bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From manual to automated purchasing
Authors: Rantala Lauri , Hilmola Olli‐Pekka 
Published: January 2007

PurposeBusiness conditions of electronics manufacturers are demanding due to ever shortening product life‐cycles, higher variety and increased outsourcing activity. Even though companies could manage the increasing amount of purchased items with modularity, software‐based customization and well designed product platforms; the case is often so that item count in purchasing is increasing with high rates. On the top of this, time of the purchasing is being largely spent in new component search and management of end of product life cycle components/products. Therefore, organizations are faced to automate all of the possible manual ordering phases in order to increase the productivity of this function. Our purpose in this paper is to reveal how electronics manufacturers could achieve this challenging objective, and what are the possible causes for implementation success/failure.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses case study findings and obtained data from four year period, when middle‐sized electronics manufacturer started to use automated purchasing with some of its high volume purchasing components. Case study also contains brief introduction for the supply chain and business environment of electronics, and highlights the important role of component distributors.FindingsThe research results reveal following outcomes: in a majority of automated ordering components inventory turns were higher as compared to manual mode results, the demand fluctuation in different components showed lower deviation and in limited number of cases internal and external factors caused inventory turn decrease.Originality/valueResearch results provide needed practical evidence for the middle‐sized electronics manufacturers that automated purchasing implementations are valuable for them, and highlight the importance of different services provided by the component distributors. So, the implementation success is a combination of ERP system integration as well as supply chain solutions. Mostly for academics this paper provides empirical evidence from the applied ordering algorithms, and identified caveats of purchasing automation.
Parts remanufacturing in the oilfield industry
Authors: Maples Glenn E. , Heady Ronald B. , Zhu Zhiwei 
Published: January 2007

PurposeProvide a new technique for forecasting parts usage in remanufacturing operations and describe its application to oil field equipment operations.Design/methodology/approachNew “correlated forecasting preprocessing” equations were derived for extracting additional information from a matrix of historical parts usage data. They were applied to both synthetic data and actual data from a large oil field remanufacturer.FindingsThe new equations were effective in extracting the necessary pre‐forecasting data from both synthetic and actual data sets. The key to effective preprocessing is using the correlation information from the entire parts usage matrix rather than just rely on bill of materials relationships.Practical implicationsAccurate forecasting is vital to manufacturing at all levels of aggregation from the smallest part to the entire facility and for all planning horizons from days to years. Forecasting is an operations manager's first line of defense in inventory control. The addition of a preprocessing step makes the application of traditional forecasting methods yield significantly better results.Originality/valueThe concept of using the partial correlations present in a parts usage matrix, instead of attempting to apply bill of material relationships, is new. The resulting preprocessing equations are new. The value of improved forecasting is that it directly impacts manufacturing profitability.
A requirements‐driven workload model for XML benchmark
Authors: Seng Jia‐Lang , Yu Jing 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide a more requirements‐driven workload model for eXtensible Markup Language (XML) benchmark over the electronic data exchange and management in collaborative commerce.Design/methodology/approachA three‐component workload requirements model is formulated. They are the XML object model, the XML query operation model, and the control model. The object model extended from W3C data model gives a set of more generic data and document model. The query model enhanced from current and common benchmarks gives a more generalized set of standard and open queries against XML data and documents. The control model compiled from TPC and industry standards gives a set of more systematic experimental variables and performance metrics to set up and conduct an XML benchmark.FindingsThe long‐standing research issues of domain dependency and application irreproducibility of XML benchmarks are addressed, tackled and offered with a novel and computer‐aided alternative. Precision and cost‐effectiveness through a synthetic, standard, and scalable set of requirements‐driven workload model are presented.Research limitations/implicationsXML constructs, constraints, and controls are investigated both in terms of data and documents. Workload formulation from the requirements analysis is explored. In‐depth schema, query, and control model to provide scalability and portability can be applied is developed.Practical implicationsEnterprise information integration over heterogeneous data sources has to be achieved through XML. Performance measurement and evaluation on XML is vital. With a more generic and generalized design, XML benchmark can become the key to the success of B2Bi interoperability and performance.Originality/valueAn origin of requirements‐driven benchmark modeling over collaborative commerce is presented. A novel extension on W3C XML model is created. A innovative enhancement from current XML benchmarks' query model is developed.
A comparison of leadership roles in internal IT projects versus outsourcing projects
Authors: Gottschalk Petter , Terje Karlsen Jan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study investigates the emphasis placed on different managerial roles by IT project managers. Six managerial roles were applied in this research: personnel leader, resource allocator, spokesman, entrepreneur, liaison and monitor. With changing business environments, the locus of value creation is no longer within the boundaries of a single firm, but occurs instead at the nexus of relationships between parties. With the growing importance of pooling knowledge resources, knowledge management will have to transcend organizational boundaries in exchanges such as IT outsourcing relationships. We would, therefore, expect to find differences in our two surveys.Design/methodology/approachTwo surveys were conducted in Norway to investigate these management roles.FindingsIn the first survey, which focused on project management roles in internal IT projects, the respondents emphasized the personnel leader role significantly more than other managerial roles. In the second survey, which focused on project management roles in IT outsourcing projects, the respondents emphasized the spokesman role. The empirical results provide evidence that project managers in internal IT projects are more internally oriented than project managers in outsourcing projects.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should also take into account culture and structure dimensions as well as the specific industry of the IT project.Practical implicationsThis research concludes that project managers of both internal IT projects and outsourcing projects should be more externally oriented to meet future challenges.Originality/valueThe contingent approach to leadership roles is applied in this research paper.
Distractions and motor vehicle accidents
Authors: Tseng Wen‐Shuan , Nguyen Hang , Liebowitz Jay , Agresti William 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis research applies data mining techniques to discover the relationship between driver inattention and motor vehicle accidents.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this research is obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, focused on the Maryland and Washington, DC area from years 2000 to 2003. The data are first clustered using the Kohonen networks. Then, the patterns and rules of the data are explored by decision tree and neural network models.FindingsResults suggests that when inattention and physical/mental conditions take place at the same time, the driver has a higher tendency of being involved in a crash that collides into static objects. Furthermore, with regards to the manner of collision, the relative importance of colliding into a moving vehicle as the first harmful event is two times higher relative to that of colliding into a fixed object as the first harmful event in a crash.Research limitations/implicationsThe data used in this research are limited to fatal crashes that happened in Maryland and Washington, DC from years 2000 to 2003.Originality/valueThis is one of the first research papers utilizing data mining techniques to explore the possible relationships between driver inattention and motor vehicle crashes.
Enhancing ERP system's functionality with discrete event simulation
Authors: Moon Young B. , Phatak Dinar 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo develop a methodology to augment enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems with the discrete event simulation's inherent ability to handle the uncertainties.Design/methodology/approachThe ERP system still contains and uses the material requirements planning (MRP) logic as its central planning function. As a result, the ERP system inherits a number of shortcomings associated with the MRP system, including unrealistic lead‐time determination. The developed methodology employs bi‐directional feedback between the non‐stochastic ERP system and the discrete event simulation model until a set of converged lead times is determined.FindingsAn example of determining realistic production lead‐time data in the ERP system is presented to illustrate how such a marriage can be achieved.Research limitations/implicationsThe research demonstrates that the limited planning functionality of the ERP system can be complemented by external system such as discrete event simulation models. The specific steps developed for this research can be adopted for other enhancements in different but comparable situations.Practical implicationsThe organizations who have been using the discrete event simulation in their planning and decision‐making processes can integrate their simulation models and the ERP system following the steps presented in this paper. The ideas in this paper can be used to look for automatic data collection process to update or build the simulation models.Originality/valueThe ERP implementation is a significant investment for any corporation. Once the ERP implementation is completed successfully, the corporations must look for ways to maximally return on their investment. The research results may be used to enhance the implemented ERP systems or to fully utilize the capabilities in a corporation.
Key enablers for the effective implementation of QFD: a critical analysis
Authors: Al‐Mashari Majed , Zairi Mohamed , Ginn David 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis paper presents the concepts and principles of quality function deployment (QFD) as they have been implemented by Ford company. The paper illustrates the essential linkages between external and internal customers to suppliers (i.e. “Voice‐Quality‐Satisfaction” Chains).Design/methodology/approachThe paper considers some of the details of changes that are occurring to support the “Breakthrough in Quality”. One of the key elements of the Ford Motor Company engineering quality improvements program (EQIP) within Europe has been the linking of some seven‐quality tool techniques including QFD as the core link. For the purpose of improving QFD, it is both useful and rational to look at ways in which it can be linked to, or integrated with other quality tools. The Ford EQIP training process argues that QFD, within a customer focused engineering (CFE) process is a key tool in linking all other tools, through the QFD process itself.FindingsThe paper also looks at discussions on QFD linkages with other quality tools and processes. This sequence of QFD linkages to other single, or dual linked quality tools finishing with some engineering processes is particularly discussed. Among these are Pugh Concept Selection, Taguchi methods, experimentation, failure mode effects analysis (FMEA), value management, quality benchmark deployment (QBD) and benchmarking, process management, statistical process control (SPC), team oriented problem solving – eight disciplines (TOPS 8D), and systems engineering.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the manifestation of the Ford customer satisfaction process has been reviewed as the CFE QFD process within Ford of Europe, its adoption and awareness is still limited. As a result of this, it is critical to review the research topic of customer satisfaction with a focus on how Ford Motor Company as a whole approaches this key goal through the use of various marketing, sales and marketing research office (MRO) initiatives.Practical implicationsIt discusses the various arguments and proposals that link together the end user customers voice to the internal customer‐supplier chains that act on the customer input and feedback to improve product quality and ultimately deliver higher end user satisfaction.Originality/valueThe paper concludes with a discussion of the use of QFD with other quality tools and processes, the role of QFD within total quality management (TQM) processes, and team working.
Development of a web‐based mobile airline ticketing model with usability features
Authors: Wei June , Ozok Ant 
Published: January 2007

PurposeDevelopment of mobile commerce (m‐commerce) environments that have user‐friendly features is important to accelerate the adoption of m‐commerce. The current research studies web‐based features that are crucial to the success of mobile air ticketing commerce.Design/methodology/approachThere are two phases involved. In the first phase, the current research develops a web‐based mobile airline ticketing (W‐MAT) model to study usability features necessary to perform mobile air ticketing commerce. Thirty‐six features are mapped and identified based on the W‐MAT model. In the second phase, the air ticketing web sites for 27 most popular airline companies and online air travel agencies are examined to analyze their existing implementation patterns on these 36 features. The pattern analysis is based on web site features analysis and web site versatility analysis.FindingsThe analysis of web site features resulted in the development of an adoption feature pyramid that classified the 36 features into three categories. The analysis of web site versatility was based on multivariate cluster analysis that classified these 27 web sites into four groups.Practical implicationsThe findings on web site features and web site versatility analyses in the current research are beneficial to future m‐commerce airline companies and air travel agencies, mobile device developers, and air ticketing m‐commerce interface designers.Originality/valueThe study concludes that the W‐MAT model‐based air ticketing features with usability emphasis are crucial to develop efficient mobile air ticketing web sites; and thereby, accelerating the adoption of m‐commerce for the air travel industry in the near future.
Implementation of the ISO 9001: from QMS to business model
Authors: Piskar Franka , Dolinsek Slavko 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe ISO 9001 quality management systems standard is widely accepted around the world. This is the standard that is also widely acquired by companies in Slovenia, where the number of certificates per million inhabitants can be compared with France, Canada, Germany or Finland. Motivation for the introduction of this standard differs considerably and is most often connected with demands, requested by customers in supply chains. Companies that implemented the standard keep asking the question whether it was worth it to maintain the quality system and what added value it brought. Based on the empirical analysis, this contribution proves that positive effects can be noticed in different business activities stemming from the implemented quality system. In addition, the research confirms that all advantages are strongly connected with the sufficient positive energy of employees or with the satisfactory level of maturity of the quality system.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical research has been done on the basis of structured questionnaires gathered from 212 responses of Slovenian companies that had already acquired the ISO 9001 quality standard certificate by 2002. The questionnaires were sent via mail and supported by telephone calls and personal contacts in order to get the best responses possible. The results of the analysis have been compared with numerous research activities and contributions written by authors who all write in favor of quality systems.FindingsThe results of discussed research activities reveal a positive understanding and use of ISO 9001 standard as an important tool for managing companies. Still, an important question remains unanswered in many companies: how can they keep top management involved in ISO 9001?Originality/valueCompanies without an implemented quality system as well as enterprises with an existing quality system can use the research results in their decisions regarding further activities, through which they intend to implement quality systems in order to ensure continuous improvement of their business activities in the direction of TQM business model.
Success and failure of pure‐play organizations: Webvan versus Peapod, a comparative analysis
Authors: Lunce Stephen E. , Lunce Leslie M. , Kawai Yoko , Maniam Balasundrum 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is a comparative analysis of two electronic grocers, one success and one failure, in order to attempt to identify the critical success factors that contributed to their different performances.Design/methodology/approachFour aspects of each company's operations are explored and compared in this side‐by‐side case study. The foci of this study are strategic management, logistical infrastructure, information technology deployments, and marketing strategies.FindingsThe success of Peapod was the result, in general, of application of good strategy and knowledge about the opportunities provided in e‐commerce. Webvan's failure, in general, was attributable to the design of its logistics system, the misunderstanding of the capabilities of information technology, and ineffective marketing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study investigates only two online grocers, and the lessons learned in this comparative case study may not be applicable to other types of online business.Practical implicationsThis paper provides insights into successful retail e‐commerce operations through the comparison of successful and unsuccessful firms in a specific business. From the analysis, businesses and individuals who are considering the future of e‐commerce for their enterprise should better understand the factors that contribute to success and failure in a pure‐play environment.Originality/valueSeveral studies have investigated how internet businesses function, and how the customers of online businesses differ from traditional business customers. Some studies have offered comparisons of differing levels of performance within a specific e‐business; however, this report investigates the reasons for the success and failure through its comparative analysis of specific managerial activities.
Individual characteristics and ethical decision‐making in an IT context
Authors: Haines Russell , Leonard Lori N.K. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test an ethical decision‐making model in an information technology (IT) context. The model includes both demographic and personality variables, their direct influence on beliefs and judgments, and their influence on the relationships between beliefs, judgments, and moral intent.Design/methodology/approachSubjects were assessed on their perceptions of IT ethical scenarios both before and after discussing them with others in a web‐based chat room in order to test the research model.FindingsThe results show that gender has the most profound effect on ethical decision‐making, with ego strength also having a strong effect, while locus of control has a negligible effect. Beliefs and judgments about questionable behavior shifted after (a chat) discussion more for those with low ego strength than those with high ego strength.Originality/valueThe results suggest that the relationship among factors that influence ethical decision‐making is complex and different factors become more important in determining moral intent for different individuals.
Initial trust and online buyer behaviour
Authors: Chen Yu‐Hui , Barnes Stuart 
Published: January 2007

PurposeOnline trust is one of the key obstacles to vendors succeeding on the internet medium; a lack of trust is likely to discourage online consumers from participating in e‐commerce. This research aims to investigate how online consumers develop their initial trust and purchase intentions. The research in conducted in the context of Taiwanese online bookstores.Design/methodology/approachThe research examines consumers' online initial trust by using four major categories of determinants: perceived technology, perceived risk, company competency, and trust propensity. It also investigates the impacts of both online initial trust and familiarity with online purchasing on purchase intention. The research model is statistically tested using the web sites of four online bookstores in Taiwan. The web site selected by each respondent is unfamiliar.FindingsIt is found that perceived usefulness, perceived security, perceived privacy, perceived good reputation, and willingness to customise are the important antecedents to online initial trust. It is also discovered that different levels of trust propensity moderate perceptions toward the web site and online with respect to online initial trust, including perceived usefulness, perceived security, perceived privacy, perceived good reputation, and willingness to customise. Both online initial trust and familiarity with online purchasing have a positive impact on purchase intention.Originality/valueThe research provides insight into the development of online initial trust by consumers, and the relationships between online initial trust and purchase intention. The research model was created and then tested in the context of online bookshops in Taiwan.