bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of personalized learning objects for training adult educators of special groups
Authors: Pavlis Korres Maria , García‐Barriocanal Elena 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to provide personalized learning objects to adults' educators of special groups (AESG) in a technology‐enhanced learning environment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a definition of specific criteria by which personalization of learning objects is effected. An analysis under the scope of adult education and multicultural education is performed, resulting in the development of tools and a clear path leading to more efficient personalization of learning objects of AESG within an e‐learning environment.FindingsPersonalization of learning objects for AESG can be achieved to a much greater extent when the element of compatibility between educator and learner defines content, preceding and mapping with presentation factors.Research limitations/implicationsAs the research is focused on AESG, the key notion of compatibility may not be applicable to adult educators of the general public.Practical implicationsThe paper offers a path through which learning management systems can provide improved personalization of learning objects addressed to AESG.Originality/valueThe introduction of compatibility between educator and learner as the key element of the educator's profile in order to provide personalized learning objects addressed to AESG opens up new territory. The paper is also useful to the developers of learning management systems addressed to any group with special attributes which strongly affect the learner's profile.
Predicting web services performance from internet performance: an empirical study of resources and capabilities in e‐business SMEs
Authors: Webb Brian R. , Schlemmer Frank 
Published: October 2008

PurposeWeb services promise a step change in business‐to‐business application models and practices. But how do we measure web services' performance? Because web services are so new, and implementations so few, the purpose of this paper is to take internet performance as a proxy for web services performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 106 e‐business SMEs to identify key drivers for internet performance, and then predicted web services performance.FindingsSurprisingly, it was found that while business resources and IT resources positively impact internet performance, dynamic capabilities do not. Also, there appear to be significant firm size effects.Originality/valueThe implications of these findings for the strategic management of web services are discussed, and in particular, managers' need to balance resources and capabilities in volatile business environments.
Process model for university‐industry research collaboration
Authors: Philbin Simon 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of university‐industry research collaboration through the development of a new process model.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was carried out on collaborative partnering and supporting factors namely social capital and the role of knowledge. Empirical research involved a series of 32 structured interviews with relevant stakeholders, with subsequent grouping and conceptualisation allowing common themes to be identified and a new process model to be proposed.FindingsThe study finds that there is a lack of integrative frameworks for the management of research collaborations. Through building on the suggested best practice described in the paper, application of the model to the management of an engineering research programme has allowed the benefits of this approach as well as some of the underlying issues to be explored in detail.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused on university‐industry research collaborations and although it may be applicable to other forms of collaborations, e.g. industry‐to‐industry, there could be features that are particular to the area under investigation.Practical implicationsA model has been proposed, which is a logical methodology that can be utilised by practitioners from both academia and industry in order to improve the process of research collaboration and facilitate more effective transfer of knowledge.Originality/valueThe model builds on previous literature on alliance and collaboration management but crucially is based on an innovative new process‐based methodology, which provides practitioners with a “route map” of how to develop and manage research collaborations. The model uses a holistic approach to collaboration through capturing process, knowledge and social elements.
The greening of commercial leases
Authors: Hinnells Mark , Bright Susan , Langley Angela , Woodford Lloyd , Schiellerup Pernille , Bosteels Tatiana 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to consider how policy changes may drive a change in leasing practices, in order to reduce environmental impact (particularly carbon dioxide emissions) from the commercial building stock.Design/methodology/approachIn many countries, including the UK, environmental policy (particularly on carbon dioxide emissions from energy use) is beginning to impact on the commercial property market. This paper explores barriers to improved performance, two models for greening leases (a light green and dark green approach) based on work by the authors from Cardiff University and the Australian government, as well as how tenanted buildings can be managed “more greenly”. It then explores how green leases may penetrate the market.FindingsThe conventional relationship between the landlord (as building owner) and tenant (as occupier) largely neglects environmental considerations. However, change may be rapid, disruptive and challenging.Originality/valueThe paper lays out some of the issues, solutions, and pathways for the commercial property industry.
Engaging stakeholders in a sustainability context
Authors: Leal Filho Walter , Schwarz Jens 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of RCE Hamburg, one of the latest Regional Centres of Excellence (RCE) to be created. It outlines the activities performed by the RCE and describes its relationships with the various stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachA description of the region where the RCE is located is provided, along with some facts and figures related to the site. In addition, a description of the structure and the activities of the RCE Hamburg is provided, complemented by a description of the engagement of various stakeholders.FindingsThe paper shows that, by means of projects and action‐based initiatives, synergies between regional centres of expertise on education for sustainable development and agencies based at the local level can be achieved.Originality/valueThe RCE is characterised by an integrated approach where different target groups are involved (e.g. schools, NGOs and industry) and where a local university plays a catalyst role.
Can we be assured of quality scholarship in a peer review‐less environment?
Authors: Gorman G.E. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this short paper is to focus on peer review in academic publishing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses the present situation with regard to an increasing lack of control.FindingsThe quality control aspect of peer review remains its greatest benefit to the scholarly community, but this gate‐keeping function is under threat, in various ways, from the internet.Originality/valueThe paper highlights how the loss of quality control that results from a peer review‐less environment should be of concern to the research community.
Factors affecting online research by nurses in Taiwan
Authors: Lu Hung‐Yi , Andrews James E. , Hou Hsin‐Ya , Chen Su‐Yen , Tu Yen‐Hwa , Yu Yung‐Chang 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to investigate predictors of online medical research by nurses.Design/methodology/approachA cross‐sectional study was conducted and a representative sample of nurses was selected from three Taiwanese hospitals from 1 January to 31 March 2007. A total of 274 female nurses completed the questionnaire.FindingsThe results indicate that the expectancy value of internet characteristics, attitude towards online information seeking and perceived credibility of online information significantly and positively predict online information‐seeking behaviour in nurses. Specifically, the multiple hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the perceived credibility of online information is the strongest predictive variable of online information seeking.Originality/valueThe findings of this study suggest that an important task for professional health organisations is to educate nurses in assessing the reliability of medical information found on the web, such as looking for credible institutional sites, verifying available information with that from other sources or sites, and using common sense.
Semantic copyright management for internet‐wide knowledge sharing and reuse
Authors: García González Roberto , Gil Rosa 
Published: October 2008

PurposeTo extract the full potential from internet‐wide knowledge sharing and reuse, the underlying copyright issues must be taken into account and managed using digital rights management (DRM) tools. The paper aims to focus on the issues involved.Design/methodology/approachTraditional DRM and open licensing initiatives lack the required computerised support and flexibility to scale to internet‐wide copyright management. Our approach is based on a semantic web ontology that conceptualises the copyright domain.FindingsThe Copyright Ontology facilitates interoperation while providing a rich framework that accommodates copyright law and copes with custom licensing schemes.Research limitations/implicationsThe ontology is based on the description logic variant of the Web Ontology Language. Despite its scalability, this variant has some limitations on expression that will be overcome with the help of semantic web rules in future versions of the ontology.Practical implicationsThe ontology provides the building blocks for flexible machine‐understandable licenses and facilitates implementation because existing semantic web tools can be easily reused. Moreover, existing initiatives can be mapped to the ontology to make it an interoperability hub.Originality/valueThe paper contributes a novel approach to DRM, based on semantic web technologies, that takes into account the underlying copyright legal framework. This is possible thanks to the greater expressiveness of semantic web knowledge representation tools.
Innovapost executes on high‐speed merger and acquisition activities
Authors: Brent Charland M. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a description of how our internal HR team overcame a number of hurdles and achieved 100 percent success in the transition of 85 targeted employees into Innovapost on a timeline that left barely five weeks from start to finish.Design/methodology/approachIn July 2006 Innovapost found that it needed to plan for the transition of 85 new employees from epost and Borderfree, two members of the Canada Post Group of companies that would be dissolving on 1 November. Despite a timeline that left barely five weeks for the transition activities, the HR team was able to develop the transition approach, present it to the new employees, answer their specific questions and get 100 percent positive response to the offers of employment with Innovapost.FindingsAlthough organizational and prioritization skills are critical for the success of this type of activity, having a clearly defined transition philosophy to guide you is critical. Decisions have to be made quickly and consistently to ensure that employees have faith in the success of the transition. It is also vital that the HR transition team establishes a visible presence among the transitioning employees and reiterates the message that they are seen as valued new additions to the parent company. There is no such thing as too much communication when dealing with employees, especially when the timeline is short and they are required to make decisions affecting their careers with very little notice.Originality/valueThe paper presents a methodology of how to successfully integrate employees from outside the company.
Developing environmental impact statement (EIS) guidelines for the management of environmental quality at major projects in Kuwait
Authors: Mohamed Al‐Damkhi Ali , Ahmed Abdul‐Wahab Sabah , Naser Al‐Khalaf Bader , Sa'ad Al‐Nafisi Abeer 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to set guidelines for the development and review of environmental impact statements (EIS) for major development projects proposed in the third review of the Kuwait Master Plan (KMP3). Best practices for environmental quality management to alleviate the impact of these projects on the environment are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper selects six major projects proposed for the period (2005‐2030) in KMP3. These projects include construction of new towns, power plants, highways, hospitals, waterfront projects and sanitary engineering projects. The current environmental impact assessment (EIA) system in Kuwait is reviewed and a comprehensive proposal to develop or review EISs for each of the six projects is recommended.FindingsThe projects selected are known to have adverse environmental impacts. The proposed EIS system will help developers prepare and submit a comprehensive EIS to obtain an environmental permit from the Environment Public Authority in Kuwait.Practical implicationsThe proposed guidelines could be modified and applied to EISs for similar projects in other Gulf countries and other regions in the world that have similar climate conditions and geographies.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the proposed EIS guidelines will qualify as best practices for environmental quality management of comparable projects. The guidelines should reduce the time involved for preparing EISs and promote greater content accuracy in addition to promoting a “cleaner production” approach for these projects.
A comprehensive approach to drought and desertification in Nigeria
Authors: Nasiru Medugu Idris , Rafee Majid M. , Choji I.D. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to evaluate current government policies in combating desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. This paper discusses the menace of desertification, the extent and the impact of drought in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe research reported in this paper was undertaken through review of existing literature, personal observations and interview with some of the residents in the affected areas as well as government officials in charge of programs in combating desertification.FindingsThe paper observes that the failure of current government policies include among others the top‐down approach, inconsistencies of government policies, neglect of indigenous knowledge, use of inappropriate technology, sectoral approach, inadequate funding, and inadequate awareness. Having identified the causes of the problem, this paper proposes that the national policy for drought and desertification should ensure sustainable development based on proper management of human‐environment interactions in the affected areas.Practical implicationsThe evaluation method performed in this paper allows us to analyze the factors responsible for the failure of government policies in combating desertification in Nigeria. This paper suggests that a number of complementary policies, strategies and management approaches be put in place and such must take cognizance of the existing institutional settings and professional groupings as well as the complex historical, social, cultural, and legal considerations.Originality/valueThe paper provides a rational, holistic, practicable and comprehensive approach for finding solutions to the problems of drought and desertification in Nigeria.
Proposing intelligent alternative propulsion concepts contributing to higher CO2 savings with first generation biofuels
Authors: Cebrat Gerfried , Karagiannidis Avraam , Papadopoulos Agis 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how opting for multiple contributors to the lowC economy and introducing new intelligent solutions allows a smooth transition to renewable fuels. Undoubtedly, biofuels are no longer everybody's darling. This is partly owed to the need to produce bio fuels at the lowest possible price and absent sustainability regulations or their enforcement like the European parliament initiated by banning bio fuels with not sufficient evidence of saving CO2. But on the other hand, the end of cheap oil is clearly visible and it is clear that second generation lowC fuels may by no means be able to replace all of the worlds growing fuel consumption in a few years.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a tri‐fold approach which has originated of two EU‐projects (SUGRE and RECODRIVE) based on reduction of the propulsion demand, intelligent powertrain configuration and the use of residues and waste as feedstock. The RECODRIVE approach tested in the European project with the same name introduces a quality management in fleet management which comprises procurement, driving and maintenance. This approach comprising also logistics should be able to reduce the propulsion demand at least by 10 per cent targeting 30 per cent and more.FindingsHybrid power trains are regenerating the braking energy and are reducing the propulsion demand by 15‐25 per cent in stop'n go traffic in cities. Parallel or power split hybrids may operate with phlegmatized and thus more efficient combustion engines, but serial hybrid electric power trains drive this characteristics, the extreme which is helpful introducing alternative fuels. They decouple the production of energy from the throttle command and allow for a more steady operation of the internal combustion engine.Practical implicationsBy employing a serial hybrid power train simpler low‐RPM engines may be used which are modified to run on plant oils and other alternative fuels which are difficult to use in modern highly performing diesel engines. By reducing the propulsion demand, a higher share of alternative fuels based on natural feedstock may be achieved. This feedstock may be also amended by better utilising waste. The paper describes two examples. In Graz, used frying oil is collected to feed a transesterification plant and in Linköping waste from the meat industry is collected to produce biogas.Originality/valueThe approach enables the transport sector to increase the independence on oil at short‐term without the risk of putting a lot of venture capital in the wrong fuel or engine technology. The serial hybrid electric concept remains the basis for future solutions working on different end energy like hydrogen.
The market reaction to the appointment of outside directors
Authors: Gunasekarage Abeyratna , Reed Debra K. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the character of any market response to the appointment of outside directors. The main propositions tested are: whether the stock market responds unconditionally to these appointments or whether the market response is conditional on the degree of the agency problem faced by the firm and the affiliation of the appointees.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a New Zealand sample of the appointments of outside directors during the period from July 1999 to June 2004. The unconditional market response is examined analysing the abnormal returns generated by the appointing companies during the three‐day announcement period. The influences of the agency problem and the affiliation of directors are tested by employing multiple regressions.FindingsThe findings provide strong support for the second proposition; the market considers the degree of the agency problem faced by the firm and the affiliation of outside directors in responding to these appointments. The percentage of outside directors in the board emerged as the strongest governance mechanism which, together with firm size, posed a significant inverse influence on announcement period abnormal returns. A strong interaction effect between appointee status and the agency problem was not present.Originality/valueThe mere appointment of outside directors may not please the firm's investors. Such appointments are more useful for companies with severe agency conflicts; even if such a conflict is present, the affiliations that these outside directors have with the executives and the operations of the appointing companies may need to be considered in determining the value of such appointments.
Corporate governance and informed trading
Authors: Jackson David , Dutta Shantanu , Nitani Miwako 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically study the relationship between informed trading and overall corporate governance mechanisms.Design/methodology/approachA broad range of governance characteristics are used to measure the governance structure of firms in the Toronto Stock Exchange. The risk of informed trading is estimated using a PIN measure that avoids biases induced by trade classification errors. Our proxies for informed trading are regressed on measures of corporate governance.FindingsOur most important result is that the observed trade‐off between CEO compensation and informed trading holds only for large firms. There is no correlation between CEO cash compensation and the risk of informed trading in small and medium sized firms. We find evidence that cross‐sectional differences in the risk of informed trading are explained by a firm's governance structure.Research limitations/implicationsResearch finding a trade‐off between CEO compensation and informed trading merits closer examination.Practical implicationsLimitations on insider trading, and more broadly on informed trading, may involve different costs and benefits for large firms than for medium and small firms.Originality/valueThis paper expands the set of governance characteristics shown to interact with informed trading activity. The Toronto market is well suited to focusing on relations between informed trading and firm‐level governance characteristics.
Implementing decentralised management in Ghana
Authors: Kojo Sakyi Emmanuel 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the barriers to the implementation of management decentralisation of health services and programmes at district level in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected through a qualitative technique in the Sekyere West district.FindingsThe findings are: transfer of authority for management decision making and planning was rarely operational at district level; and control over financial and personnel decisions remained centralised. The paper identified lack of staff capacity, lack of commitment and inter‐organisational conflict between health managers and local government officials as factors obstructing the implementation of management decentralisation in the district.Originality/valueThe lesson from the study is that the implementation of health care management decentralisation at district level has stalled because of the combined effect of internal and external constraints. The paper suggests that given the enormity of the problem of paucity of capacity to undertake new service management responsibilities, the process of transferring responsibilities, resources and control to lower level health managements should be gradual and incremental; the sequencing of reform too should be such that district health officers and stakeholders are given adequate training prior to the inauguration of new management reform.