bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kautilya on economics as a separate science
Authors: Sihag Balbir S. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the origin of economics as a separate science.Design/methodology/approachA very comprehensive approach is presented for determining the origin of economics as a science. Three kinds of inter‐related issues are discussed: how to interpret and evaluate earlier, particularly ancient, writings, the specification of the requirements for declaring economics as a science and the definition, scope and methodology of economics.FindingsApplication of the most stringent requirements for declaring economics as a separate science to Kautilya's Arthashastra validated A.K. Sen's claim that it is the first book on economics.Research limitations/implicationsAccording to Kautilya, economics is a separate science but not independent of other disciplines and particularly of ethics. Whereas, most of the current research ignores this inter‐dependence and consequently does not fully capture reality.Practical implicationsIt implies that the inter‐dependence between economics and other disciplines should be encouraged and vigorously explored.Originality/valueIt validates Redman's assertion, “The history of economics as a science is, in my view, still waiting to be properly written”.
Kautilya: a forerunner of neoclassical price theory
Authors: Sihag Balbir S. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish Kautilya as a genuine contender to be a forerunner of the neoclassical price theory.Design/methodology/approachRational reconstruction approach is used to present Kautilya's understanding of several most basic concepts in economics.FindingsKautilya's understanding of the law of diminishing returns is at par with the classicists. His applications of concepts like opportunity cost, and of demand and supply framework, are closer to those of the neoclassicals. His understanding of the rules (axioms) of comparison and consistency and the exploration of substitution possibilities is way ahead of the classicists.Research limitations/implicationsThe current research in the history of economic thought concentrates too heavily on the exploration of Western history of economic thought.Practical implicationsKautilya'sArthashastrais a new source of knowledge and the profession should encourage the exploration of other ancient contributions outside of Europe.Originality/valueThe paper revises the history of economic thought.
Kautilya on law, economics and ethics
Authors: Sihag Balbir S. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the status of economic analysis of laws relating to property and contracts during ancient times in India.Design/methodology/approachModern research tools are used to present Kautilya's ideas on contracts and property.FindingsKautilya implicitly proposes a labor theory of property. He devised economic laws related to contracts, property and tort, which promoted economic efficiency and encouraged ethical behavior.Research limitations/implicationsCurrent approaches ignore the role of ethics in designing legal rules for promoting economic efficiency.Practical implicationUnless laws are designed to encourage and promote ethical conduct optimum economic efficiency is unlikely to be achieved.Originality/valueKautilya advocated a contract theory (between the ruler and the ruled), which was utilitarian in nature, however, unlike Bentham, he still appealed to the moral motivation.
Buying business services: towards a structured service purchasing process
Authors: van der Valk Wendy , Rozemeijer Frank 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to uncover the specific difficulties associated with buying services and proposes a structured purchasing process which can help organisational buyers to overcome the problems associated with services purchasing.Design/methodology/approachThe authors investigate the supposed differences between goods and services procurement by means of literature research and a questionnaire distributed among Dutch purchasing managers. Additionally, they draw on experiences from additional case study research and business practice to better understand the results of the survey and to further explore the actual process of buying services.FindingsThe results of the literature review and the survey show that developing a proper specification is an important prerequisite for purchasing services successfully. Based on these findings, an expansion to the traditional purchasing process is proposed which incorporates the steps of pre‐selecting suppliers and detailing the initial specification.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey is limited to The Netherlands. Furthermore, the questions in the survey consider the respondent's perception and not the “truth”.Practical implicationsFor organisational buyers, the importance of a proper specification implies that they should involve service providers early on in the service purchasing process. The service providers consequently can exercise the appropriate resources to develop a high quality solution, but need to be able to demonstrate this added value in these early phases of the services purchasing process.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the discussion on buying services and tries to find out why this is perceived as complicated. It highlights three problem areas and proposes a solution to tackle these.
Exploring commercial friendships from employees' perspectives
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.Design/methodology/approachThe article employs a network‐based inventory method to evaluate a customer's commercial‐based social support network and grounded theory to develop a framework illustrating the interdependence between service providers and their customers regarding the exchange of intrinsic support and extrinsic financial incentives and gifts.FindingsIndirect service employees who do not directly receive tips from customers emerge as key providers of social support. Also, commercial friendships are not marketplace niceties. Service providers and customers engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of social support, gifts, and tips under the guise of commercial friendships.Research limitations/implicationsThe article is based upon service provider and customer relationships in an American diner. Researchers may want to apply the offered model to other contexts and locals. Also, researchers may want to reconsider the idea that service providers willingly provide social support to their customers.Practical implicationsThe hiring and training of service employees, such as cashiers, hostesses, and “bus boys,” should be taken into consideration as they may be key providers of social support. Service providers should realize the extrinsic and intrinsic benefits or providing support.Originality/valueThe paper empirically investigates the role of indirect service employees in providing customers with social support. Also, it demonstrates that commercial friendships are mutually beneficial relationships where service providers and customers realize extrinsic and/or intrinsic benefits from these relationships.
Teachers' organisational behaviour in public and private funded schools
Authors: Honingh M.E. , Oort F.J. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly‐ and privately‐funded schools in the Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.Design/methodology/approachA percentage of all middle managers in publicly and privately funded schools (72 per cent and 43 per cent respectively) distributed self‐report questionnaires to their teachers measuring teachers' attitudes, sense of identification and perception of the school climate. The sample consisted of 705 teachers in publicly funded schools and 25 teachers in privately funded schools. Data were analysed through multilevel analysis accounting for the dependency of teachers working within the same teaching unit.FindingsThe analyses show that teachers in publicly funded schools report a less curriculum‐oriented attitude, a lower sense of identification, and perceive a less supportive school climate than teachers in privately funded schools. Funding did not have an effect on the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude. In addition, the analyses show significant effects of teacher characteristics, the disciplinary sector, and affiliation characteristics on teachers' organisational behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper clearly indicates differences in teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly and privately funded schools. Contrary to common beliefs, the institutional context hardly influences the extent to which teachers have a student‐oriented attitude.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to insights in behavioural aspects of the fading boundary between the public and private sector.
Depicting the arena in which Brazilian local government authorities make decisions
Authors: Gomes Ricardo C. , de Oliveira Miranda Gomes Luciana 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe the arena in which managers of small size Brazilian municipalities make decisions as constrained by stakeholder influence.Design/methodology/approachFour case studies were carried out with municipalities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The investigation was carried out using grounded theory. Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews with managers and with the main stakeholders. Data were analysed using content analysis, supported by QSR N6 software.FindingsThe contribution of this paper to theory is based on a description of the arena in which Brazilian municipal districts make decisions. In so doing, it endeavours to model this arena as comprised of five clusters of stakeholder concerns: limitation, collaboration, orientation, legitimacy, and inspection. The paper raises some issues that are helpful in explaining the relationship between stakeholder influences and public organisations. In other words, it helps to label stakeholder influences and to make stakeholder influence more manageable by public organisations at the local government level. In practical terms, the paper concludes that the number of stakeholders is less important than the sort of influence they are supposed to exert upon organisations.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this investigation relate to the features of the case study methods employed. The results show the particular situation of the State of Minas Gerais (at the southeast of Brazil) and represent the situation of small municipalities.Originality/valueThere has been very little prior analysis of stakeholder influence focusing on local government. This investigation is the first with a specific focus on identifying the arena in which Brazilian municipalities make decisions and the relationship of those municipalities with stakeholders.
Improving the validity of public procurement research
Authors: Gordon Murray J. 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that the fundamental difference between private and public procurement, that of politicians, has been largely overlooked in public procurement strategy and management research. It then aims to argue that existing public procurement research could be improved if greater attention were given to in research design to validity and the interface with politicians.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a critical literature review of public procurement strategy and management literature, examining the methodologies used and roles of politicians.FindingsThe findings suggest there is an in‐built bias through over reliance on procurement managers as the key respondents, tendency to focus on private sector procurement research attributes and questions, and a tendency to focus on operational as opposed to strategic public procurement decision making.Research limitations/implicationsThe research suggests a need for greater understanding of politicians' engagement in public procurement strategy and management and the need for greater triangulation in public procurement research.Originality/valueThe paper highlights how public procurement strategy and management research can be improved to increase its validity. It explores the neglected area of the role of politicians in public procurement.
Gendered nature of managerialism? Case of the National Health Service
Authors: Miller Karen 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that managerialism, as applied to the public sector, contributes to a gendered organisational culture that disadvantages female career progression.Design/methodology/approachThe research was qualitative in approach and involved face‐to‐face interviews with male and female, clinical and non‐clinical managers (n=31) in Scotland's health service.FindingsThe main finding is that public sector managerialism, and consequent transactional and stereotypical masculine styles of management, inhibits female career progression.Practical implicationsManagerialism as currently applied in the public sector creates certain inefficiencies by limiting the potential of women, which has implications for female career progression in the public sector, succession management and the sustainability of services.Originality/valueThe paper adds to a growing body of evidence that stereotypical masculine styles of management create an organisational culture that affects female career progression. Furthermore, the paper will be of value in understanding the factors that impact on female career progression within the public sector, which is of importance given that the majority of public sector employees in the UK, particularly in the health sector, are female.
Value creation in health care services – developing service productivity
Authors: Nordgren Lars 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe “old” concept of productivity seems to be misleading in health care, because it does not involve the contribution of the patient in value creation. The purpose of this paper will therefore be to explore possibilities for developing service productivity in theory and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a discursive reading of authoritative texts, an understanding of how health care work is organised and of several examples illustrating value creation. A proposed theoretical frame draws on “value creation”, “match matching” and “agency”. Empirical material is used, as are an analysis of a service meeting in health care, official texts in a Swedish context and narratives written by “users” and professionals.FindingsThe concept of service productivity in the context of health care encompasses values such as experienced health, quality of life, accessibility, trust, communication, avoidable suffering and avoidable deaths, and not only reduced costs, activities and outcomes.Research limitation/implicationsThere is a need for more research concerning matchmaking and support of the customer. An overall aim for the providers should be to match the value creation process of the customer (patient).Originality/valueThis is a conceptual paper concerning value creation and service productivity in health care.
Patterns of voluntary extended performance reporting in Italian local authorities
Authors: Marcuccio Manila , Steccolini Ileana 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of voluntary extended performance reporting (EPR) by Italian local authorities (LAs) by exploring the patterns of financial and non‐financial disclosure and the factors affecting those patterns. More specifically it aims to analyse hypotheses drawing from contingency and legitimacy approaches against the content of the reports and findings discussed consistently.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a content analysis conducted on all EPRs prepared by Italian LAs. The classification scheme is based on the literature on social and environmental disclosures content analysis and is specifically designed to investigate EPR practices by governmental entities.FindingsFrom the empirical analysis an extremely differentiated picture emerges. A common model of EPR does not exist; nevertheless EPR represents a significant effort by LAs in communicating performance to external stakeholders, with specific reference to the results achieved in social and economic development. Even if there is not a unique set of factors which can explain the differences in the reporting choices by Italian LAs, the analysis shows that the type of activities performed and the LAs' strategic priorities influence significantly the content of the reports.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on an interesting phenomenon for Italian LAs, namely the shift from a reactive compliance of law‐driven managerial reform process to a proactive adoption of managerial practices. The paper explores the under‐investigated field of voluntary social reporting in LAs. It discusses the influence of a set of external and internal factors in shaping the patterns and contents of EPR disclosure in Italian LAs. If empirical findings confirm the explicit influence of only a limited set of factors, they provide a valuable insight into how LAs use (voluntary) EPR in order to legitimise strategic and management choices.
Raising preparedness by risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness and improvement of emergency shelters
Authors: Becker Nicole 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a winterised tent for emergency shelter use in cold climate regions. As in any risk management process the risk analysis and evaluation are of major importance. First, a risk analysis of post‐disaster homelessness is presented. Second, a number of feasible floor insulations for tents will be dealt with.Design/methodology/approachThe risk analysis was undertaken evaluating the homelessness data of the EM‐DAT (Emergency Disasters Data Base) database. For the development of a floor insulation the literature on past‐disasters was reviewed and experts in the field of emergency shelters were consulted. Furthermore, a transfer of knowledge from other fields was undertaken, e.g. from build materials.FindingsIt was found that beside the endangerment the human development status is of major importance for the number of people left homeless by a natural disaster. A number of floor insulations were developed which allow for thermal comfort of the tent occupants up to a ground temperature of −10°C.Research limitations/implicationsHaving investigated analytically various options for a floor insulation, consequently field testing becomes necessary.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates that thermal comfort is not possible without an appropriate floor insulation and therefore highlights the need to consider it as an integral part of tent winterisation.Originality/valueWithin the scope of tent winterisation this paper widens the view from the usual restriction on roof insulation towards a fully winterised tent and addresses thereby all persons working in the field of emergency shelters.
Supporting urban emergency response and recovery using RFID‐based building assessment
Authors: Aziz Zeeshan , Peña‐Mora Feniosky , Chen Albert , Lantz Timothy 
Published: February 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on improving mobile computing support for professionals involved in a disaster response and recovery operation to facilitate better assessment of the damage caused to buildings and to make this assessment information available to personnel within the disaster response arena so as to expedite a safe, efficient and effective disaster response process.Design/methodology/approachThe research method involved the use of scenario‐based user needs analysis for studying end‐user needs and requirements and use of Rational Unified Process for software design and implementation. An IT‐supported collaboration platform was developed to enable first responders to communicate using handheld devices and laptops and share critical building evaluation information using a mobile ad hoc network. The deployed system was trialled at Illinois Fire Services Institute (IFSI).FindingsRadio Frequency Identification (RFID)‐enabled mobile devices and tags can be used for posting, gathering, storing and sharing building assessment information in a efficient manner with fewer errors, leading to improved efficiency and effectiveness in the emergency response process.Originality/valueThe key research contribution includes analysis of the information needs of first responders, development of a collaborative framework for supporting urban preparedness and emergency response, demonstration of developed concepts in realistic disaster scenarios, and implementation and validation of the prototype system to demonstrate the concepts.
Towards a more “robust” technology? Capacity building in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka
Authors: Pathiraja Milinda , Tombesi Paolo 
Published: February 2009

PurposeIn fast urbanizing economies such as Sri Lanka, the construction industry tends to fragment into almost separate spheres of production with little or no reciprocal connection in training, know‐how and career development paths, and consequent limitations in internal knowledge dissemination and technology transfer. This type of industrial compartmentalization is detrimental to the social acquisition of skills, and restricts the operational frameworks of given technologies, especially in low‐cost sectors. Against this backdrop, this paper sets out to speculate on how design can act as an engine of social and economic growth for those involved in its production.Design/methodology/approachBased on government statistics and building output analysis, the paper argues that architects can build labour policy‐making into the design of their buildings, provided that such an agenda is developed strategically, by examining the industrial base of the region, and by defining a design and technological vocabulary that feeds off the analysis of place‐specific conditions, limitations, and ambitions.FindingsThe integration of technological development and broad socio‐economic growth can be facilitated by “open” (or “incremental”) industrial design strategies aimed at connecting construction markets rather than keeping them separate. To this end, it is posited that technological contamination and compromise can help the labour force to increase its own skills progressively.Research/limitations implicationsIn practical terms, this objective translates in the definition of building implementation techniques that can adapt to the level of complexity required and the level of expenditure possible without penalizing the expected performance of the building – i.e. they must be inherently “robust” as opposed to precise and therefore more “sensitive”.Originality/valueThe paper is the first result of a thesis‐in‐progress that, on the basis of a technical review carried out on a small sample of ideal‐type projects in Sri Lanka, is considering ways to create and link labour development opportunities through architectural design.