bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balancing work and personal life: the leader as acrobat
Authors: Muna Farid A. , Mansour Ned 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to exhort leaders, organizations, and HR professionals to introduce changes in the work structure and environment, as well to pioneer new policies and practices, which allow employees to bring more balance into their lives.Design/methodology/approachThe long‐term benefits of balanced work‐life are outlined from the research literature as well as the experience of selected business leaders. This is followed by a series of practical exercises designed to help readers achieve work‐life balance.FindingsUsing the metaphor of an acrobat, this paper provides compelling reasons and proven methodology for leaders and HR professionals to engage more seriously with the topic of work‐life balance. How to effectively balance work with personal life is demonstrated through a series of personalized exercises which urge readers to examine their past, present, and future; and then set and implement short‐ and long‐term action plans to reach goals that are linked to their personal values and priorities. The final exercise allows readers to track and measure progress using a Balanced Scorecard.Research implicationsThis paper highlights the need for a longitudinal research to determine how leaders manage to balance their work and life, and what variables lead to either success or failure.Practical implicationsHR professionals must become creative when designing work systems/programs catering for those who prefer more flexibility through supportive organizational cultures and work/job structures.Originality/valueThis paper links the theory of work‐life balance to implementation of changes in lifestyle through practical individual exercises. It is valuable to both leaders and HR professionals.
Emotional intelligence development: leveraging individual characteristics
Authors: Pat McEnrue Mary , Groves Kevin S. , Shen Winny 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the separate and combined effects of three individual characteristics on training gains achieved in a leadership development program designed to enhance participants' emotional intelligence (EI). The overall purpose was to test heretofore untested propositions advanced by various theorists concerning the impact of openness to experience (OE), self‐efficacy (SE), and receptivity to feedback (RF) on training outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical study utilized a sample of 135 fully‐employed business students in a treatment/control group research design.FindingsThe findings suggest that leadership development professionals will likely derive differential EI training gains depending upon participants' status across several variables. Receptivity to feedback was directly associated with EI training gains while the SE‐RF and SE‐OE interactions were predictors of EI training gains.Practical implicationsThe results hold implications for organizations that seek to enhance the EI of leaders both effectively and efficiently. The application of these findings to a range of leadership development practices and to training efforts that focus on other competencies are discussed.Research implicationsThe paper connects EI to one of the major challenges facing leaders and leadership development professionals in the future: managing change and offers recommendations regarding research on other factors that are likely to optimize results achieved through efforts to develop the EI of leaders.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the impact of these three individual characteristics on training gains achieved. The paper's findings suggest that some individuals are better candidates for EI training and presents a method to identify them.
Service‐oriented concepts: bridging between managers and technologists
Authors: Gulledge Thomas , Deller Greg 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a common understanding of service‐oriented concepts to enable unambiguous discussion around service‐oriented architecture (SOA). Managers often have limited understanding of SOA, and for some reason, technologists seem to have difficulty explaining the concept using terminology and analogies that managers can understand. This paper addresses the long‐standing communications gap between managers and technologists as they attempt to evaluate how SOA or SOA‐related investments can add business value.Design/methodology/approachThe approach for this paper is to state the problem between managers and technologists and then provide concepts to break down the communication barrier. The paper then goes on to provide an argument for an optimal approach for SOA implementation and investment that meets management requirements.FindingsUnless SOA can be aligned to business processes, it will be viewed as a risky proposition that adds to cost without directly addressing business needs.Practical implicationsManagers need to understand the differing SOA points‐of‐view and what they mean for business performance. If one has difficulty in implementing ERP, then one will have more difficulty in implementing SOA. It is the responsibility of management to understand how these SOA‐related concepts impact the business, if for no other reason than that they are costly and risky. Of course, the concepts vary in cost and complexity, but they all vary in benefit potential to the business.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper can be noted by the fact that confusion around SOA approaches between managers and technologists still exists. This paper seeks to eliminate that widespread confusion by presenting service‐oriented concepts in an unbiased, holistic view.
Supply chain strategy in a global paper manufacturing company: a case study
Authors: Koskinen Pekka 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between corporate and supply chain strategy, as well as its implementation in a multinational paper producing company. Traditionally paper producing companies have had a strong interest in developing a physical infrastructure for their customer deliveries. However, supply chain thinking is still an unstructured issue in the case company.Design/methodology/approachThis research work is mainly based on the case company's strategy material and interviews with senior management, is mainly qualitative and is based on a constructive research approach aimed at trying to find a workable and forward looking solution based on the three strategies.FindingsThe core findings concern the individual business division strategies, which jointly comprise the corporate strategy. Some of the business divisions do have a certain amount of supply chain management aims in their strategies. Furthermore, there is no real corporate supply chain strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was conducted at a company with strong presence in Northern Europe, which limits its applicability. Thus, the research results mainly reflect a Northern European business environment and cannot be generalized on a global level.Practical implicationsThe conclusions of the research work include a recommendation for a new management model for the corporate supply chain strategy, which is based on cooperation between the business divisions and logistics organization.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is based on the practical analysis of the case company's business divisions' strategies and interactivity between the logistics organization and the implementation of its strategy.
Supply chain planning for water distribution in Central Asia
Authors: Ahmed Shamsuddin 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe role of business logistics for a water distribution company in Central Asia has become a major concern. As the marketing environment is getting more and more competitive, the company is forced to focus on the efficiency of its supply chain management operations both by improving customer service, increasing its profitability and productivity. The purpose of this paper is to report upon the designing of a responsive supply chain for water distribution in Central Asia.Design/methodology/approachA logistic plan to satisfy customer requirement for water distribution in a Central Asian city subject to satisfactory service levels both in the number of distribution centers (DCs) and truck delivery schedule is outlined in this paper. The logistics plan includes repositioning the DCs in relation to the customer location for efficient distribution. The problem is formulated as truck delivery schedule using a new algorithm where single distribution centre is converted into a multiple warehouse location problem. The problem is solved using WINQSB software. Further, the current DCs are appraised with the software and suggested possible new locations for convenience.FindingsThe application part of this case study consists of identifying water DCs in city limits. By developing improved distribution and logistics management, the study aims at economical operations, convenient zonal distributions, and responsive SCM characteristics. To this end, a spatial distribution plan and route sequencing solution is developed for water distribution.Originality/valueThe paper shows how to improve logistic network that results in cost savings, convenient zonal distributions, and responsive SCM operations. To this end, a spatial distribution plan and route sequencing is developed for water distribution.
Interactions between contingency, organizational IT factors, and ERP success
Authors: Ifinedo Princely , Nahar Nazmun 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of some organizational information technology (IT) factors (i.e. IT assets, employees' IT skills, IT resources, and satisfaction with legacy IT systems) and their interacting effects with two contingency factors (i.e. organization's size and structure) on enterprise resource planning (ERP) system success.Design/methodology/approachSurveys were conducted in two European countries. Respondents came from diverse, private, and industrial organizations. Relevant hypotheses were developed and tested using a structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe analysis supported – partially or fully – six of the eight hypotheses formulated. For example, the data indicated strong positive relationships between IT assets and IT resources, on the one hand, and ERP success, on the other. Organization's size and structure were also found to be moderators in some of the relationships. Also, the analysis revealed that satisfaction with legacy IT systems increased with ERP success, which was an unexpected finding.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature, being among the few to investigate the effects of organizational IT factors and their interacting effects with relevant contingency factors in the context of ERP system success. Methodologically, the study utilized a “non‐deterministic” model to facilitate deeper insights into the effects of variables.
A data structure for supply chain management systems
Authors: Ardalan Ali , Ardalan Roya 
Published: January 2009

PurposeEfficient operation of supply chain management (SCM) software is highly dependent on performance of its data structures that are used for data storage and retrieval. Each module in the software should use data structures that are appropriate for the types of operations performed in that module. The purpose of this paper is to develop and introduce an efficient data structure for storage and retrieval of data related to capacity of resources.Design/methodology/approachA major aim of supply management systems is timely production and delivery of products. This paper reviews data structures and designs an efficient data structure for storage and retrieval of data that is used in the scheduling module of SCM software.FindingsThis paper introduces a new data structure and search and update algorithms. This data structure can be used in SCM software to record the availability of non‐storable resources.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that discusses the role of data structures in SCM software and develops a data structure that can be used in the scheduling routine of SCM systems. Scheduling is one of the complex modules of SCM software. Some of the special characteristics related to capacity of resources to develop a data structure that can be efficiently searched and updated as part of scheduling routines were used in the new data structure. This data structure is a modified version of threaded height‐balanced binary search tree. Each node in the proposed tree has one more key than a node in the ordinary threaded height‐balanced binary search tree. The available algorithms in the literature on search and update operations on height‐balanced binary search trees are modified to suit the proposed tree.
The Gin Drinker's Line
Authors: Lai Lawrence W.C. , Davies Stephen N.G. , Tan Y.K. , Yung P. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an initial determination of the date of construction, locations and a typology of design of the pill‐boxes of the Gin Drinker's Line constructed by the colonial Hong Kong Government.Design/methodology/approachPost‐war aerial photos taken by the Royal Air Force and R.C. Huntings were examined and site visits made to locate and measure the pill‐boxes. Relevant archive materials were consulted to help interpret findings.FindingsA total of 76 pill‐boxes, most in ruins due to post‐war destruction for obtaining their steel bars, were mapped on a 1:25,000 scale to give a good idea of the nature of the Gin Drinker's Line. The study finds that, of these, 50 have survived. The pill‐boxes predated those built in the UK to anticipate of German landing.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper demonstrates how aerial photos can be used for historical research and conservation planning. Though the locations of the pill‐boxes identified are subject to detailed site surveying, the basic pattern of pill‐box distribution has been identified.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt to map the Gin Drinker's Line and classify its pill‐boxes. The findings are useful references for the actual conservation of colonial heritage in Hong Kong as part of China, as well as for further inquiry into the military history of the Second World War.
Will residential aged care facilities meet long‐term demand?
Authors: Csesko Monika , Reed Richard 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an invaluable insight into long‐term forecasting of demand for aged care facilities. This will ensure the provision of adequate supply by government bodies, stakeholders and developers in order to meet the anticipated level of demand, without creating an over‐supply or an under‐supply scenario.Design/methodology/approachUsing an innovative approach, different data sources were collectively used to forecast separate individual supply and demand levels, which were then examined together in order to measure the difference between the two variables between 2009‐2020. A case study approach was used for Victoria, Australia.FindingsThe paper finds that, although there is excess supply between 2009‐2010 and 2019‐2020, the period between 2010 and 2019 will experience an under‐supply period which cannot be easily rectified over the short term.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study was limited to residential care facilities in Victoria, Australia, although some countries have substantially different age profiles and accommodation supply for older residents. Forecasts are based on information sources from various data suppliers and collectively analysed.Practical implicationsThe results are also of direct interest to place managers and planning authorities who are charged with providing medium‐ and long‐term visions and plans for specific locations. This type of research is essential when planning for the eventual aging of the population, where the methodology can be replicated in different areas. Most importantly, this research approach provides a solid basis for decisions regarding the supply of residential aged care facilities as opposed to a simple estimate.Originality/valueThe study adopted a unique approach to analysing the individual supply and demand components for aged care facilities over the long term. This approach is able to accurately determine when there will be an under‐supply or over‐supply situation and thus provide the opportunity to address the difference before it occurs. This will allow informed decisions about planning aged care facilities in the future to be made as required.
Large emerging markets (LEMs) and international strategy
Authors: Enderwick Peter 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the rise of large emerging markets (LEMs) has affected the business strategies of multinational enterprises. The growing importance of emerging markets has encouraged considerable research on strategy development when entering such markets. However, little attention has been paid to the question of how the rise of international businesses from LEMs will impact on strategy more generally, and in particular how established multinationals might be expected to react.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper evaluates international strategy impacts of the rise of LEMs from the perspective of alternative market entry motives – for market access, for lower costs and learning opportunities. It discusses both strategic opportunities and likely impacts on strategy and structure.FindingsThe discussion suggests that the rise of LEMs has stimulated the internationalisation of international business and has increased specialisation within the world economy. A number of Asian “dragon multinationals” are using emerging markets to advance their global competitiveness.Originality/valueThis paper offers a more balanced perspective on the impact of the rise of emerging markets on international strategy. Analysis highlights a range of strategic benefits resulting from engagement with LEMs. The discussion is illustrated with numerous examples.
Patterns of price endings used in US and Japanese price advertising
Authors: Schindler Robert M. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to guide managers' choices of rightmost digits in retail prices by acquiring a better understanding of the psychological mechanisms by which price endings can influence sales.Design/methodology/approachThe paper observes and compares the price endings used in large matched samples of advertised prices in two countries with considerable cultural differences, the USA and Japan.FindingsAlthough the digit 9 predominates among the rightmost digits of advertised prices in the USA the digit 8 predominates in Japan. In contrast to this difference, the US and Japanese prices are similar in that both show greater use of 9 or 8 endings when this choice lowers the price's leftmost digit and when the advertised price is claimed to be a discount price.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should include a wider range of price advertising media and should examine usage patterns of less frequently occurring digits.Practical implicationsSetting a price that falls just below a round number can be helpful in creating a low‐price image. Setting this just‐below price with a 9‐ending would be appropriate in the USA and European countries, but in Japan and other Asian countries, it would be more appropriate to set this just‐below price with an 8‐ending.Originality/valueThese results provide guidance to the retail price setter and illustrate to the basic researcher how universal psychological processes and specific cultural meanings can interact to determine consumer perceptions of marketing stimuli.
The recognition of first time international entrepreneurial opportunities
Authors: Chandra Yanto , Styles Chris , Wilkinson Ian 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to complement existing theories of internationalization by studying an important aspect which has been neglected in previous studies: the process of international entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. International market entry is conceptualized as an entrepreneurial, innovative act; and opportunity recognition consists of both discovery as well as deliberate and systematic search.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology employed involves eight case studies of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in knowledge‐based industries in Australia. The unit of analysis is the “opportunity‐firm” nexus.FindingsThe paper finds that firms with little or no prior international knowledge tend to make use of opportunity discovery rather than deliberate/systematic search. In contrast, firms with extensive prior international experience and knowledge were found to deliberately search and discover their first international opportunity. International opportunity discovery did not occur simply through serendipitous encounters with new information from networks or referrals but involved interpreting possible matches between pre‐existing means (resources, skills, new technologies) and new ends (international markets) in a problem solving process. It favours those with the requisite prior knowledge and entrepreneurial orientation.Practical implicationsThe paper offers guidelines on what business practitioners and export promotion agencies can and cannot do to influence opportunity recognition process. Particular attention was paid to strategies to avoid costly deliberate search among resource‐stricken SMEs.Originality/valueThis study introduces Knightian uncertainty and Kirznerian discovery as the conceptual cornerstones of internationalization that can help account for the lack of incrementalism and optimizing logic in internationalization among smaller firms.
Resource endowments, market positioning, and competition in transitional economies
Authors: Wilson Rick T. , Amine Lyn S. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw upon the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm in order to assess the “who, when, where, and how” questions about use of resources in shaping market positioning by global and local firms in a transitional economy (TE).Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a longitudinal case‐study approach to present and discuss resource asymmetry between global and local advertising agencies operating in Hungary.FindingsRBV proves to be valuable theory, revealing an interesting and unexpected range of sources and types of resources that are being used to advantage by local and global agencies competing in Hungary. Earlier historical asymmetries in resource endowments contributed to a notable division between global and local agencies according to market sector. Specific resources, such as reputation, access to global resources, and use of Western‐style business practices, proved beneficial to global firms after Hungarian market liberalization in 1989, while interpersonal relationships have emerged as a valuable resource, regardless of context.Research limitations/implicationsUse of a convenience cross‐sectional sampling method may contribute to some halo effects and personal bias. Additionally, results may be limited in their applicability only to the advertising industry and to Hungary as a specific TE. Future research should validate these findings in other industries and other TEs.Practical implicationsFindings from this study offer marketing managers operating in TEs fresh insights into how asymmetries in resource endowments at various points in an infant industry's life cycle act to influence choice of market positioning strategies and subsequent success of firms competing in the industry.Originality/valueThis paper provides rich detail of the advertising industry in Hungary, suggesting directions for study of advertising industries in other TEs, not only in Eastern Europe. Results from this study increase confidence in the generalizability of RBV theory by demonstrating its usefulness and flexibility when applied to an unusual context in terms of time and space.