bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring ourselves
Authors: Haynes Kathryn , Fearfull Anne 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine gendered identities of women academics by exploring the interplay and exploitation of internal and external, personal and academic, identities. The paper also considers the relative prioritisation of the three main academic activities of teaching, research, and administration, in which an enhanced emphasis on research performance, as opposed to teaching and administration, is what is often deemed to represent “success” in academia.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on autoethnographical detail, the paper reflects on the complexities of identities as they are constructed, developed, experienced and understood both by themselves and by others. By presenting several short autobiographical vignettes, the paper examines perceptions of the gendered identity of women in academia as caring, “motherly” and nurturing, and demonstrates attempts to exploit so‐called “natural” feminine, mothering traits as a means of fulfilling the pastoral and administrative components of universities.FindingsIn considering such stereotypes, the paper addresses examples of their self‐fulfilment, whilst considering how academic structures and practices also impose such distinctions, in a context where academic “success” is often typified by research, publications and academic networking.Originality/valueThe paper considers both possibilities for resistance and the negative implications for the career success of women academics, arguing that, until these gendered stereotypes are challenged, women academics will continue to be disadvantaged within academic institutions.
Introduction: employment relations in Africa
Authors: Wood Geoffrey 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis introduction aims to review the present state of research on employment relations in Africa, and provide an overview of subsequent papers.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides a brief review on the journal issue.FindingsDespite considerable diversity across the continent, a number of common issues and themes emerge. These would include the sharp divide between formal and informal work, the problems faced by unions in organizing in contexts where formal employment is shrinking, and the often negative effects of liberalization. What all the articles in this special issue point to is that the prospects of enhancing the quality of working life, and imparting greater fairness to the implementation of the employment contract is contingent on both national institution building – allowing for the nurturing of complementarities conducive to the expansion, entrenchment and development of higher value added production paradigms – and fairer terms, more equitable relations with the developed world.Practical implicationsUnderstanding of the practice of employment relations in Africa can be greatly advanced through collaborative initiatives aimed at developing the capacity of emerging scholars and ensuring that the work of more mature scholars of employment based at African universities receives the exposure it deserves.Originality/valueThe article introduces the papers in the issue.
Organising on the periphery: new sources of power in the South African workplace
Authors: von Holdt Karl , Webster Edward 
Published: August 2008

PurposeIs labour's decline permanent, or is it merely a temporary weakening, as Beverley Silver suggests in her recent book, as the labour movement is unmade and remade in different locations and at different times? The article aims to examine this question in South Africa, one of the newly industrialised countries of the 1960s and 1970s, now largely bypassed by new manufacturing investment destined for countries such as India and China.Design/methodology/approachThe paper concentrates, through six case studies, on the growing non‐core and peripheral zones of work and examines the impact of the restructuring on labour.FindingsThe evidence presented is ambiguous. While there have been significant innovative union organising experiments, it may be that the structural weakening of labour has been too great and that the new sources of power are too limited, to permit effective reorientation.Practical implicationsIt is concluded that significant progress will only be made if there is a concerted effort to commit resources and above all to develop new associational strategies that recognise the potential for symbolic power as an alternative to the erosion of structural power of workers and the unions that represent them. Unless such a shift is made the crisis of labour movements internationally may be better understood as a permanent crisis than the temporary one Silver suggests.Originality/valueThe paper identities the potential for new strategies to develop and sustain associational and symbolic power that might compensate for weakened structural power and facilitate a remaking of the labour movement under new conditions.
Employment relations in Zambia
Authors: Fashoyin Tayo 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to explore the impact of economic transformation on employment relations and the effect on the role and behaviour of unions and employers' organizations in Zambia.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a review of existing studies on economic and political developments, backed by published and unpublished primary sources, as well as structured interviews with leaders of the tripartite partners.FindingsThe transformation of policy from centrally planned to market economy has by design or default undermined the role of trade unions and the employers' associations. This has in turn resulted in weakening the employment relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe research has implications for understanding how economic liberalization affects labour market institutions and processes. Many of the findings are of relevance to policy reforms elsewhere in Africa. Therefore, the findings have important implications for work on labour market governance in other African countries.Practical implicationsThis paper has implications for the tripartite partners in the employment relationship. It presents the critical need for policy review, and particularly strategic reorientation of the organizing strategies of trade unions and employers' associations, and the need to institute meaningful and effective consultative mechanism on social and economic policy making.Originality/valueA substantial part of the information provided in this paper is unpublished, and brings to the fore unanticipated consequences of policy reforms on employment relations. In turn the paper identifies action areas in seeking to reverse the effects of unfavourable economic reform measures on employment relations.
Textiles and employee relations in Swaziland
Authors: Simelane Xolani 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis article aims to report on the state of employee relations in the Swazi textile industry, based on case study evidence. It focuses on workplace dynamics, employment relations, and the role of the state in shaping and reinforcing these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on interviews with employees of Texrey identified through a snowball sampling. Further open‐ended questions for supervisors, management, government representatives and trade union leadership were used. The paper also relies on existing literature on the historical character of employment relations.FindingsThe institution of the monarchy has since abandoned the outdated tindvuna system but still retains control in the workplace. It still seeks to perpetrate a thinking that trade unionism is a foreign ideology and that Swazi workers are the king's regiments. There is also an existence of apathy and fatalism from workers arising from their desperate situation and poor prospects.Research limitations/implicationsThe textile industry in Swaziland is quite hostile to researchers and therefore access to employees and some crucial information was denied. Second, the study was conducted in one factory, thus it may not be a true reflection of the whole textile industry.Originality/valueThis paper sheds further light on the relationship between political authoritarianism, foreign investment and labour repression in southern Africa.
Copyright and knowledge advancement: a case study on the UAE copyright law
Authors: Abdulla Ali 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to give a snapshot of the copyright and neighboring rights law of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), illustrating the provisions governing the law. It seeks to frame UAE copyright provisions within the context of the principles of copyright and the structure of international copyright protection.Design/methodology/approachThe article begins with an overview of copyright laws. It highlights the central issues of concern to education, librarianship, and scholarship, depicting the complexity that the digital era has brought on copyright doctrines. It then explains the exclusive rights granted under the law, showing its orientation toward the civil law tradition with its emphasis on moral rights.FindingsThe author observes that a key effort to making practical sense of copyright in this region entails educating key communities, and emphasizing the importance of copyright limitations and exceptions pertaining to educational institutions and libraries. He advocates for applying copyright to the advantage of academic and research communities, and offers strategies strengthening the right of use in favor of these communities. Understanding the concepts and principles of copyright will make these communities proponents of sound copyright policies that will safeguard the promotion of learning and the right of public access, while still protecting intellectual property rights.Originality/valueThere has not been any discussion in the library literature on copyright in the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Therefore, this case study of the UAE copyright and neighboring rights law aims to provoke such discussion. It should be useful to the whole library community, and particularly those in the UAE and other GCC countries.
Marketing of information services and products in university libraries of Punjab and Chandigarh (India)
Authors: Kaur Amritpal , Rani Sarita 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the attitude of library professionals towards the concept of marketing and also how it is applied in practice to marketing of university library products and services.Design/methodology/approachFor the purpose of the study, library search concerning the subject was made to examine the findings of earlier relevant studies. To collect the relevant data, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to the subjects under study. Interviews were also conducted with the librarians/professional staff to fill in any gaps in the questionnaire.FindingsThe librarians/professional staff have positive attitudes towards the marketing of library information services and products and admit that each library should have a mission statement and a full time professional to handle marketing‐related activities; but in practice, no library under study has its own logo, mission statement or a specifically designated personnel for marketing‐related activities.Originality/valueThe study explores the possibility of adopting marketing strategies in university libraries to provide value‐added, need‐based and user‐oriented services/products.
An illustrative application of soft systems methodology (SSM) in a library and information service context
Authors: Delbridge Rachel 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an illustration of the methodological processes and resultant outcomes relating to one theme investigated during an application of soft systems methodology (SSM) in a library and information service (LIS) context, in order to contribute to the explication of the methodology to LIS professionals.Design/methodology/approachA selective but detailed description of the use of SSM is provided in relation to case study research undertaken at a UK law firm, which included, within the framework of SSM, the conduct of interviews with 42 legal and information practitioners.FindingsThe described application of SSM is a demonstration of its use for structuring learning in situations: in this instance, of a developed understanding of stakeholders' views of appropriate LIS activity in a law firm.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is a selective representation of the first use of SSM by a researcher and demonstrates the methodology's applicability to any situation about which learning is considered to be desirable.Practical implicationsThe paper provides an illustrative application of SSM which may prompt the use of, or may contribute to understanding of, the methodology by LIS practitioners, researchers and educators.Originality/valueThe paper provides an in‐depth illustration of the SSM‐informed processes and outcomes in a novel application area.
Offering choice in benefits: a new Dutch HRM arrangement
Authors: Hillebrink Carlien , Schippers Joop , van Doorne‐Huiskes Anneke , Peters Pascale 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine what kinds of Dutch organisations offer their employees a choice in the composition of their benefits with the aid of a theoretical model that incorporates insights from rational choice theory, the theory of institutional pressures and the bundles of human resource management (HRM) theory.Design/methodology/approachTo test the theoretical model data were collected from nearly 600 Dutch organisations in the market sector. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyse these data.FindingsThe research showed that flexible benefit plans (FBPs) are widespread and show a considerable degree of consistency in the options they offer. FBPs are most likely to be offered by organisations that have freedom to manoeuvre in their benefits, that witness other organisations around them offering such arrangements, and that offer HRM policies and practices that are strongly focussed on the combination of work and family, and on flexibility in working arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsAttention to HRM policies in addition to a combination of rational choice and institutional theory proved valuable in explaining the uptake of a new arrangement, and this merits further exploration.Practical implicationsFPBs offer Dutch organisations the opportunity to give their employees more choice in the way they are paid, and to adjust this pay to their personal situation. Offering this choice fits in with a family‐friendly HRM structure and increases flexibility for both parties.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on FBPs.
Brain drain from Turkey: the case of professionals abroad
Authors: Demet Güngör Nil , Tansel Aysıt 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to present research findings on the return intentions of Turkish professionals residing abroad, where the targeted group comprises individuals working at a full‐time job abroad who possess at least a tertiary level degree.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a descriptive framework to establish the validity of several proposed models of non‐return. The results are based on an internet survey of Turkish professionals conducted by the authors during the first half of 2002. A combination of internet search and referral sampling methods is used to collect the data. Correspondence analysis is used to examine the relationship between return intentions and various factors that may affect this intention.FindingsThe results emphasize the importance of student non‐return versus traditional brain and appear to complement the various theories of student non‐return. Many Turkish professionals working abroad are non‐returning post‐graduate students rather than holders of higher degrees obtained in Turkey who subsequently moved. The respondents appear to come from relatively well‐to‐do families with highly educated parents. Many have earned their degrees from universities that have foreign language instruction. The recent economic crises in Turkey have negatively affected return intentions. It is verified that return intentions are indeed linked closely with initial return plans, and that this relationship weakens with stay duration. Specialized study and work experience in the host country also all appear to contribute to explaining the incidence of non‐return. Return intentions are weaker for those working in an academic environment.Originality/valueThe study is the first of its kind for Turkey and other developing countries in terms of the number of responses received and the kind of information collected. Implications are valuable for Turkish and other developing country planners.
Relationship between leader‐subordinate personality congruence and performance and satisfaction in the UK
Authors: Zaman Bin Ahmad Kamarul 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the relationship between leader‐subordinate congruence and performance and satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from 267 leader‐subordinate dyads in a light manufacturing electrical assembly plant in Wales and 82 leader‐subordinate dyads in another, in England, UK. Data on personality of the respondents and their supervisors were gathered using the 16 personality factor test. The absolute difference between the personality score of the respondent and the supervisor for each of the five secondary personality factors were calculated. The absolute differences were then totalled to obtain a total difference score.FindingsAs expected, there was a significant correlation between the difference scores and satisfaction with the supervisor and overall job satisfaction. The results suggest that, if management wishes to improve satisfaction of their subordinates, the personalities of supervisor and subordinate should be similar. The direction of the relationship between difference scores and performance scores in the two companies were in opposite directions to each other. Possible causes and implications for managers are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper establishes that the relationship between congruence and performance is contingent on the nature of work interaction between the leader and the subordinate.
Personal and professional leadership in a government agency
Authors: Eddy Erik R. , Lorenzet Steven J. , Mastrangelo Angelo 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to replicate previous research findings, exploring the mediating effect of personal leadership on professional leadership and willing cooperation, and to extend the leadership model to include job satisfaction and organizational commitment.Design/methodology/approachEmployees from a government agency located in Western New York State completed a survey designed to gather their perceptions of study variables.FindingsProfessional and personal leadership are positively related to all three outcomes and personal leadership mediates the effect of professional leadership on all three outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include predictor and outcome data both collected from the same respondents and all measures collected via survey. Both of these issues raise concerns with regards to common method bias. Actual performance data were not measured. Future research should examine the impact of leadership behaviors on organization outcomes.Practical implicationsManagers should focus on developing both professional leadership (i.e. providing direction, process, and coordination to members) and personal leadership (i.e. demonstrating expertise, trust, caring, sharing and morals) behaviors to enhance employee satisfaction and commitment.Originality/valueThe paper provides confirmatory evidence for the value of the leadership model put forth in the earlier research and extends the model to include other important outcomes. An examination of leader behaviors in a government agency uncovers ways managers can enhance their leadership behaviors.
Impact of behavioral performance management in a Korean application
Authors: Luthans Fred , Rhee Shanggeun , Luthans Brett C. , Avey James B. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine whether the use of money, social recognition, and feedback have a similar impact on employee performance in the context of a modern Korean broadband internet service firm.Design/methodology/approachThe study design was a quasi‐field experiment (with control group). First, the leaders of this Korean firm were trained in behavioral performance management. Following the steps of organisational behaviour modification (O.B. Mod.) they identified, measured, and analyzed critical performance behaviors and then intervened with the following reward incentives: money (n=38), social recognition and caring attention (n=41), and objective feedback only (n=31). The main dependent variable was overall performance, and this was also broken down into quantity and quality dimensions.FindingsAs hypothesized, money and social recognition had a significant impact on performance outcomes, but feedback did not result in as strong a result. When compared to the control group (n=23), all three reward incentives showed significantly more improvement of overall performance. These findings also indicated, as hypothesized, that the impact of this behavioral management approach on Korean employees did not appear as robust as previous meta‐analytic research based on samples of US employees. Finally, although in the predicted direction, the hypothesis that social recognition would have a relatively stronger impact than money and feedback in this context was not statistically supported.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation concerns generalizability of the findings. However, the experimental design provides support for internal validity.Practical implicationsThe study results have practical implications for the value of behavioral performance management, but also that cultural contingencies should also be considered for successful application.Originality/valueThis study contributes preliminary evidence for O.B. Mod to have applicability across cultures.
Psychological and environmental empowerment: antecedents and consequences
Authors: Meyerson Shauna L. , Kline Theresa J.B. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aims of this paper are to clarify empowerment as a construct, assess whether environmental and psychological empowerment differentially predicts job outcomes, and investigate the effects of transformation and transactional leadership on empowerment.Design/methodology/approachUniversity students (n=197) rated leadership and empowerment in their workplaces and a number of job outcomes using an on‐line questionnaire.FindingsResults supported the proposition that empowerment should be separated into its behavioral and psychological components. The dimensions of empowerment also differentially predicted job outcomes. In particular, environmental empowerment was better at predicting outcomes than was psychological empowerment. It was also found that transformational and transactional leadership predicted environmental empowerment more strongly than psychological empowerment.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include that the study was cross‐sectional, used a student sample, and a single common method for collecting the data. The primary implication for research is that empowerment should be separated into two constructs, environmental and psychological.Practical implicationsPractical implications include that environmental empowerment has more predictive power than does psychological empowerment on workplace outcomes and that leadership has a stronger impact on environmental than psychological empowerment.Originality/valueThis study is the first to call into question the way empowerment has been measured in prior studies and provides useful directions with which to pursue future research in this area.