bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Friction spot joining in aluminium car bodies
Authors: Connolly Christine 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo review the capabilities of a new method of welding aluminium sheets for car body construction.Design/methodology/approachDescribes the friction spot joining technique, and how it differs from friction stir welding. Describes the tests carried out at the University of Warwick to compare this with other aluminium sheet joining techniques.FindingsCompared with resistance spot welding, this technique is simple, and physically and electromagnetically clean. Its low energy requirement per joint and low running costs give it advantages in joining thin materials, and eventual recycling is much easier than with self‐piercing riveting joints.Originality/valueDescribes the motivation behind the continuing development of an all‐aluminium joining technique, and compares spot friction joining with self‐pierce riveting and resistance spot welding.
In‐pipe robot for inspection and sampling tasks
Authors: Zhu Chi 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo develop an in‐pipe robot to be used for inspecting pipes that are laid underneath a waste disposal site and for sampling sewage water leaking from holes around the pipe.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a compact design of the robot's mechanical and electronic systems, and develops a simple and practical method for determining the hole position using some characteristics of this in‐pipe robot.FindingsDevelopment of a multi‐functional in‐pipe robot with elaborate design is feasible, and multiple trapezoidal‐shaped wheels have good capabilities of providing the robot large traction force and keeping the robot horizontal in pipeline. A good mechanical structure design can greatly reduce control and computation cost by using some specific features of the object system.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides guidance for future design of multi‐functional in‐pipe robots.Practical implicationsThe combination of a vision system and a manipulator can perform in‐pipe inspection and other different tasks. The developed robot has already been used practically by a large Japanese construction company for pipe inspection and sewage sampling.Originality/valueAn in‐pipe robot is developed that cannot only implement pipe inspection, but which can also take sewage water samples. Most of such multiple‐functional small robots are still in development and rarely reported.
Purchasing process transformation: restructuring for small purchases
Authors: Parikh Mihir A. , Joshi Kailash 
Published: January 2007

PurposeReducing purchasing costs remains an ongoing concern for most organizations. The standard purchasing process that works well for large purchases, however, generates proportionately much higher overhead and administrative costs for small purchases leading to purchase delays, high error rate, and poor vendor participation. There is a need to develop separate purchasing processes for small and large purchases and evaluate underlying factors that affect such process transformation. This paper aims to analyze a successful purchasing process transformation conducted at a utility company for small purchases.Design/methodology/approachIt uses a case study methodology to examine the transformation in detail and understand related issues such as benefits realization, resistance to change, and risk management involved in such transformation projects.FindingsIt compares original and transformed purchasing processes and identifies resultant benefits to the company, participating vendors, banks, and employees. It finds that a company receives many operational, informational, and accounting benefits in addition to purchasing cost savings.Practical implicationsIt provides guidelines for similar restructuring for small purchases in other organizations.Originality/valueThe paper offers a generic business process model for small purchases and employs equity‐implementation model to explain the factors leading to the success in this purchasing process transformation and possibly other similar organizational transformations.
The role of existing measures in developing and implementing performance measurement systems
Authors: Wouters Marc , Sportel Mark 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of existing, local performance measures in the process of developing and implementing an integrated performance measurement system. Performance measurement has received much attention since the 1980s, based on the notion that performance measurement systems should be adapted to modern manufacturing systems. However, relatively few empirical studies have investigated implementation processes of such systems.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a case study of the development of a performance measurement system in a medium‐sized company.FindingsIt was found that the process was strongly guided by the need to identify existing reports and metrics at different levels within the organization, which informed the development and implementation of the new performance measurement system. This is a more significant role than has usually been proposed in the literature – one side of the gap between existing measures and an ideal system that has first been developed following a kind of “greenfield” approach.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could use other longitudinal case studies to obtain more insights into development and implementation processes, and also focus on information systems in these processes.Originality/valueThe value of this paper lies in highlighting the interplay between organizational experiences that are embedded in informal, local performance reports and new performance measurement initiatives that are initiated from a higher management‐level.
The relationship between total quality management practices and organizational culture
Authors: Prajogo Daniel I. , McDermott Christopher M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis empirical study explores the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices and organizational culture with the purpose of identifying the particular cultures that determine the successful implementation of TQM practices. Specifically, it tests two competing views on the relationship; the unitarist and pluralist views.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data was drawn from 194 organizations in Australia. The research model employs the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria as TQM framework and builds on the competing values model to frame organizational culture. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling technique.FindingsThe findings support the pluralist view, wherein different subsets of TQM practices are determined by different types of cultures. Interestingly, hierarchical culture was found to have a significant relationship with certain practices of TQM. Additionally, the findings indicate that although the cultural factors underpinning different elements of TQM are dissimilar, even antagonistic, organizations can implement them in harmony.Practical implicationsThe major implication of this study is that organizations need to accommodate divergent goals by developing a system and/or structure that allows enough flexibility for adapting different (even contrasting) management styles, between control and flexibility and between internal and external orientations, so that they may gain benefits from the multiple dimensions of TQM.Originality/valueThis paper provides empirical evidence on the multidimensionality of TQM practices along with their association with different types of culture.
Critical linkages among TQM factors and business results
Authors: Sila Ismail , Ebrahimpour Maling 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo empirically investigate the relationships among critical TQM factors and business results.Design/methodology/approachTwenty‐three hypotheses regarding the relationships among TQM factors and business results have been developed through literature review and tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study utilized survey data obtained from US manufacturing companies.FindingsProvides information about the results of each hypothesis, their implications, and how these findings compare to previous studies. Pays special attention to the relationships between TQM factors and business results and discusses findings in this area by offering insights from 22 previous studies that analyzed TQM‐performance relationships.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers could use the results of this study to explore various related hypotheses in more detail and improve the accuracy of future empirical quality management studies. The study makes specific recommendations for such future studies. There were also some research limitations. For instance, the data were obtained through mail survey and relied on the perceptions of the respondents.Practical implicationsThe results of this study can be used by managers to prioritize the implementation of TQM practices. For instance, those practices that are found to have a positive impact on business results can be recommended to managers so that they can allocate resources to improve these practices to get the best results.Originality/valueThis study conducts a comprehensive review of the literature to develop factors of critical TQM practices and business results, and unlike most previous studies, it uses multiple, distinct indicators for each factor to test an elaborate SEM model of the relationships among these factors.
Editorial
Authors: Webster Margaret , Taylor Andrew 
Published: January 2007

PurposeIntroduces the special issue, a celebration of 25 years of IJOPM.Design/methodology/approachProvides a brief review of the first 25 years.FindingsOutlines the philosophy and values of IJOPM, and the developments that have changed operations management practices and research.Originality/valueProvides an introduction to the special issue.
An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes
Authors: Gerwin Donald 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper, originally published in 1987, seeks to outline an agenda for conducting rigorous research into the flexibility of manufacturing processes.Design/methodology/approachAn initial domain for defining flexibility is established, specific measures are suggested, and sampling issues are discussed. There is also a discussion of relevant research problems that can be addressed once valid and reliable operationalisations exist.FindingsIts underlying premise is that current efforts are being impeded by the absence of operational measures for the concept.Originality/valueA useful historical perspective on manufacturing processes.
Manufacturing process flexibility revisited
Authors: Schmenner Roger W. , Tatikonda Mohan V. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide an update on a paper published in 1987 in IJOPM.Design/methodology/approachProvides an assessment and update of “An agenda for research on the flexibility of manufacturing processes”.FindingsGerwin's seminal work added welcome rigor to a concept, manufacturing flexibility, which had gained prominence during the previous decade. Finds that many of Gerwin's insights have stood the test of time. A number of things have changed since that time, but others have remained much as they were. Machines have become more capable and computer‐based controls have improved machine and process flexibility, but the character of that flexibility has remained very much the same.Originality/valueRevisits Gerwin's conceptualization of manufacturing process flexibility and subsequent progress in understanding it.
The changing nature of operations flexibility
Authors: Slack Nigel 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis short paper seeks to explain why the original paper “The flexibility of manufacturing systems” was written (1987), and attempts to examine at least some of the flexibility literature that has followed.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a review and observations about the 1987 work.FindingsThe original paper treated flexibility in an exclusively manufacturing context. Even in the mid‐1980s one could argue that this was a mistake. If flexibility is an important concept in operations management, it should be explored in all types of operation, not just in manufacturing. Now, more than 80 per cent of economic activity and employment occurs in non‐manufacturing enterprises. Flexibility is no different from most other topics in operations in that it is unreasonably skewed towards the manufacturing sector, it would nevertheless benefit from more empirical and conceptual work in the context of service operations.Originality/valueProvides a useful update on an author's findings from two decades ago.
Reconsidering e‐business strategy and the impact on supply chains
Authors: Cagliano Raffaella , Caniato Federico , Spina Gianluca 
Published: January 2007

PurposeSeeks to review the results of a paper originally published in 2003 and to evaluate what can be considered still valid and what needs to be revisited.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a general review and observations about the earlier work.FindingsThe focus of the earlier paper was on integration and collaboration tools, while internet B2B tools can be used also for the opposite purpose. E‐sourcing and e‐procurement tools are aimed at increasing purchasing efficiency, rather than integrating inter‐firm business processes. In general, statistics and predictions such as those discussed focus on the value of exchanges, not on the purpose of internet applications.Originality/valueThe paper provides relevance at the present stage of B2B internet applications.
The German historical schools in the history of economic thought
Authors: Senn Peter R. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to study how the German historical schools are treated in the histories of economic thought as the background for an exploration of some historiographical issues in the history of economic thought.Design/methodology/approachThe study describes the contributions of the members of the German historical schools from a variety of different viewpoints and attitudes toward the history of economic thought.FindingsOne conclusion is that several of the things most of the economists of the German historical schools desired are now part of mainstream economics. These include an enlarged scope of economics, changes in the role of the state in economic life, attention to the relationships of law and economics and recognition of the importance of history. Another conclusion is that several historiographical and methodological problems important for the history of economic thought need further study.Originality/valueThe study helps to explain and understand some historiographical aspects of the history of economic thought. It examines practices, principles, theories, methodology and forms of presentation of scholarly historical research on one subject in the history of economic thought.
Entrepreneurship and economic development
Authors: Ebner Alexander 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reconstruct economic reasoning on entrepreneurship from the perspective of its institutional content, thus underlining the aspects of power relations and leadership, which are related with the organisational and technological dimensions of innovation and coordination as entrepreneurial functions.Design/methodology/approachIn reconstructing the theory of entrepreneurship in a range from classical political economy to current efforts in economic sociology, the paper focuses on an appreciation of Schumpeterian entrepreneurship as a concept that is influenced both by Austrian marginalism and the German historical school.FindingsThe paper finds that the research perspective of economic sociology as a means for exploring the institutional foundations of entrepreneurship is of utmost relevance for further efforts in theorising the role of entrepreneurship in economic development.Practical implicationsThe paper promotes policy implications, which underline that policies for the support of entrepreneurship need to account for the differentiation of entrepreneurial functions and their actual carriers, reconsidering the economic manifestations of their institutional embeddedness.Originality/valueThe paper establishes innovation and coordination as ideal types of entrepreneurial functions, perceiving them as fundamental concepts in economic reasoning on entrepreneurship in the process of economic development.
Some remarks on self‐interest, the historical schools and the evolution of the theory of public goods
Authors: Pickhardt Michael 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper is devoted to the question of what motivates man in his pursuit of economic activities. Particular attention is given to the notion that economic activities of individuals may not be motivated by their self‐interest alone.Design/methodology/approachUsing literary analysis, the paper first reconsiders the role of self‐interest and non‐selfish motives in the historical schools. Then it is demonstrated that at least some non‐selfish motives were incorporated in the voluntary exchange theory of public economy. Next it is shown that during the evolution of the theory of public goods these non‐selfish motives were lost and that the modern theory of public goods rests entirely on the self‐interest hypothesis. However, over the last two decades results of public goods experiments have cast considerable doubt on the pure self‐interest hypothesis.FindingsA major finding of this paper is that several non‐selfish motives of man that show up in recent public goods experiments were already discussed by representatives of the historical schools.Research limitations/implicationsAn agenda for future research on the topic is sketched in the final section.Practical implicationsPractical implications include that the allocation of many goods, not just public goods, may improve if agents pay more attention to non‐selfish motives of man.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the existing body of related writings by linking developments in the evolution of theory of public goods, in particular recent findings from public goods experiments, to a specific aspect already advocated by representatives of the historical schools, that is, the notion that man in his pursuit of economic activities is not motivated by his self‐interest alone. To this extent, the paper is of interest for researchers working on public goods theory, experimental economics and the history of economic thought.
The Younger German Historical School and the problem of unemployment
Authors: Frambach Hans 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo analyse some proposals of the Younger German Historical School as to how to reduce unemployment and to examine them with regard to their application to contemporary unemployment. The more general issue of this paper is: Can we learn from the Younger Historical School how to solve current problems?Design/methodology/approachA review and discussion of the proposals of the Younger German Historical School.FindingsEven though the Younger German Historical School saw the unemployment problem from an integrated point of view, many proposed solutions appear in a very modern light. Economic and social policy was called on to stimulate economic activity and to coordinate the different economic policies, taking account of the level of employment.Originality/valueHighlights the fact that unemployment is not only a present day phenomenon. The dramatic impact of unemployment on individuals and societies has been well‐known, at least since the start of industrialization.
The German Historical School and Russian economic thought
Authors: Sheptun Alla 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper is an attempt to sketch the influence of the German Historical School on the development of Russian economic thought at the boundary of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and, particularly, on the forming of its socio‐ethical trend with an alternative approach in solving the “social question”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is designed as a brief outlook of the history of the Russian economic thought at the pre‐revolutionary time and of the main theoretical debates on the paths of Russia's economic development.FindingsIt can be seen that at the turn of the century a new socio‐ethical trend of political economy in the Russian economic science was being shaped under the influence of the German Historical School's ideas and their creative re‐evaluation. Representatives of this trend – Bulgakov, Miklashevsky, Tugan‐Baranovsky and others – addressed the problems of “social ideal”, “social policy” and ethical principle in political economy. They were promoting the social reforms as the path to social compromise.Originality/valueThe reconstructuring of Russia's political and economic system in the last decade of the twentieth century and transition to a market‐oriented economy gave rise to a modern wave of debates over the fundamentals of economic theory. The present paper focuses on the importance of the humanistic approach in the theory of social economy that involves historical, philosophical, legal and others points of view on the economic life of society.
Eliminating undeclared work: beyond a deterrence approach
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Windebank Jan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo evaluate critically the view of undeclared work as market‐like activity conducted for monetary gain, and participation as a rational economic decision, and the resultant public policy response that seeks to deter engagement in such work by ensuring that the expected cost of being caught and punished is greater than the economic benefit of participating.Design/methodology/approachReview of empirical research on the work relations and motives of those engaged in undeclared work.FindingsThis paper reveals that although some undeclared work is market‐like and conducted for unadulterated economic reasons, a large proportion is carried out under relations and for motives more akin to unpaid mutual aid, especially in deprived populations.Practical implicationsEvaluating the implications of this finding for a deterrence approach, the argument is that rather than simply seek to eliminate such paid mutual aid through deterrence, a more refined approach is required that combines deterrence with initiatives to facilitate the legitimisation of such work. How this might be achieved is then outlined.Originality/valueThis paper provides the rationale for moving towards a more “joined‐up” public policy approach towards tackling undeclared work and developing social capital rather than treating them as separate policy realms.
How sensitive are Britain's inpayments and outpayments to the value of the British pound
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Economidou Claire , Gobinda Goswami Gour 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo avoid aggregation bias by using trade data at bilateral level so that we can determine how sensitive are Britain's inpayments and outpayments to the value of the British pound.Design/methodology/approachThe method is based on the bounds testing approach to cointegration and error‐correction modeling.FindingsThe main finding is that while UK inpayments are not sensitive to the exchange rate, her outpayments are.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research must concentrate on disaggregating data further, perhaps at commodity level.Practical implicationsThe results could be used to identify Britain's trading partners against which Britain can devalue the pound and improve her trade balance.Originality/valueNo study has attempted to test the impact of real depreciation of the pound on Britain's payments and receipts with her major trading partners.