bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Framework to study the social innovation networks
Authors: Taatila Vesa P. , Suomala Jyrki , Siltala Reijo , Keskinen Soili 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe importance of innovations in business management is a widely accepted hypothesis. Lately the research on innovation has widened to include consideration of the impact of social networks on the innovation. This paper aims to contribute to research on this approach by suggesting a framework for studying the social aspects of economic innovations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses economic innovation as a product of organizational competencies, highlighting the importance of social network.FindingsThis paper has three goals: we clarify the concept of economic innovation, we present the essential questions for studying the economic innovation process, and we present a proposal for an empirical approach and address problems in collecting data about economic innovations.Originality/valueThe paper opens a new, socio‐psychological approach to studying the innovation processes. It proposes a holistic approach to the phenomenon by combining these with the material aspects of an organization. The paper provides a scientific framework for a new research program.
Health services management education: why and what?
Authors: Davies Stephen 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine the importance of appropriate education for health services managers and to identify what might be included in the curriculum for health services management education.Design/methodology/approachThe paper approaches these two questions through an exploration of the distinctive characteristics of health services as a context for management, relating these to a less context‐specific literature on management education. The case for health services management and a description of the ideal curriculum are both developed from this analysis. The analysis is based on the UK but much of it will be applicable to other national settings.FindingsHealth services as a context for management practice are made distinctive by the circumstances of working in close proximity to clinical professionals and dominance of evidence‐based practice as a paradigm for the clinical professions. Professionalism is weak as a governing concept for managers and health is often a politicised context for management, especially in publicly owned systems like the UK National Health Service. Management education for health services managers is important for improving systems performance and should offer a broad curriculum that includes the context for practice; research awareness and skills of critical appraisal; a grounding in a range of disciplines and a reflective approach towards general management skills.Practical implicationsGreater value should be attached to health services management education and a systematic approach taken towards curriculum development.Originality/valueThe analysis presented leads to the conclusion that health services management requires a broad curriculum reflecting the rich experience that health services management can offer as an occupation. As the power and influence of managers and managerialism in health care continues to grow, so it becomes all the more important that what is required for their education is questioned and value attached to providing opportunities for that education.
Cancer Care Ontario and integrated cancer programs
Authors: Mee Cheng Siu , Thompson Leslee J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeA performance management system has been implemented by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). This system allows for the monitoring and management of 11 integrated cancer programs (ICPs) across the Province of Ontario. The system comprises of four elements: reporting frequency, reporting requirements, review meetings and accountability and continuous improvement activities. CCO and the ICPs have recently completed quarterly performance review exercises for the last two quarters of the fiscal year 2004‐2005. The purpose of this paper is to address some of the key lessons learned.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an outline of the CCO performance management system.FindingsThese lessons included: data must be valid and reliable; performance management requires commitments from both parties in the performance review exercises; streamlining performance reporting is beneficial; technology infrastructure which allows for cohesive management of data is vital for a sustainable performance management system; performance indicators need to stand up to scrutiny by both parties; and providing comparative data across the province is valuable. Critical success factors which would help to ensure a successful performance management system include: corporate engagement from various parts of an organization in the review exercises; desire to focus on performance improvement and avoidance of blaming; and strong data management systems.Practical implicationsThe performance management system is a practical and sustainable system that allows for performance improvement of cancer care services. It can be a vital tool to enhance accountability within the health care system.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that the performance management system supports accountability in the cancer care system for Ontario, and reflects the principles of the provincial governments commitment to continuous improvement of healthcare.
Mutual funds under fire: a chrononogy of developments since January 1, 2003
Authors: Smith Thomas R. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive background on the recent legislative, regulatory, and prosecutorial scrutiny of mutual funds and underlying issues such as the level and transparency of fees and costs, distribution and sales practices, and fund governance.Design/methodology/approachProvides a detailed chronology of events since January 2003 concerning mutual fund scandals such as trading abuses and questionable sales practices and related issues such as revenue sharing, directed brokerage, soft dollars, market timing, late trading, and selective disclosure. The chronology in this issue of JOIC will be followed an article in the next issue that describes reform initiatives that have taken place in response to the scandals.FindingsDespite criticism and scrutiny of equity mutual funds following poor performance in 2001 and 2002, meaningful efforts to achieve reform began to lose momentum in mid‐2003. Then concern with mutual fund abuses was reignited in September 2003 when New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced a settlement with Canary Capital that involved market timing, late trading, and selective disclosure. Since then there have been numerous disclosures of fund trading abuses and questionable trading practices, and the resulting uproar has triggered significant efforts to reform the manner in which funds and their service providers conduct business.Originality/valueThis comprehensive chronology provides an essential reference by bringing together all the events and underlying issues related to mutual fund scandals, abuses, regulation, compliance, and reform efforts since January 1, 2003.
The new supervisory rules regime: a practical look at areas of exposure for broker‐dealers and senior personnel
Authors: Hiler Bruce , Kuczajda Thomas , Rabie Aseel 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the exposure and the responsibilities of a broker‐dealer's senior management under NASD's and the NYSE's new rules, emphasizing a regular review of supervisory and compliance systems.Design/methodology/approachDescribes new rules, contained primarily in NASD Rules 3010, 3012, and 3013 and amendments to NYSE Rule 342, and the SROs' intentions underlying those rules; provides additional regulatory guidance on privilege issues related to CEO/CCO meetings and reports, documentation of compliance with the new rules, periodic review of office category designations, specific requirements for “offices of convenience,” and procedures to ensure up‐to‐date identification of producing managers; assesses the potential increase in exposure for CEOs, CCOs, and others under the new rules.FindingsBoth the NASD and the NYSE have made clear by their establishment of the new supervisory framework and in guidance to members that they expect increased attention to maintaining adequate compliance and supervisory systems at the highest levels of their member organizations.Originality/valueConveys an important message concerning the need for CEOs and CCOs to become increasingly involved in compliance reviews and knowledgeable about supervisory systems.
Enhanced Cash “Yield Plus” Funds: the Treasurer's new cash management complement to money market funds
Authors: Sobol Robert N. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the emergence and current role of Enhanced Cash “Yield Plus” investment pools.Design/methodology/approachProvides an historical background and describes how Enhanced Cash “Yield Plus” investment pools define their investment strategies and invest their funds, now they are structured, marketed, and credit‐rated.FindingsIn just a few years, Enhanced Cash “Yield Plus” investment pools have emerged as a daily liquidity cash management complement to money market funds governed by Investment Company Act Rule 2a‐7. Yield Plus funds are a segment of the larger Enhanced Cash sector, which has been roughly defined as the market space of fund offerings between SEC Rule 2a‐7 money market funds and short‐term bond funds. Yield Plus funds (also known as “Cash Plus” funds) appear to be the most conservative funds in this sector, seeking to provide slightly higher returns for investors than money market funds, while maintaining a stable net asset value with daily liquidity. Only time will tell if “Yield Plus” funds become a true complement to, or perhaps even a replacement for, money market funds for institutional investors' short‐term cash management. In only a few short years, the success of these funds have proven that at least some market participants perceive the possible added risk is worth the potentially better return.Originality/valueA useful introduction to an emerging class of short‐term investments.
E‐thics: the new moral methodology for business
Authors: Johns Paul 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a new methodology called E‐thics, how it can be applied to an investment company, and how it can be used as a catalyst to develop an ethical corporate culture.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses recent events that have led the general public to expect improved corporate behaviour; what compels companies toward ethical behaviour; recent legislation designed to prevent the harm caused by corruption, greed, and fraud; how ethics are turned into E‐thics; and the apparatus, promise, and limitations of E‐thics.FindingsE‐thics applies policy‐based review and control to electronic communication. It acts like a virtual conscience, sitting on the edge of all your computer screens. An effective E‐thics system should detect all messages that contain breaches of ethics and also should educate the sender about the nature of the breach and other corrective instructions. E‐thics requires the full participation of everyone in the firm, not just lip service. Its greatest value may be that it will act as a catalyst for the evolution of a corporate culture based on shared ethical values, fairness, responsibility, and stewardship. E‐thics can help the investment community move from a culture of compliance to one of true ethics.Originality/valueWhile recommending a system to screen potential harmful electronic messages, an explanation is also given as to how such a system can fit into a broader effort to develop an ethical corporate culture.
Optimizing supply chain management using fuzzy approach
Authors: Gunasekaran N. , Rathesh S. , Arunachalam S. , Koh S.C.L. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a fuzzy multi‐criteria decision‐making procedure and it is applied to find a set of optimal solution with respect to the performance of each supplier. This method with the use of Monte Carlo simulation produces overall desirability level less imprecise and more realistic than those of the conventional QFD methods for engineering design evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA few responses obtained from customers are simulated using a triangular fuzzy QFD algorithm, Monte Carlo simulation and a multi‐objective model to optimise the total user preferences.FindingsThe proposed approach provides decision‐making with an optimal solution less imprecise in a QFD‐based collaborative product design environment.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed approach depends on the few responses and the random numbers derived from simulation. The random numbers need to be used after passing them through random number testing methods. The responses obtained from the customer are considered to be genuine and original.Originality/valueThe triangular fuzzy, Monte Carlo simulation and multi‐objective optimisation are embedded into QFD environment to make the decisions less imprecise than that of conventional QFD and it is tested for a case study problem. It definitely helps the managers in a collaborative product design environment.
A knowledge‐based service automation system for service logistics
Authors: Cheung C.F. , Chan Y.L. , Kwok S.K. , Lee W.B. , Wang W.M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeEffective service logistics can lower the cost and increase service value by improving customer satisfaction and loyalty. However, the conventional ways of the service logistics are information driven instead of knowledge‐driven which are insufficient to meet the current needs. The purpose of this paper is to present a knowledge‐based service automation system (KBSAS) to enhance the competitiveness for manufacturing enterprises in service logistics.Design/methodology/approachThe KBSAS incorporates various artificial intelligence technologies such as case‐based reasoning which is used for achieving four perspectives of knowledge acquisition, service logistics, service automation and performance measurement, respectively.FindingsA prototype customer service portal has been built based on the KBSAS and implemented successfully in a semi‐conductor equipment manufacturing company. It is verified that the KBSAS provides high quality customer services with fast and efficient customer responses. It also allows the company to capture the valuable experience and tacit knowledge of the staff in performing customer and field services.Practical implicationsThe KBSAS yields a number of advantages over conventional service logistics which include streamlining the service logistics process; performance measurement; reduction of paper work; the provision of 24 hours worldwide automatic customer service supported by the verified knowledge base established in the date time operations as well as the driving for continuous improvement of customer service quality.Originality/valueThe paper presents the development and successful implementation of a KBSAS which allows for the capture of the valuable experience and tacit knowledge of the staff in performing customer and field services.
Transforming the supply chain
Authors: Fassoula Evangelia D. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeToday's business environment emerges the need for organizations to continuously transform themselves, in order to maintain and reinforce their ability to compete successfully. The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the transformation process of supply chain in order to provide a modular structured management tool for planning, implementing and measure the effectiveness of supply chain transformation process (SCTP), in relation to overall organizational performance and business strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe focal concepts upon which the overall approach is based are the strategic planning process, the human resources management techniques, the link between organizational structure and culture, the marketing integration and the importance of quality evaluation.FindingsThe success of such efforts depends on a number of correlated parameters, among which, those of top management commitment and behavioural issues of human resources are the most critical. The tool proposed in this paper for the transformation of the supply chain, provides a flexible sequence of project phases, linked together in a loop and continuously assessed against specific evaluation criteria, to assure the project quality and the continual transformation dynamics.Practical implicationsThe pilot implementation of the tool to a big furniture organization led to the development of an integrated supply chain function, which would integrate planning, purchasing, production, warehousing distribution and transportation processes. The customer satisfaction rate had an increase of 25 percent, six months after the fulfilment of the transformation and three key suppliers reported a significant decrease of the duration of the overall purchasing process.Originality/valueThe paper presents a modular tool to facilitate the management of a SCTP as a project, taking under consideration the critical sensitivity factors of a transformation process.
Comprehensive performance assessment in English local government
Authors: Game Chris 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide, at a particularly significant point in its short history, an overview of a unique system of performance management to which all principal local authorities in England have been subject for the past three years.Design/methodology/approachComprehensive performance assessment (CPA) is the controversial centrepiece of a system of performance measurement and improvement management that has involved the external classification of each individual local authority as Excellent, Good, Fair, Weak or Poor. It is a system that, as comparative data on the scale of local government demonstrate, could only be attempted in the UK. The article is written as a non‐technical and evaluative narrative of the introduction, early operation and impact of this system, concluding with the changes in methodology introduced to counter the phenomenon of too many of the nation's local authorities becoming officially too good for the existing measurement framework.FindingsKey points that the article brings out concern the exceptional circumstances of UK local government that make such a performance management system even contemplatable, the improvement and recovery part of the regime, and the inherent implications of a system geared to providing regular statistical evidence of continuous performance improvement.Originality/valueThe originality lies in the CPA system itself, aspects of which at least will be of interest both to specialists in performance measurement and management and to those with an interest in decentralized government and intergovernmental relations.
Financial management reforms after a political shift: a transformative perspective
Authors: Van Dooren Wouter , Sterck Miekatrien 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to study the transformation of reform discourse after a major political shift and to discuss some of the factors that may explain change and continuity in reforms.Design/methodology/approachThe study is an embedded case study of four financial reform initiatives in two countries with a political majority system: Australia and the USA. Data gathering is a combination of face‐to‐face interviews and the study of secondary sources.FindingsReforms do survive political shifts, but they are transformed through political and administrative processes. The retranslation of reforms seeks a correspondence to the dominant ideological environment and challenges the balance of power. Political élites are important but the position of political élites cannot be interpreted solely from their party political standpoint. Reform discourse is a relevant research subject to study the dynamics in reforms.Originality/valueThe main research issues in reform research are about the gap between rhetoric and reality, and the convergence and divergence between countries. The article adds to existing reform literature by focusing on transformation throughout time and on the political aspects of reforms.
Role of tumor necrosis factor‐α and its receptors in human benign breast lesions and tumors (in situ and infiltrative)
Authors: García‐Tuñón Ignacio , Ricote Mónica , Ruiz Antonio , Fraile Benito , Paniagua Ricardo , Royuela Mar 
Published: July 2006

The aim of the present study was to characterize the expression pattern of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and its receptors in breast samples (benign diseases, in situ carcinomas and infiltrating carcinomas), and to compare these results with those obtained previously for interleukin‐6, p53 and p21 using the same samples in order to elucidate the effects of these cytokines on the proliferation–apoptosis equilibrium. Immunoexpression of TNF‐α and its receptors (TNFRI and TNFRII) were studied by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The percentage of samples positive for TNF‐α and TNFRII was higher in in situ carcinoma than in benign breast diseases, and TNFRII was even higher in infiltrating tumors. The percentage of samples positive for TNFRI was similar in the three groups. For the three proteins and in the three patient groups, immunoreactions were observed in the peripheral cytoplasm. In the positive samples, immunostaining for TNF‐α was more intense in infiltrating tumors than in the other two patient groups, whereas immunostaining for both receptors was higher in in situ carcinoma than in benign breast diseases, and even higher in infiltrating tumors. Comparing the TNF‐α results with previous results for mtp53, p21 and interleukin‐6, we found an association between the expression of these four proteins and increasing malignancy. TNF‐α might be an important factor in breast cancer promotion as its proliferation and survival effects seems to be enhanced through the increased expression of TNFRII. Also, the pro‐apoptotic pathway of TNFRI could be inhibited by p21 (which appeared increased in breast cancer), altering TNFRI effects in promoting the expression of several factors, such interleukin‐6, which contribute to tumor promotion. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1044–1049)