bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CEO succession: some finer – and perhaps provocative – points
Authors: Dalton Dan R. , Dalton Catherine M. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe paper discusses some finer points on CEO succession.Design/methodology/approachThis as a viewpoint paper in which the authors discuss the merits and disadvantages of various approaches to CEO successionFindingsCEO succession planning is a fundamental element of enterprise risk. A board must have an effective CEO and the board must have a means to replace the CEO. Boards must have succession processes in place for the routine and the unplanned emergency.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the discussion will direct more attention to CEO succession and its challenges.
The knowledge and knowing of spiritual learning
Authors: Bennet Alex , Bennet David 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis article seeks to introduce the concept of spiritual learning by exploring the value of human characteristics spiritual in nature with respect to their relationship to learning.Design/methodology/approachIn developing this theme, the authors engage a systematic approach: defining terms; identifying representative human characteristics that are spiritual in nature; surfacing assumptions; and identifying emerging themes among the representative spiritual characteristics with respect to learning.FindingsThere appears to be a positive correlation between the representative spiritual characteristics and human learning. For better or worse, the material universe and non‐material universe are married in the conscious and unconscious learning of the human mind.Originality/valueThis work provides a new frame of reference for understanding the relationship between spirituality and learning.
What are we managing – knowledge or information?
Authors: Prabha Singh Shashi 
Published: June 2007

PurposeA good amount of literature has appeared on knowledge management, wherein, by and large, the concepts of information and knowledge are being used in an overlapping manner, as are information management and knowledge management. There seems to be a conceptual confusion as to what libraries are managing – information or knowledge? This paper proposes to examine this issue.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature survey and the author's own teaching experience, the article tries to provide an answer to this simple but at the same time complex question. The subject scope is self‐explanatory as it deals with two basic aspects, i.e. IM and KM.FindingsBased on certain characteristics, efforts have been made to produce a clear distinction between IM and KM. These findings are also presented in tabular form.Practical implicationsToday, KM has become an important activity in all organizations, particularly in the corporate sector. As a result, intangible assets are playing the role of key drivers and technology is a key enabler. To be successful in the emerging knowledge economy, new processes, skills, and techniques that help to generate, manage and handle new knowledge need to be developed and practised adequately by information specialists.Originality/valueThe paper provides a crystallization of ideas to avoid any confusion among students and LIS professionals.
Exploring KM features and learning in Iranian SMEs
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Fathian Mohammad , Akhavan Peyman , Hosnavi Reza 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to explore knowledge management and learning features in some Iranian small and medium‐sized enterprises.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was designed, applied and then analyzed using statistical methods. The results discuss various perspectives from the knowledge management point of view, and provide some important findings and a regression model to show the essential issues of the subject.FindingsThe learning factor was assumed as a dependent variable to carry out regression analysis with four factors: training; interactive participation of employees; flat structures in SMEs; and CEO support and commitment. The statistical analysis determined the four factors as important issues in the regression model. The results also showed that there is no relationship between organizational size and the need for knowledge management.Practical implicationsMost SMEs in Iran are still traditional. Their school of thought belongs to the industrial age and their efforts are not aligned to the knowledge era's requirements. Today's changes dictate a new model of thinking as a basic requirement. SMEs in Iran have to restructure their way of thinking towards a knowledge‐based paradigm for competitiveness and survival.Originality/valueThis study is probably the first to provide an integrated perspective of exploring knowledge management through Iranian SMEs. It gives valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help SME leaders in decision making in the KM area.
Regulations and market trends in lead‐free and halogen‐free electronics
Authors: Nie Lei , Pecht Michael , Ciocci Richard 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the electronics industry's reaction to environmental regulations specifically in terms of lead‐free solders and halogen‐free flame‐retardants (FRs).Design/methodology/approachThis work achieves its objective by discussing the various international environmental regulations pertaining to electronics manufacturing and relating the industry reactions to those regulations. It also provides the market trends related to lead‐ and halogen‐free products. The electronics industry is pursuing lead‐free solders and halogen‐free FRs, in part due to regulations. However, the paper includes examples of how the industry is successful in implementing environmentally friendly changes.FindingsThe authors compared regulations from Japan, the European Union, the USA, and China. While the regulations themselves vary in scope, industry actions to find alternatives do have common purposes. Electronics manufacturers recognize that environmentally motivated changes are beneficial in terms of waste minimization.Research limitations/implicationsElectronics manufacturers that are interested in green design will benefit from understanding present regulations. They will also benefit from the included examples of product and process improvement for the purpose of environmental compatibility.Originality/valueThis paper derives its perspective from a similar review of literature and company findings that the authors completed in 2006. As refinement of the regulations has continued, the electronics industry has developed improvements in basic materials and processes.
Lead/halogen‐free laminates and their effect on desmearing and metallisation
Authors: Patton Neil 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to show critical processing issues observed for the newer restriction of the use of hazardous substances compliant laminate materials.Design/methodology/approachSeveral samples of the popular lead‐free and halogen‐free laminate materials were tested under laboratory conditions to ascertain their desmear characteristics in comparison to the standard FR4 and high Tg laminate materials available on the market. Literature searches and experiences in the field were used to give a supplier's point of view of the newer laminate materials.FindingsThe new directives forcing the exclusion of solder and restricting the use of halogens means that newer laminate materials have significantly different chemical and physical properties to laminates previously considered standard. These differences have a drastic effect on the desmearing process in general, making it more difficult to get high weight losses and, for almost all lead‐free materials, reducing the roughness that can be generated. This affects the copper/laminate bonding strength and so increases risks of blistering and hole wall pull away. Alternative approaches are required to improve this adhesion and one of these is to use a specifically designed low stress electroless copper with good adhesion properties.Research limitations/implicationsMost of the work was performed under laboratory conditions and, although mainly substantiated in production lines, can only be used as a guide. Owing to the large amount of different laminate materials, applications and processing techniques it is difficult to predict the full effect for every PCB manufacturer. In‐house testing should be performed by individual PCB manufacturers on each laminate material considered suitable for their technical requirements.Originality/valueThe paper details the main areas to concentrate on when desmearing and metallising newer laminate materials and suggests alternative approaches to improve the processing of these materials.
An integrated approach to electronic waste (WEEE) recycling
Authors: Dalrymple I. , Wright N. , Kellner R. , Bains N. , Geraghty K. , Goosey M. , Lightfoot L. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to present a review carried out under DEFRA‐funded project WRT208, describing: the composition of WEEE, current treatment technologies, emerging technologies and research.Design/methodology/approachThis paper summarises the output from the first part of the project. It provides information on the composition of WEEE and an extensive survey of technologies relevant to materials recycling from WEEE. A series of further papers will be published from this research project.FindingsWEEE has been identified as one of the fastest growing sources of waste in the EU, and is estimated to be increasing by 16‐28 per cent every five years. Within each sector a complex set of heterogeneous secondary wastes is created. Although treatment requirements are complicated, the sources from any one sector possess many common characteristics. However, there exist huge variations in the nature of electronic wastes between sectors, and treatment regimes appropriate for one cannot be readily transferred to another.Research limitations/implicationsA very large number of treatment technologies are available, both established and emerging, that singly and in combination could address the specific needs of each sector. However, no single set of treatment methods can be applied universally.Originality/valueThis paper is the first part of work leading to the development of technical strategies and methodologies for reprocessing WEEE into primary and secondary products, and where possible the recovery of higher added‐value components and materials.
Food security and human development
Authors: Gani Azmat , Chand Prasad Biman 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of food security and human development inter‐relationships for a sample of low‐income countries.Design/methodology/approachThe analytical procedure involves the estimation of a reduced form equation utilising cross‐country data that relates human development to food security indicators.FindingsEmpirical results confirm a positive correlation between food availability, calories and protein supply and human development. Food accessibility, measured by food prices and vulnerability are found to be negatively correlated with human development.Practical implicationsThe implication of the findings is that poor countries should increase efforts to enhance agricultural production through an operational emphasis on farmers at a risk of food insecurity – especially low‐income small holders and women farmers.Originality/valueThe paper examines the effect of food security on human well being.
Do government expenditures increase private sector productivity?
Authors: Hjerppe Reino , Hämäläinen Pellervo , Kiander Jaakko , Viren Matti 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo analyse productivity of public expenditures; especially to find out the effect of human capital investment on private sector productivity.Design/methodology/approachSeveral measures of public sector capital stock are constructed. These measures are used in testing the effects on private sector productivity. Empirical analysis makes use of cross‐country panel data and utilizes various panel econometric methods.FindingsThe main finding is that public sector capital has a positive impact on private sector productivity. Some evidence is provided to the hypotheses that also human capital that is generated within the public sector increases private sector productivity.Research limitations/implicationsThere are a lot of measurement problems with the cross‐country data. Also the non‐stationarity of data creates some estimation problems. These may have some impact on the quantitative, but perhaps not on qualitative, nature of results.Originality/valueRelatively few analysis have made in this area; this is true in particular with comparative (cross‐country) analysis.
Beyond the formal/informal economy binary hierarchy
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Round John , Rodgers Peter 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate critically the conventional binary hierarchical representation of the formal/informal economy dualism which reads informal employment as a residual and marginal sphere that has largely negative consequences for economic development and needs to be deterred.Design/methodology/approachTo contest this depiction, the results of 600 household interviews conducted in Ukraine during 2005/2006 on the extent and nature of their informal employment are reported.FindingsInformal employment is revealed to be an extensively used form of work and, through a richer and more textured understanding of the multiple roles that different forms of informal employment play, a form of work that positively contributes to economic and social development, acting both as an important seedbed for enterprise creation and development and as a primary vehicle through which community self‐help is delivered in contemporary Ukraine.Research limitations/implicationsThis survey reveals that depicting informal employment as a hindrance to development and deterring engagement in this sphere results in state authorities destroying the entrepreneurial endeavour and active citizenship that other public policies are seeking to nurture. The paper concludes by addressing how this public policy paradox might start to be resolved.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to document the role of informal employment in nurturing enterprise creation and development as well as community exchange.
Poverty profile and correlates of poverty in Ghana
Authors: Adjasi Charles K.D. , Osei Kofi A. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper's purpose is to examine the nature and correlates of poverty in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing the most recently published household living standards survey; the paper computes poverty indicators using the Fosteret al., and Theil's inequality indicators to examine the nature of poverty. It also does a qualitative analysis on the nature of poverty by examining access to social amenities by households. Finally, based on standard empirical literature the paper runs an ordinary least squares and a probit regression to determine the correlates of poverty.FindingsMost households rely on wood fuel, do not have access to tap water and live in rooms rather than full apartments. Expenditure inequality is high and greater in the rural areas compared to the urban areas. Inequality within locations appears to be the main source of national inequality. A household is less likely to be poor if the head is educated, as well as if the household is urban based. Again, households with heads employed in the clerical, sales, services, and agricultural sectors are more likely to be poor compared with those employed in the administrative and managerial sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a static analysis of poverty; the absence of a panel household survey makes it difficult to examine the dynamics of poverty.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive and holistic examination of the nature of poverty in Ghana. It looks at poverty within various sectors of an economy by simultaneously examining the issues both from quantitative and qualitative perspectives
Measuring performance: differences between capitalist and labour‐owned enterprises
Authors: Melgarejo Zuray , Arcelus Francisco J. , Simon Katrin 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test whether performance differences between labour‐managed (LOFs) and mercantile (PCFs) firms are due to the measures used in the comparison, rather than to their distinct capital‐ownership configurations.Design/methodology/approachTests for the equality of two means and two variances of a variety of performance measures were used to ascertain whether differences between LOFs and PCFs firms are due to the measures used in the comparison, rather than to their distinct capital‐ownership configurationsFindingsThe indicators analyzed do not provide either type of organizational structure a definite superiority in either short‐economic performance or in short‐term profitability and the profitability indicators assign as good a chance of survival to LOFs as to PCFs of similar size, even if the analysis of their respective debt structures indicates some clear limitations on their growth prospects.Practical implicationsThe paper stresses the importance of using proper measures of the performance of LOFs, to avoid a common practice of being short‐changed in their evaluation of their economic performance, profitability, return of labour and financial structure.Originality/valueThe study will be useful to the worker‐owners of the LOFs and to those evaluating their performance, such as lenders, regulators, other public officials and the like.
Over‐optimism when pricing IPOs
Authors: Paleari Stefano , Vismara Silvio 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on the valuation of initial public offerings (IPOs). In particular, it tests the presence of over‐optimism when pricing IPOs on the Italian Nuovo Mercato.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigates whether the analysts make systematic errors when forecasting the performance of the firm undergoing the IPO by comparing analysts’ ex‐ante expectations to actual ex‐post figures. Using a sample of pre‐IPO analysts’ reports, the paper performs a regression analysis using the forecast errors (FE) of post‐issue sales as dependent variable in order to find out the determinants of mis‐valuation.FindingsIt is found that the Nuovo Mercato has been essentially a “market for projects” in which young enterprises endowed with a few tangible assets sold their business plans to the market exploiting high‐growth opportunities. In the aftermarket, stock and operating performances are found to be declining, falling short of initial expectations. The extent of the actual post‐issue growth was lower than the ex‐ante estimations by financial analysts, whose valuations were systematically upwardly biased. Affiliated analysts are found not to be more over‐optimistic than the unaffiliated. FE appear to be primarily driven by the extent of forecasted growth, by market sentiment and (inversely) by the size of the firm.Originality/valueFrom the perspective of investors, this study contributes to the understanding of the helpfulness and limits of the analysts’ forecasts in investment decisions and, more generally, of the determinants of over‐optimism. This study addresses the issue of over‐optimism and provides empirical evidence of it. This paper also contributes to the literature on the rise and fall of the new European stock markets.
The long‐run performance of UK IPOs: can it be predicted?
Authors: Goergen Marc , Khurshed Arif , Mudambi Ram 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to study the long‐run under‐performance of UK initial public offerings (IPOs) by relating it to the pre‐IPO financial performance of the firm as well as the managerial decisions taken before the IPO.Design/methodology/approachThe three‐year share returns of UK IPOs is studied using various methodologies such as buy and hold returns, cumulative abnormal returns and Fama and French three‐factor returns.FindingsIt was found that the percentage of equity issued and the degree of multinationality of a firm are the key predictors of its performance after the IPO. It is also found that small firms behave differently from large firms and suffer from worse long‐run performance than large firms.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a great need for future research to focus on ownership structure and long‐run returns. Further, a focus on the level of debt and venture capital financing in the pre‐IPO period may also uncover important relationships with the long‐run performance of a firm.Practical implicationsThe results obtained from this study provide important information for the prospective long term investors in new issues. While pre‐IPO performance of a firm cannot predict the post‐IPO performance with certainty, nevertheless the results of this study suggest that long‐term investors should show caution while deciding on long term investment in IPO firms.Originality/valueThe paper explains the post‐IPO underperformance of firms by relating it to the pre‐IPO managerial decisions made in the firm. It also documents the role of multinationality in explaining long run underperformance.
Oil prices and stock markets in GCC countries: new evidence from nonlinear cointegration analysis
Authors: Maghyereh Aktham , Al‐Kandari Ahmad 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the linkages between oil prices and stock market in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Prior work argues that oil prices and the GCC stock markets are not related. This conclusion could be due to the fact that only linear linkages have been examined.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs newly developed techniques of rank tests of nonlinear cointegration analysis proposed by Breitung and Gourieroux and Breitung. The Breitung's method is selected in this study due its potential superiority at detecting cointegration when the error‐correction mechanism is nonlinear.FindingsThe empirical analysis of the paper supports that oil price impact the stock price indices in GCC countries in a nonlinear fashion. Thus, the statistical analysis in this paper obviously supports a nonlinear modeling of the relationship between oil and the economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contains the normal limitations associated with the econometric method including statistical bias.Practical implicationsThe implication of this paper findings is that policy makers at GCC countries should keep an eye on the effects of changes in oil price levels on their own economies and stock markets. For individual and institutional investors, the nonlinear relationship between oil and stock markets imply predictability in the GCC stock markets.Originality/valueThe paper presents new findings on the relationships between oil prices and the stock market in GCC countries. These findings should be of interest to researchers, regulators, and market participants.