bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is social inequality?
Authors: Blackburn Robert M. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the difference between social inequality and identity.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a conceptual view.FindingsThe paper notes that the concepts are often confused, as in arguments that equality is impossible because everyone is different. It is pointed out that equality and inequality are not opposites; that equality is simply the zero point on the infinite range of inequality. The existence of inequality depends on socially recognised difference. The difference may often be simply a basis for socially imposed inequalities, as with ethnicity and gender, or it may be a real cause of inequality as with health differences. Nine important inter‐related bases of inequality are considered. Equality does not require zero inequality on all aspects but merely a balance of inequalities. However, the complexity means it is difficult to define or recognise total equality. The nearest would be that all individuals are regarded and treated as equally important. The zero point of inequality may be unattainable, but the real issue is the actual extent of inequality, which could be very substantially reduced.Originality/valueThis original paper is of value in correcting some misconceptions and improving understanding of an important subject.
Social inequalities, gender and lifelong learning
Authors: David Miriam E. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between social and gender inequalities and how they have been studied over the last 30 years. What have we learned, as academic sociologists in higher education, about how the socio‐cultural context, policies and global social transformations in the UK, and North America influence social stratification? The key focus is on how gender differences influence forms of social stratification through complex relations between “work”, family and education.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reflects on changing research methodologies from their origins in sociology and second wave feminism by addressing three international studies about the troubled question of mothers’ work. All three studies reflexively address the question of changing knowledge and methodologies about social inequality or stratification.FindingsThe paper finds that while all three studies are from a feminist perspective and consider methodologies in the light of the so‐called “neo‐liberal project” and the knowledge economy, they come to rather divergent conclusions. The three studies illustrate the complexities of knowledge and methodologies about social stratification and gender inequalities.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates how alternative methods contribute to our knowledge and the rich diversity of sociological work as an academic practice.
Social politics: a theory
Authors: Williams Laura M. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to articulate a theory which connects social stratification processes to the international problem of human trafficking for sex and labor purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a social politics theory to connect concepts from social stratification to the study of human trafficking. It draws on data provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Rescue and Restore program for trafficked victims to illustrate how traffickers move victims trans‐nationally. It cites sources from Australia and Sweden to show how national laws and policies regarding prostitution can contribute to or discourage human trafficking for sex and labor purposes.FindingsThe social politics theory is a theoretical idea based on observations of how social, political, legal, and economic changes within “Weak” and “Failing” states create an environment conducive to human trafficking for sex and labor purposes as well as other forms of injustices.Originality/valueThe social politics theory was created to acknowledge the influence of extraneous combined socio‐political and socio‐economic forces existing in modern societies.
Innovation‐oriented operations strategy typology and stage‐based model
Authors: Nair Anand , Boulton William R. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how firms, operating in mature and growing industries, can improve the alignment of their operations strategy to fit situations characterized by varying rates of industry growth and technological changes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors enhance the operations strategy typology presented by Lei and Slocum by incorporating an enhanced set of competitive priorities and supporting structure/infrastructure requirements into their four cell matrix. They then introduce a stage‐based model of environmental dynamism and complexity that can foster major transitions in operations strategy.FindingsIndustry growth and technological change interact to create alternative environments with varying levels of dynamism and complexity requiring realignment of operations strategy. With increasing rates of technological change, the authors emphasize an urgent need to include innovation as a competitive priority (along with cost, quality, delivery and flexibility) to proactively adapt operations strategy to fit changing environments. It is also necessary for managers to ensure a fit between their competitive priorities and the development of supporting structures/infrastructures to ensure effective implementation of competitive operations strategy.Originality/valueOperations strategy literature has not focused attention on the basic goals and capabilities needed to implement or adapt to today's dynamic environments. This study adds innovation as a competitive priority and improves our understanding of adaptation of operations strategy to alternative environments created by the interaction of industry growth and technological change. Specifically, by focusing on competitive priorities and supporting capabilities in dynamic environments, the authors provide directions for implementing changes to operations strategy.
Understanding drivers of performance in the 3PL industry in Hong Kong
Authors: Huo Baofeng , Selen Willem , Hoi Yan Yeung Jeff , Zhao Xiande 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to develop an overarching framework to better understand drivers of performance in third‐party logistics (3PL) linked to the operations strategy literature.Design/methodology/approachA path model is specified and estimated based on constructs and relationships grounded in the literature, as well as self‐developed constructs, using empirical data from 159 3PL providers in Hong Kong.FindingsSome dimensions of internal and external environments have positive influences on differing operations emphases. Furthermore, operational performance is positively affected by corresponding operations emphases and functional involvement. Finally, good operational performance can bring about better financial performance. However, strict adherence to the low cost operations emphasis will lead to worse financial performance.Originality/valueThis research provides a novel overarching framework to link competition in the market place, challenges in the operations and functional involvement through operations emphases to operational and financial performance.
A case study of national culture and offshoring services
Authors: Metters Richard 
Published: August 2008

PurposePrior surveys have shown that national culture is a leading cause of problems in offshoring services. The research question posed in this paper centers on how and through what specific decisions national culture affects operational implementation in offshore facilities.Design/methodology/approachA particular US service process offshored to Barbados and the Dominican Republic is studied. Ethnographic worker observations are combined with archival sources and executive interviews.FindingsA culture clash caused a number of operational dilemmas for a major US airline offshoring the same processes to two Caribbean nations. The offshoring was a success at one site, a failure at another. But, even at the successful site, un‐intuitive operational adaptations had to be made to accommodate cultural differences. Specifically, detailed here are decisions or results seen on country selection, location selection within a country, quality program implementation, and shift work that had strong cultural inputs.Research limitations/implicationsAny case study may be limited to the specific case. However, broader implications are that operations management decisions may be more highly dependent on national culture than previously thought.Practical implicationsManagement – especially US management – continue to make service offshoring decisions ignoring or minimizing the inevitable cultural conflict. This work provides tangible examples of decisions affected by culture.Originality/valueConcrete, specific examples are provided for the difficulties national culture created in a specific case. Methods used to circumvent these difficulties are shown. By this specific example, the general case is posited that culture must be considered in operations decisions that may seem devoid of cultural content.
Operations management research: evolution and alternative future paths
Authors: Craighead Christopher W. , Meredith Jack 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the evolution of operations management (OM) research along two major dimensions from 1977 to 2003 and discusses possible paths for research progression in the future.Design/methodology/approachTo identify OM research papers, a careful definition of OM research was constructed based initially on earlier work and then more precisely extended through empirical analysis. The research on OM builds on a previous study that took snapshots of OM research in 1977 and 1987. It then extends and updates it through a content analysis of 593 articles published in 1995 and 2003 in five journals recognized for publishing OM research.FindingsThe overall results illustrate that OM has evolved from heavily rationalistic, axiomatic analyses based on artificial reconstructions of reality toward more interpretive analyses based on natural observations of reality.Research limitations/implicationsAs the OM field continues to evolve, it is important to monitor and reassess published research to discern its changing dimensions. While this effort is not an exhaustive review of all OM research and does not consider all relevant journals and years, it does offer the “big picture” perspective needed for analyzing changing research approaches in the field.Practical implicationsThe research provides an analysis of the evolution of knowledge creation within the field and possible paths for its future development. The practical implications are that as research becomes more interpretive and observation‐based, the findings will have more relevance for managers and the problems they face.Originality/valueWhile several authors have analyzed the OM field relative to select research methods and journals, this paper provides a broader and more encompassing view of OM research along two important research dimensions: the researcher's framework and the source of the data.
Manufacturing managers' perceptions of functional power in manufacturing organizations
Authors: Papke Shields Karen , Malhotra Manoj K. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine differences in manufacturing managers' perceptions of functional area power in manufacturing organizations to address the perception in the literature that manufacturing has little if any power in the organization.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data gathered from 129 manufacturing executives in the USA are used to examine their perceptions of differences in functional power in manufacturing firms. Relative rankings of functional areas for four types of power – position, expertise, resource, and political – are used to examine perceived differences, and the relationship between power and the role of the manufacturing executive in strategic decision making.FindingsContrary to prior assertions in the manufacturing strategy literature, it was found that the manufacturing and marketing areas are perceived by manufacturing managers to be the most powerful functions, switching in their dominant roles depending upon the type of power. In addition, a relationship exists between position, expertise, and political power and the role of the manufacturing executive.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough, this research includes a second respondent from a sub‐sample of firms, future research should examine not only the manufacturing managers' perceptions of intra‐organizational power, but also should dovetail the paper's findings with perceptions of managers in other functional areas as well.Practical implicationsManufacturing managers can take actions to enhance their role in business‐level strategic decisions and be proactive in increasing the power of their functional area.Originality/valueThis paper addresses intra‐organizational power, which has not been examined in the manufacturing strategy literature from the perspective of the manufacturing manager's perception.
The climate for co‐operation: buyer‐supplier beliefs and behavior
Authors: Johnston David A. , Murat Kristal Mehmet 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the climate for co‐operation, from both the supplier and buyer perspectives, for its impact on co‐operative activities. Climate encompasses the constructs of cross functional barriers, participation by the respondent in strategic customer/supply decisions and expectation of the continuity of the relationship, competitive pressure and institutionalized beliefs about co‐operation in the firm's industry.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study is based on a cross‐sectional mail‐based survey of 89 buyer and supplier dyads, involving 178 manufacturing companies. First, the psychometric properties of the proposed constructs were assessed. Then the relationships among the proposed constructs were tested by structural equation modeling for the supplier and then the buyer samples.FindingsBoth parties' co‐operative behaviors were strongly influenced by the expected continuity of the relationship. Suppliers differed from buyers in that they were influenced by institutional beliefs about co‐operation. Involvement in decision making positively affected shared planning activities for the suppliers whereas it affected relationship flexibility for the buyers. Lastly, buyers in contrast to suppliers were influenced by competitive pressure.Research limitations/implicationsAs a cross‐sectional study about complex inter‐firm relationships, the research does not directly capture relationship effects over time. The paper also does not address how climate affects the formulation and implementation of dysfunctional buyer‐supplier relationships.Practical implicationsBuyers and suppliers should be aware that there are significant similarities and differences in how their partners respond to the context in which they operate. This knowledge is important in understanding what drives the other party's behavior in the formal and informal negotiations and problem solving that characterize an ongoing relationship.Originality/valueThe research uses dyadic data to understand both sides of the buyer supplier relationship. It introduces constructs such as institutional belief and cross‐functional barriers and functional involvement in strategic planning as components of a new concept called co‐operative climate. This concept is found to be relevant to both buyer and supplier perspectives.
Supplier dependence: impact on supplier's participation and performance
Authors: Carr Amelia S. , Kaynak Hale , Hartley Janet L. , Ross Anthony 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend our understanding of the importance of supplier dependence on the buyer's firm and its relationship to supplier training and supplier involvement in product development with respect to the supplier's performance.Design/methodology/approachA random sample of 231 firms provided the data that were analyzed for this study. Using structural equation modeling, a sub‐set of the sample consisting of 166 manufacturing firms was used to test the five hypothesized relationships in the model.FindingsThe main findings indicate that supplier dependence is a significant contributor to increasing supplier participation in buyer supported training and increasing supplier involvement in product development. Also, supplier training and supplier involvement are significant contributors to the supplier's operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe model tested in this study used a random sample of US manufacturing firms. Thus, future studies should include a random sample of non‐manufacturing firms and firms outside of the USA. The study explored the buyer's perspective only; a study of suppliers may provide further insights to extend this study. Although the use of supplier training was relatively low, significant relationships were identified.Practical implicationsBased on this research, key suppliers can better understand the relationships among supplier dependence, supplier training, supplier involvement in product development and their effects on supplier's operational performance.Originality/valueAlthough supplier development has emerged in previously published studies as a critical factor in improving performance, the role of supplier dependence on the buyer has not been empirically examined. Further, an integrated research model that investigates the relationships among supplier dependence, supplier training, supplier involvement in product development and supplier's operational performance has not been offered.
Agricultural commodity supply response in Ghana
Authors: Kofi Ocran Matthew , Biekpe Nicholas 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to estimate agricultural commodity supply response at three levels of aggregation namely, all commodities, food commodities and exports commodities.Design/methodology/approachThe study used cointegration and error correction modelling techniques with the aid of annual data. The aggregate price and quantity indices were constructed using the Tornqvist formula, which has been found more superior to the traditional Laspeyres approach of index construction.FindingsThe producers were responsive to price incentives in the long‐run for all three commodity aggregates but in the short‐run only producers of export commodities were responsive to price incentives.Practical implicationsProducers respond to price signals as predicted but structural features of the agricultural commodity sector that results in high transaction cost may account for the absence of price response in the short‐run. Interventions in lowering transaction cost in agricultural commodity production has the potential of stimulating a faster and considerable response to price incentives.Originality/valueDespite the policy relevance of agricultural commodity supply response, the extent of the response in Ghana is largely unknown, and it is this gap that the present paper helps to bridge.
Outreach and profitability of microfinance institutions: the role of governance
Authors: Kyereboah‐Coleman Anthony , Osei Kofi A. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how selected governance indicators impact on performance measures of outreach and profitability in microfinance institutions (MFIs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a quantitative approach based on both primary and secondary data from conveniently sampled 52 microfinance institutions. A panel data technique is employed as the key analytical framework.FindingsIt is shown that governance plays a critical role in the performance of MFIs and that the independence of the board and a clear separation of the positions of a CEO and board chairperson have a positive correlation with both performance measures.Research limitations/implicationsIt would have been appropriate to have a larger number of MFIs for the study. This limitation however does not compromise on the validity of the conclusions based on the findings of the study.Practical implicationsIn the context of multi‐dimensional and sometimes conflicting objectives facing MFIs, a clear balancing act of social objectives and institutional sustainability to ensure effective performance of MFIs is recommended.Originality/valueStudies on governance and its relationship with firm behaviour is limited especially in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Its application in the microfinance sector with its peculiar characteristics is the added value of this paper.
Brand proliferation and inter‐brand competition
Authors: Fong‐Sheng Wang Leonard , Wang Ya‐Chin 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper first attempts to analyze the issue of brand proliferation by a monopolist allowing transfer pricing as a channel to bridge headquarters and brand divisions, and then to view how the headquarters uses transfer pricing as a strategic device to encounter intra‐brand competition, inter‐brand competition and cross‐border profit‐shifting under an oligopolistic market.Design/methodology/approachThis paper models cross‐country interactions in a Cournot‐Nash framework, and characterizes equilibrium that involves both transfer pricing and output decision. MNE's behavior is based on a two‐stage process in which the centralized headquarters' prior action on setting transfer pricing is to backup the decentralized subsidiaries in their output decision‐making.FindingsIt is demonstrated that MNEs have the incentive to manipulate their transfer prices in order to shift profit cross‐border. Higher transfer pricing enables brand divisions to collude easier in the intra‐brand competition model, and the level of transfer price hinges upon the strength of intra‐brand competition and inter‐brand competition. In addition, transfer pricing is affected by tax differences between two countries.Originality/valueThis paper provides the theoretical underpinning to see how headquarters may use transfer pricing as a strategic device to face intra‐ and inter‐brand competition that is visibly evident in many diverse industries.
New inventions and innovative assembly system integrators are the highlights of the 2007 assembly technology expo
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the 2007 ATExpo Show and related Electronics Assembly Show, Quality, PlasTec and National Manufacturing Week Shows held jointly in Chicago.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews were conducted with exhibitors who provide assembly systems, controls, grippers and other assembly systems components.FindingsThough automated assembly has been around many decades, suppliers have continued to innovate new technologies, controllers and software that enhance the automated assembly process.Originality/valueThe paper is of value in confirming that suppliers are continuing to develop assembly cells, modular elements, software and other related components that help make the design and commissioning of systems faster and cheaper. Automated assembly is a truly competitive approach to reducing cost of assembly, quality of products produced and efficiently managing resources.