bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disabled people's experiences in the workplace environment in England
Authors: Newton Rita , Ormerod Marcus , Thomas Pam 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to report on a study undertaken into disabled people's experience of the built environment when attempting to access and stay in employment.Design/methodology/approachNarratives were collected using semi‐structured interviews with 38 disabled people, all of whom had experience of paid and unpaid work.FindingsAnalysis of the interview narratives shows that disabled people experience a range of barriers and enablers in the built environment both to gaining employment and to staying in employment, and an accessible environment contributes to a successful employment experience.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a small exploratory study of disabled people's experience of the workplace built environment. Future research could focus in more detail on whether specific design features reduce the requirement for reasonable adjustments.Practical implicationsThe implications are that disabled people are experiencing discrimination when working environments present barriers and reasonable adjustments, as required by the UK Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and 2005, are not made.Originality/valueThis is exploratory research and provides an insight into the experience of disabled people of the physical workplace environment, presenting examples of good and poor practice.
Competitive analysis of enterprise integration strategies
Authors: Briggs Warren , Shore Barry 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is two‐fold: first, it sets out to suggest that when a new ERP system or an upgrade is considered it may be best to begin with a formal analysis of the market leader's IT strategy. This study must address how they use information across the extended enterprise from suppliers to customers. Second, it aims to suggest a simple competitive audit matrix (CAM) that can be used to structure this analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe argument that a formal analysis is necessary to minimize the risk of disappointing ERP results is developed from the literature, and the CAM is adapted from a model presented in the “competitive analysis of the firm” literature. Because, inside data are usually not available, the model is designed to rely on publicly accessible data.FindingsWhile there are considerable challenges in undertaking a competitive IT analysis, the use of a case study, 7‐Eleven Japan, suggests that there is much to be learned by following a structured approach at this early stage in the development of an ERP project.Research limitations/implicationsSince, this appears to be the first paper focusing on the use of competitive data in establishing IT strategy, there is considerable opportunity for others to verify the usefulness of this approach, to use the framework in uncovering strategies that are common to market leaders in different industries, or to suggest other frameworks altogether.Practical implicationsCompanies that are considering an ERP, or more likely an upgrade to an existing ERP, should find this simple framework most useful in provoking the kinds of discussions that are necessary before major strategic IT decisions are made.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that presents a framework for undertaking analysis of a competitor's IT integration strategy.
Competitive priorities of manufacturing firms in Thailand
Authors: Phusavat Kongkiti , Kanchana Rapee 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to identify competitive priorities, based on the opinions of top executives of manufacturing firms belonging to the Federation of Thai Industry (FTI). It is also to evaluate the implications and applicability of these findings for Thai manufacturers.Design/methodology/approachA survey is used as a data‐collection tool to gather the opinions of top executives. Its main contents are based on Takala (2002). Ten manufacturers from four industries have participated in the study. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is selected to analyze the survey responses. In addition, the comparison of competitive priorities among Thailand, China, and Taiwan is made. The follow‐up interviews and discussion are also conducted.FindingsThere are six criteria selected to reflect competitive priorities: quality, customer‐focus, delivery, flexibility, know‐how, and costs. The study reveals that the quality, customer‐focus and delivery criteria are recognized as important priorities in order to enhance manufacturing firms' competitiveness. The Taiwanese experiences possibly suggest more attention on innovation in order to sustain quality improvement.Practical implicationsThe findings illustrate the shift in competitive priorities from cost into quality and customer‐focus. This shift reflects intense campaigns by relevant public agencies as well as the FTI. The awareness on these priorities is critical so that companies in the value chain can properly establish coherent manufacturing strategies and objectives.Originality/valueThe knowledge on competitive priorities leads to better understanding of manufacturing strategies in the future. This knowledge can serve as a reference during an assessment of the desirable impacts from programs and initiatives conducted by public agencies and the FTI.
Achieving manufacturing flexibility through entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Chang Shih‐Chia , Lin Ru‐Jen , Chang Fu‐Jen , Chen Rong‐Huei 
Published: September 2007

PurposeEntrepreneurial orientation (EO) purportedly enhances a firm's competitive edge, but its alignment with specific dimensions of manufacturing flexibility has not been convincingly documented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of several identifiable aspects of EO on particular types of manufacturing flexibility.Design/methodology/approachUsing the data collected from 115 motherboard manufacturers, the study employs multiple regression analysis to examine the effects of entrepreneurial practices on manufacturing flexibility.FindingsThe statistical results lead to the following conclusions: autonomy, innovativeness, risk‐taking and proactiveness have significant positive effects on new product flexibility; autonomy, innovativeness, and competitive aggressiveness improve product mix flexibility; innovativeness, proactiveness, and competitive aggressiveness determine volume flexibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focuses exclusively on external manufacturing flexibility, ignoring, for the time being, internal manufacturing flexibility factors.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of the present study reveal that manufacturing flexibility cannot be achieved by simply installing a computer‐aided system; rather, it needs to be planned, managed, and integrated with a firm's entrepreneurial endeavors.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to investigate the effects of EO on manufacturing flexibility rather than on business performance, which most of the previous research on this topic has emphasized. In terms of practical applicability, the findings provide plant managers with valuable guidelines for improving manufacturing flexibility by undertaking appropriate entrepreneurial action.
The impact of JIT‐II‐selling on organizational performance
Authors: Green Kenneth W. , Inman R. Anthony 
Published: September 2007

PurposeIn response to the just‐in‐time (JIT) II purchasing strategy developed at Bose, sellers in the manufacturing sector have become JIT‐II sellers. The purpose of this study is to test the propositions that implementation of a JIT‐II‐selling strategy strengthens the strategic link between the production and marketing functions and leverages the impact of a market orientation on organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachData related to JIT‐II‐selling, market orientation and organizational performance were collected from 166 managers of large US‐based manufacturing companies and analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach.FindingsResults indicate that market orientation fully mediates the relationship between JIT‐II‐selling and organizational performance.Practical/implicationsManufacturers adopting a JIT‐II‐selling strategy to enhance a market orientation philosophy can expect improvements in organizational performance.Originality/valueThis study is the first to describe and define the JIT‐II selling construct and to empirically assess its relation to market orientation and organizational performance.
The mediate effect of learning and knowledge on organizational performance
Authors: Lin Chin‐Yen , Kuo Tsung‐Hsien 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to propose a conceptual structural equation model to investigate the relationships among human resource management (HRM), organizational learning (OL), knowledge management capability (KMC) and organizational performance (OP) and to demonstrate the direct and indirect effect of HRM on OP from the perspectives of KMC and OL.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study is conducted in financial training centers in Taiwan and the collected survey data are used to test the relationships among the four dimensions expressed in the proposed structural equation model.FindingsThe results show that HRM has a direct and significant impact on OL and KMC. HRM influences OP indirectly through OL and KMC. In addition, OL and KMC have direct and significant influences on OP.Research limitations/implicationsOnly data from Taiwan were collected. Therefore, the results may not be easily generalized to other areas or countries, but are useful for managers' reference, especially for those whose circumstances are similar to those in Taiwan.Practical implicationsThe conceptual structural equation model provides useful information for managers to enhance OP through the adoption of appropriate HRM, OL and KMC policies.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates how HRM indirectly impacts OP and illustrates the paths of influence through either OL or KMC.
A knowledge integration framework for complex network management
Authors: Li Xiangyang , Chandra Charu 
Published: September 2007

PurposeLarge supply and computer networks contain heterogeneous information and correlation among their components, and are distributed across a large geographical region. This paper aims to investigate and develop a generic knowledge integration framework that can handle the challenges posed in complex network management. It also seeks to examine this framework in various applications of essential management tasks in different infrastructures.Design/methodology/approachEfficient information and knowledge integration technologies are key to capably handling complex networks. An adaptive fusion framework is proposed that takes advantage of dependency modelling, active configuration planning and scheduling, and quality assurance of knowledge integration. The paper uses cases of supply network risk management and computer network attack correlation (NAC) to elaborate the problem and describe various applications of this generic framework.FindingsInformation and knowledge integration becomes increasingly important, enabled by technologies to collect and process data dynamically, and faces enormous challenges in handling escalating complexity. Representing these systems into an appropriate network model and integrating the knowledge in the model for decision making, directed by information and complexity measures, provide a promising approach. The preliminary results based on a Bayesian network model support the proposed framework.Originality/valueFirst, the paper discussed and defined the challenges and requirements faced by knowledge integration in complex networks. Second, it proposed a knowledge integration framework that systematically models various network structures and adaptively integrates knowledge, based on dependency modelling and information theory. Finally, it used a conceptual Bayesian model to elaborate the application to supply chain risk management and computer NAC of this promising framework.
Exploiting RFID digital information in enterprise collaboration
Authors: Lekakos George 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how a distributed network architecture, building on web‐service orchestration, data‐stream management systems and smart‐tagging technologies, can be employed to enable enterprise collaboration and decision making.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a technology review in order to propose a network design as well as a field survey to identify and evaluate the relevance of radio frequency identification (RFID)‐enabled collaboration and decision‐support scenarios to industry executives.FindingsThe paper demonstrates the relevance of the proposed architecture and corresponding RFID‐enabled collaboration to business executives of the grocery retail sector. The responses show that some scenarios are more appealing to retailers than to suppliers and that certain processes should be done in collaboration.Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations and future research directions involve the evaluation of specific design alternatives, in the specific context as well as comparing the distributed architecture approach with a centralized architecture or with EDI which has traditionally been used to support enterprise collaboration.Practical implicationsThe proposed architecture supports not only internal operations of network leaders, such as big retailers, but also suppliers who look into opportunities to benefit from the use of IT in enterprise relationships by gaining either process specificity or domain knowledge specificity.Originality/valueThe paper introduces a novel architecture that moves beyond the centralized web site paradigm to a distributed one. A European field survey is employed for the evaluation of several RFID‐enabled collaboration scenarios, providing insights to both researchers and practitioners (retailers and suppliers in the grocery retail sector).
Cross‐generational knowledge flows in edge organizations
Authors: Liebowitz Jay , Ayyavoo Nirmala , Nguyen Hang , Carran Deborah , Simien James 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate how cross‐generational biases affect tacit knowledge transfer and resulting knowledge flows in edge organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applied hypothesis testingχ2s, as well as ethnographic analysis.FindingsCross‐generational biases affect tacit knowledge transfer and resulting knowledge flows in edge‐like organizations. Other factors, such as trust, loyalty, work ethics, and family values, also affect knowledge flows.Research limitations/implicationsSample size should be increased for future work, as well as applying the results in a defense/military environment.Practical implicationsThe results of the paper should influence succession planning, human capital strategy, and knowledge management efforts in edge‐like organizations.Originality/valueThe work is quite novel as it integrates inter‐generational differences, tacit knowledge transfer, and knowledge flows in edge organizations.
Adoption of mobile technology in business: a fit‐viability model
Authors: Liang Ting‐Peng , Huang Chen‐Wei , Yeh Yi‐Hsuan , Lin Binshan 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to study the adoption of mobile technology in business and its determinants. A diagnostic tool for proper adoption of mobile technology is developed.Design/methodology/approachGrounded on the fit‐viability framework, the paper uses a multi‐case study via the fit and viability dimensions to examine the success or failure of mobile technology applications in business.FindingsBy drawing upon multiple streams of theory building, the paper is able to develop a set of measurement instruments to assess the fit and viability in adopting mobile technology. The findings demonstrate that the fit‐viability model (FVM) provides useful guidelines for enterprises in their decisions on whether to adopt a mobile technology.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the theoretical generalizability of the FVM needs to be more carefully observed in future studies. Second, the findings are exploratory and more extensive studies may be necessary.Practical implicationsChief information officers and managers can use the developed instrument to measure the fitness and viability of implementing mobile technology in organizations. This should be able to increase the possibility of success.Originality/valueThis is one of the first papers to combine the fit and viability aspects and to empirically demonstrate the value of this two‐dimensional model.
Electronic marketplaces for tailored logistics
Authors: Wang Yingli , Potter Andrew , Naim Mohamed 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate electronic logistics marketplaces (ELMs), especially closed systems based on long‐term relationships between shippers and carriers. It aims to establish likely operational models and investigate their relationship with tailored logistics.Design/methodology/approachMultiple case‐studies with shippers, carriers and technology providers, involving interviews, process mapping, work‐shops and system demonstrations.FindingsKey attributes in relation to processes, relationships and technology are identified. Finding reveal that the ELM business model is still at its infancy stage but with huge potential for growth in optimizing supply chain networks, and enabling the provision of tailored logistics.Practical implicationsBusiness‐to‐business electronic marketplaces are becoming more common in practice. By characterizing the different operational models, decision makers in logistics can identify which structure is best suited for their particular application. The paper confirms the existence of three distinct ELM structures, while also specifying their key attributes. It provides a foundation for future research in this developing field.Originality/valueResearch on ELMs is scarce. The paper establishes fundamentals of the operational models available to support closed ELM and provides insights on how different closed ELMs are structured, what they do and how they impact tailored logistics.
A reappraisal on advanced planning and scheduling systems
Authors: Lin Chao‐Hsien , Hwang Sheue‐Ling , Min‐Yang Wang Eric 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper sets out to present a reappraisal on advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems in industrial settings and propose an effective approach for APS implementation.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach is adopted, and a research framework comprising human‐, technological‐, and organizational‐dimensions is developed to analyze the evidence database which includes business flows, system design documents, archival records, post‐system assessment, participant‐observation and semi‐structured interviews.FindingsThe findings indicate that real‐world production planning problems are ill‐defined, complex and dynamic. A post‐implementation evaluation reveals major pitfalls in the technology‐dominant approach, whose negative ramifications are usually overlooked. Besides, these APS implementation pitfalls are found to be attributable to the real‐world context, human factors and organizational aspects.Research limitations/implicationsDespite advances in information technology (IT) and computer modeling techniques, humans still play critical roles in the production‐planning processes – especially in a complex and dynamic manufacturing environment where incomplete, ambiguous, inconsistent and untimely data make automatic planning unrealistic. A rational human‐computer collaboration scheme under an effective organizational structure would be in a better position to take advantage of the IT.Originality/valueThis paper presents a humans‐technology‐organization‐framework of real planning systems, which is employed to analyze a case of APS implementation. Practical insights are extracted as a result of this field research, and a realist approach is proposed to cope with the problems and pitfalls of APS implementation in industrial settings.
Intranet usage and managers' performance in the port industry
Authors: Daud Norzaidi Mohd , Choy Chong Siong , Murali Raman , Intan Salwani Mohamed 
Published: September 2007

PurposeUsing the extended task‐technology fit (TTF) model, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of intranet usage on middle managers' performance in the port industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on 357 middle managers from various organisations in the Malaysian port industry.FindingsThe structural equation modelling results indicate that TTF and usage significantly explains the variance on managers' performance. TTF is a predictor of perceived usefulness and usage but it does not predict user resistance. Perceived usefulness is a predictor of usage but it does not predict user resistance. User resistance does not predict managers' performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses only on the port industry in Malaysia and concentrates only on the management perspective of intranet usage.Practical implicationsThe results provide insights on how the Malaysian port industry and other organisations of a similar structure could improve on their intranet adoption.Originality/valueThis study is perhaps one of the first to address the intranet adoption in the port industry using a comprehensive, extended TTF model (perceived usefulness, usage, user resistance) to investigate their influences on individual job performance.
The economic function in the Hindu worldview: its perennial social relevance
Authors: Chakraborty S.K. , Chakraborty D. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeAmong the several sub‐themes for this Special Issue this paper aims to deal, broadly, with the Hindu view of economics and allied matters.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a conceptual one that highlights a few crucial aspects of the “positive” flank of Hinduism vis‐à‐vis its “normative” dimension. Researchers, thinkers, scholars and, above all, some important but ignored realizers of Hindu psycho‐philosophy, have been dug into for materials comprising the paper.FindingsThe findings clearly show that the amazing sustainability of Bharat's (i.e. India's) socio‐economic processes, structures and systems, despite the tortures of history visiting her, can be explained by her abiding fidelity to the eternal as the basis of the temporal. This is the very foundation of the sacro‐secular character of Hindu culture.Practical implicationsThe expected impact is long‐term through deep‐structure germination on a wide tract. Hurried practical application in tiny fractions is not intended as this will be premature and superficial.Originality/valueThe contents of this paper are meant to generate a holistic and respectful orientation to the forging of constructive links between culture and economics in the context of Hinduism.