bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal allocation of decision rights for value‐adding in venture capital
Authors: Eldridge Derek 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to evaluate decision‐making processes in venture capital (VC).Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a conceptual framework to analyse optimal allocation of decision rights in venture capital environments. How investors and investees seek mutual beneficial outcomes is also discussed.FindingsThe paper finds that entrepreneurial activities are normally associated with the design and production of goods in new emerging or niche markets. Hence, coordinated choices need to be made to bundle activities such as setting up internal infrastructure to produce and serve goods, purchasing quality inputs from suppliers and establishing contacts with long‐term customers. Delegation of authority by VC firms in these areas permits a new entrepreneurial initiative to be successfully managed including the coordination of various strategic decisions as a self‐reinforcing bundle.Originality/valueThe paper shows that investors may allocate significant decision rights to portfolio company managers because it can be more efficient and feasible to commit to such an action in some environments. A particular instance of such a delegation of decision rights is venture capital finance, which is the subject‐matter of the present study.
Understanding construction employment: the need for a fresh research agenda
Authors: Dainty Andrew , Grugulis Irena , Langford David 
Published: June 2007

PurposeAs a backdrop to the empirical contributions contained within this special section, this Guest Editorial aims to review the context of construction employment. It summarises the challenges inherent in construction work which have impeded the development of human resource management within the sector and discusses the mutually supporting contributions of the papers in furthering our understanding of how to improve the performance of the industry.Design/methodology/approachThe operational context of the sector is reviewed briefly, before the efficacy of the industry's employment practices are examined through a review of the contributions contained within the special section.FindingsThe papers reveal the interplay of structural and cultural factors which have led to the skills shortages currently impeding the industry's development. There is a need for the sector to modernise and formalise its working and employment practices if performance and productivity improvements are to be achieved.Originality/valueBy revealing the interconnected nature of the construction employment perspectives presented within this special section, this paper presents a case for adopting a fresh transdisciplinary research agenda for addressing the industry's employment concerns.
Getting the mix right? The use of labour contract alternatives in UK construction
Authors: Forde Chris , MacKenzie Robert 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the use of contingent labour in the construction and civil engineering sector in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the findings of a national postal survey of employment practices within the UK construction and civil engineering sector. The survey was conducted in 2002 and covered firms of all sizes within the sector. This technique has been supplemented with in‐depth interviews to provide a deeper understanding of the issues raised.FindingsThe paper finds that employers' use of contingent labour is widespread and that in many cases, the use of contingent labour has increased over recent years. It is argued that recourse to the use of contingent labour may increasingly be a constrained choice for employers, reflecting overall labour shortages and recruitment difficulties in the sector. The paper also finds that the use of contingent labour contributes to skills shortages in the industry, with the scope of training offered to workers on these contract forms being limited in nature.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the complex relationship between the use of contingent labour and ongoing skills shortages in the sector. The paper concludes that the cycle of turning to contingent labour in response to recruitment difficulties does not replenish the skill profile of the sector and therefore offers no long‐term solution to the skills shortages within the construction industry.
The theory of work commitment: a facet analysis
Authors: Carmeli Abraham , Elizur D. , Yaniv Eyal 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis study attempts to analyze the structure of work commitment by delineating and classifying the content areas that constitute the conceptual space of the work commitment domain.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on the work commitment literature, the present study considers the identified forms of work commitment, but goes beyond these forms to explore a basic conceptual structure of the domain.FindingsThe findings indicated that multiple commitment measures provide more comprehensive information concerning individuals' work commitment than a single general measure. Specifically, facet analysis provides an important tool for researchers to understand the structure of work commitment.Originality/valueThe multifaceted approach employed in this study enabled the designing and empirical testing of a structural definitional framework of work commitment, which despite growing interest, lacks such a definition. Only two of the three possible facets were examined. Future research may use the complete definitional framework in order to systematically develop an empirical tool that will represent all three facets and their elements.
Initiating engineering outreach reference services: background and practice
Authors: Nelson Megan S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a history of the initiations of an outreach or satellite reference service and analysis based on experience with the project.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involved an online survey, e‐mail queries, and in‐person surveys.FindingsA successful program was initiated in one site, but a second site failed to thrive. Evaluation of the second site led to the creation of criteria by which to judge future sites.Research limitations/implicationsThis article contains a survey which is not statistically valid, which offers anecdotal insight into current reference outreach practice. A method of creating an outreach program is offered, along with pitfalls associated with that method.Practical implicationsThis article offers a method of evaluation for physical sites external to the library that may be potential sites of reference services.Originality/valueBuilds on current practice in engineering libraries and creates a more concrete method for initiating these sites than currently exists in engineering library literature.
From epistemology to gnoseology – understanding the knowledge claims of action research
Authors: Eikeland Olav 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to aid the reader in understanding the knowledge claims in different forms of action research and to see what kind of “turn to practice” is required in research on organising, organisational learning, and management.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework extracted from the philosophy of Aristotle is presented for understanding the knowledge claims of action research in relation to other approaches.FindingsSome form of action research should be pursued, but action research is a label covering many different approaches suggesting different ways of relating knowledge and action.Research limitations/implicationsIn order to provide valid, practicable knowledge both action research and mainstream research need to reconfigure and sort things better. The call is for doing more organizational research as “praxis research” as part of late modern, socially distributed knowledge production modes.Practical implicationsThe required reconfiguration of organizational research also requires systematic organizational learning in work organizations.Originality/valueProviding a conceptual framework that is able to grasp the different knowledge forms operating under socially distributed “mode 2” conditions, and to point out required implications for both research and practice, is new.
Consumer voters in imagined communities
Authors: Shaw Deirdre 
Published: June 2007

PurposeIncreasingly, reports of consumers are witnessed expressing their concerns regarding corporate practices through behaviours of boycotting, buycotting and voice. The theory of consumer votes suggests that such consumers may view their purchases as “votes” in the marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer voting within competing theories of community.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts an exploratory approach through semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with a purposive sample of ten ethical consumers.FindingsFindings reveal that consumers adopted a voting metaphor in their approaches to ethical consumption. While choices were mainly individual in nature they were characterised as part of a wider, largely imagined community of like‐minded consumers.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to a single country and location and focused on a specific consumer group. Expansion of the research to a wider group would be valuable.Practical implicationsFindings reveal consumers active in registering their discontent towards companies considered to be unethical, while rewarding those considered ethical. This has important implications for marketers interested in appealing to this group. Findings also reveal consumers taking responsibility through marketplace actions for ethical/political issues. This view of consumer votes as being more effective than political votes is pertinent, given reports of a decline in engagement with traditional political participation.Originality/valueLimited empirical attention has been given to consumption as voting explored within the context of community. However, with reports of a rise in consumer ethical concerns and reports of a search for community in society this suggests that further exploration of this area is worthwhile.
Queer consumption and commercial hospitality
Authors: Lugosi Peter 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between sexual dissidence, gender transgression and commercial hospitality. The paper aims to argue that this can be used to examine how ideological assumptions about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) consumers are mobilised in the production and consumption of hospitality spaces.Design/methodology/approachThe paper synthesises three theoretical strands: first, Turner's concepts of the liminoid and communitas; second, anthropological and socio‐political conceptions of myth and myth‐making and third, Lefebvre's spatial dialectic in the production of material, abstract and symbolic space. It is argued that, when considered together, these theoretical approaches help to understand the consumer experience, the ideological assumptions that underpin the experience, and the processes through which the experience is constructed.FindingsThe holistic nature of the approach helps to analyse the relationship between consumption and community ideologies at the micro level of personal interaction, the meso level of group and organisational norms and the macro level of societal structures and agencies.Research limitations/implicationsThe application of this framework in empirical research can enhance our understanding of the role of commercial hospitality spaces in reproducing and challenging particular ideological assumptions about LGBT consumers. It can inform the operational strategies of commercial organisations. Furthermore, it can underpin a critical perspective on management, which encourages practitioners to develop a sense of social responsibility towards the communities of consumers they target.Originality/valueApplying this framework to empirical research will also help one to understand the nature of consumption and production within commercial hospitality.
China‐related POM research: a literature review and suggestions for future research
Authors: Jiang Bin , Frazier Gregory V. , Heiser Daniel 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the stream of China‐related POM research over 25 years (1980‐2005) to determine trends in quantity, topical coverage, research contribution, and data sources.Design/methodology/approachFrom 31 POM‐relevant journals, 144 articles were identified and classified across the four parameters. The data was also segregated into three time periods to facilitate comparison and analysis. Descriptive statistics were then generated to identify trends.FindingsChina‐related POM research has grown rapidly in the past 25 years. The topical coverage has expanded from an initial focus on strategy and policy issues to include quality, technology, and logistics management topics. The focus of articles has matured from a base of descriptive articles to include a growing emphasis on novel applications of POM techniques and new frameworks. Finally, the data sources tapped for the growing body of China‐related POM research has trended toward case studies and survey data.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to examine a body of literature related to one of the world's fastest growing, large economies. Based upon the findings, several areas worthy of future research related to operational risk, environmental issues, supply chain management, cultural issues, product and process development, technology transfer, service operations, and research methodology are identified.
Material compliance and conditional break clauses: some implications for practice
Authors: Mansfield John R. , Robinson James S. 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the awareness and understanding of break clause management by small business tenants in the light of the Appeal Court decision in Fitzroy House Epworth Street (No. 1) Ltd and another v. The Financial Times Ltd [2006].Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data were collected using detailed questionnaires distributed to occupational tenants in three sub‐markets across the West Midlands. The questionnaire incorporated Likert‐scale and close‐response questions.FindingsThe general conclusions were that the tenants surveyed were dangerously unaware of the barriers that exist in trying to effect break clauses, a position exacerbated by the decision in Fitzroy.Practical implicationsThe research points to an increasing need for tenants to be made more aware of the technical and management problems that surround the option to determine clause.Originality/valueThe paper offers an applied examination in an important aspect of contemporary lease management. It provides a platform on which to base further studies in other geographical areas for comparative and aggregate purposes.
The use of environmental management as a facilities management tool in the Macao hotel sector
Authors: Yim King Penny Wan 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which environmental management (EM) has been used as a facilities management (FM) tool amongst hotels in Macao, China. It also seeks to assess the relative priorities of hotel facilities managers in relation to the environment.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data was collected via structured questionnaires distributed to facilities/general managers of hotels in Macao.FindingsThe research findings reveal that although low customer demand, poor environmental knowledge and the lack of governmental regulations enforcing environmental practices are the reasons hindering hoteliers in Macao from practicing green, the major barrier is that hotel managers do not recognize the importance of environmental management to hotel effectiveness and competitiveness. Consequently, hotels are only interested in improving areas where there are direct financial gains and where there is a fiscal/legislative requirement. A fragmented approach to managing their environmental performance is also resulted.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a comprehensive discussion of the roles played by environmental management in improving a hotel's productivity and competitiveness and recommends ways to increase hoteliers' understanding of those roles.Originality/valueThere is a scarcity of literature linking hotel FM and environmental management within the Asian context, especially within Macao. This study sheds light on the extent to which environmental management has been used as a FM tool amongst hotels in Macao. It also contributes to our understanding of the importance of improving a hotel's environmental performance for organizational effectiveness and competitiveness. This paper provides a good background and framework for future studies.
Cultural openness and consumer ethnocentrism: an empirical analysis of Turkish consumers
Authors: Hakan Altintaş Murat , Tokol Tuncer 
Published: June 2007

PurposeTo examine the antecedents of consumer ethnocentrism, specifically with respect to Turkish consumers' attitudes to products originating in Europe.Design/methodology/approachAntecedents identified from the literature are allocated to one of three main constructs: xenophobia, negative attitudes towards foreigners (not the same phenomenon, it is argued) and conservatism. A web‐based questionnaire is developed, tested and successfully administered to a national sample of 540 individuals with e‐mail accounts. Consumer ethnocentrism is measured by the well‐tested CETSCALE. Results are analyzed by structural equation modelling, a path diagram generated and six hypotheses tested.FindingsAll but one of the hypotheses were accepted. Xenophobia is found to have the greatest influence consumer ethnocentrism among Turkish consumers, and is also a leading factor in the interactions among the antecedents. Conservatism is the second‐most influential element of the model.Research limitations/implicationsOther antecedents might have been identified and added to the conceptual framework. The timeframe of data collection was very specific. The large sample size and its apparent representativeness encourage confident generalisation of the findings, though the concept of “Europe” could usefully be refined to specific countries in future studies.Practical implicationsInternational marketers now have clear evidence that xenophobia and conservatism are important antecedents of consumer ethnocentrism, and should plan their intelligence gathering and campaign strategy accordingly.Originality/valueThis study both supports and adds to the existing literature. The findings clearly impinge on the somewhat separate literature of country‐of‐origin effects and branding.
Controversies of technology convergence within the European Union
Authors: Žižmond Egon , Novak Matjaž 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to provide empirical evidence on technology convergence within economies of the European Union which is usable for determining the economic growth policy aimed at sustainable long‐run economic growth and the convergence of the development between EU‐member states.Design/methodology/approachTwo different empirical procedures are applied by estimating the technology convergence within the European Union on Eurostat data set. The first is framework developed by Dowrick and Nguyen. The second one is the authors' original contribution to the methodology which is based on the frontier production functions.FindingsSignificant technology convergence is recognized between 15 old EU‐member states and eight new‐member states. However, the technology convergence has obviously not accelerated the convergence of gross domestic product per labor unit between exposed groups of economies. Technical inefficiency is recognized as the main source that impedes a spill‐over effect of technology convergence. Following this it is established that in the future more effort should be directed into elimination of technical inefficiency.Originality/valuePresented findings can be used to arrange the economic policy measures aimed at accelerating technology development in case of European Union.
Self‐assessment of conflict management in client‐supplier collaborative new product development
Authors: Lam Ping‐Kit , Chin Kwai‐Sang , Yang Jian‐Bo , Liang Weitao 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThis research paper aims to present the critical managerial issues and a self‐assessment system of conflict management in client‐supplier collaborative new product development (NPD) environment.Design/methodology/approachCritical managerial issues and success factors for conflict management in client‐supplier collaborative NPD were first identified. A self‐assessment process and associated methodologies were then established. With the development of a prototype self‐assessment system, the proposed self‐assessment methodologies and process were validated in industry.FindingsA total of 13 critical factors for conflict management in client‐supplier collaborative NPD environment were identified. Based on the hierarchy model of the factors, a self‐assessment system and process, called PAIR, was established. The proposed self‐assessment system and process was developed and validated with six companies with positive results.Originality/valueConflict is an inevitable phenomenon in client‐supplier collaborative NPD, which affects NPD performance in terms of product quality, meeting of target delivery schedule and development cost. The developed system and process enables clients and suppliers to assess their conflict management practices and identify improvement areas. It provides a platform for the collaborating parties to continually improve their conflict management and in turn NPD performance.
Identifying the drivers behind housing preferences of first‐time owners
Authors: Reed Richard , Mills Anthony 
Published: June 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a rare insight into the motivation behind first‐time buyers when looking to purchase their first home. The factors driving demand preferences for detached housing are constantly changing and difficult to measure, and often deemed to be a complex bundle of attributes.Design/methodology/approachThe research in this paper is based on interviews with purchasers at a series of locations across Melbourne, Australia, who were actively seeking to purchase a home for the first time. The data were analysed using factor analysis to identify the core decision criteria in a new house that were most sought after.FindingsThe findings in this paper confirmed that “financial” issues accounted for approximately 30 percent of the actual decision by first‐time buyers to purchase housing, where decisions relating to the timing and choice of housing are dependent on “site‐specific” factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe research in this paper is aimed specifically at first time buyers only and the influencing factors behind their purchasing decisions.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that, if consideration is given to the characteristics that first‐time owners are looking for, providers of new housing would be better equipped to meet this demand and maximise construction efficiency.Originality/valueIn the paper the emphasis was placed on identifying and analysing the decision criteria behind first‐time buyers, which provided an invaluable insight into their concept of a suitable residence. Rather than analysing sales transactions after they have been completed, this research considers aspects of new houses that first‐time owners are actively searching for, prior to making their purchase.