bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innovation: scenarios of alternative futures can discover new opportunities for creativity
Authors: Ringland Gill 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how scenarios of the future can offer “stretch zones” for the imagination. Such scenarios provide several alternative model future worlds for consideration and exploration by teams seeking breakthrough innovation.Design/methodology/approachTwo case studies are offered to illustrate the role of scenarios in developing new opportunities for innovative and creative thinking in organizations.FindingsThe paper finds that investigating the constraints and possibilities of these future worlds increases the range of “what we have experienced” and “what is relevant to our future”.Practical implicationsBecause scenarios offer a glimpse of what “different” futures are like, an organization's innovators can more readily imaginatively experience buying and selling products, living, commuting, under the particular constraints and opportunities of a number of possible future conditions.Originality/valueThe paper shows how using scenarios to investigate the constraints and possibilities of future worlds exposes decision makers to new opportunities to be creative.
How CEOs can promote a strong market culture
Authors: Brown Linden , Gallagher Sean M. , Brown Christopher 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe authors believe that corporate culture, if correctly aligned with the external environment, is the key to long‐term organizational success. The paper aims to explain how CEOs can take an abstract concept like culture, visualize it, and take steps to harness its power to create enduring competitive advantage in the marketplace.Design/methodology/approachBased on previous research, the paper hypothesizes that a strong market culture exhibits high ratings on six dimensions of corporate beliefs and behaviors related to: customer insight, competitor awareness, collaborative approach, criteria for decisions, CEO leadership, and a deep organizational commitment and contribution of all functions to creation of superior value for customers, profitably.FindingsThe case study of Telstra is presented to illustrate how their concept works in practice.Practical implicationsThe paper offers the authors' 6Cs Model as an actionable framework for building a strong market culture. Significant steps can be taken in each of the Cs to strengthen a company's market culture.Originality/valueThe paper offers a prescription for market culture change. Each of the six dimensions of the 6Cs Market Culture Model is discussed, concluding with specific steps for leaders to foster the attributes of the dimension.
Internet tools enable organizational transformation from the inside out: the Nokia Siemens Networks case
Authors: Deering Anne , Cook Andy , Jonk Gillis , van Hall Anne 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to show that large organizations or geographically dispersed businesses that adopt “Web 2.0” tools to power their transformation process can become as nimble and personal as smaller firms in pursuing their required change.Design/methodology/approachThe paper demonstrates how leaders can accelerate transformation using an array of new internet tools – such as discussion forums, wikis and blogs – that allow many people to engage more easily in meaningful interactions.,FindingsThe paper finds that these new web‐based tools are revolutionizing a change process the authors call Transformation 2.0. Pioneering efforts, such as those used in the Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) change process, highlight the possibilities and concrete benefits Transformation 2.0 can deliver; this case is described in detail in this paper.Practical implicationsTransformation 2.0 provides the tools managers need to build momentum behind a change process rapidly and in ways that energize and give voice to virtually every person in a large organization. In addition to Nokia Siemens Networks, organizations such as Del Monte Foods, Eli Lilly, the Girl Scouts of the USAand Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance are successfully forging Transformation 2.0 collaboration initiatives. Transformation 2.0 allows companies to communicate with the problem solvers in their organizations at all levels and to work together to make transformation happen.Originality/valueTransformation 2.0 allows companies to communicate with the problem solvers in their organizations at all levels and to work together to make transformation happen.
Strategy development by SMEs for competitiveness: a review
Authors: Singh Rajesh K. , Garg Suresh K. , Deshmukh S.G. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeSMEs are considered as engine for economic growth all over the world. After the globalization of market, SMEs have got many opportunities to work in integration with large‐scale organizations. They cannot exploit these opportunities and sustain their competitiveness if they focus only on certain aspects of their functioning and work in isolation. This paper tries to identify the major areas of strategy development by SMEs for improving competitiveness of SMEs in globalised market.Design/methodology/approachAbout 134 research papers, mainly from referred international journals are reviewed to identify thrust areas of research. On the basis of review, gaps are identified and research agenda is proposed.FindingsSMEs have not given due attention for developing their effective strategies in the past. They are localized in functioning. On export fronts SMEs face many constraints due to lack of resources and poor innovative capabilities. For sustaining their competitiveness, they have to benchmark their assets, processes and performance with respect to the best in industry. There is also need for developing a framework for quantifying the competitiveness by adopting a holistic approach.Originality/valueThis paper explores major areas for research on SMEs. It will be of great value for researchers and professionals involved on SMEs management.
Performance benchmarking in gas distribution industry
Authors: Goncharuk Anatoliy G. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to research the capability of using the tools of domestic and international performance benchmarking for estimation of efficiency, determine its key factors and reveal the full reserves of inputs reduction and potential growth efficiency for gas distribution companies.Design/methodology/approachIn the research, three models of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and other tools of performance benchmarking are used to analyse the efficiency of gas distribution companies. Some factors are examined for their impact on efficiency. There are the scale, regional location, property category and other endogenous and exogenous factors. The results are based on the samples of 54 Ukrainian and 20 US gas distribution companies.FindingsInternational benchmarking vastly expand performance improvement for domestic companies. The results of analysis and tools of this research allows to widen the capability of reduced consumption of various inputs by 10 per cent and provide the general gain of Ukrainian gas distribution company's and industry efficiency two times as much.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by single industry and by relatively short data set. The former is explained by requirement of technology (product and service) homogeneity when using DEA tools. The latter is connected with specificity of the industry and generally little numbers of firms in it.Practical implicationThe results of researching contain the data and recommendations to optimal scale, best proprietors makeup, specific reserves of input reduction for each company that was analysed. These results can be practicable for companies' management, present and potential investors and proprietors, regulative public authority. It is possible to use results of this research to make benchmarking for the other industries.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that adopts the various DEA models for measuring of efficiency in gas distribution industry of Ukraine and the tools of international benchmarking for Ukrainian and US companies.
Patient‐perceived dimensions of total quality service in healthcare
Authors: Duggirala Mayuri , Rajendran Chandrasekharan , Anantharaman R.N. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis research paper aims to identify dimensions of patient‐perceived total quality service (TQS) in the healthcare sector. Further, the impact of the dimensions of patient‐perceived TQS on patient satisfaction is examined.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire has been developed based on an extensive literature review of research in service quality and based on responses of the pilot survey among patients recently discharged from hospital. The instrument thus developed has been examined for its psychometric properties using tests of reliability and validity. Multiple regression analysis has been used to examine the impact of the dimensions of patient‐perceived quality on patient satisfaction.FindingsFindings highlight seven distinct dimensions of patient‐perceived TQS and the relationships among them. Positive and significant relationships among the dimensions and patient satisfaction have been found.Research limitations/implicationsContribution to research on healthcare services by the development of a comprehensive instrument of patient‐perceived healthcare quality.Practical implicationsThis instrument would enable patients to provide feedback to hospitals regarding the quality of healthcare received by them. Hospitals could use this feedback to analyze their performance, gauge patient satisfaction and benchmark their performance against competitive hospitals.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates a comprehensive instrument of patient‐perceived healthcare quality.
A performance benchmarking study of Indian Railway zones
Authors: Abraham George Sajeev , Rangaraj Narayan 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to carry out a performance benchmarking study of the zones of Indian Railways (IR) to develop an alternate approach for measurement of aggregate operational performance of the railway zones and to envisage its operations in a supply chain perspective, so as to gain academic and practical insights.Design/methodology/approachA case study research employing data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology has been used, with the help of data obtained from the IR annual statistical statements published by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.FindingsWithin the set of inputs and outputs considered, the exercise identified the best performing railway zones over the years and the efficiency trends. Some weaknesses of the conventional DEA were addressed by including the concept of cross‐efficiencies along with self‐efficiencies, by analyzing longitudinal data spread over four years and also by comparing the efficiencies with the operating ratios. To an extent, this study has also helped to understand the impact of the recent restructuring of the zones on their performance.Originality/valueThe study enables the reader to gain some valuable insights from a managerial perspective for IR so as to formulate strategies of its zones to foster better performance.
Using the ANP approach in selecting and benchmarking ERP systems
Authors: Perçin Selçuk 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study aims to provide a good insight into the use of analytic network process (ANP), a multi‐criteria decision‐making methodology in selecting and benchmarking enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, ANP model is proposed with an actual case example in selecting the best ERP system as a framework to guide managers.FindingsThis model provides firms with a simple, flexible and easy to use approach to evaluate ERP systems efficiently. Findings demonstrate that the ANP model, with minor modifications, can be useful to all firms in their ERP system selection decisions.Research limitations/implicationsANP is a highly complex methodology and requires more numerical calculations in assessing composite priorities than the traditional analytic hierarchy process and hence it increases the effort.Originality/valueThis is probably the first time that an attempt has been made to apply the ANP model in ERP system selection decisions. ANP has the ability to be used as a decision‐making analysis tool since it incorporates feedback and interdependent relationships among decision criteria and alternatives. In addition, evaluation and selection of ERP system software can be very useful for both academic research and practice.
US innovation is secure
Authors: Whaley Richard 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a short comment on the current US innovation concerns and a recent paper by Tom Abeles.Design/methodology/approachExtracts are given from the Business Trends Library showing the relationship of the advanced (post‐industrial) countries with the rest of the world. Insights are given into the rising importance of the multi‐national corporations.FindingsThe post‐industrial countries have overwhelming advantage over the rest of the world, with very different world development roles played by both sides. The multi‐national corporations act as the organs of transfer of technology to the less developed world.Originality/valueThe importance of how innovation and business development arises in the post industrials and how it is defused is shown.
Visions of the future of employment: a critical overview
Authors: Williams Colin 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a critical overview of the diverse visions of the future of employment.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework is presented for understanding the common narrative structure that underpins a multitude of contrasting visions on how employment will be organized in the future.FindingsThis paper shows how the diverse stories about the future of employment adopt a similar storyline, and reveals how most visions: firstly squeeze all forms of employment into one side or other of some dualism; secondly, order the two sides into a temporal and/or normative sequence in which one side is seen as universally replacing and/or more progressive than the other; and finally, represent this one‐dimensional linear trajectory by concocting some label to represent their vision, which usually involves using some ‐ism, ‐ation or post‐something‐or‐other.Practical implicationsVisions of the future of employment are shown to be grounded in some binary hierarchy (e.g. from Fordism to post‐Fordism, bureaucracy to post‐bureaucracy), all of which over‐simplify lived practice. To offer a way forward that transcends these one‐dimensional and linear stories, this paper argues for a more kaleidoscopic understanding that recognizes the heterogeneous and multiple directions of employment and opens up the future to new possibilities.Originality/valueThis paper highlights how a common storyline underpins a diverse array of competing visions of the future of employment.
Forecasting the future of data storage: case of hard disk drive and flash memory
Authors: Daim Tugrul U. , Ploykitikoon Pattravadee , Kennedy Elizabeth , Choothian Woraruthai 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to forecast the future of data storage technologies, using the case of two major technologies driving the data storage world; hard disk drive (HDD) or conventional longitudinal recording and flash memory.Design/methodology/approachFour principal tools of forecasting technology are applied to present the coming future of data storage technologies. These tools consist of bibliometric trend analysis, patent trend analysis, technology cycle time (TCT), and growth curve. Numbers of publications each year and cumulative patents are used to analyze the future of these competitive technologies. The median age of the patents is applied to find the technology lifecycle of both technologies. Finally, areal density of HDD is plotted on the growth curve to forecast the saturation point of researching on conventional longitudinal recording.FindingsThe results produced from utilizing these tools indicate that these two technologies are continuously under development. It is found that the growth of improving areal density of conventional recording will be nearing zero by year 2013 and the maximum growth rate of development was in year 2006.Research limitations/implicationsThe forecasting is based on principal technologies of conventional longitudinal recording of HDD. Also, NOR and NAND are considered as two main technologies dominating flash memory. Other emerging data storage technologies such as holographic data storage, phase‐change memory (PCM) are not included in this paper. Likewise, the growth curve of flash memory is not analyzed as part of this paper.Originality/valueThis paper forecasts the future of data storage technologies. Integration of scientific indicators and growth curves is demonstrating a powerful tool for forecasting technology futures.
The difficult future
Authors: van der Duin Patrick 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to describe three major difficulties with dealing with the future.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an essay with limited use of literature.FindingsLooking to the future is difficult due to cognitive, social, business problems.Research limitations/implicationsNo empirical research was conducted.Practical implicationsSuggests that more practical training in futures research and testing ideas and plans against future trends is required.Originality/valueThe paper provides a broad view on difficulties of dealing with the future.
The concept of value and its dimensions: a tool for analysing tourism experiences
Authors: Gallarza Martina G. , Gil Irene 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis work aims to introduce the usefulness of the concept of value for tourism research both conceptually and empirically. Destination and tourism services can be better understood if analysed through the multidimensionality of value, as the tourist can simultaneously experience several factors: affective and cognitive, social and personal, active and reactive.Design/methodology/approachFrom literature review, Holbrook's conceptual framework (definition and typology) is chosen to investigate the dimensionality of consumer value in a travel‐related context (students' tourism behaviour). An empirical investigation on one of his conceptual axes – the relativistic character of consumer value – is presented.FindingsSeveral research questions are proposed regarding the relativity of value, using the t‐test contrast of hypothesis: dimensions of value (efficiency, quality, play, aesthetics and social value) and a measure of overall perceived value are tested as being personal (they vary across people), comparative (with differences among objects) and situational (specific to the context).Research limitations/implicationsThe results presented can fully confirm the relativistic character of value dimensions; hence, the value concept is useful for analysing tourism experiences. Nevertheless, the analysis is made interpersonally. Real intrapersonal measurements on these variations with longitudinal studies are recommended for further research. The scope of this work could be broadened by testing additional axes of Holbrook's typology.Practical implicationsTourism managers should regard the helpfulness of perceived value as a segmentation tool. Because of its multidimensionality, different facets of services value can be enhanced for different consumers, reinforcing in this way the strategic usefulness of value.Originality/valueAlthough Holbrook's types of value have been the subject of several conceptual debates there are very few empirical works on it. Any multidimensional approach to value shows the richness and complexity of the value concept, but Holbrook's dimensionality is particularly interesting because it encompasses and interrelates all relevant facets of the tourism experience.
From branded to endorsement corporate identity strategy: the case of the Fattals Hotel Management Group
Authors: Herstein Ram , Mitki Yoram 
Published: September 2008

PurposeDuring the past several years, many hotel management firms have changed their corporate identities. Such corporate identities are based primarily on one of the following three approaches: monolithic, endorsed and branded. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of designing a corporate identity for a hotel chain management firm based on the transition from a branded corporate identity to an endorsement corporate identity.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes the transition from a branded corporate identity to an endorsement corporate identity as undergone by the Fattals Hotel Management Group, which manages a chain of 12 hotels. The paper examines the various stages of the process, from the decision to change the company's identity up to the final stage of examining the results.FindingsThe case presented here illustrates the extent to which assimilating the new identity requires the cooperation of all members of the organization and must be executed both vertically (top‐down and bottom‐up) and horizontally.Originality/valueThis case study, which presents differences between the various strategies adopted by the company during its identity change from one extreme approach to another, adds a new element to the process of creating and assimilating corporate image in the hospitality industry.
Climate change and tourism – scenario analysis for the Bernese Oberland in 2030
Authors: Müller Hansruedi , Weber Fabian 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate possible impacts of climate change on tourism on a regional level and therefore to provide a basis for discussion for tourism destinations.Design/methodology/approachBy means of a statistical analysis of data and a comprehensive desk research, the ecological consequences of climate change on regional level were outlined. In expert workshops, the effects on tourism were discussed and the main challenges for tourism enterprises and destinations were derived.FindingsThe ecological consequences of climate change are shown for the different destinations in the Bernese Oberland. The economic effects on tourism under changed conditions are estimated. The changes in tourism revenue, including adaptation measures, would result in annual losses of approximately 70 million CHF, or about −4 per cent.Research limitations/implicationsThere are many uncertainties regarding climatic development, effects on tourism and adaptability of the industry. In addition, the impacts depend heavily on local conditions and the structure of tourism.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a useful basis for discussion for alpine tourist destinations planning to set climate change and its consequences on the agenda and develop strategies to face these new challenges.Originality/valueThis paper presents an analysis of ecological consequences of climate change and possible implications on tourism on a regional level and points out the challenges as well as possible mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Work organisation practices for lean production
Authors: Olivella Jordi , Cuatrecasas Lluís , Gavilan Nestor 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to obtain and to expose work organisation practices common to the factories that successfully follow lean production (LP) principles.Design/methodology/approachAnalysis of the literature and interviews with experts.FindingsAn analysis of the literature reveals clear connections between work organisation practices and LP. However, general reports on LP barely deal with work organisation. A set of work organisation objectives for LP was established for the authors and interviewed experts and analysed by reviewing the literature. Similarities are found between the different sources in terms of defining a set of policies and practices covering all the aspects of work organisation. It is shown that there are indeed work organisation practices characteristic of LP.Originality/valueThis paper is believed to be the first complete analysis of work organisation practices for LP.