bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing a conceptual model of lead performance measurement and benchmarking
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Hazlett Shirley‐Ann , Anderson‐Gillespie Karen 
Published: November 2008

PurposeEnvironmental turbulence including rapid changes in technology and markets has resulted in the need for new approaches to performance measurement and benchmarking. There is a need for studies that attempt to measure and benchmark upstream, leading or developmental aspects of organizations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is twofold. The first is to conduct an in‐depth case analysis of lead performance measurement and benchmarking leading to the further development of a conceptual model derived from the extant literature and initial survey data. The second is to outline future research agendas that could further develop the framework and the subject area.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case analysis involving repeated in‐depth interviews with managers in organisational areas of upstream influence in the case organisations.FindingsIt was found that the effect of external drivers for lead performance measurement and benchmarking was mediated by organisational context factors such as level of progression in business improvement methods. Moreover, the legitimation of the business improvement methods used for this purpose, although typical, had been extended beyond their original purpose with the development of bespoke sets of lead measures.Practical implicationsExamples of methods and lead measures are given that can be used by organizations in developing a programme of lead performance measurement and benchmarking.Originality/valueThere is a paucity of in‐depth studies relating to the theory and practice of lead performance measurement and benchmarking in organisations.
Customer enquiry management and product customization
Authors: Zorzini Marta , Hendry Linda , Stevenson Mark , Pozzetti Alessandro 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe customer enquiry management (CEM) process is of strategic importance in engineer‐to‐order contexts but existing literature does not adequately describe how firms support delivery date setting and order acceptance decisions in practice. This paper seeks to explore how and why the CEM process varies between companies in the capital goods sector, thereby taking a contingency theory approach.Design/methodology/approachMulti‐case study research involving 18 Italian capital goods manufacturers in four industrial sectors. Face‐to‐face interviews with senior representatives have been conducted. Companies have been grouped into five clusters, based on similarities in their CEM decision‐making modes, to aid analysis.FindingsThree contingency factors were found to be particularly relevant in determining CEM modes: degree of product customization, flexibility of the production system, and uncertainty of the context. These factors affect the choice of specific CEM decision‐making modes. However, a high level of cross‐functional coordination and formalization of the process were found to constitute best practices whatever the contingency factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focuses on companies belonging to the Italian capital goods sector – findings may differ in other countries and sectors.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that all firms, including small and medium‐sized companies, should implement high levels of cross‐functional coordination and formalization in their CEM practices, in order to improve their performance. For other aspects of the CEM process, including supplier and subcontractor monitoring, the company context will indicate whether these aspects are required, according to a need of matching the approach to CEM with specific sets of contingency factors.Originality/valueThis paper provides a rare insight into the CEM processes found in practice.
Developing a socio‐technical framework for business‐IT alignment
Authors: Lee Sang M. , Kim Kihyun , Paulson Patrick , Park Hyesung 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to develop a framework for evaluating business‐IT alignment. Specifically, the authors emphasize internal business‐IT alignment between business and IS groups, which is a typical setting in recent boundary‐less, networked business environments.Design/methodology/approachBased on the previous studies, a socio‐technical approach was developed to explain how the functional integration in the business‐IT alignment process could be accomplished in collaborative environments. The study investigates the relationship among social alignment, technical alignment, IS effectiveness, and business performance.FindingsThe results indicated that alignment between business and IS groups increased IS effectiveness and business performance. Business‐IT alignment resulting from socio‐technical arrangements in firms' infrastructure has positive impacts on business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by control issues in terms of the impact of the confounding variables on business performance. Future studies need to validate the research model across industries. The study results imply that business‐IT alignment is a multidimensional concept that includes social and technical activities explaining the way people and information technology institutionalize business value.Originality/valueBy establishing a socio‐technical framework of business‐IT alignment, this study proposes a conceptual framework for business‐IT alignment that accounts for not only improved technical performance, but also improved human performance as well. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing internal socio‐technical collaboration in modern business environments.
Information technology maturity stages and enterprise benchmarking: an empirical study
Authors: Seong Leem Choon , Wan Kim Byeong , Jung Yu Eun , Ho Paek Min 
Published: November 2008

PurposeRecently, many enterprises are using a variety of methods and techniques to examine and improve their current maturity level of information technology (IT). Although IT evaluation studies based on IT maturity stages have been conducted widely, the stages theory has not been confirmed through statistical testing. IT evaluation activities can present managerial implications to an enterprise by determining where it stands within the stages theory. The purpose of this paper is to test empirically and repeatedly the once‐defined maturity model in order to make its validity more powerful.Design/methodology/approachTo define IT maturity stages and benchmarks with statistical testing, evaluation fields and factors of the L&K Model are referred to. Data were gathered by a questionnaire survey and interviews, in which 312 enterprises in South Korea participated. Consequently, IT maturity stages are defined and significant benchmarks of each stage are validated through ANOVA and post hoc comparison methods.FindingsThe results of the study indicate the meanings and benchmarks of newly defined five stages of IT maturity: initiation, recognition, diffusion, control, and integration.Practical implicationsThe aim of this study is not only to apply an advanced methodology to study empirically how IT maturity level of an enterprise is improved, but also to suggest practical guidelines for actions to improve it.Originality/valueThe five stages model is totally enhanced and reformulated from the previous stages theories. First, well‐combined and comprehensive evaluation factors are used to critically appraise the evolutionistic characteristic of IT in enterprises. Second, the definition and benchmarks of the five stages model are confirmed through statistical testing with sufficient sample size (n=312).
Managerial cost mitigation tactics in offshore IT projects
Authors: Sayeed Lutfus 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding of managerial decision‐making process regarding offshore sourcing of information technology (IT) projects. The study explored the relationship between transaction cost economics and maturity levels of a firm's offshore sourcing activities. Transactions costs theory and firms' offshore sourcing maturity levels provided the framework for studying the decision process.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is a qualitative empirical investigation of the underlying decision process to offshore IT projects. The study is based on interviews of executives in fifteen large to medium size companies.FindingsThe data suggest that transaction cost mitigation approaches used by a firm vary based on the size of the company as well as the maturity level of the firm's offshore sourcing activities.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based on interviews of IT executives in fifteen firms. Case studies and confirmatory studies can provide further insights.Practical implicationsOffshore sourcing maturity can influence cost mitigation tactics used by managers.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore the relationship between transactions cost economics and offshore sourcing maturity of a firm. Future studies can extend the findings to deepen our knowledge of offshore sourcing challenges.
Stock selection using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Hung 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to adopt data envelopment analysis (DEA) to construct portfolios, and compare their return rates with the market index to examine whether DEA portfolios created superior returns. In addition, this study investigated whether using the “size effect” as a stock selection strategy is appropriate in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied two DEA models to evaluate the efficiency of the firms and construct portfolios by selecting stocks with high efficiency. Furthermore, the return rates of the portfolios constructed by small‐size firms, DEA models and market indices were compared via empirical data analysis.FindingsThe results showed that size effect seems inappropriate as a stock selection strategy in the Taiwan stock market. However, the portfolios constructed by DEA models achieved noticeable superior returns.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies can apply DEA models to other stock markets in different countries to confirm the effectiveness of DEA methods in stock selection.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to select stocks using DEA models and compares the performances of the portfolios composed by DEA analysis, small‐size firms and the stock market indices. The proposed approach provides useful managerial implications in stock selection and insight to improve financial efficiencies of corporations.
Exploring the future of interlibrary loan: generalizing the experience of the University of Virginia, USA
Authors: Reighart Renee , Oberlander Cyril 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to share opinions about where the future of Interlibrary Loan could go by discussing new methods of providing service to users. These methods include the expansion of arenas in which requests are searched, and several purchase‐on‐demand options.Design/methodology/approachThe authors describe a framework in which resource sharing transactions are placed within four domains: free, buy, borrow, and rent. New methods of filling requests are discussed within this framework.FindingsIn this climate of constant change there are risks involved with libraries integrating a new company or service into a workflow. Factors such as reliability and stability, user expectations, cost, and license terms and provisions are important to consider. Also, the time it takes for staff to learn new tasks must also be evaluated. Staff should be encouraged to evaluate these factors, balancing them in a cost‐benefit framework and strategy, with a focus on ensuring library user satisfaction. Exploring how alternative sources can adapt to a request system, including billing infrastructure is fundamental to the future of resource sharing.Originality/valueThis article is useful for interlibrary loan staff who want to expand their current services or revise their borrowing/lending workflows.
Sharing resources, networking and document delivery: the INIST experience
Authors: Gillet Jacqueline 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis article aims to outline how the Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (INIST‐CNRS), the French leader in the document delivery market, works with a broad national and international network of some 200 libraries and STI centres. It also seeks to provide an overview of recent developments in the French academic ILL network and of French copyright legislation, as well as information on negotiations with publishers on secure electronic delivery.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a communication at the 10th Interlending and Document Supply conference, Singapore, 29‐31 October 2007. It is descriptive and based on INIST data and experience.FindingsResource sharing and networking in document delivery on a national and international level have become essential to maintain good quality services.Originality/valueThe article focuses on INIST‐CNRS, a leader in the document delivery market.
Exploring interlibrary loan usage patterns and liaison activities: the experience at a US university
Authors: Leykam Andrew 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore actual interlibrary loan (ILL) usage patterns as a way to improve ILL services and assist in library liaison work.Design/methodology/approachThe study assesses ILL services at a mid‐size comprehensive college library in order to see who is utilizing the current service. Usage patterns are constructed and explored based on data collected over a three‐year period. The requested materials' publication date and Library of Congress subject heading, as well as the requestor's academic status (faculty, graduate student, undergraduate student) and department are addressed.FindingsUsage patterns can accurately illustrate trends in the borrowing behavior of patrons in order to gain a better understanding of their needs. The majority of users were faculty members from a limited number of academic departments. Usage patterns can be very helpful in constructing and focusing liaison work. A thorough study of ILL usage patterns is a viable undertaking worthwhile for any institution looking to improve and expand its ILL and liaison services.Practical implicationsThis paper recommends that The College of Staten Island Library utilize ILL statistics to improve and redesign Liaison activities to under‐represented departments. Assessing ILL usage patterns can enable a quick and accurate overview of actual use for improving ILL and liaison services.Originality/valuePrevious research has linked Interlibrary Loan services to collection development. The current study links the assessment of actual ILL usage patterns with liaison activities beyond collection development.
Goportis: a new service for document supply in Germany
Authors: Burblies Christine , Pianos Tamara 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe Goportis, the new German service for document supply.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the environment for obtaining high quality information in Germany and the approach of Goportis.FindingsThe advantages of Goportis are described. Goportis will be the host of the 11th ILDS conference in Hannover, Germany, in 2009.Originality/valueGoportis is a new service that started in 2008 and this is the first article to describe its origins and characteristics.
Bootstrapping comparison on availability of parallel systems with non‐identical components
Authors: Ke Jau‐Chuan , Chu Yunn‐Kuang , Lee Jia‐Huei 
Published: November 2008

PurposeIn order to develop a feasible and efficient method to acquire the long‐run availability of a parallel system with distribution‐free up and down times, the purpose of this paper is to perform the simulation comparisons on the interval estimations of system availability using four bootstrapping methods.Design/methodology/approachBy using four bootstrap methods; standard bootstrap (SB) confidence interval, percentile bootstrap (PB) confidence interval, bias‐corrected percentile bootstrap (BCPB) confidence interval, and bias‐corrected and accelerated (BCa) confidence interval. A numerical simulation study is carried out in order to demonstrate performance of these proposed bootstrap confidence intervals. Especially, we investigate the accuracy of the four bootstrap confidence intervals by calculating the coverage percentage, the average length, and the relative coverage of confidence intervals.FindingsAmong the four bootstrap confidence intervals, the PB method has the largest relative coverage in most situations. That is, the PB method is the best one made by practitioners who want to obtain an efficient interval estimation of availability.Originality/valueIt is the first time that the relative coverage is introduced to evaluate the performance of estimation method, which is more efficient than the existing measures.
Subsidiary size, internationalization, product diversification, and performance in an emerging market
Authors: Chiao Yu‐Ching , Yu Chow‐Ming Joseph , Li Peng‐Yu , Chen Yi‐Chuan 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis study aims to explore subsidiaries' diversification strategies, both internationally and with regard to their product offerings. The study seeks to examine, at the subsidiary level, the relationships between subsidiary size, internationalization, production diversification, and performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the archival data of an officially conducted survey, the study used ordered logit regression analysis to test its hypotheses using data from 920 Taiwanese subsidiaries in China.FindingsThe study's results revealed: larger subsidiaries tend to engage in internationalization and product diversification activities to a greater degree, and, as a result, tend to exhibit superior performance; and subsidiaries that pursue outward internationalization and that reinvest in related businesses enjoy enhanced performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examines Taiwanese firms that have one foreign subsidiary in China. Future research should examine larger firms with numerous foreign subsidiaries in developed countries, and should employ more fine‐grained measurements of subsidiary size to provide a clearer picture of subsidiary‐specific advantages.Originality/valueUnlike the existing literature, which has tended to take the perspective of the multinational corporation, this study examines internationalization and product diversification at the subsidiary level. By extending the resource‐based view to the subsidiary level, larger subsidiaries might be able to exploit their advantages so as to more successfully implement international and product diversification strategies and improve their performance in a host country.
Cross‐border interfirm cooperation: the influence of the performance context
Authors: Obadia Claude 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThis study aims to examine the antecedents and consequences of a cooperative norm in exporter‐importer relationships. Moreover, it seeks to investigates the impact of the past economic performance of the venture on the effectiveness of interfirm cooperation.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted among a sample of French exporters. Data on 283 exporter‐importer relationships were analyzed using structural equations modeling.FindingsTrust and continuity expectations foster the development of a cooperative norm, which in turn enhances importers' distributive performance. The study also shows that the effectiveness of cooperation increases in a low‐performance context.Practical implicationsExporters can improve the performance of their cross‐border business relationships by fostering the development of behavioral norms. The findings suggest that a norm of cooperation helps coordinate partners' behaviors in an international exchange. The effectiveness of such a norm increases in bad times, which supports the notion that cooperation can be viewed as a tool to turn around failing export ventures.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies on exporter‐importer relationships, this study conceptualizes and operationalizes cooperation as a behavioral norm. This new conceptualization of cooperation makes it possible to assess its influence on the importer's distributive performance, which conditions the success of the export venture. Another distinguishing feature of this study is that it evaluates the effect of past performance on the effectiveness of cooperation. It is shown that cooperation can be used to improve failing business relationships. Thus, cooperation can be an alternative to costly formal governance mechanisms and time‐consuming searches for new foreign representatives to replace terminated ventures.
The role of networks and matching in market entry to emerging retail markets
Authors: Elg Ulf , Ghauri Pervez N. , Tarnovskaya Veronika 
Published: November 2008

PurposeThe purpose is to investigate how a retailer identifies critical network actors and gains their support when entering an emerging market. and to examine the role of a firm's relationships with different types of actors on the new market.Design/methodology/approachThe study is of an exploratory nature, and based on an inductive and qualitative research method. A case study of IKEA's entry into Russia and China was conducted.FindingsIt is argued that IKEA's entry into China and Russia was successful because of its dynamic utilization of matching and networking capabilities. The study explains how the support of relationships with, for example, political actors, interest groups and media supported the entry and the development of a positive consumer image.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a qualitative, in depth study and future research is needed in order to test the generalizability of the proposed framework and models.Practical implicationsThe paper shows how retail managers can generate the support of different types of actors and relationships when entering new markets.Originality/valueTraditionally consumer product firms' entry to new markets is regarded as a function of dealing with environmental, cultural and legal differences, and adapting products and strategies accordingly. This paper extends understanding by showing that matching and networking capabilities to mobilize resources, actors and activities on global, macro and micro levels are also critical components. It also relates the firm's business relationships with relationships to socio‐political actors on the new market.