bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interruption overload
Authors: O'Connell Nicola 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at the impact of constant interruptions in the workplace, and how these can be reduced.Design/methodology/approachThis article cites research undertaken on the effect of constant interruptions and includes advice and tips from renowned management guru Kevan Hall.FindingsThe increasing amount of technology now in modern offices means that people are having to contend with more interruptions than ever before. These interruptions are adversely affecting productivity levels and costing the economy. As communication is likely to significantly increase over the next few years, people need to find ways now to reduce interruption levels. Kevan Hall provides helpful tips on how to do this.Originality/valueThis article provides practical and helpful advice on how to minimize constant interruptions in the workplace.
Data system for assessing probability of failure in SME reorganization
Authors: Laitinen Erkki K. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a data system to assess failure probability in small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) reorganization.Design/methodology/approachThe data system is based on information from 83 reorganized Finnish SMEs. Information is divided into four types: pre‐filing non‐financial, pre‐filing financial, reorganization submission, and reorganization plan information. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis is used in data mining to factorize information for each type of information. Logistic regression analysis is applied to assess failure probability.FindingsUseful data system can be developed on the basis of pre‐filing non‐financial information to support reorganization decision. Pre‐filing financial information only marginally improves quality of information. Submission and reorganization plan information improve quality in terms of fit but do not significantly improve classification accuracy.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is small and should be expanded in further studies. The system is developed for Finnish reorganizing firms. It can be generalized to any similar reorganization process.Practical implicationsThe data system is useful for managers, lending specialists, investors, reorganization lawyers, and judges. It warns a SME about reorganization failure before filing petition (passive use). It is also useful in developing successful reorganization plans (active use).Originality/valueThis paper builds an extensive data system for assessing reorganization failure risk. It makes use of many variables that have not been analyzed in reorganization studies earlier. It deals with SMEs that is rare in reorganization studies. The paper utilizes PLS in assessing failure probability. It includes new analytical results on PLS.
Effects of financial reform on productivity change
Authors: Huang Li‐Hua , Hsiao Hsing‐Chin , Cheng Mei‐Ai , Chang Shyr‐Juh 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim is to investigate the effects of the first financial restructuring (FFR) on productivity growth, technical progress and efficiency change, using data from 42 commercial banks in Taiwan from 2001 to 2004.Design/methodology/approachData envelopment analysis is applied to compute the Malmquist index of productivity change.FindingsIt is found that Taiwan commercial banks on average experienced a 117.39 percent increase in productivity growth, of which is 2.11 percent is due to efficiency change and 115.28 percent to technical progress over the four year period. In addition, during the four year period, a 1 percent reduction in the nonperforming loan ratio resulted in 1.85 percent growth in productivity; a 1 percent increase in the capital adequacy ratio led to 2.15 percent growth in productivity.Practical implicationsIt can be concluded that after the FFR, the productivity growth, technical progress, and efficiency change all improve, with the lower nonperforming loan ratio contributing to this improved performance.Originality/valueThe study provides evidence of the productivity change of the banking industry in Taiwan in response to the FFR. It also contributes additional empirical evidence on the impact of a reform on bank productivity in a developing country.
Success criteria for systems led transformation
Authors: Ojiako Udechukwu , Maguire Stuart 
Published: September 2008

PurposeOrganisational transformation has been a major research theme over the last few decades. The main emphasis focuses on how successful organisations are using information systems and technology (IS/IT) to transform business operations. This paper aims to summarize and evaluate the key perspectives and concepts of change management. These perspectives and concepts are used to conduct an overview of the transformation of a major UK telecommunications company is using IS as a driver.Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on trying to understand the whole range of systems‐related problems that may confront an organisation during the introduction of new operational systems as part of organisational change and transformation. The primary objective is to identify best practice. A case study focusing on a large organisation is the approach used to try and elicit learning.FindingsThe view emerging from the case study is that there are generic problems that need to be addressed especially related to how system changes, processes and the customer are managed. Even with an increasing caseload of examples where large firms are unsuccessfully with major organisational transformations‐companies are still willing to undergo this risky change process.Research limitations/implicationsIt is intended that this best practice framework will be used in other organisational environments.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to widening studies on systems introduction as part of organisational change.
Fuzzy logic and evaluation of advanced technologies
Authors: Ordoobadi Sharon M. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe paper's aim is to provide a tool for decision makers to make more informed decisions regarding their investment in advanced technologies.Design/methodology/approachSelection of an advanced technology for adoption requires evaluation of several competing alternatives. The difficulty in the evaluation process arises when the ranking of the alternatives is not possible from the result of the financial analysis alone. The purpose of this study is to overcome such difficulty by considering other factors that allows distinction among alternatives with similar economic evaluation results. This is accomplished by identifying the risks or undesirable consequences of technology implementation and including them in the evaluation process. These are costs that are not measurable for inclusion in the financial analysis but could have major impact on the final selection. Owing to uncertainties involved with adoption of a new technology, the involvement of human expertise and judgment seems to be essential in the evaluation process. To accomplish this a process is proposed where decision maker's perceptions on the performance of technology alternatives along with the importance of the relevant risks are solicited in linguistic terms. Fuzzy numbers are then used to represent these linguistic perceptions. Fuzzy arithmetic operators are applied to calculate an aggregate fuzzy score for each alternative. These fuzzy scores are then converted to crisp scores to allow the ranking and selection of the best alternative.FindingsAddition of subjective perceptions to the purely quantitative approach provides a more realistic evaluation process.Practical implicationsThe proposed procedure can help practitioners with their technology adoption decisions.Originality/valueThe value of the paper is the inclusion of the decision maker's judgment in the evaluation process by use of fuzzy logic.
Fuzzy rule sets for enhancing performance in a supply chain network
Authors: Ho G.T.S. , Lau H.C.W. , Chung S.H. , Fung R.Y.K. , Chan T.M. , Lee C.K.M. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a genetic algorithm (GA)‐based process knowledge integration system (GA‐PKIS) for generalizing a set of nearly optimal fuzzy rules in quality enhancement based on the extracted fuzzy association rules in a supply chain network.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed methodology provides all levels of employees with the ability to formulate nearly optimal sets of fuzzy rules to identify possible solutions for eliminating the number of defect items.FindingsThe application of the proposed methodology in the slider manufacturer has been studied. After performing the spatial analysis, the results obtained indicate that it is capable of ensuring the finished products with promising quality.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach, only some processes within the supply chain are chosen. Future studies can advance this research by applying the proposed approach in different industries and processes.Originality/valueBecause of the complexity of the logistics operations along the supply chain, the traditional quality improvement approaches cannot address all the quality problems automatically and effectively. This newly developed GA‐based approach can help to optimize the process parameters along the supply chain network.
An empirical study of purchasing strategy in automotive industry
Authors: Wei Chia‐Min , Chen Chia‐Yon 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how the incentive from transaction cost can be beneficial due to the selection and implementation of the purchasing strategy under different scenarios in the value chain, including the automotive assembly sector and auto parts sector. Furthermore, it aims to investigate how to reach break even point between transaction cost and agency cost and to further achieve the goal of cost minimization.Design/methodology/approachThis is empirical analysis of variables constructed from transaction cost theory and data obtained from two famous motor companies in Taiwan automotive industry. This study adopts the probit model and tobit regression model to test and discuss the parameters in the model to deeply realize the influence of transaction cost variables towards purchasing strategy.FindingsThe findings prove the situation of multiple sourcing in supplying auto parts and demonstrate that the dimensions in transaction cost are truly important factors to affect the purchasing strategies. In addition, the empirical results show the explanatory capabilities of variables are very significant in monopoly power, steering system, electro mechanism, and other parts systems.Practical implicationsThe awareness on transaction cost are beneficial to partner selection of automotive companies in Taiwan. These findings also improve the quality of purchasing strategy in Taiwan automotive industry.Originality/valueThis study explores the variables of transaction cost influencing purchasing strategies. In addition, the knowledge on transaction cost towards purchasing strategy helps companies enhance the quality in future purchasing strategy and select their suppliers.
Measuring online stockbroking performance
Authors: Ho Chien‐Ta Bruce , Oh K.B. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present a study which uses an innovative two‐stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that separates efficiency and effectiveness to evaluate the performance of 28 online stockbrokers in Taiwan from 2003 to 2005.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is based on two‐stage DEA.FindingsThe results show that seven companies are CCR‐efficient in their operating efficiency; five companies are CCR‐efficient operating effectiveness and only two companies are CCR‐efficient both in operating efficiency and effectiveness. There is no apparent correlation between efficiency and effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper presents a two‐stage DEA study to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness in the online stockbroking sector. The online stockbroking business is a development from the integration of the internet and the stock trading. As the stock brokerage industry is undergoing a rapid change due to the proliferation of the internet, analyzing the relative efficiency and effectiveness of online stockbrokers is important for management to understand, monitor and sustain performance.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper is in the use of a new conceptual framework to assess the performance of online stockbrokers in Taiwan. This study uses the two‐stage DEA in conjunction with return on assets ratio, which is widely used in financial analysis, to define and assess performance in the framework.
Online banking applications and community bank performance
Authors: Acharya Ram N. , Kagan Albert , Rao Lingam Srinivasa 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of online banking intensity on the financial performance of community banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study estimates online banking intensity and bank performance indices using a combination of primary and secondary data. Online banking intensity is specified as a latent construct and estimated using web feature data collected from bank websites. An empirical profit function of a nonstandard Fourier flexible form is estimated using bank's financial data to derive a theoretically consistent performance measure. The actual impact of online banking on performance is measured by regressing the profit efficiency index against a number of correlates including online banking intensity measure.FindingsStudy results indicate that the increasing use of internet as an additional channel of marketing banking services has significantly improved the financial performance of community banks.Practical implicationsThese results show that online banking improves the financial performance and should encourage community banks to adopt new information technologies and offer targeted online services.Originality/valueThis paper is the first of its kind that applies a structural equation modeling framework to develop a comprehensive online banking intensity measure, which accounts for a wide array of products and services offered online by a bank, and utilizes the estimated index in measuring the impact of internet banking intensity on bank performance.
Consumer resistance to internet banking: postponers, opponents and rejectors
Authors: Laukkanen Pekka , Sinkkonen Suvi , Laukkanen Tommi 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of innovation resistance by dividing internet banking non‐adopters into three groups based on their intentions to use the innovation. Thereafter, the aim is to identify how the resistance differs in these customer groups.Design/methodology/approachThis study identifies three groups of internet banking non‐adopters, namely postponers, opponents and rejectors. The data were collected by conducting an extensive postal survey among the retail banking customers in Finland who had not adopted internet banking. The measurement development was based on consumer resistance theory and the earlier literature on internet banking. Principal component analysis was used to classify the resistance items into five adoption barriers derived from the earlier literature. Thereafter, analysis of variance was used to analyse the statistical differences in resistance to internet banking between the three groups.FindingsSignificant differences were identified between the groups explored. The resistance of the rejectors is much more intense and diverse than that of the opponents, while the postponers show only slight resistance. The results also indicate that psychological barriers are even higher determinants of resistance than usage and value, which are constructs related to ease‐of‐use and usefulness determining acceptance in the traditional technology acceptance model. Moreover, the findings highlight the role of self‐efficacy in bank customers' risk perceptions to internet banking.Originality/valueThis study provides further understanding of what inhibits internet banking adoption by comparing three non‐adopter groups with respect to their resistance to internet banking. It also has implications for management in overcoming non‐adopters' resistance to the innovation.
Organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), TQM and performance at the maquiladora
Authors: Jung Joo Y. , Hong Soonkwan 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between the organizational culture (organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB)), TQM practice and organizational performance of the manquiladora companies.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation modelling based on a cross‐sectional survey (N=230) is conducted.FindingsAs multinational companies (MNCs) implement innovative management methodology such as the TQM practices, their organizational cultural elements play significant roles towards the outcome. The organizational culture, represented by OCB, significantly impacts how TQM is managed and implemented. Furthermore, the results point out “soft TQM elements” have more significant impact than “hard TQM elements” towards firm's performance.Research limitationsThe study includes a specific location (Maquiladora) only.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that management should also focus on the intrinsic motivations of employees represented by OCB rather than the sole emphasis on training and education.Originality/valueThe study supports the perspective that underlines the importance of the balance between soft and hard TQM, as well as the significance of OCB for a successful implementation of TQM.
The impacts of quality management practices on business performance
Authors: Su Qin , Li Zhao , Zhang Su‐Xian , Liu Yuan‐Yuan , Dang Ji‐Xiang 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the way quality management practices (QMPs) impact quality outcome, R&D process, and business performance, using investigation data from Chinese firms. The possible moderating effects of industrial types and competition on the above influencing relationships were investigated as well.Design/methodology/approachA two‐round questionnaire survey was conducted to 196 manufacturing and service firms in West China, and hypotheses were verified using a structural equation model with LISREL software.FindingsThe results suggest that quality management practices do not have a positive impact on firms' business performance directly, but have an indirect impact on business performance mediated by quality performance and R&D performance. Furthermore, the authors find that industrial type can moderate the relationships between quality management practices and business performance, while competition does not.Originality/valueThe findings make a significant contribution to understanding how QMPs impact firms' performance. In addition, the authors' research provides empirical evidence for the fact that QMPs' contribution to firms' financial and marketing performance is greater in service firms, which partly reflects the actual situation in China and other similar developing countries.
An optimization‐based approach for designing attribute acceptance sampling plans
Authors: Duarte Belmiro P.M. , Saraiva Pedro M. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis purpose of this paper is to present an optimization‐based approach to support the design of attribute sampling plans for lot acceptance purposes, with the fraction of non‐conforming items being modeled by a Poisson probability distribution function.Design/methodology/approachThe paper approach stands upon the minimization of the error of the probability of acceptance equalities in the controlled points of the operating curve (OC) with respect to sample size and acceptance number. It was applied to simple and double sampling plans, including several combinations of quality levels required by the producer and the consumer. Formulation of the design of acceptance sampling plans as an optimization problem, having as a goal the minimization of the squared error at the controlled points of the OC curve, and its subsequent solution employing GAMS.FindingsThe results are in strong agreement with acceptance sampling plans available in the open literature. The papers approach in some scenarios outperforms classical sampling plans and allows one to identify the lack of feasible solutions.Originality/valueAn optimization‐based approach to support the design of acceptance sampling plans for attributes was conceived and tested. It allows for a general treatment of these problems, including the identification of a lack of feasible solutions, as well as making possible the determination of feasible alternatives by relaxing some model constraints.
Reliability analysis of pulping system using Petri nets
Authors: Sachdeva Anish , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Pradeep 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a methodology based on Petri nets to evaluate the reliability characteristics of the pulping system of a paper industry in a realistic working environment. The effects of occurrence of failure/course of actions and availability of repair facilities on system performance have been investigated.Design/methodology/approachStochastic Reward Nets (SRN), an extension of Petri nets, are applied to model the interactions among the active/standby units of the system and reliability parameters have been evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation.FindingsThe methodology adopted in this paper provides a better understanding of the behavior of the system under varying operating conditions. Reliability analysis of a pulping system of a paper industry presented in this paper will help the management in deciding upon the maintenance strategy to be adopted to improve the performance of the system and consequently reduce the operation and maintenance cost.Originality/valueThe application of the proposed technique will not only help the reliability engineers/managers/system engineers to understand the dynamic behavior of complex systems but also helps to plan/adapt suitable maintenance policies to improve system reliability/availability.
The human knowledge system: music and brain coherence
Authors: Bennet Alex , Bennet David 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between music and learning in the mind/brain.Design/methodology/approachTaking a consilience approach, this paper briefly introduces how music affects the mind/brain, then moves through several historical highlights of the emergent understanding of the role of music in learning; for example, the much‐misunderstood Mozart effect. Then the role of music in learning is explored from a neuroscience perspective, with specific focus on its potential to achieve brain coherence. Finally, using a specific example of sound technology focused on achieving hemispheric synchronization, research findings, anecdotes and experiential interactions are integrated to touch on the potential offered by this new understanding.FindingsListening to music regularly (along with replaying tunes in one's brain) clearly helps keep the neurons active and alive and the synapses intact. Listening to the right music does appear to facilitate learning, and participating more fully in music making appears to provide additional cerebral advantages. Further, some music supports hemispheric synchronization, offering the opportunity to achieve brain coherence and significantly improve learning.Originality/valueThis paper brings together diverse research to demonstrate the potential of music to affect mind/brain learning. Further, it introduces and discusses a specific example of sound technology to achieve brain coherence.