bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding benchmarking in Egyptian organizations: an empirical analysis
Authors: Magd Hesham A.E. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe intention of this study is to investigate the state of benchmarking in a variety of organizations in Egypt. More specifically, the study aims to understand the state of benchmarking in Egyptian organizations as well as the driving forces, benefits behind undertaking benchmarking and the reasons for not benchmarking in non‐benchmarking organizations. Also investigates the most important influential factors for effective benchmarking.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is based upon the results of an empirical research in which the state of benchmarking in Egyptian organizations is studied. Mail surveys carried out on 500 organizations and 45 percent responded.FindingsResults indicated that the most important reasons for initiating benchmarking are to maintain and increase competitive advantage, increased profitability and achieve continuous improvement. Moreover, the most important benefits derived from benchmarking include improved customer satisfaction and improved response time. Further, top management commitment was found to be an important influential factor for effective benchmarking.Research limitations/implicationsEgyptian managers should be aware of the importance of top management commitment, employee involvement and participation and effective communication for effective benchmarking implementation. Also, benchmarking should be made consistent with organization's strategic direction and the provision of the appropriate resources.Originality/valueIt adds to the body of knowledge in the field of benchmarking in developing countries, with a particular focus on Egypt.
Benchmarking: methods and tools for SME
Authors: Maire Jean‐Luc , Bronet Vincent , Pillet Maurice 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a benchmarking process that can assist small to medium‐sized enterprises (SME).Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes how the steps of a benchmarking process can be positioned with the steps of the plan‐research‐observe‐analyzes‐adapt‐improve cycle (PROAAI) and shows that the tools proposed to carry out these steps are mostly reserved for big companies. We therefore detail a set of tools and methods to assist SMEs in the deployment of the steps of a benchmarking process (observe and analyse steps).FindingsThe tools and methods which are described in this paper especially target the description of the processes (process to be improved and reference process) using the description of the current practices used, and the comparison of these processes leading to suggestions of improvements to carry out on the process to improve.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper, the identification of the subject to be benchmarked is currently based on a description of the differences observed between a reference process and the process to be improved. Our future research is to determine how just one interview could be carried out instead of two.Practical implicationsThe methods and tools have been applied in several manufacturing plants at TECUMSEH Europe.Originality/valuePractical help to a SME to carry out a benchmarking.
Benchmarking in public procurement
Authors: Raymond Jeanette 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper investigates the technique of benchmarking to improve the quality of the public procurement process and discusses the importance of benchmarking to overcome perceived weaknesses with these processes. This is followed by a case study of Sri‐Lanka, exploring the difficulties faced by public sector employees in separating the daily business of government from the political influences of its elected leaders.Design/methodology/approachInitially the literature review was used to examine the key principles of government procurement and how they could be benchmarked. This formed the theoretical base for the discussion. The case study of Sri‐Lanka has been used very effectively to discuss the experiences of developing countries.FindingsIt is revealed that reform solutions within government procurement systems must include measures that address issues of accountability, transparency, value for money, a professional work force and ethics.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this study is that it relies solely only on the experience of Sri‐Lanka. Perhaps including the experiences of other developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and Indonesia could increase the transference of findings of Sri‐Lanka to these countries as well.Practical implicationsPoor procurement practices hinder sustainable development and negatively impact upon economic growth. Therefore, developing countries need to recognise the importance of the technique of benchmarking to improve the public procurement process.Originality/valueProvides an effective framework to public sector employees in developing countries to benchmark and overcome weaknesses in the public procurement process.
National intellectual capital: comparison of the Nordic countries
Authors: Yeh‐Yun Lin Carol , Edvinsson Leif 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis study proposes a model to measure national intellectual capital that can be easily replicated for trend analysis. Key dimensions include human capital, market capital, process capital, renewal capital, and financial capital.Design/methodology/approachWith longitudinal data spanning the period from 1994 to 2005, this study compares the national intellectual capital of 40 countries based on an IC map of 29 indicators.FindingsThe overall intellectual capital ranking of the five Nordic countries is: 1 Sweden, 2 Finland, (3 Switzerland), 4 Denmark, (5 USA), 6 Norway, and 7 Iceland in the 40‐country list.Practical implicationsThe results confirm the general perception that the Nordic countries have a high degree of national intellectual capital. The research findings clarify the status of national intellectual capital of the Nordic countries, thereby providing valuable information for stakeholders and policy makers to formulate effective strategies for building sustainable national competitiveness. In order to do this, it is necessary to elaborate on the proposed IC framework and to gather relevant and valid IC indicators.Originality/valueThe results of this study can provide a map for the Nordic countries – and other countries – as they prepare for future challenges, such as those associated with globalization and its implications on potential wealth creation. A deeper study of why and how might be a part of forthcoming studies.
Investigating market value and intellectual capital for S&P 500
Authors: Wang Jui‐Chi 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine and answer the following research questions: how does the US electronic industry perform from an intellectual capital (IC) perspective? What is the relationship between IC and company market value in the US electronic industry? This study investigated the relationship between IC and company market value in the US Standard & Poor's 500 (US S&P 500) publicly traded electronic companies from 1996 to 2005.Design/methodology/approachThe Ohlson model theory was reviewed and to form the research models. Secondary data were retrieved from S&P's Compustat for quantitative analysis.FindingsWhen applying multiple regression technique to the research hypotheses, there emerges a positive relationship between IC and market value of the company. Apparently, US electronic companies are knowledge intensive and utilize IC to create their market capitalization.Originality/valueThis is one of the first empirical researches that quantitatively examine the market value of US S&P's 500 electronic companies from IC perspective in the long‐term.
Measuring knowledge work: the knowledge work quantification framework
Authors: Ramirez Yuri W. , Steudel Harry J. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the knowledge work (KW) quantification framework – a mathematical model to quantify KW. The framework calculates a knowledge work score (KWS) that positions each worker in the KW continuum.Design/methodology/approachThe framework states that KW is a continuum and that eight KW dimensions can be used to differentiate between manual and KW. A methodology was developed that follows a series of steps to calculate the KWS. Operational definitions are presented and explained.FindingsBy assigning a knowledge work intensity score to the tasks a worker does, the knowledge work quantification framework (KWQF) calculates the intensity score for the job hence an intensity score for the worker. KWSs are calculated for two example jobs to illustrate the KWQF and the allocation of the jobs in the KW continuum.Research limitations/implicationsSince there have been no previous studies like this, it is difficult to compare results. A larger sample of workers for different work types would provide more data points in the KW continuum. Other limitations are discussed in the paper.Practical implicationsThe knowledge worker (KWr) has become the predominant type of worker in today's economy. With most of manual work being researched and optimized, it is in scientifically improving our understanding of the KWr where the opportunities for improving productivity lie.Originality/valueIn the past, the field has lacked a scientific approach and has been studies more in terms of opinions and theories rather than an empirical research frame of mind. This paper is the first attempt to create a methodology that quantifies KW.
The evolving research on intellectual capital
Authors: Pew Tan Hong , Plowman David , Hancock Phil 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to serve as a useful reference for anyone embarking on research into intellectual capital (IC). It provides a succinct summary of the seminal works on this research area.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the seminal literature arranges it into a chronology of the evolving research into IC.FindingsThe findings show that IC has undergone a number of development stages from definitions, models through to measures and applications of IC to business and management issues.Research limitations/implicationsThe review is limited to refereed journals and books published before March 2007.Practical implicationsIC is an area of interest to numerous parties, including shareholders, institutional investors, scholars, policymakers and managers. This paper serves as a useful reference on the stages of development of IC and the applications to business and management issues.Originality/valueThe study of IC has undergone a number of stages, from early conscious awareness efforts, to classification of IC and to the search for appropriate measures of IC. This paper provides a taxonomy on IC research as suggestions about future research directions.
Intellectual capital: definitions, categorization and reporting models
Authors: Keong Choong Kwee 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to formalise a reporting model for intellectual capital (IC).Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a reporting model with a formal definition and classifications of IC to analyse and report on the IC generated by a firm.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that the field is maturing to one in which it is possible to analyse existing definitions and classifications of IC to construct a formal body of items that can be considered as IC for use in the study and application of IC.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a formal reporting model which can be used generally in the analysis of the IC generated from the production process of a firm.Originality/valueThis study examines the characteristics of items that can be considered as IC in order to provide a formal classification system of IC that can be instilled in a reporting system which can be used generally in any organization that involves the use of IC.
Censoring model for evaluating intellectual capital value drivers
Authors: Cheng Meng‐Yuh , Lin Jer‐Yan , Hsiao Tzy‐Yih , Lin Thomas W. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between firms' value drivers and their intellectual capital (IC).Design/methodology/approachThe health care sector (GICS 35) firms listed in the S&P500 were used to build a research censoring Tobit model by adopting financial data to determine value drivers.FindingsThe results of the study show that innovation capital, customer capital and human capital are significant positive drive factors for firms to create more IC and hence more intangible value. Process capital exerts moderating effects on IC; organizations with greater process capital must raise customer capital to enhance intellectual value.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study that uses a censoring Tobit model and tests of the association between competitive advantage and the value drivers of firms. This research successfully combines management perspectives with financial data to describe the value drivers of firms.
Valuing human resources: an analytical framework
Authors: Samudhram Ananda , Shanmugam Bala , Lock Teng Low Kevin 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an analytical framework that links the expenditures on human capital to the resulting long‐term benefits, and thus provide a model for reporting human capital on balance sheets. The framework identifies different kinds of accounting treatments for different kinds of human capital related expenses.Design/methodology/approachThis paper sub‐divides expenditures related to human capital into four categories, based on the expenditure‐long‐term benefits relationships, using a Cartesian axes‐based approach.FindingsThe paper shows that a sub‐class of expenditures occur that are within the control of the organisation and provide economic benefits over several periods. As such, these expenditures can be capitalised. Furthermore, expenditures that do not provide long‐term benefits or result in lower productivity also exist. These need to be addressed by the management.Research limitations/implicationsThis model needs to be formally field‐tested.Practical implicationsThe analytical framework may be used in practice by managers for analysing the benefits of the different types expenditures on human capital. It can also be used by researchers to analyse the benefits of the expenditures on different types of intellectual capital and financial accounting standard setters to standardise the appropriate accounting treatments for different types of human capital related expenditures.Originality/valueThis is the first study that breaks down the human capital related expenditures into comprehensive categories based on the expenditures‐benefits relationships such that positive and negative intangibles are identified, and examines the financial accounting and strategic managerial accounting implications of both kinds of intangibles.
Differentiation in financial markets: the human capital approach
Authors: Royal Carol , O'Donnell Loretta 
Published: November 2008

PurposeHow can organisations and their key stakeholders, including the financial markets, benefit from the increased understanding of the role of intangibles in value creation in listed firms? One response is to challenge the finance industry to create innovative investment products based on analysis of intangibles, including human capital (HC), which can act as a lead indicator of future financial performance. This may require qualitative research specialist expertise in finance houses. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses qualitative data from the trading floor of Merrill Lynch in Sydney and Hong Kong, drawing on participatory action research, by the first author. It also draws on field research interview data with biotechnology executives, using a case study approach, by the second author.FindingsThe findings suggest that finance industry may need to move beyond the use of indices and ethical investment screens to more clearly understand the role of intangibles, such as HC, in value creation.Originality/valueThis paper described the evolution of a set of HC analysis models, and applies them to the biotechnology industry. The results indicate that more qualitative information on listed companies can be analysed and interpreted to make the investment process more transparent to all stakeholders, including securities analysts. This may influence other researchers to extend these approaches to improve the quality of intangibles analysis.
Intellectual capital and corporate performance in Indian pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Bharathi Kamath G. 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the relationship, if any, between the intellectual capital (IC) components, namely human, structural, and physical capitals with the traditional measures of performance of the company, namely profitability, productivity and market valuation.Design/methodology/approachValue added by IC (VAIC™) for top 25 firms in the drug and pharmaceutical industry in India, for a ten‐year period from 1996 to 2006 is estimated. The evaluation is done on the basis of the ranking obtained by each firm in the VAIC index estimated. The analysis of correlation and simple linear multiple regression is done for the set of variables representing the performance of the firm and IC.FindingsThe domestic firms seem to be performing well and efficiently utilizing their IC as seen by the VAIC rankings. The empirical analysis found that the human capital was the one which was seen to have the major impact on the profitability and productivity of the firms over the period of study. Though there is a growing importance and efficiency in the utilization of the intellectual resources in the Indian pharmaceutical industry, the reflection of the same in creating an impact on the financial performance of the industry is seen to be missing in the empirical analysis.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that in Indian scenario, the market is under developed and yet to reflect the performance of the firms especially in terms of the efficiency parameters and more so in terms of IC efficiency. The stakeholders still perceive the performance of the firm in terms of tangible assets and less in terms of intangible assets. This opens up vistas for further exploration of the findings to prove/disprove the same in other industries.Practical implicationsThe paper has strong theoretical foundations, which have a proven record and applications. The methodology adopted has been research tested. There is an urgent and immediate need that the policy makers and corporate decision makers wake up to the need and start taking up the voluntary disclosures of IC, so that the perception among the stakeholders regarding value creation in the firm may get even more transparent.Originality/valueThis is one of the pioneering and seminal attempts to evaluate the IC and its relationship with the traditional measures of corporate performance in Indian pharmaceutical industry. This paper adds to the existing literature, provides a new dimension of performance measurement for knowledge industries in emerging economies and would evoke further research interests to explore different aspects of IC management and measurement in these economies.
Intellectual capital disclosure trends: Singapore and Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeysekera Indra 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the intellectual capital (IC) disclosure trends and disclosure category differences of top 20 listed firms in a developing nation, Sri Lanka, and moderately developed nation, Singapore. The paper aims to highlight the differences in IC disclosure practice between developing and developed nations.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigates the top 20 firms by market capitalization listed on the Colombo stock exchange in 1998‐2000. Using the content analysis method, it reviews the annual reports of these firms to determine IC disclosure trends in Sri Lanka. It then compares these findings with a similar unpublished study undertaken in Singapore during the same period.FindingsThe study identified IC disclosure differences between Sri Lankan and Singapore firms, and suggest reasons for differences from country perspectives. The paper highlights the need for a uniform methodology in intellectual disclosure framework to establish consistent disclosure practices.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need to establish a uniform methodology for financial disclosure under International Financial Reporting Standards that can mobilize globally uniform disclosure IC disclosure practices.Originality/valueThis study offers insights into comparative trends in IC disclosure practices between a moderately developed and a developing country.
Partial abandonment as an exit strategy for troubled IT projects
Authors: Pan Gary 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to conduct a stakeholder analysis to find out what factors contribute to partial abandonment and also to examine stakeholders' roles and role conflicts in a partial abandonment implementation process.Design/methodology/approachA case study of a partially abandoned electronic procurement system project is discussed and analyzed within a small‐and‐medium enterprise in Australia. Semi‐structured interviews, on‐site observation and documentation were the data collection method adopted in this study.FindingsBased on the findings derived from the study, this paper proposes a stakeholder assessment framework of partial abandonment to examine stakeholders' roles and role conflicts in influencing organizational decisions to partially abandon troubled IT projects.Originality/valueThe framework will help both researchers and practitioners to shed light on stakeholder‐related issues of partial abandonment, as it offers the flexibility to accommodate understanding of various causes that may have contributed to the partial abandonment decision.
Communities of enterprise: developing regional SMEs in the knowledge economy
Authors: Mason Cecily , Castleman Tanya , Parker Craig 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper proposes the concepts of communities of enterprise (CoEs) and virtual communities of enterprise (VCoEs) to describe business networking patterns in regional areas where there is no central organisational or industry focus and small and medium enterprises dominate the economy.Design/methodology/approachBased on analysis of the literature this paper builds on theoretical understandings of knowledge management, clustering and regional development.FindingsThe concept of CoEs is most appropriate for regional areas characterised by many small enterprises in diverse industries. CoEs enhance development of regional clusters by contributing to their intellectual capital, innovation culture, value networks and social capital. The incorporation of information and communication technologies (ICT) creates VCoEs which provide added potential by enabling regions to expand their learning potential through innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides a conceptual foundation for empirical research into regional network or cluster development using ICT.Practical implicationsVCoEs value creation potential is substantial but only when the socioeconomic elements of regional clusters are understood. The VCoE approach addresses the fact that without an industry focus it can be difficult to engage and link small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from different industries, although this is where the greatest potential for value creation in regional clusters is to be found.Originality/valueThe VCoEs concept specifically addresses the unique requirements of SMEs in regions. It has the potential to provide value for regions in a way few ICT based regional development initiatives have been able to achieve.