bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking of project planning and success in selected industries
Authors: Zwikael Ofer , Globerson Shlomo 
Published: October 2006

PurposeTo identify the industry in which projects are best planned and executed and use it as a benchmark for improving project planning in other industries.Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from 280 project managers, project success and quality of project planning were evaluated and analyzed for four industries – construction and engineering, software and communications, services, and production and maintenance.FindingsQuality of project planning was found to be the highest in construction and engineering organizations and the lowest in manufacturing organizations. This is a result of a few factors, among them the intensive organizational support which is offered to project managers working in construction and engineering organizations. The other three industries limit their support mostly to tactical aspects, such as the purchasing of project management software. The high quality of project planning in the construction and engineering organizations resulted in their ability to complete projects by almost half the cost and schedule overruns, as compared to organizations belonging to the other industries. Finally, results of the industries in Israel and Japan are compared and analyzed.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are limited to the four industries included in the study.Practical implicationsIf organizations, not belonging to the construction industry, wish to improve the probability of success in project planning and execution, they should follow methodologies commonly used in the construction industry.Originality/valueThis paper introduces a valid field study, exploring project management practices in four industries and identifies the one which may be used as a benchmark for the others. It also identifies specific strengths and weaknesses in project management within the explored industries.
Urban wastewater treatment in Europe: from operational problems to plant design
Authors: Jardin N. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to review some of the main operational problems of wastewater treatment plants designed for nutrient removal. It aims to pay particular attention to bulking and foaming due to massive growth of filamentous organisms, failure or non‐optimal operation of secondary settling tanks, and compliance with more stringent effluent requirements.Design/methodology/approachThe discussion of the major operational problems is based on a thorough review of the available literature and own experiences with more than 80 wastewater treatment plants.FindingsTo suppress the undesirable growth of filamentous organisms and to achieve an all‐year round stable operation of secondary settling tanks several design options for improvement have been developed based on the experience gained so far. The most desirable option for improving the operation of a single treatment plant is to a large extent site specific. Beside adopting the design procedures also operational measures are possible.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends several practical options for optimising the performance of wastewater treatment plants with regard to the aforementioned problems. These recommendations are based on proved practical experience and, therefore, may act as a flexible toolbox for an individually tailored design or operation of the plant in order to avoid and/or combat the problems during operation.Originality/valueThe described options for improvement the operation are based on long lasting practical experience with large scale wastewater treatment plants. They can be used by any operator of such plants for solving some of the major problems of modern wastewater treatment plants.
Unsustainable development to sustainable development: a conceptual model
Authors: Mohan Das Gandhi N. , Selladurai V. , Santhi P. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeModelling of sustainable development is essential, as environmental protection is regarded as a top global priority in the twenty‐first century. The basic objective of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework, named the Four Forces model for diagnosing the process of sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachMichael Porter's Five Forces model serves as a starting‐point to derive the Four Forces model. The Four Forces model, which is developed based on Back Casting technique, shows the transformation process from current unsustainable development to future sustainable development through environmental degradation, greening force and greening process. These five major components are related based on cause and effect.FindingsThe paper reveals that a clear understanding of the transformation process and their integration is necessary for successful implementation of sustainable development projects, as the transformation is a continuous process. The Four Forces model is a generic and contribute towards a richer understanding of sustainable development process.Research limitations/implicationsThe suggested conceptual model provides a holistic view of sustainable development and does not attempt to provide a detailed, step‐by‐step approach for implementing sustainable development in industries. This paper helps to initiate future studies in this area.Originality/valueIn line with Michael Porter's three generic competitive strategies, this study analysis various greening strategies and greening tools and also recommends the Green Productivity as a better tool for implementing sustainable development in industries. The model can be used as a framework for further development of a practical sustainable development system in industries.
Addressing sustainability early in the urban design process
Authors: Boyko Christopher T. , Cooper Rachel , Davey Caroline L. , Wootton Andrew B. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeDesigners and planners in the UK are being asked by government to address sustainability. This paper seeks to explore how such issues can be addressed with the urban design process. From the literature, it is unclear when specific sustainability issues should be addressed, who actually makes decisions and what influences them, or how different stakeholders are engaged.Design/methodology/approachA case study is presented, focusing on the early stages of an urban design and redevelopment process taking place in a deprived region of the UK. Interviews with key decision‐makers and observations were conducted and subsequently analysed using content analysis.FindingsThe findings show that the process adopted by clients and consultants was relatively similar to that identified by the literature. The importance of creating a sustainable community, and of addressing deprivation and poor services was recognised from the outset. Sustainability was referred to in the briefing to select a team of consultants to develop a vision and regeneration framework. However, specific problems related to sustainability, such as crime and poor health, were not communicated through the briefing documents, for fear of deterring private investment. Indeed, the need to attract private investment was a key aspect of early stage of the urban design process.Originality/valueThis paper highlights potential difficulties of addressing sustainability at the early stage of the design process, when private sector backing is such a crucial component of the regeneration.
Mutual funds under fire: reform initiatives
Authors: Smith Thomas R. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeTo describe the broad range of reform initiatives that has been undertaken in response to a series of mutual fund scandals that have become apparent starting in 2003. This is the second of a two‐part article. The first part, in Volume 7, Number 1, is a chronology of developments related to the fund scandals since 1 January 2003.Design/methodology/approachDescribes SEC reforms, including governance reforms; compliance reforms; SEC‐directed expanded disclosure regarding fund expenses and costs; reforms with respect to share distribution practices; reforms addressing market timing, selective disclosure, and fair value pricing; other reform initiatives including codes of ethics for investment advisers and a requirement that hedge fund advisers register with the SEC; an enhanced surveillance and inspection program for mutual funds; and enforcement activities. Describes private civil suits brought against fund companies, legislative proposals, the roles of NASD and New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the development of “best practices” guides by industry groups, and measures being promoted by institutional investors.FindingsA broad range of reform initiatives has been undertaken by the SEC; NASD; and the New York, Massachusetts, and California Attorneys General. Both the US House of Representatives and the Senate have held hearings and proposed legislation, which at the moment appears dormant. Independent directors of only one mutual fund have been implicated in the trading abuse scandals. Hundreds of private civil lawsuits have been brought by fund shareholders against fund groups but virtually none has resulted in substantial restitution to plaintiffs.Originality/valueA detailed and comprehensive analysis of reform initiatives in response to mutual fund scandals since 2003.
Automotive supply chain models and technologies: a review of some latest developments
Authors: Coronado Mondragon Adrian E. , Lyons Andrew C. , Michaelides Zenon , Kehoe Dennis F. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeTo critically review business trends and drivers affecting the performance of supply chains and build‐to‐order initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThis is a comprehensive review of the potential implications of two inbound logistics solutions: supplier parks and the notion of full‐service‐vehicle supply in addition to developing technologies such as web services interoperability, radio frequency identification (RFID) and collaborative product commerce (CPC).FindingsIt is expected that the wide adoption/consolidation of supplier parks and full‐service‐vehicle supply and technologies such as web services interoperability, RFID and CPC will facilitate/promote the adoption of build‐to‐order initiatives.Research limitations/implicationsThe business models and technologies presented in this paper have been developed and exploited mainly in the automotive sector. Their success could have a big impact if transferred to other industries. Only a handful of technologies/business models affecting supply chain management have been reviewed.Practical implicationsThe widespread use of the technologies and inbound logistics solutions presented in this paper might require the development of sophisticated measurement tools to assess the performance of the entire supply chain. The developed tool has to capture the state of the supply chain in terms of synchronisation, bullwhip effect, pipeline inventory, cycle times, stockout and backorder incidents plus other metrics associated to the operation of the firm including sunk costs, invested capital and ROI.Originality/valueThis paper provides a sound review on technologies and business models critical for supply chains developing build‐to‐order capabilities.
Corporate governance and the quality of accounting earnings: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Niu Flora F. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine the association between corporate governance mechanisms and the quality of accounting earnings.Design/methodology/approachQuality of earnings is measured in two ways: the accounting‐based measure of earnings management and the market‐based measure of earnings informativeness. Using firm‐level corporate governance data for a sample of Canadian firms in the years 2001‐2004, regression analysis explores the relation between corporate governance (including board composition, management shareholding, shareholders' rights and the extent of disclosure of governance practices), and the quality of earnings.FindingsEmpirical tests demonstrate that overall governance quality is negatively related to the level of abnormal accruals and positively influences the return‐earnings association. In addition, the magnitude of abnormal accruals is negatively associated with the level of independence of board composition, the extent of alignment of management compensation with interests of shareholders and the strength of shareholder rights. The results from the returns and earnings analysis are consistent with these findings.Research limitations/implicationsThe tests in this study are association tests. Future research may use qualitative research approaches to examine the link between quality of financial reporting and governance effectiveness.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence that supports Canadian regulators' initiatives that stronger corporate governance mechanisms provide greater monitoring of the financial accounting process and may be important factors in improving the integrity of financial reporting.
An analytical theory of project investment: a comparison with real option theory
Authors: Chen Jing 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to develop an analytical theory of project investment.Design/methodology/approachThe authors derive a partial differential equation that the variable cost of a project should satisfy, determine a proper initial condition through a thought experiment, and solve the equation.FindingsA formula of variable cost as an analytical function of fixed cost, uncertainty of the environment and the duration of a project is obtained.Practical implicationsThe analytical formula enables systematic comparison of returns of different investment under different market conditions to be made. This refines the insights from real option theory in many ways. Since all production systems need fixed investment to lower variable costs, by providing an analytical theory about the relation among fixed costs, variable costs and uncertainty, this theory contributes a new foundation to investment theory and other different fields.Originality/valueAn analytical theory of project investment about the relation among fixed costs, variable costs, uncertainty of the environment and the duration of a project, which is the core concern in most business decisions, does not exist in the current literature.
For a symmetrical understanding of organizing and arguing
Authors: Corvellec Hervé 
Published: October 2006

PurposeBraiding organization theory and argumentation theory, the paper seeks to unfold how organizations act as social loci for the production, diffusion and development of arguments.Design/methodology/approachA Swedish association dedicated to the defense and promotion of nuclear power,Miljövänner För Kärnkraft(approximatelyEnvironmentalists for Nuclear Power) serves as a case study, describing the association's argumentative activity with a particular focus on its argument that “nuclear power is environment friendly as it produces no greenhouse gas emissions”.FindingsThe manner in which the association contextualizes this key argument illustrates the inter‐relationships that exist between organizing and arguing.Originality/valueOrganizing and arguing belong to each other's conditions of possibility, and it is therefore argued that an understanding of the organized character of argumentation is symmetrical to the argumentative character of organizing.
Do NGOs influence entrepreneurship?
Authors: Auplat Claire 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to base the exploration of entrepreneurship on the study of the creation of new technological ventures in the emerging fields of bio and nanotechnologies.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the study of various databases and media archives, internet searches, business cases and in‐depth interviews, the study examines how regulation, institutional funding and R&D orientations constitute key components of the success of new technological ventures involving bio‐and nanotechnologies applications. It then studies what impact the actions of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) can have on these components, and therefore, what influence they can have on entrepreneurship.FindingsFinds that by introducing shifts in the environment leading to new technological ventures, NGOs influence entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis new approach of entrepreneurship will begin to fill an existing gap in the literature concerning the study of the interface between NGOs and business. The model which is proposed will hopefully lead to further theorization concerning the relations between institutional change and entrepreneurship.
A comparative study of intragastric acidity during post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner administration of low‐dose proton pump inhibitors: a randomized three‐way crossover study
Authors: MIKI M. , ADACHI K. , AZUMI T. , KOSHINO K. , FURUTA K. , KINOSHITA Y. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackgroundThe absorption and bioavailability of proton pump inhibitors is influenced by food intake. Proton pump inhibitors bind to the parietal cell active proton pump, which is maximally stimulated after dinner: usually the largest meal of the day. However, it has not been fully clarified whether the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors differs between post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner dosing.AimTo perform a pH‐monitoring study to clarify this issue for two low‐dose proton pump inhibitors.Subjects and methodsThe subjects were 20 healthy male volunteers (seven Helicobacter pylori‐positive and 13 H. pylori‐negative), who were divided into two groups of 10 and administered 15 mg lansoprazole or 10 mg rabeprazole, respectively. All subjects underwent ambulatory intragastric 24‐h pH‐ monitoring under three conditions allocated randomly: (i) without medication, (ii) seventh day of post‐breakfast administration and (iii) eighth day of pre‐dinner administration of each drug.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the percentage time during which pH ≥4.0 in the 24‐h period between post‐breakfast and pre‐dinner administration of both drugs (56.6% vs. 55.8%; P = 0.557), although intragastric acidity during administration of both drugs was significantly lower than that without medication.ConclusionsThe timing of drug administration does not significantly influence the efficacy of low‐dose proton pump inhibitors.
Third‐line rescue therapy with levofloxacin is more effective than rifabutin rescue regimen after two Helicobacter pylori treatment failures
Authors: GISBERT J. P. , GISBERT J. L. , MARCOS S. , MORENO‐OTERO R. , PAJARES J. M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackgroundIn patients with a first eradication failure, a second (rescue) therapy still fails in > 20% of cases.AimTo compare rifabutin and levofloxacin rescue regimens in patients with two consecutive Helicobacter pylori eradication failures.MethodsPatients, in whom first treatment with omeprazole–clarithromycin–amoxicillin and a second trial with omeprazole–bismuth–tetracycline–metronidazole (or ranitidine bismuth citrate with these antibiotics) had failed, received 10 days of treatment with either rifabutin (150 mg b.d.) or levofloxacin (500 mg b.d.), plus amoxicillin (1 g b.d.) and omeprazole (20 mg b.d.). Cure rates were evaluated by the 13C‐urea breath test.ResultsTwenty patients received rifabutin, and 20 levofloxacin. All the patients returned for follow‐up. Compliance in the rifabutin group was 100%. Four patients in the levofloxacin group did not take the medication correctly (in two cases due to adverse effects: myalgia and rash). Side effects in the rifabutin and levofloxacin groups were reported in 60% and 50% of the cases, respectively. Five patients (25%) treated with rifabutin presented with leucopenia, and six (30%) treated with levofloxacin presented with myalgias. Per‐protocol cure rates were 45% (95% confidence interval, 26–66%) in the rifabutin group, and 81% (57–93%) in the levofloxacin group (P < 0.05). Intention‐to‐treat cure rates were, 45% (26–66%) and 85% (64–95%), respectively (P < 0.01).ConclusionsAfter two previous H. pylori eradication failures, a 10‐day triple levofloxacin‐based rescue regimen is more effective than the same regimen with rifabutin.
Can quantification of faecal occult blood predetermine the need for colonoscopy in patients at risk for non‐syndromic familial colorectal cancer?
Authors: LEVI Z. , ROZEN P. , HAZAZI R. , VILKIN A. , WAKED A. , MAOZ E. , BIRKENFELD S. , NIV Y. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackgroundPatients at risk for non‐syndromic (Lynch or polyposis) familial colorectal neoplasia undergo colonoscopic surveillance at intervals determined by clinically ascertained protocols. The quantitative immunochemical faecal occult blood test for human haemoglobin is specific and sensitive for significant colorectal neoplasia (cancer or advanced adenomatous polyp).AimTo determine immunochemical faecal occult blood test efficacy for identifying significant neoplasia in at‐risk patients undergoing elective colonoscopy.MethodsWe retrospectively identified consecutive at‐risk patients who provided three immunochemical faecal occult blood tests before colonoscopy. Quantitative haemoglobin analysis was performed by the OC‐MICRO automated instrument using the 100 ng Hb/mL threshold to determine positivity.ResultsIn 252 at‐risk patients undergoing colonoscopy; five had cancer, 14 an advanced adenoma and 46 a non‐advanced adenoma. The immunochemical faecal occult blood test was positive in 31 patients (12.3%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for cancer were: 100%, 90%, 16% and 100%, and for all significant neoplasia: 74%, 93%, 45% and 98%. With 88% fewer colonoscopies, all colorectal cancers and 74% of all significant neoplasia would have been identified by this one‐time immunochemical faecal occult blood test screening.ConclusionsA sensitive, non‐invasive, interval screening test might be useful to predetermine the need for colonoscopy in this at‐risk population and minimize unnecessary examinations. This favourable retrospective evaluation will be extended to a prospective study.
p53 but not bcl‐2 is expressed by most cholangiocarcinomas: a study of 28 cases
Authors: Arora D S , Ramsdale J , Lodge J P A , Wyatt J I 
Published: October 2006

AimsTo examine the frequency and pattern of expression of p53 and bcl‐2 in archival material from patients with cholangiocarcinomas and to evaluate their respective roles in its pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis.Methods and resultsTwenty‐eight surgical cases of cholangiocarcinomas diagnosed at St James's University Hospital and 16 control cases were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to p53 and bcl‐2 using streptavidin–biotin complex method. Pressure cooker was used for antigen retrieval. Of the cholangiocarcinomas, 85.7% (24/28) overexpressed p53. The intensity of staining in these cases varied from 1+ in 2, 2+ in 10 and 3+ in 12 cases. None of the 28 tumours expressed bcl‐2. The well differentiated nature of the tumour made assessment of dysplasia difficult, however, where present it did not express p53 or bcl‐2. The bile duct epithelium adjacent to the tumour and in the control cases did not show any significant nuclear staining for either antigen.ConclusionsOverexpression of p53 appears to play an important role as a late event in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinomas, while we found no evidence of bcl‐2 overexpression. The expression of p53 in 86% of the invasive tumours, as compared to its lack in the adjacent normal bile duct epithelium, makes it potentially useful in the diagnostic histopathology of these cases.