making comparisons across and within industries more readily available.Originality/valueThe article proposes a novel way to analyze value addition and transfer in industries. It moves extant research further by outlining a mechanism to identify relevant drivers of human capital with increased precision.
Intangible resources: a categorial system of knowledge and other intangible assets
Authors: Diefenbach T. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThere are several strands that cope with particular intangible resources, such as intangible assets, intellectual, human, and organisational capital, data and information, knowledge and capabilities. However, until now there have been no attempts to define and identify all intangible resources systematically in one framework. The purpose of this paper is to show how an exhaustive and exclusive categorial system of all intangible resources can be generated.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the idea of comparative analyses by grounded theory, it will be referred to relevant approaches which can be defined in academic literature. It is investigated how types of intangible resources, that share common attributes, can be grouped together, which categories emerge, and how these categories can be defined. This gradually leads to the creation of the whole categorial system based on empirical inductionism. At the same time, the categorial system is created based on logical deductionism. Having defined intangible resources as the objects of reasoning and by which leading principles will be looked at, the class of intangible resources will be broken down into categories or sub‐classes with the help of precisely formulated attributes.FindingsGeneration of a comprehensive, consistent, and complete categorial system of all possible types of intangible assets.Research limitations/implicationsSolely a theoretical paper. Although empirical examples are provided it might be interesting to demonstrate the application of this categorial system.Practical implicationsWith such a categorial system we are in the position to identify and locate the uncountable number of “real world” types of intangible resources more precisely and efficiently.Originality/valueWith such an attempt it may become clearer how to cope with different types of intangible resources, how to gather, create, use, share and develop them more appropriately.
A facility manager's approach to standardized construction contracts
Authors: Thomas‐Mobley Linda , Khuncumchoo Non 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose is to investigate the usefulness of standardized construction contracts for facilities managers.Design/methodology/approachResearch methodologies include comprehensive literature review, examination of standard contracts and online survey with professional facilities managers.FindingsThe study concludes that, with minor alterations and diligence, information necessary for successful management of a built facility can be obtained from the constructor.Practical implicationsThis research will assist facilities managers in preparation and review of standard construction contracts, to ensure they are receiving adequate information to properly manage a facility.Originality/valueThe paper helps to guide facility owners in their preparation and review of standard construction contracts.
The relationships among broad scope MAS, managerial control, performance, and job relevant information
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Jones Stewart , Ratnatunga Janek 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the decision facilitation and decision influencing roles for management information are concomitant in organizations, and therefore must be analysed concurrently.Design/methodology/approachA two‐stage regression procedure for testing the moderating and intervening relationships among the variables of interest was adopted. First, the interaction of individual level controls (administrative and professional) on broad scope management accounting system (MAS) was tested, then the intervening relationship between broad scope MAS, job‐relevant information (JRI), and performance was analysed.FindingsTests of the moderating relationship between the control environment, broad scope MAS, JRI, and performance revealed a significant interaction term for JRI, but not for performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe usual measurement and implementation errors associated with survey methodology attach to this study.  Furthermore, the sample was not randomly selected, which undermines the external validity of the findings.  External validity will be further compromised by the relatively small sample size.  Hence, caution is recommended in generalising the results to a wider population.Practical implicationsThe study provides evidence on the relationship between broad scope MAS, individual level control mechanisms and the outcome variable of JRI.Originality/valueThe paper seeks to use a controlled setting, established measures, and methods of analysis to suggest that when existing theory explains the empirical relationship among the variables of interest in more than one way, it may be necessary to comprehensively examine the relationships theoretically and empirically at more than one level to enable a better explanation of the linkage between theory and the empirical tests.
Accounting information, value relevance, and investors’ behavior in the Egyptian equity market
Authors: Ragab Aiman A. , Omran Mohammad M. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examines empirically whether national and international investors in the Egyptian stock market perceive accounting information based on the Egyptian Accounting Standards to be useful in stock valuation.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of all available listed firms in the emerging market data base from 1998 to 2002, evidence of the value relevance of accounting information in Egypt was obtained, based on both return and price models.FindingsThe results suggest that stock prices in Egypt are less information about the future value of the firm than is accounting information. It is perhaps unreasonable to conclude that accounting information has higher value relevance in Egypt because financial reporting is of higher quality. It might, however, imply that competing information sources such as earnings forecasts, firm research by financial analysts, management conference calls, etc. are far less relevant in Egypt.Originality/valueThis study is of value in that it highlights how the Egyptian stock market needs complementary information sources other than published accounting reports, to become more informationally efficient.
Trust in health care: theoretical perspectives and research needs
Authors: Gilson Lucy 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper presents some key theoretical issues about trust, and seeks to demonstrate their relevance to understanding of, and research on, health systems. Although drawing particularly on empirical evidence from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), the paper aims to stimulate thinking across country settings.Design/methodology/approachDrawing both on conceptual literature and relevant empirical research from LMICs, the paper presents an argument about the role of trust within key health system relationships and identifies future research needs.FindingsTheoretical perspectives on four questions are first discussed: what is trust and can it be constructed? Why does it matter to health systems? On what is it based? What are the dangers of trust? The relevance of these theoretical perspectives is then considered in relation to: understanding the nature of health systems; issues of equity and justice in health care; and policy and managerial priorities. The identified research needs are investigation of: the role of trusting workplace relationships as a source of non‐financial incentives; the influence of trust over the operation of different forms of citizen‐health system engagement; approaches to training trustworthy public managers; and the institutional developments required to sustain trustworthy behaviour within health systems.Practical implicationsThe policy and management actions needed to strengthen health systems within LMICs, and elsewhere, include: recruitment of health workers that have the attitudes and capacity for moral understanding and motivation; training curriculae that develop such motivation; and developing the institutions (e.g. communication and decision‐making practices, payment mechanisms) that can sustain trusting relationships across a health system. It is also important to recognise that distrust in some relationships may act to guard against the abuse of power.Originality/valueAlthough the notion of trust has become of increasing importance in health policy debates in high‐income countries, it has received less attention in the context of LMICs. The papers adds to the very limited literature on trust in LMIC health systems and also opens new lines of thinking for those working in high income countries – particularly around the role of health systems in generating wider social value.
Researching medical trust in the United States
Authors: Hall Mark A. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis article reviews research in the USA bearing on trust in physicians and medical institutions.Design/methodology/approachThis article provides a conceptual analysis, and general review of the literature.FindingsEmpirical research of medical trust is burgeoning in the USA, and a fairly clear conceptual model of interpersonal physician trust has emerged. However, most studies focus on individual patients and their physicians, due to the highly individualistic attitudes that prevail in the USA. Lacking are studies of more social dimensions of trust in broader medical institutions. A conceptual model of trust is presented to help draw these relevant distinctions, and to review the US literature. Also presented are the full set of trust scales, developed at Wake Forest University, which follow this conceptual model. These conceptual categories may differ, however, in other languages and cultures.Originality/valueThe considerable body of research in the USA on patients' trust in individual physicians should help inform and focus international efforts to study social trust in medical institutions.
Delivery of psychological therapies: clinical governance implications for trusts
Authors: Barry Robina 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the clinical governance issues involved in the provision of psychological therapies within a context of massive demand and expansion underpinned by recent policy developments at the Department of Health. Raises awareness of the potential risks to Trusts involved in inadequate governance of therapy provision.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows an informed review of the recent policies and influences affecting the development of psychological therapies and the clinical governance issues arising from them.FindingsThe paper compares the realities of service provision with the ideal model of service delivery recommended by the Department of Health. Raises concerns for all those Trusts providing psychological therapies about their governance and risk management arrangements.Originality/valueThe paper shows the key summary and opinion for all Trusts responsible for provision of psychological therapies.
Sharing good practice: knowledge in action
Authors: Wall Debbie 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to describe the development of the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team's (CGST) information products, with a focus on good practice “eurekas” and an integrated management system for storing knowledge and learning; an intranet‐based “action points” system.Design/methodology/approachThe process behind development of a set of products and a system to capture and share good practice in health care.FindingsTo ensure that good practice in clinical governance was being disseminated effectively, and to celebrate success, the CGST developed “eurekas” as short, structured accounts of local improvements to health care. To enhance the number of “raw” eurekas turned into finished, online products, the process of production was streamlined through an online “action points” system. This is an effective knowledge management tool for storing, retrieving and monitoring the development of information into a range of products for sharing across the NHS (e.g. stories, case studies). The system was developed in parallel with the team's website and intranet.Originality/valueThe stages in development of CGST information products since 2000 are outlined, along with the principles behind an efficient system for capturing good practice and CGST learning. Tips on information product development and distribution are given.
Most organizations get evaluation all wrong
Authors: Cunningham Ian 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis article discusses the evaluation process in organizations.Design/methodology/approachProvides a viewpoint based on experience.FindingsFacing the hard facts and truths about what works and what does not, understanding the dangerous half‐truths that constitute so much conventional wisdom about management, and rejecting the total nonsense that too often passes for sound advice will help organizations perform better.Originality/valueProvides a useful insight into the evaluation process.
Perceived managerial problems in SMEs: evidence from Botswana
Authors: Temtime Zelealem T. , Pansiri Jaloni 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper investigates the perceived critical managerial factors affecting the performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 250 SMEs in Botswana through questionnaire and analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The respondents were asked to rate the impact of 34 selected items (derived from small business management literature) using a five‐point Likert type scale ranging from very high (5) to very low (1).FindingsThe findings revealed that four factors (managerial action, human resources development, managerial background and organization development) emerged as critical management problems affecting the survival and growth of SMEs in Botswana.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the findings are based on perceptions of managers rather than actual impact analysis, they have practical implications for the development of a proactive management development and training and small business support programs in developing economies like Botswana.Practical implicationsThe paper promotes the importance of designing management development and support programs based on assessment of the organizational and managerial problems and the objective conditions in which SMEs are operating.Originality/valueThis article discusses SMEs in Botswana.