bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of manufacturing strategies on financial performance
Authors: Kazan Halim , Özer Gökhan , Tansel Çetin Ayşe 
Published: July 2006

PurposeCompanies must use their resources effectively and productively if they are to compete in an increasingly competitive globalized economy. Effective performance measurement can support this competitiveness. To be able to do this, companies must know the factors that influence their performance and manage these factors in an effective manner. This study seeks to investigate the effect of manufacturing strategies of manufacturing companies on their financial performance and also the effect of firm size on the impact of manufacturing strategies.Design/methodology/approachA total of 200 manufacturing companies that are registered under the Chamber of Commerce in Gebze, Turkey were selected and their managers interviewed. A total of 102 questionnaires were returned out of 200. Regression analyses were performed using the results of the survey.FindingsIt was found, that an increase in the quality and cost/flexibility increased financial performance. However, the rate of delivery did not have any statistical influence on the financial performance. On the basis of the analysis done on the firm size, the last finding is that the effect of the quality and cost flexibility on financial performance is higher for large companies compared with SMEs.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the manufacturing strategies that significantly influence the financial performance of manufacturing companies and the effect of firm size on the effect of these strategies.
Linking business ownership and perceived administrative complexity
Authors: van Stel André , Stunnenberg Viktor 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAdministrative burdens are known to be a major business constraint for incumbent small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in modern economies. Far less is known about the influence of these burdens on the start‐up of new firms. The current paper aims to examine to what extent perceived administrative complexity related to starting a new business influences the number of business owners across 18 OECD countries.Design/methodology/approachThe article combines data on business ownership from EIM's COMPENDIA database and data on perceived administrative complexity from the Eurobarometer public opinion surveys coordinated by the European Commission. This regression model enables one to explicitly control for the influence of unemployment on the level of business ownership (“refugee effect”). There is also control for risk tolerance and access to finance.FindingsThe results suggest that administrative complexity is negatively related to business ownership. When administrative procedures related to business start‐up are complex, potential entrepreneurs are discouraged from starting a new firm.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to data constraints, the temporal specification of the independent variables is not ideal. Therefore the findings in this paper should be regarded as exploratory.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that it is important not only to reduce administrative burdens in order to increase the number of new firms, but also for governments to communicate existing administrative regulations to a country's population.Originality/valueThis is one of the first attempts to empirically link business ownership and perceived administrative complexity related to starting a new business for a large number of countries.
The effect of business advisers on the performance of SMEs
Authors: Berry Anthony J. , Sweeting Robert , Goto Jitsu 
Published: July 2006

PurposeFollowing on studies of the reported importance of a range of external advice and a study of the impact of marketing advice on small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) performance, this study seeks to examine the relationship between business performance (growth) and the nature and degree of a wide range of business advice used by a sample of owner/managers of SMEs in the Manchester City‐region of the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with 140 SMEs in the Manchester City region using an administered survey instrument.FindingsThe degree of use of a range of external advice was positively related to the growth rate of the SME. In common with most previous research, the most sought‐after advisers were external accountants and network contacts. Academic advice was sought very rarely. This study extends previous research and examine the nature of the advice provided by external accountants, which was found to include business, emergency, and financial management support in addition to statutory advice. The degree of provision of this additional assistance was associated with higher growth.Research limitations/implicationsThe relationship of advice and growth has been examined using a survey instrument. Further research is needed to understand how advice is sought, provided and used.Practical implicationsAccountants, network contacts and others were significant providers of advice and, where this advice was used, then SMEs reported higher growth rates. The direction of effect is probably in favour of the value of advice, but there could be virtuous cycles of advice and growth. However, the nature and quality of advice sought, offered, understood and embedded in business practice networks and contributing to social capital require further study.Originality/valueThe research extends previous studies by the range of advice and the nature of advice provided by external accountants, considered in relation to firm performance.
Development of cooperation in new venture support networks: the role of key actors
Authors: Koch Lambert T. , Kautonen Teemu , Grünhagen Marc 
Published: July 2006

PurposeNew venture support networks (NVSN) are an instrument of enterprise policy with the aim of effectively coordinating the activities of different organisations involved in new venture support. This paper aims to illuminate the role of certain key actors in facilitating and maintaining cooperation in such networks, which are characterised by a heterogeneous actor structure and a lack of a network culture due to having been established by political initiative.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses case studies in five German NVSN, which are all part of the governmental initiative “EXIST – Entrepreneurs from Universities”, established in 1998.FindingsIdentifies three general functions for key actors: generating benefits for the member organisations from without and within the network; communicating these benefits to the member organisations; and maintaining a balance between the heterogeneous interests of the network partners.Research limitations/implicationsThe study identifies the roles that key actors perform in the EXIST networks, but it does not show any causal relation as to the actual success of the key actors.Practical implicationsThe results can be applied in planning and managing enterprise policy and other projects involving inter‐organisational cooperation with a heterogeneous range of actors.Originality/valueThis is the first examination of the role of key actors in the context of NVSN, which are themselves a recent phenomenon and a novel concept in academic literature.
Beyond the sweat shop: “off‐the‐books” work in contemporary England
Authors: Williams Colin C. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to evaluate critically whether off‐the‐books work in contemporary England is chiefly conducted by employees working for wholly or partially underground businesses, often on low wages and under exploitative conditions.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical evidence is reported from 861 face‐to‐face interviews in 11 English localities.FindingsOnly a small proportion of off‐the‐books work is conducted by employees working for wholly or partially underground enterprises. The vast majority is conducted either by the self‐employed or by providers of paid favours to friends, acquaintances and kin.Research limitations/implicationsThe data reported here are from a household survey based on a maximum variation sample of 11 contrasting localities. Future surveys might use businesses (rather than households) as the unit of analysis and collect a nationally representative sample.Practical implicationsIdentifying how off‐the‐books work is predominantly autonomous and self‐employed endeavour, a re‐conceptualisation of this sphere is required as a potential asset rather than hindrance to development, and initiatives developed to legitimise this illegitimate self‐employment rather than simply deter it.Originality/valueThis paper transcends the popular portrayal of off‐the‐books work as conducted by employees under sweatshop conditions and for the first time identifies the proportion undertaken on a self‐employed basis as well as evidence that this sphere is used as a test‐bed by fledgling business ventures which conduct either a proportion or all of their trade in this sphere.
An investigation of supply chain performance measurement in the Indian automotive sector
Authors: Saad Mohammed , Patel Bhaskar 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance of the concept of supply chain performance in developing countries. The research also attempts to identify performance measure sets for supply chain performance in the context of a developing nation.Design/methodology/approachThe research focuses on supply chain practices in the Indian automobile sector. It identifies and discusses the main motives and determinants for the adoption and implementation of supply chain management concepts. It reviews the relevance of the main models to measure the performance of supply chain in developing countries. The research is based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. Primary data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and an exploratory survey. Performance measure sets were identified through factor analysis.FindingsThis research proposes that the concept of supply chain performance is not fully embraced by the Indian automobile sector and highlights the difficulties associated with its implementation.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research involving other sectors and industries needs to be undertaken in order to gain an in‐depth understanding of the key factors associated with the implementation of supply chain performance practices in India. This could also help develop a generic model to measure supply chain performance.Originality/valueThe paper provides an attempt to adopt the concept of supply chain performance to the Indian context and culture.
Global benchmarking for internet and e‐commerce applications
Authors: Ahmed A.M. , Zairi M. , Alwabel S.A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine issues related to the development of the internet and e‐commerce (EC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachTwo surveys were sent out following a pilot project to gather data on the validity and reliability of the questionnaires. The first survey was sent to 60 internet users, a total of 48 responded with a rate of 80 per cent. The second was sent to 60 managers and accountants within organisations in Saudi Arabia, a total of 44 responded with a rate of 73 per cent.FindingsThe key challenges identified for Saudi's organisations are the continuing relying on face‐to‐face contact principles, problems with information overload, charges still expensive, the need for technical support and expertise, lack of a management commitment and understanding the potential role of information technology (IT) on the country's future and middle aged and older people were more reluctant to use IT.Research limitations/implicationsDifficulties in reaching the right people to answer questions. This paper was relying on the subjective opinions and generlisability issues and it could benefited from further analysis.Practical implicationsFor executives, the implications of the findings are that those factors identified can be used as a checklist to assist companies in their effective adoption of e‐business and the maximisation of opportunities.Originality/valueThis paper is an initial phase of an on going research, which will contribute to the body of knowledge in the EC domain from different cultural perspectives.
Value decomposition of e‐commerce performance
Authors: Fink Dieter 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe need to measure organisational effectiveness has become increasingly accepted. Performance measurements can readily be developed but need to be further defined as performance metrics. The paper's aim is to show how the use of the decomposition technique enables the development of electronic commerce (e‐commerce) metrics.Design/methodology/approachIn the approach to value decomposition, value constructs are identified at the highest level, decomposed into the next levels, referred to as value variables, which are further broken down into value metrics. During decomposition, proper splicing has to occur. This implies that values (constructs, variables and metrics) should be carefully specified and that their interconnections should be controlled. Furthermore, functional integrity is required so that a succinct statement can be made for each metric.FindingsThe paper identified value constructs and value variables for six e‐commerce applications. They are aggregated into corporate performance management measures so that the various lower level value metrics can be made to work seamlessly together.Practical implicationsAlthough there is large agreement on the key values obtained from e‐commerce, it is difficult to achieve the degree of integrity required by the decomposition technique. Further research is required.Originality/valuePerformance measures provide a factual representation of important business activities and enable greater preciseness in their execution. The paper provides insight into values and associated measures in important activities of e‐commerce, namely VRM, B2C, B2B, CRM, EP, and ERP.
Benchmarking web site functions
Authors: Boisvert Hugues , Caron Marie‐Andrée 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo measure, classify and compare web site functions' development.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives were achieved by developing a methodology to measure, classify and compare web site functions development. The measurement was based on the presence (or absence) of 91 web site components. The classification was achieved using an applied correspondence analysis. The comparison was performed with respect to 4,485 company web sites from two provinces in Canada. A formal procedure involving 50 assistants was developed to collect data over 5,000 sites within a month period and a conceptual model was developed to interpret results.FindingsFindings show that web site functions development could be described on a three dimensional space, the three axes corresponding to directions of development. The development status of the whole sample appeared as a cone in which five classes (or categories) of web sites could be identified and described with respect to their development profile. The development of 18 web site functions was also benchmarked with respect to observations within a class and with respect to some other characteristics like the industrial sector and the province where the company was located.Research limitations/implicationsWeb site functions development was evaluated only with respect to components accessible to the general public. Development of intranet and extranet were not evaluated and hence taken into account for overall web sites development.Practical implicationsThis research project of web site functions development was part of a more comprehensive project aimed at evaluating and documenting the impact of using a web site on business processes. So, combining the results of the two projects, allowed the authors to advance suggestions of how web sites should be developed to generate value for companies.Originality/valueThe approach to web site functions development evaluation is original. The methodology could be replicated anytime. The typology that emerged from the analysis is unique. Moreover, given the large sample of 4,485 web sites, results are statistically valid.
The impact of the New Basel Capital Accord on real estate developers
Authors: Pitschke Christoph , Bone‐Winkel Stephan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe New Basel Capital Accord (Basel II) was published in June 2004. This modification of the regulatory framework for banking institutions raises the question to what extent real estate financing will be impacted and how market participants can be adequately prepared. Aims to examine the impact of Basel II on the future pricing and availability of debt capital and on the cost of capital in real estate financing and to present possible reactions for real estate developers.Design/methodology/approachThis research paper follows a deductive approach. First, the New Basel Capital Accord and the main features of commercial real estate financing are presented. On a normative level, the implications for developers are explained. Since no information regarding the behaviour of market participants in commercial real estate financing was available, the authors have ascertained the relevant questions within the framework of an empirical analysis. A total of 205 banking institutions were asked to fill out a survey pertaining to commercial real estate financing. The results of this survey are partly presented and interpreted.FindingsThe availability and the pricing of debt capital will be risk‐adjusted and will depend on the amount of regulatory equity banks will have to hold in reserve for a credit engagement. The cost of debt capital in real estate financing will rise due to systemic reasons of the New Basel Capital Accord. Banks are/will be very restrictive with regard to credit allowances. The use of the positive leverage effect will become more difficult. Structured financing, particularly the use of private equity, is the best way to fill a potential financing gap.Originality/valueThe paper is a timely investigation of a significant regulatory framework that is of world‐wide significance. The New Basel Capital Accord is introduced in its fundamental structure and the two relevant rating approaches are described and put into context. The paper reduces the complexity of the comprehensive and sophisticated Basel Capital Accord. Based on the facts that have been analysed, recommendations of how real estate developers can react to the changes in financing that lie ahead are given.
Real estate in the mixed‐asset portfolio: the question of consistency
Authors: Lee Stephen , Stevenson Simon 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to address the question of consistency, regarding the allocation of real estate in the mixed‐asset portfolio.Design/methodology/approachTo address the question of consistency the allocation of real estate in the mixed‐asset portfolio was calculated over different holding periods varying from five to 25 years. For each portfolio and holding period, the percentage of portfolios with real estate was computed, as was the average real estate allocation in the optimum solution. Then, the risk and return differences between the two efficient frontiers, with and without real estate, were calculated to estimate real estate's marginal impact on portfolio performance.FindingsFirst, the results suggest strongly that real estate has possessed the attribute of consistency in optimised portfolios. Second, the benefits from including real estate in the mixed‐asset portfolio tend to increase as the investment horizon is extended. Third, the position of real estate changes across the efficient frontier from its return enhancing ability to its risk‐reducing facility. Finally, the results show that the gain in return from adding real estate to the mixed‐asset portfolio is typically less compared with the reduction in portfolio risk.Practical implicationsThe results highlight a number of issues in relation to the role of direct real estate within a mixed‐asset framework. In particular, the rationale behind the inclusion of real estate in the mixed‐asset portfolio depends on the length of the holding period of the investor and their position on the efficient frontier.Originality/valueThe study examines the attractiveness of direct real estate in the context of mixed‐asset portfolio.
Biases in appraisal land price information: the case of Japan
Authors: Shimizu Chihiro , Nishimura Kiyohiko 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the nature and magnitude of the distortion in appraisal land price information according to change in the market, with a special focus on the Government's Published Land Prices.Design/methodology/approachIn Japan, there is an item of land price information, so‐called Koji‐Chika (PLPS: Published Land Price Information System), that is a survey of fair market value by the qualified appraisers. The valuation error of this land price information was analyzed using the following method. First, hedonic price indices were constructed based on both actual transaction prices and the Published Land Prices, they were then compared to detect possible distortions in the governmental price information. Also the possibility of structural change in the Japanese real estate markets was studied and its effect on price indices was considered. Analysis of the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan took place between 1975 and 1999FindingsLarge and systematic discrepancies between actual transaction prices and the Published Land Prices were identified, which might suggest that there are serious problems in the governmental information system. It is believed that it is necessary to consider this issue in the context of the entire real estate appraisal system in Japan.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations stem from the nature of Japanese data. Future research will seek to look at values on an IPD index.Originality/valueThe land market in Tokyo experienced a so‐called Bubble economy, and the rapid rise and fall of the land price were generated for this period.
Value and worth: scenario analysis
Authors: French Nick 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to look at “calculation of worth” as it relates to valuations.Design/methodology/approachA number of pricing models and valuation methods are analysed. Forecasting is also considered.FindingsIt is possible to adapt the discounted cash flow (DCF) method to incorporate subjective predicted growth rates. In the case of a rack‐rented freehold, the DCF method produces the same value as the traditional method.Originality/valueThis paper looks at “testing the assumptions”.
Delphi expert panels in the scenario‐based strategic planning of agriculture
Authors: Rikkonen Pasi , Kaivo‐oja Jari , Aakkula Jyrki 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis article seeks to present approaches on the utilisation of expert information in strategic planning practices.Design/methodology/approachThe article emphasises alternative scenario development for the bases of decision making. This is done through an evaluation of Delphi studies and their feasibility for scenario construction. As an application of the information processes, both narrow and broad expert information processes are presented as alternative sources for solutions in public sector strategic planning.FindingsBasically, there are two alternative ways to utilise Delphi studies in strategic planning and decision making: a broad expert information process (BEIP) model; and a narrow expert information process (NEIP) model.Practical implicationsAs a broad process, an example is presented of the alternative future outcomes and the argumentation around it in the share of genetically modified plant varieties in commercial farming in Finland.Originality/valueThis theoretical review contributes to the discussions of the linkages between the use of expert information, the scenario planning and the strategic planning processes.