bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The “strategy frame” and the four Es of strategy drivers
Authors: Salem Khalifa Azaddin 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThere is vast literature and widely different views on strategy. This necessitates an organizing framework that smoothly integrates and places different conceptualizations of strategy in the proper perspective. The purpose of this paper is to clear possible confusion about the concept of strategy and help navigate the different streams of the strategy river with confidence and ease.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive review of strategy literature is undertaken and the underlying principles and governing ideas are extracted. These are reconstructed to form the basis of the “strategy frame”.FindingsThe “strategy frame” produced the four Es of strategy, which represent the strategic thinking drivers behind the different conceptualizations of strategy. The framework attempts to address all major strategy issues and to combine different schools of thought spanning the spectrum of strategy dimensions, tensions, and paradoxes. It interweaves competing schools of thought in the strategy field and conceptualizes them as continuums to illustrate their interplay.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptual nature of the “strategy frame” makes it less useful in answering the questions it helps raise. As such, it is so broad to be used for working out detailed strategies.Practical implicationsThe “strategy frame” helps strategists take a bird's eye view to identify critical strategic issues and put them in the proper context of their organization's capacity as it relates to its environment.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to deal with the basic tensions and paradoxes in strategy field in order to develop a hopefully useful framework, which is able to relate them in an integrative way.
A decision‐maker‐centred supplier selection approach for critical supplies
Authors: Micheli Guido J.L 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the supplier selection issue as a way to mitigate the overall supply risk, through the proposition of a new approach which is as practical as a total cost of ownership approach and, at the same time, a real support for the supplier selection as a decision making issue, rather than an additional constraint for the decision maker.Design/methodology/approachA risk efficiency‐based supplier selection (REBaSS) approach is developed for critical supplies, that allows a decision maker to consider the procurement‐related “risk” and “investment” for mitigation/exploitation interventions.FindingsA present total cost profile (PTCP) related to every supplier to be assessed is portrayed, as a function of the possible investments that can be made to exploit the upside and to mitigate the downside supply risks. A criterion to prioritize interventions is provided, in order to unambiguously portray the PTCP. Guidelines for the PTCP comparison by a decision maker are also proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe wide set of data needed can be a limitation when the available time to perform supplier selection is very short.Practical implicationsThe proposed REBaSS approach allows a decision maker to deal with a quantitative and economic evaluation of the potential suppliers. The decisions are not univocal because they depend on the risk proneness of the decision maker.Originality/valueThe paper's view is that REBaSS is the only approach that explicitly takes into account the variability of the output of the supplier evaluation due to the different attitude of every supplier to make a planned mitigation intervention successful.
Job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB)
Authors: Foote David A. , Li‐Ping Tang Thomas 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a model in which team commitment in self‐directed teams moderates the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).Design/methodology/approachSurvey questionnaires measuring team commitment, OCB, and job satisfaction were administered to 242 full‐time employees who were involved in self‐directed teams at three geographically diverse manufacturing facilities. After carefully testing the psychometric properties of the scales, hierarchical multiple regression was used to test hypotheses.FindingsThe relationship between job satisfaction and OCB was shown to be significant, as was the relationship between team commitment and OCB. Most importantly, the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior was moderated by team commitment, such that the relationship was stronger when team commitment was high.Research limitations/implicationsDue to heightened salience of self‐directed team functioning in our sample, generalization of results may be limited.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that the usefulness of self‐directed work teams may be limited in situations where employees lack team commitment. Besides implementing self‐directed teams and assigning performance goals, researchers and practitioners need to identify efforts that work toward increasing commitment of team members, thereby increasing organizational citizenship behavior in the organization.Originality/valueIt is believed that this research makes a significant contribution to understanding the relationship between job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior, a relationship that has long been known but not well defined. Moreover, the paper develops what appears to be a valid and reliable measure of team commitment, based on goodness of fit using cross‐validation, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability tests.
The expanding role of intangible assets of the brand
Authors: Gupta Suraksha , Grant Susan , Melewar T.C. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to highlight the human representatives of the brand (brand relationship representatives), as an important enabler in achieving effective supply chain synchronization via the transfer of information on product availability and planned promotions between the brand and resellers in business‐to‐business markets, and therefore ultimately an influence in achieving customer requirements.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on integration of theories from marketing, psychology and operations management.FindingsThe findings indicate that brand representatives when linked to reseller for developing satisfaction becomes a motivating factor. This results in an effective and synchronized supply chain process for the organization.Research limitations/implicationsThe theory developed after a review of literature, should be tested using triangulation method as it will provide deeper analysis to both academic researchers and practitioners.Practical implicationsThis theoretical research tries to investigate the affects of brand representation on resellers in a business‐to‐business setting. It can support the practitioners in the planning and operational stages of their marketing communication campaigns for an effective and synchronized marketing and supply chain process.Originality/valueThe application of this paper is based on the model of brand‐reseller relationship of strong brands and contribute to the literature as theories available on the subject are limited.
Management development of senior executives
Authors: Suutari Vesa , Viitala Riitta 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discover the preferences for management development methods used in the development of senior managers, and to discover the perceived effectiveness, as well as strengths and weaknesses, of different methods.Design/methodology/approachThe study can be classified as a quantitative internet‐survey study, which also benefits from qualitative data through open‐ended questions. The sample of the study consisted of 2,500 senior managers of which 878 participated in the study.FindingsThe results indicate that the dominance of traditional short‐term management development activities continues while more longitudinal methods emphasizing experience‐based learning were reported to be more effective in supporting the development of senior managers. In addition, various key strengths and weaknesses of different methods were identified.Research limitations/implicationsIn future research, more in‐depth and longitudinal qualitative analysis of different management development methods would be useful to complement the understanding of such methods and their effectiveness.Practical implicationsThrough the empirical analysis of the effectiveness of the management development methods, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, the paper provides useful information to organizations and experts about providing management development programs at the senior management level.Originality/valueThe paper provides latest information concerning the use of different management development methods, and increases the understanding about the characteristics and effectiveness of different management development methods at the senior management level.
Graduates' career orientations and strategies in corporate Greece
Authors: Mihail Dimitrios M. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the evidence that suggests how working graduates' careers are actually being managed in corporate Greece. In order to shed some light on this issue, this empirical study aims to investigate the changing nature of careers from the employee's perspective, in various business contexts.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Participants in the survey were 238 graduates working for firms across all sectors of the economy. Factor analysis was used to form career anchors/orientations, and career strategies from graduates' attitudes and statements reported in the survey. Regression analysis was applied for assessing the impact of alternative career orientations on career self‐management behaviors.FindingsThe main findings indicate that the primary source for shaping surveyed graduates' career strategies is their own career anchor/orientations. Other personal and organizational characteristics such as gender, age, work experience, field of specialization, economic sector and activity, firm size, and employment contract, seem to not have a persistent effect on respondents' personal career strategies. Furthermore, despite an emerging “new” career anchor, the traditional career of internal promotability still motivates graduates and leads them to pursue human capital accumulation and networking strategies.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research to extend the current investigation to employers and managers would allow for a more articulated discussion of the main sources of the influences on employees' career self‐management behaviors.Originality/valueGiven the dearth of empirical research on the changing nature of careers in corporate Greece, this study contributes to debates in the wider academic community on the issue of analyzing career self‐management behaviours empirically. The importance of combining the human capital perspective with the social capital perspective in modeling career development, is stressed by the present study.
The impact of individual and shared employee perceptions of HRM on affective commitment
Authors: Sanders Karin , Dorenbosch Luc , de Reuver Renee 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to answer the question of whether individual perceptions of an HRM system – distinctiveness, consistency and consensus – and shared perceptions of HRM (climate strength) are positively related to affective commitment in the organization. In addition, the paper examines if climate strength has a mediating effect in the relationship between the individual perceptions of an HRM system and affective commitment.Design/methodology/approachA survey study with data from 671 employees, 67 line‐managers and 32 HR‐managers within four hospitals was used.FindingsResults of two‐level analyses (department, employee) showed that the perception of distinctiveness, consistency and climate strength, as expected are positively related to affective commitment. Instead of a mediating effect of climate strength a moderator effect was found: the relationship between consistency and affective commitment is stronger when climate strength is high.Research limitations/implicationsThe study offers researchers some recommendations to focus on the process of HRM (in terms of distinctiveness, consistency and consensus), and on the importance of shared perceptions within a department.Originality/valueThis study shows the impact of aspects of the process of HRM on the individual level, and shared perceptions of high commitment HRM on the department level on affective commitment of employees.
Situational judgment tests: a review of recent research
Authors: Lievens Filip , Peeters Helga , Schollaert Eveline 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give an empirically‐based review of the strengths and weaknesses of situational judgment tests (SJTs).Design/methodology/approachThe features, history, and development of SJTs are discussed. Next, a computerized search (from 1990‐2007) is conducted to retrieve empirical studies related to SJTs. The effectiveness of SJTs is discussed in terms of reliability, criterion‐related validity, incremental validity, construct‐related validity, utility, adverse impact, applicant perceptions, fakability, and susceptibility to practice and coaching effects.FindingsStrengths of SJTs are that they show criterion‐related validity and incremental validity above cognitive ability and personality tests. SJTs have also less adverse impact towards minorities (especially if the cognitive loading of the SJT is low). Furthermore, applicant reactions towards SJTs are positive and SJTs enable to test large applicant groups at once (through the Internet). In terms of weaknesses, SJTs might be prone to faking, practice, and coaching effects. There is also debate about what constructs are measured by SJTs.Research limitations/implicationsFive avenues for future research are discussed: construct‐related validity of SJTs, utility of SJTs vis‐à‐vis other predictors, impact of SJT features on validity and adverse impact, examination of alternative stimulus and response formats, and cross‐cultural transportability of SJTs.Practical implicationsPractitioners receive evidence‐based information about the features, development, and strengths and weaknesses of SJTs.Originality/valueApart from the USA, SJTs have not made strong inroads in selection practice in Europe and other parts of the world. This evidence‐based paper might highlight the value of SJTs.
On‐the‐job learning in the nursing profession
Authors: Berings Marjolein , Poell Rob , Gelissen John 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain more insight into employees' on‐the‐job learning. Its specific purpose is to develop and validate a classification of on‐the‐job learning activities and learning themes, focusing on the nursing profession in particular.Design/methodology/approachTwo successive studies were conducted for this purpose. In the first study in‐depth interviews with 20 Dutch nurses were analysed using a grounded theory approach. The content validity of the categories found in the first study was investigated in the second study by interviewing 17 supervisors and eight educators from different hospitals in The Netherlands.FindingsThe paper finds that the main categories of learning activities are: learning by doing one's regular job, learning by applying something new in the job, learning by social interaction with colleagues, learning by theory or supervision, and learning by reflection. First‐order learning activities and second‐order learning activities can be distinguished. The main categories of on‐the‐job learning themes are: the technical‐practical domain, the socio‐emotional domain, the organisational domain, the developmental domain, and a pro‐active attitude to work.Research limitations/implicationsThe validation study was conducted by the same researchers as the first study. The findings are based on one profession (nursing) in one country (The Netherlands).Practical implicationsThe categories can be used by nurse educators and health sector managers/trainers to develop comprehensive and structured intervention methods for the improvement of on‐the‐job learning which do justice to the complexity and diversity of on‐the‐job learning by nurses. HR (development) professionals can use the classification as part of a competence management and development system.Originality/valueThe study provides a detailed, complete and multi‐dimensional explication of nurses' on‐the‐job learning activities and learning themes, grounding the classification and framework in empirical data and using multiple data sources.
Successful turnaround strategies
Authors: Donald Hopkins H. 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help CEOs pick the best turnaround strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews a key research study on firms in turnaround situations.FindingsThe study finds that turnaround strategy must fit the cause of the firm's problem.Practical implicationsThe paper is useful in helping senior managers avoid a common problem.Originality/valueThe paper focuses attention on the key to turnaround success. It highlights an academic research study with a rare nugget of insight for CEOs. This paper has not been published elsewhere.
Using adaptive resonance theory and data‐mining techniques for materials recommendation based on the e‐library environment
Authors: Tsai Chwei‐Shyong , Chen Mu‐Yen 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to illustrate the use of artificial neural network (ANN) and data‐mining (DM) technologies as a good approach for satisfying the requirements of library users.Design/methodology/approachThis research presents the Intelligent Library Materials Recommendations System (ILMRS) which uses the adaptive resonance theory (ART) network to distribute readers into different clusters according to their personal background. When clusters of related personal background have been established, the Apriori algorithm is used to discover the suitable materials in which readers are interested and which they may need.FindingsThe investigation results indicate that the ART and Apriori mining techniques can be used to improve the accuracy of the recommendations for reading materials in the library. Moreover, readers can be divided by means of demographic variables into three segments. Finally, the questionnaire survey proved that the proposed recommender system will be a suitable approach for stimulating the readers' motivation and interest. Research limitations/implications – This research is limited by its datasets from a digital library of a university in Taiwan, and it is applied by ART and Apriori mining techniques to recommend materials of readers.Originality/valueToday, digital information is becoming ever more popular. The huge quantity and the diversity of digital information are its main features. Therefore, readers are interested in obtaining useful information in an efficient manner. In this research, a digital library can use this approach to anticipate a reader's needs in advance based on the mining results.
A knowledge engineering approach to developing e‐libraries for mobile learning
Authors: Chu Hui‐Chun , Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Huang Shu‐Xian , Wu Ting‐Ting 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an innovative approach that is proposed for developing e‐libraries with metadata to meet the need of training observation and classification skills in a mobile learning environment.Design/methodology/approachA knowledge engineering approach is proposed to assist teachers in defining metadata of e‐libraries to meet the need of training observation and classification skills. Based on the innovative approach, an e‐library of butterfly and ecology has been developed. Moreover, an experiment was conducted from March‐April 2007 on the science course “Butterfly and Ecology” at an elementary school in Taiwan. There were two teachers and 35 students participated in the experiment.FindingsExperimental results showed that the e‐library developed with the innovative approach is able to effectively support the training of observation and classification skills for elementary school students.Research limitations/implicationsCurrently, the innovative approach has only been applied to the training of observation and classification knowledge. Further studies will be needed to assist teachers in defining metadata of e‐libraries for other educational objectives, such as “analysis” (the ability to separate material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood), “synthesis” (the ability to put parts together to form a new whole) and “evaluation” (the ability to judge the value of material for a given purpose).Originality/valueWith the innovative approach, personalized supports can be provided as a guide for students' learning. Moreover, students are allowed to face the real objects with technology‐rich supports during the learning process.
An architecture for e‐learning system with computational intelligence
Authors: El Alami Marc , Casel Nicolas , Zampunieris Denis 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a new kind of learning management system: proactive LMS, designed to improve the users' online (inter)actions by providing programmable, automatic and continuous intelligent analyses of the users' behaviours, augmented with appropriate actions initiated by the LMS itself.Design/methodology/approachProactive systems adhere to two premises: working on behalf of, or pro, the user, and acting on their own initiative, without the user's explicit command. The proactive part of the LMS is implemented as a dynamic rules‐based system, and is added next to the initial LMS. They both use the same database as their source of information on the users, their activities, the available resources and the current state of the whole system.FindingsHow the proactive part of the LMS was implemented on the basis of a dynamic expert system is shown. Also how it looks like from a user's point of view is sketched. Finally, examples of intelligent analysis of users' behaviours coded into proactive rules are given.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work should include the design and the implementation of sets of rules (packages) dedicated to common users' needs, enabling useful proactivity on the basis of elaborated intelligent analysis.Originality/valueCurrent learning management systems (virtual educational and/or training online environments) are fundamentally limited tools. Indeed, they are only reactive software: these tools wait for an instruction and then react to the user's request. Students using these online systems could imagine and hope for more help and assistance tools: LMS should tend to offer some personal, immediate and appropriate support as teachers offer in classrooms. The proactive LMS can, for example, automatically and continuously help and take care of e‐learners with respect to previously defined procedures rules, and even flag other users, like e‐tutors, if something wrong is detected in their behaviour.