bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying adaptive leadership to successful change initiatives in academia
Authors: Randall Linda M. , Coakley Lori A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo propose Heifetz's adaptive leadership model as the primary process for initiating change in today's more business‐oriented academic environment in which colleges and universities are required to compete to attract students and are facing greater scrutiny and accountability from outside constituencies.Design/methodology/approachTwo case studies are presented that underscore some of the challenges facing today's academic institutions. Heiftez's adaptive leadership model is applied to each case.FindingsLeadership is more than an individual acting in a position. It is a process in which change initiatives must emanate from key stakeholders, all of whom are engaged in that process. The two cases presented in the paper serve to illustrate the greater potential for successful change initiatives offered by the adaptive leadership model.Research limitations/implicationsThe research examines two specific case studies in which adaptive leadership dimensions are used to examine the success or failure of a change initiative. The study needs to be expanded to other situations to more fully explore the merits of this model. Other case studies are being examined.Practical implicationsThe leadership model applied in this study can be used in any organization, academic or non‐academic, which is confronting change initiatives that require both immediate action and commitment from myriad stakeholders.Originality/valueTo date, no other studies have employed adaptive leadership as a process to address the demands of the more business‐oriented, academic environment.
The complexity of the organizational renewal decision: the management role
Authors: Santos Valle , García Teresa 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on an analysis of the evolutionary process experienced by the firm over time, but from the perspective of the role played by the management.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis began with the elaboration of a questionnaire that was directed at a population of Spanish firms. A total of 105 useable questionnaires were received. The first stage in the analysis was to calculate the degree of perceived inertia in each firm, and next we defined two subsamples: inert firms and least inert firms. Finally, we used linear regression analysis and logit analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results of this current research have highlighted the different ways in which the management role proves determinant in the design of the organizational renewal process. At the same time, the results obtained reveal the freedom available to decision‐makers with regards organizational renewal. The results also suggest that the availability of resources may constitute a key element in the organizational renewal.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross‐sectional nature of the study renders it vulnerable to some problems, so future studies should measure organizational renewal using longitudinal data and data from multiple sources. In addition, the small sample may foster sample bias and inhibit the generalizability of results.Practical implicationsThe attitudes of managers are determinants of the organizational renewal process. Furthermore, the availability of resources may constitute a key element in the renewal, insofar as it can extend the limits of managerial discretion.Originality/valueThe organizational renewal decision is extremely complex because of the diversity of factors on which it depends: environmental changes, imitation, employee attitudes towards changes and particularly the management's attitudes.
Trading places
Authors: Thach Elizabeth , Thompson Karen J. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify differences, if any, that exist in leadership style, behaviors, and competencies to drive performance between public/non‐profit and for‐profit organizational leaders.Design/methodology/approachThe study describes the results of in‐depth interviews with leaders in small to medium‐sized organizations in California. Approximately half of the leaders work in non‐profit and public organizations, while the other half work in for‐profit companies.FindingsThe findings reveal both similarities and differences between the two groups.Originality/valueThe results are a first step in examining the key leadership competencies required for success in each sector and serve as a springboard for future research.
Adaptive force reflecting teleoperation with local intelligence
Authors: Cheung Yushing , Chung Jae H. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to make an industrial robot intelligently and remotely cooperate with humans to work in unknown unstructured environments.Design/methodology/approachPresents a bilateral adaptive teleoperation control approach involving a contact force driven compensation with an auto‐switching function, which utilizes a biologically motivated compliance function. Based on sensed contact force, the switching function can adjust its slave control input to decide how much robotic intelligences should intervene in the system by switching modes. Other schemes for robotic intelligence, robotic impedances and compensators, are investigated to guarantee good transparency without warranting human error and maintain a stable contact, based on the force feedback, in constrained motion while a communication delay exists.FindingsThe simulation and experimental results demonstrate transparency and contact stability in the presence of constant and time‐varying communication delays, respectively. The proposed bilateral adaptive teleoperation control method outperforms three other techniques.Originality/valueThis paper introduces an adaptive teleoperation control method with local robotic intelligence assistance. The developed method does not modify the existing designs of industrial robots. The contact force and position and force errors are well controlled to obtain a stable contact and transparency, through adaptation of robotic impedances.
SmartMove4: an industrial implementation of trajectory planning for robots
Authors: Antonelli Gianluca , Chiaverini Stefano , Paolo Gerio Gian , Palladino Marco , Renga Gerardo 
Published: June 2007

PurposeA minimum‐time path‐following algorithm for industrial robots is presented in this paper.Design/methodology/approachThe algorithm generates off‐line a trajectory that, by exploiting knowledge of the dynamic model, takes into account the actuators' torque limits while preserving the geometric path.FindingsThe algorithm has been designed, implemented and extensively tested on a Comau SMART H4 robot, a closed‐chain six‐degree‐of‐freedom industrial manipulator.Practical implicationsThe algorithm is currently part of the new generation of industrial controllers of the Comau robots, the C4G controller. It is a feature added as with the name SmartMove4.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new minimum‐time path‐following algorithm for industrial robots that, by exploiting knowledge of the dynamic model, takes into account the actuators' torque limits while preserving the geometric path.
Remote multi‐robot monitoring and control system based on MMS and web services
Authors: Wu Bin , Zhou Bing‐Hai , Xi Li‐Feng 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a service‐oriented distributed multi‐robot system based on manufacturing message specification (MMS) and new‐generation distributed object technology – web services for realizing remotely monitoring and controlling multiple heterogeneous robots in the internet environment.Design/methodology/approachThe study presents robot communication model and distributed multi‐robot monitoring and control software structure based on MMS and web services. In particular, monitoring and control software design of MMS concepts in web services environment using Unified Modeling Language model is discussed in detail. In addition, to verify the validity of the proposed design method, a multi‐robot prototype system for robot flexible assemble cell has been achieved. Its Server software is implemented in C++ with Visual Studio.NET being the development environment and Client software is programmed in Java with Borland JBuilder 9 being the development tool.FindingsFinds that the communication structure following MMS can make the multi‐robot monitoring and control system have perfect robustness, interoperability and reconfigurability. Besides, web services technology can conveniently realize MMS services, also can successfully resolve the remote multi‐robot monitoring and control problem among cross‐network, cross‐platform and heterogeneous systems.Research limitations/implicationsProvides an easy and low‐cost method for realizing heterogeneous multi‐robot remote driving. The web‐based distribution of the presented system is critical in enabling capabilities such as e‐manufacturing, e‐diagnostics and e‐maintenance.Practical implicationsThe proposed system can be seamlessly integrated into other automated manufacturing systems or management systems in plug‐and‐play fashion. The combination of MMS and web services is in favor of real manufacturing equipments being embedded in the network, so the presented systematic methodology can be a useful reference for constructing web‐based reconfigurable manufacturing systems.Originality/valueProvides robot communication model based on MMS and web services and presents service‐oriented distributed remote multi‐robot monitoring and control software architecture.
CAD tools integration for robot kinematics design assurance with case studies on PUMA robots
Authors: Clark Seth , Lin Yueh‐Jaw 
Published: June 2007

PurposeIn this paper, a CAD‐based integration method for analyzing and verifying robotic mechanisms design is proposed. The work is motivated by the fact that current structural design of complex mechanisms still requires substantial efforts of human intervention even with CAD assistance.Design/methodology/approachIt is accomplished by blending the unique capabilities of two popular engineering CAD packages, namely, the mathematical computations in Matlab and the virtual prototyping functions in Pro/Mechanica. Here we take advantage of the numerical computation capability of Matlab to complete the first portion of design tasks. Consequently, the proposed integration of these two CAD tools comes into play, which involves writing the joint angle values calculated from Matlab to.tab text files first. These.tab files are then directly used as the input for joint angles' drivers in Pro/Mechanica's virtual motion analysis function.FindingsThe proposed method realizes design automation of robotic mechanisms and provides design flexibility by allowing the designers to change designated critical design parameters rather easily and quickly within the blended Matlab and Pro/Mechanica design environment. The results demonstrate that the design process of robot manipulators can be largely automated by using the integrated CAD means proposed in this paper. Thus, the contributions of the work in design cost saving, performance verification, structural flexibility, as well as assembly dynamics are all evidenced.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research will consider the generalization of the methodology to include dynamics aspect for design of complicated mechanisms.Practical implicationsTo show the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method, several case studies are conducted aimed at the design analysis and verification of a six degree‐of‐freedom PUMA industrial robot.Originality/valueThe proposed method realizes design automation of robotic mechanisms and provides design flexibility by allowing the designers to change designated critical design parameters rather easily and quickly within the blended Matlab and Pro/Mechanica design environment. As a result, it greatly reduces total design cycle time of complex mechanisms.
Growing sustainable consumption communities
Authors: Seyfang Gill 
Published: June 2007

PurposeSustainable consumption is increasingly on the policy menu, and local organic food has been widely advocated as a practical tool to make changes to conventional production and consumption systems. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of community‐based initiatives at achieving sustainable consumption objectives.Design/methodology/approachA new multi‐criteria evaluation tool is developed, from New Economics theory, to assess the effectiveness of initiatives at achieving sustainable consumption. The key indicators are: localisation, reducing ecological footprints, community building, collective action and creating new socio‐economic institutions. This evaluation framework is applied to an organic producer cooperative in Norfolk, UK, using a mixed‐method approach comprising site visits, semi‐structured interviews and a customer survey.FindingsThe initiative was effective at achieving sustainable consumption in each of the dimensions of the appraisal tool, but nevertheless faced a number of barriers to achieving its potential.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could examine the sustainability preferences of non‐consumers of local or organic food, to compare responses and assess the scope for scaling up initiatives like this.Practical implicationsWays forward for community‐based sustainable consumption are discussed, together with policy recommendations. Community‐based initiatives such as the local organic food network examined here should be supported to offer a diversity of local action.Originality/valueThis paper presents the first empirical evaluation of a local organic food network as a tool for sustainable consumption. It makes a timely and original contribution on environmental governance and the role of new institutions which enable consumers to change their consumption patterns. It is of interest to academics, practitioners and policymakers concerned with sustainable development.
Autopoiesis and the home‐confined consumer
Authors: Downey Hilary 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the consumption of a personal community and its role in the everyday life of the home‐confined consumer.Design/methodology/approachUsing a Radical Constructivist approach, three cases of home confinement were explored in depth over a period of two years. Ongoing “conversations” captured the consumption experiences with personal communities.FindingsIn relation to the home‐confined context, the ability to attain individuality, empowerment and creativity are all heightened as a result of personal community construction. An underlying concern for home‐confined consumers is their removal from independent living to institutionalized living, and, as a result the need to construct, manage and maintain a personal community is of major concern.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study addresses a home‐confined context, it is nevertheless reflective of concerns that are significant to all consumers, namely the attainment of individuality and independence irrespective of marginalization or not.Practical implicationsThe importance of a personal community in terms of both self‐empowerment and self‐identity with respect to marginalized groups and vulnerable individuals should not be underestimated. The supporting role of a personal community provides, in times of uncertainty, a framework to maintain self‐identity and independence.Originality/valueThis paper provides a better understanding of the role of a personal community in the consumption experiences of those consumers marginalized and vulnerable as a consequence of context. Home‐confined consumers are “invisible” in the marketplace and the personal community is a means of redressing this imbalance by empowering such individuals.
We do not live to buy
Authors: de Burgh‐Woodman Hélène , Brace‐Govan Jan 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose is to investigate the concepts of subculture, subculture of consumption and brand community with a view to better understanding these three groups and their distinct differences.Design/methodology/approachThe method relies on a literature review and a case study of sporting subculture. Using commentary from the surfing community as an example of subcultural groups we see how they define themselves against consumption oriented groups.FindingsSubcultures are completely different from brand communities (or subcultures of consumption) and while they can be said to share certain common traits the broad philosophical foci of these two groups are vastly incommensurate with one another.Practical implicationsMarketing discourse has perpetually conflated subculture with forms of consumption, i.e. brand communities, yet they are different. By acknowledging and interrogating the key differences marketers may better apprehend the needs, character and activities of subcultural participants and market more strategically.Originality/valueBy dissecting the differences between subculture, subculture of consumption and brand community, this paper offers a re‐conceptualisation of these terms in marketing discourse. In doing so, this paper seeks to dispel some fundamental misapprehensions in marketing and offer an entirely fresh perspective on the value and meaning of subculture.
Leagile manufacturing: a proposed corporate infrastructure
Authors: Krishnamurthy Rajesh , Yauch Charlene A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo propose a theoretical model of leagile manufacturing as it applies to a single corporate enterprise with multiple business units and to generate research questions stemming from the model that should be addressed in the future.Design/methodology/approachA case study company was analyzed to determine whether the concept of leagility could be applied to a single corporation with multiple business units and whether a decoupling point would be necessary to distinguish the lean and agile portions of the enterprise. The case study findings are used as the basis for describing a theoretical corporate leagile infrastructure and for stimulating new research questions.FindingsIt is possible for a corporation to simultaneously pursue both lean and agile manufacturing strategies by adopting a leagile infrastructure. The organizational structure consists of three main levels: a corporate headquarters, a sales and service group, and multiple lean production units. There is a decoupling point that separates the lean and agile portions of the enterprise. This organizational structure matches the front‐back approach, one of the large/small strategies defined by Lawler in 1997.Research limitations/implicationsA single company was examined. Studying a broader range of companies would make the described theoretical leagile corporate infrastructure more robust.Practical implicationsManufacturing corporations might find the infrastructure described to be a beneficial way to structure their own organizations in order to capitalize on the benefits of both the lean and agile manufacturing strategies.Originality/valueThis paper expands on the concept of leagility, previously discussed in the literature with respect to supply chains and individual manufacturing plants, by applying it to a single corporation with multiple business units. Similar to other characterizations of leagile manufacturing, it was found that the corporation operates with a decoupling point between the agile and lean portions of the business. Several new avenues for further research are outlined.
Concurrent engineering for product development in mass customization for the apparel industry
Authors: Kincade Doris H. , Regan Cynthia , Gibson Fay Y. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeFirms in the apparel industry seek operational information on ways to implement mass customization. The purpose of this research is to investigate the potential for concurrent engineering (CE) to realign the traditional, linear apparel product development process to a more concurrent and consumer‐focused process in order to facilitate the implementation of the new supply chain process (i.e. mass customization) with sensitivity to time‐to‐market demands.Design/methodology/approachThe case study method was used with three non‐competing apparel firms. Survey instruments and focus group feedback were utilized, which allowed the researchers to collect in‐depth information about the apparel product development process, often considered proprietary in many industries.FindingsProduct development activities in the lengthy apparel product development process were realigned with many activities being ranked as early or middle activities. This realignment into a compressed and nearly simultaneous process supports activities that must be done early and often simultaneously rather than late to support a mass customization strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study approach and apparel‐oriented sample reduces generalizability of findings; however, realignment of activities and provided operational information encourage future research to document the findings for apparel and other industries.Practical implicationsSuggested movement of activities can be used as a guide for designers and manufacturers when trying to improve their product development process.Originality/valueThe paper provides needed detailed or operational information about implementation of mass customization in the apparel industry.
Managerial perceptions of workplace flexibility and firm performance
Authors: Martínez‐Sánchez Ángel , José Vela‐Jiménez Ma , de Luis‐Carnicer Pilar , Pérez‐Pérez Manuela 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to explain the impact of workplace flexibility on managers' perceptions of firm performance. The research focuses primarily on outsourcing, an increasingly common way of creating workplace flexibility, by studying its antecedents based on several economic and organisational theories.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is a postal survey to a sample of 156 Spanish firms and statistical analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that it is important to take into account different theoretical perspectives to explain the intensity of outsourcing: all proposed antecedents of the intensity of outsourcing except differentiation strategy and cooperation are significantly associated to outsourcing. There is not any significant relationship between outsourcing and firm performance; workplace internal flexibility does impact on firm performance but external flexibility does not. However, the results change according to the category of core and peripheral outsourcing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's single country setting could limit the generalizability of the findings. Longitudinal as opposed to cross‐sectional data are needed for studying the causal assumptions reported here. Future studies should also take a multiple‐source as opposed to a single‐source data collection approach. Finally, objective measures of outsourcing and firm performance, as well as moderated variables are needed to analyse differentiated impacts on firm performance.Practical implicationsThis research makes two contributions to both practice and theory. First, the results show that the perceived impact of outsourcing on sub‐factors of firm performance is positive for peripheral activities and negative for core activities. Second, the research provides a framework to analyse the antecedents of outsourcing and the concurrent impact of outsourcing and other workplace flexibility dimensions on firm performance.Originality/valueThe paper explains outsourcing decisions by antecedents based on several economic and organisational theories. It also analyses the concurrent impact of outsourcing and other workplace flexibility dimensions on firm performance.