bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality management practices and their relationship with customer satisfaction and productivity improvement
Authors: Terziovski Milé 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThere is considerable confusion surrounding the applied role and business value of TQM. Anecdotal evidence and empirical studies in the literature suggest considerable variability in the performance of TQM. The purpose of the paper is to test the strength of the relationship between quality management practice and two key operational performance measures: productivity improvement and customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA large database consisting of 962 responses from Australian manufacturing firms and 379 responses from New Zealand manufacturing firms is used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe major finding of the paper is that multiple quality management practices when implemented simultaneously have a significant and positive effect on productivity improvement and customer satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe results presented in this paper are drawn from one industry at one point in time. Generalising the results to other industries should be done with caution. This study, therefore, aims to motivate further research on the link between quality strategies and organisational performance.Practical implicationsThe main implication that emerges from the paper is that managers in manufacturing firms should place more emphasis on “soft” quality management practices (e.g. unity of purpose/elimination of barriers between individuals and departments) and less emphasis on “hard” practices (e.g. process control).Originality/valueThe paper fulfils an identified need on the value of quality practice and offers practical implications to managers and stimulates further research on the relationship between quality practice and operational performance in non‐manufacturing industries.
Business networking in the Chinese context
Authors: Szeto Ricky , Wright Philip C. , Cheng Edward 
Published: September 2006

PurposeBusiness ethics has become a controversial topic as China integrates more closely into the world economy and there are signs of convergence within global professions. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to studyguanxiand business ethics in China within the context of social capital development, with a view to creating a more balanced interpretation that provides insights for Westerners wishing to conduct business in China.Design/methodology/approachIn terms of methodology, the work is based on the results of a recent survey conducted among Chinese executives in southern China.FindingsThe major findings suggest that the processes of developing social capital and the nurturing of company‐to‐company relationships need to be planned carefully. Thus, no one individual should be responsible for the China connection, although the appointment of a team leader is essential, otherwise the Chinese side would become confused. Negotiations always are to be conducted on a team basis and always approved at the highest levels in the corporate structure.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this paper include the difficulties of obtaining any research sample in China. Thus, we refer to the work of Weiss, (Learning From Strangers, Free Press, New York.) and use a snowball sample.Originality/valueThe practical implications of the paper are thatguanxi(a type of social capital), can be managed and that corruption does not have to result from the use ofguanxi‐based relationships. Thus, the originality arises out of the practical implications, in that for the first time, Western concepts of social capital and Asian concepts ofguanxihave been compared, leading to practical recommendations for Western managers.
Evaluating the market reaction to UK divestitures
Authors: Cao Jack , Owen Sian , Yawson Alfred 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo determine whether the abnormal returns accruing to UK companies undertaking a divestiture are different when the unit sold is in the UK or elsewhere and to specifically hypothesize that returns generated by a domestic sale will be higher than those resulting from an overseas sale.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 668 divestitures reported on securities data corporation (SDC) Platinum database, and share price data from DataStream, both abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) are calculated around the announcement date using the market model.FindingsThat the announcement of a divestiture generates positive abnormal returns for shareholders. Further, that the announcement of a UK divestiture generates a significantly larger positive market reaction than the announcement of an overseas divestiture. For the divestiture of units located outside the UK it is found that the largest CARs are generated when the buying firm is based in the UK.Originality/valueHere the existing work on divestiture announcement effects is extended by taking into account the location of the divested unit and the location of the buying firm. This allows one to investigate whether market reaction to an announcement of a divestiture is influenced by both the location of the unit sold and the location of the buying company.
An exploratory empirical investigation of environmental audit programs in S&P 500 companies
Authors: Bae SangHoo , Seol Inshik 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis study investigates the relationship between environmental audit programs and various organizational characteristics in S&P 500 companies.Design/methodology/approachThe data for the study are derived from two different sources. First, environmental audit related data were obtained from the corporate environmental profiles database (CEPD) which is published by the Investor Research Responsibility Center (IRRC). All firms who responded to the survey between 1998 and 2003 were included for the study. In total, 192 firms responded during this time period. Second, other firm specific and industry data were obtained from research insight (i.e. COMPUSTAT) database, which is published by Standard and Poor's.FindingsThe results show that an increasing number of companies are adopting environmental audit programs and industry‐specific factors affect an organization's decision to adopt environmental audit programs.Research limitations/implicationsSince the paper relies on the survey data, one of the limitations of the study is possible self‐selection bias in the sample. Caution is needed before the results may be generalized. One promising area of future research is to investigate the relationship between the firm‐specific characteristics identified in this study and the performance (both financial and non‐financial) of the organization.Practical implicationsThe results of the study can provide useful information to organizations that are planning to implement environmental auditing program.Originality/valueThe study is one the first for investigating the characteristics between companies with environmental audit programs and those who do not using an entire set of S&P 500 firms. Even though there have been some studies regarding environmental auditing, few have investigated the entire population of S&P 500 companies.
Determining the significance of the citizens' advice bureau as an industrial relations actor
Authors: Abbott Brian 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper draws on established and more recent concepts of an industrial relations actor and applies them to the citizens' advice bureau (CAB). The purpose of this is to determine the significance of the CAB as an industrial relations actor and to identify limitations associated with traditional concepts of what constitutes an actor.Design/methodology/approachEight bureaux from contrasting localities in Greater London participated in the research. CAB advisers providing employment advice and clients with work related problems were interviewed.FindingsProvides information on what constitutes an industrial relations actor and the significance of the CAB as a new industrial relations actor.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a gap on new industrial relations actors particularly in relation to their importance. It suggests that new bodies can be classified as industrial relations actors and that they are significant, particularly in the absence of a strong labour movement.
Forced employment contract change and the psychological contract
Authors: Saunders Mark N.K. , Thornhill Adrian 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo explore the implications for all employees' psychological contracts of a forced change from permanent to temporary employment status for some employees within an organisation.Design/methodology/approachA random sample of 30 employees, stratified by employment status was selected. Each employee undertook a structured card sort of possible emotional responses to change followed by an in‐depth interview to explore and explain their categorisation of these responses.FindingsThe nature of psychological contracts and organisational attachments for both permanent employees and forced temporary workers is complex. Permanent employees generally continue to exhibit relational forms of attachment to the organisation. These, they believe, are reciprocated by the organisation. Reactions from forced temporary workers are more varied. After a period of denial, some develop a more calculative approach to their interactions. Others maintain aspects of their previously developed relational attachments. Only some temporary workers appear to recognise that their future direction is no longer a concern of the organisation.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough only based upon one organisation, the findings suggest that the process of psychological contract adjustment is likely to emerge through gradual re‐interpretation, rather than through re‐negotiation.Practical implicationsManagement actions need to be recognised as important in re‐defining the nature of psychological contracts. The transitional nature of this process may be prolonged where management imposes transactional contracts and where communication and negotiation to create clear expectations is lacking.Originality/valueThe findings provide new insights into the implications of forcing employees from permanent to temporary contracts for their, and remaining permanent employees', psychological contracts.
A window open to the whole world
Authors: Chen Xuyan , Shen Liyun 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to focus on the “Window of Shanghai”, a cooperative program initiated by Shanghai Library that aims to connect people and promote understanding, by the donation of new books published in China to foreign libraries, especially those that are functioning as the major local information gateway for people of various communities and/or with different cultural origins.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a review of the program.FindingsThe paper shows that the purpose of the program, to cooperate with overseas partners – public libraries and other information institutions – to introduce and spread Chinese language and culture through the donation of Chinese domestic publications, has provided opportunities and future challenges. The program has helped Chinese migrants around the world to be better understood and identified, and has contributed to aiding the continuation of their languages, customs and traditions in subsequent generations.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on a program that is helping to spread Chinese language and culture.
Marketing and service promotion practices in the LCAS
Authors: Wenhong Ju 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to call for the application of marketing in the library area, especially libraries supported by public budget. Draws directly on experiences within the Library of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Design/methodology/approachGives a summary of the current situation, analyzes problems and suggests new methods and provides a case study.FindingsExplores and evaluates the use of marketing tools, service promotion experiences and new techniques in a large library context and explores the boundaries between real and virtual libraries and service provision.Originality/valueA case study of service provision promotion practices, discusses user‐centered web site design, and how market‐oriented problem solutions can help to enhance a library's customer relationships.
How does a dandelion seed from overseas root and thrive?
Authors: Zhan Changzhi , Zhang Hongxia 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe concept of quality management blossomed first in Japan and later in US and UK industry. Since then, the theory of quality management has been growing rapidly. It has become a management philosophy and has taken shape in a series of international standards in the ISO 9000 series. This article aims to describe how total quality management (TQM) – a dandelion seed from overseas ‐ turned an ordinary library into something different.Design/methodology/approachThis article is a general review of the progress made in Hainan University Library.FindingsHainan University Library implemented TQM in July 2004 and passed the authentication of ISO 9000: 2000 in 2005. Management innovation in Hainan University Library gradually became a real eye‐catcher. A national workshop on quality management and performance management in the library was held in April 2006. The library is now a member of IFLA (there are 25 members in China including Macao and Hong Kong); in 2005 the director of the library was elected as a standing committee member of IFLA Academic and Research Libraries Section; and international exchange and cooperation is becoming increasingly active.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how a silent, ordinary library has made a difference; it is moving away from being an isolated island and moving towards the international arena.
The Guichet du Savoir
Authors: Bazin Patrick 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to intoduce the Guichet du Savoir, an online information service proposed by the Lyon Municipal Library.Design/methodology/approachA description of its originality is provided, which is based on three principles: any kind of question is accepted, any question and its answer are immediately published and later archived in a knowledge database easily accessible online; the entire library staff cooperates in providing the answers.FindingsThe Guichet du Savoir is therefore a means of exchange with the public, a dynamic encyclopaedia, as well as a means for managing and emphasizing librarian skills. Since its opening, in March 2004, this service has published more than 13,000 answers and represents one of the main driving forces for the library's modernization.Originality/valueOf value to librarians who will see how the Guichet du Savoir comes within the scope of a self‐asserting strategy for the library itself, which is no longer perceived as a book sanctuary only, but also as an intermediating force for the circulation and the sharing of knowledge in the information society.
Legal remedies for girls' under‐representation in nontraditional career and technical education
Authors: Eardley Ellen , Manvell Jessica 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to document the extent of girls' under‐representation in nontraditional high school career and technical education courses, examine the role of sex discrimination in these disparities, and identify legal remedies for addressing the problem.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses high school CTE enrollment data from 12 states to document female students' under‐representation in nontraditional courses and uses wage data to show the negative implications for girls' future earnings. Drawing on the experiences of female students, this study explains how sex discrimination contributes to their low rates of participation in nontraditional training. The study then discusses how laws and regulations at the federal and state levels may provide means to address such discrimination.FindingsFinds high levels of sex segregation in CTE course enrollment, with female students making up on average 15 percent of students in nontraditional courses and 87 percent in traditionally female fields. Substantial evidence of sex discrimination in CTE makes a strong case for its role in contributing to girls' low enrollment in nontraditional courses. Varied state laws can be utilized to address this underlying cause.Originality/valueWhile much research has looked at girls in math and science, less attention has been paid to their participation in nontraditional CTE. This paper offers quantitative evidence of girls' under‐representation in such courses and qualitative evidence of the role sex discrimination plays. Offers a unique solution by showing how state laws can be used to address such discrimination and increase girls' participation in nontraditional training.
Cross‐national differences in job quality among low‐skilled young workers in Europe
Authors: de Grip Andries , Wolbers Maarten H.J. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which the quality of the jobs of low‐skilled young workers is affected by the structure of education and training systems in various European countries. It focuses on the differences between countries providing fairly general education (internal labour market (ILM) contexts) and countries offering more specific vocational education (occupational labour market (OLM) contexts).Design/methodology/approachLogistic regression analyses.FindingsIt is found that low‐skilled young workers are worse off in OLM countries than in ILM ones, with respect to employment in a permanent job, employment in a non‐elementary job and participation in continuing vocational training. However, in OLM countries low‐skilled young workers are less often involuntary part‐time employed than those in ILM countries. With regard to participation in continuing vocational training, the ILM‐OLM contrast is larger in manufacturing than in services; regarding employment in a permanent job the reverse is true.Originality/valueIt is shown that the labour market position of low‐skilled young workers is affected by the structure of education and training systems in various European countries. The upgrading of the skills demanded in the European “knowledge economies” will therefore have less severe consequences for low‐skilled young workers in ILM countries than in OLM countries, since the acquisition of occupationally specific skills is organized differently between the two institutional contexts.
Estimating the size of the Cypriot underground economy
Authors: Duygun Fethi Meryem , Fethi Sami , Turan Katircioglu Salih 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo measure the size of underground economy and the amount of tax evasion in Cyprus by employing monetary and non‐monetary approaches over the period 1960‐2003 and to compare the Cyprus figures with some European experience existing in the literature.Design/methodology/approachAnnual data covering the 1960‐2003 period were applied to several approaches for measuring the size of underground economy and the amount of tax evasion in Cyprus. These approaches are: employment discrepancy; simple currency ratio; transaction and currency demand.FindingsOn the basis of the results obtained from this study: firstly, in Cyprus the average ratio of the underground economy and tax evasion to official GDP is estimated at 9.41 and 0.31 percent of GDP respectively for the study period, and secondly, in the two time intervals where Cypriots figures are internationally comparable with the often quoted EU underground economy figures, the figures for Cyprus are estimated as 5.96 percent of GDP in 1994‐95 and 5.67 percent of GDP in 1996‐97 whereas the figures for some European Union (EU) members are 18.05 percent of GDP in 1994‐95 and 18.76 percent of GDP in 1996‐97.Research limitations/implicationsFindings of this study suggest that the issue of the underground economy is still in need of further investigation, firstly, to reach reliable results since each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses and yield different results, secondly, to find out the best method selection on a well‐established theory, and finally, to employ reliable data estimating measurement.Practical implicationsBoth EU and Cypriot authorities can utilize this study to analyse the extent of Cypriot underground economy with respect to the other EU members. Such attempts can be useful in developing policies and implementing actions and measures to eliminate underground economy activities.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind with recent data to measure the size of underground economy and tax evasion for the Cypriot economy by employing various approaches.
European armaments collaboration and integration
Authors: Kenny Brian 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to address the European Union's emerging role in the management of international security challenges and its implications for collaboration in armaments procurement. While the former is about integrating member governments at policy level, the latter concerns organising states' defence industries into a cohesive and competitive supply base.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical frameworks include historic‐comparative analysis and the bureaucratic politics model. Independent variable comprises state actors and interest groups, while the dependent variable comprises the outcomes in terms of defence policy and armaments collaboration decisions. European armaments integration is considered, contrasting liberal inter‐governmentalism and neo‐functionalism theory. Case study data are derived from official EU document sources.FindingsIn general, national governments tend to protect important industrial actors irrespective of ownership. Bringing market and defence issues closer challenges the traditional separation between “low” and “high” politics. The collaboration in armaments acquisition isad hocand somewhat piecemeal in nature. Structures have evolved in an attempt to integrate the armaments process with spill‐over effect at policy level fostering armaments integration, helped by a more favourably structured and organised defence industry symptomatic of neo‐functionalism. Co‐ordination of European defence policy and armaments procurement through EDA should, in theory, lead to longer‐term co‐ordination, co‐operation and integration between the member states. The latter may see it in their interests to integrate as they come to recognize that EU institutions lack the capabilities to make policies realistic.Originality/valueEuropean armaments procurement and integration is not well researched; nor are the theoretical issues well understood. An explanation (model) of European armaments procurement integration is developed, along with an identification of key facilitators.