bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The stability of the co‐movements between real estate returns in the UK
Authors: Lee Stephen 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe usefulness of ex‐post data as a proxy for ex‐ante returns in the portfolio problem rests on the stability of the co‐movement between returns. Yet despite its importance, this issue has not received sufficient examination in the financial literature, particularly in the direct real estate market. This study aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the temporal stability of covariance and correlation matrices and individual correlation coefficients this paper uses the Box M tests and the methodology of Shaked using monthly real estate data in the UK over the period 1987 to 2002 and four investment horizons.FindingsThe Box M tests reveal that the covariance and correlation matrices both display temporal instability. This suggests that the returns between real estate returns are unstable over time and so provide poor estimates in the ex‐ante modelling process. The analysis also indicates that the covariance matrices are less stable than the corresponding correlation matrices. Nonetheless, when we tested the stability of individual correlation coefficients using the methodology of Shaked we find that stability increases consistently and substantially with the lengthening of the investment horizon and holding period.Practical implicationsThus, for all practical purposes the pair‐wise correlation between real estate returns can be considered nearly stationary in the long run. This implies that investors can use ex‐post data as a proxy for ex‐ante data in portfolio models especially if longer investment horizons are used to estimate the parameters.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine temporal co‐movements between UK real estate returns in a portfolio context over different investment horizons.
Estimating the risk of inflation in property investments
Authors: Wood Ernest 
Published: September 2006

PurposeProperty returns are normally measured against the target rate for similar investments with comparable risks and liquidity. However, this analysis is normally undertaken in nominal terms and thus the risk of inflation, as it affects different investments, is not fully quantified. This paper seeks to analyse the effect of inflation on property investments.Design/methodology/approachThis article examines the impact of inflation on gilt returns and relates this to property risk.FindingsInvestors may take a more pessimistic view of future inflation as an investment risk than the current official indices would indicate. In this context it may be that retail price index (RPI) and index adjusted for mortgage payments (RPIX) are not reliable indicators of inflation risk. It has been suggested that the difference between the two species of gilts as “a calculation of inflation expectations should be regarded with suspicion because of the volume of index linked bonds is so small that individual trades can move the market”.Practical implicationsEconomists and financial advisers and commentators have long recognised that inflation, in the sense of the tendency of the value of a currency to decline in purchasing power, distorts the picture of the worth, not only of individual assets but also of the whole economy. In this respect investment advisers often, in presenting their arguments, use yields that are net of the rate of experienced inflation taken from the performance of the RPI or the RPIX. Unless there is an understanding of the risk of inflation on property investments, such net rates may be misleading.Originality/valueThis study adds to the literature exploring the effect of inflation on property returns.
The cultural contradictions of managing change: using horizon scanning in an evidence‐based policy context
Authors: Schultz Wendy L. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to identify points of conceptual conflict between evidence‐based policy research and horizon (environmental) scanning.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a brief history of foresight in UK government, then describes the current government context for horizon scanning. Next, it defines horizon scanning as a method; highlights the contradictions between horizon scanning and more traditional empirical research; and offers suggestions to improve the rigor of horizon scanning.FindingsIncreased focus on defining the rules for source identification and scan data validation can enhance credibility.Research limitations/implicationsCurrent horizon scanning work in the UK government suggests these methodological improvements, but proof will wait upon completion and deployment of several ongoing horizon scans.Practical implicationsProvides improved acceptability and dissemination of horizon scanning as a tool, as well as heightened engagement of policy‐makers, planners, and leaders with horizon scanning output.Originality/valueThere has been little previous work exploring the cultural constraints on adoption of horizon scanning within the evidence‐based polity context.
Equity in a twenty‐first century learning intensive society: is schooling part of the solution?
Authors: Miller Riel 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between equity and schooling in a post‐industrial society using a scenario of the learning intensive society.Design/methodology/approachThe method used here, but not elaborated as such, is based on a “hybrid strategic scenario method” that is a technique for building “futures literacy”.FindingsIndustrial era schooling may be incompatible with post‐industrial heterarchical equity.Practical implicationsBy questioning the role of schools in developing the capacities necessary for post‐industrial society this article calls for an examination of emergent alternatives.Originality/valueBoth the method and conclusions are distinctive and may be valuable for strategic conversations aimed at questioning the assumptions that shape the decisions made today.
Building knowledge through action systems, process leadership and organizational learning
Authors: Yeo Roland K. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the notion of organizational learning as a way of collective knowledge construction to achieve long‐term competitive advantage. It proposes a theoretical framework based on action systems and process leadership perspective, integrating five key themes: systems, interaction and relationship, teambuilding, change, and renewal.Design/methodology/approachLiterature review was adopted to determine the main streams of theoretical contribution on organizational learning and knowledge acquisition. Five distinct yet interrelated themes have been identified as contributing to the theoretical framework proposed.FindingsIt has been found that leaders play a crucial role in facilitating systems dynamics, influencing the rate and degree at which organizational members learn. Two such intervening factors as dialogue and reflection have been found to be the leitmotif of learning and knowledge co‐construction in the workplace.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides a number of pointers for further theoretical development, motivating both exploratory and explanatory empirical research in organizational learning and knowledge sharing. Of importance is the linking mechanism between different levels of learning and people involved in the learning.Practical implicationsA list of strategies has been suggested to help leaders manage and develop organizational learning. These views have arisen according to theoretical insights drawn from the literature review and the author's practical experience.Originality/valueThe paper offers both researchers and practitioners a useful perspective on the various aspects of organizational learning and knowledge building. Of practical value is the paper's attempt at making simple the complex process of learning and knowledge generation in ever‐changing organizational contexts.
IP addressing: the next frontier of internet governance debate
Authors: Mueller Milton L. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to broaden our understanding of internet governance policy options by reviewing and assessing proposals for reforming the institutional mechanisms used to allocate and assign IPv6 addresses.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins by identifying the two main economic and technical constraints on IP addressing: route aggregation and address conservation. It then reviews the reform proposals that have been made and assesses the debates that have occurred around those proposals, bearing in mind the key issues of aggregation and conservation. In particular, it attempts to explore whether competition in IP addressing between authorities with diverse policies would be feasible and beneficial.FindingsThe debate over addressing policy is in its early stages and has a long way to go. A review of the debate so far suggests that the introduction of economic incentives in addressing might improve route aggregation rather than worsen it. With respect to conservation and aggregation incentives, policy diversity might help internet service providers find a more optimal trade‐off between the needs of users and the needs of the suppliers of connectivity.Originality/valueThe policy alternatives discussed here could have a major impact on the future of the internet, as address allocation and assignment directly affect the way the internet functions and the distribution of costs and benefits between users and suppliers.
Improvement of organizational efficiency and effectiveness by developing a manufacturing strategy decision support system
Authors: Jalham Issam S. , Abdelkader Wafa T. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo develop a model for manufacturing strategy formulation and implementation to help the managerial body of a corporation improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their company.Design/methodology/approachThe quality function deployment (QFD) technique is used in the formulation process to provide the basis for selection between options in each of the formulation stages. The proposed model consists of six stages starting from the business strategy formulation, functional strategy formulation, manufacturing priorities formulation, the generation of action plans and the suggestions of the detailed tasks of each action plan, and ending up with the evaluation of the developed strategy. QFD capture software is used to form the matrices needed for the proposed model.FindingsIt was found that the proposed QFD approach is easy to apprehend, clear to be applied and leads to dependable manufacturing strategy. Accordingly, this model is recommended to be used in other functional areas in addition to manufacturing to develop their functional strategies.Research limitations/implicationsAfter the application of this model, the quality of management in this company was improved and recommended for other companies.Originality/valueThe paper provides a QFD approach that can be applied to any company by their managerial body in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their company.
Feature‐oriented workflow modelling based on enterprise human resource planning
Authors: Atsa Etoundi Roger , Fouda Ndjodo Marcel , Aurellie Monessa Marthe , Patrick Zobo Erick 
Published: September 2006

PurposeIn the field of information systems, workflow modelling has attracted a lot of researchers. Most works in the domain do not take into consideration the concrete execution of resulting workflows. This failure puts beside the time and resource concepts. The aim of this paper is to develop a model that allows to deal with the execution of workflows based on the constraints of the resources.Design/methodology/approachBased on the domain engineering approach, one describes models of a business processes, and resources in an incremental manner. At each step of the modelling, one defines some requirements for the validation of the models.FindingsThe formalization gives the core features that are suitable to deal with the organisational aspect of business process management. These features are generic as they can be extended to capture the representation of various stages in the resource and business process management.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper does not deal with the concrete assignment of tasks to resources, and does not show how these features can be refined in order to model real world business processes. This work can be extended by defining some case studies, developing a supporting tool and carrying analysis.Practical implicationsBy applying these models in daily work, enterprises will improve their productivity and deal with the competitive pressure of the network economy.Originality/valueThis paper defines an ontological framework for the business process, resource and correctness of a workflow within an enterprise that may be used by enterprise managers in the delivery of goods and services.
Assessment in North American research libraries: a preliminary report card
Authors: Hiller Steve , Kyrillidou Martha , Self Jim 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to report on the first phase of a two‐year project sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries, “Making Library Assessment Work: Practical Approaches for Developing and Sustaining Effective Assessment”.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports on the project, which is intended to provide libraries with the knowledge and understanding necessary to select and apply appropriate measurement techniques, and to use assessment data in decision making. The focus of this effort is on practical and sustainable approaches to effective assessment. The paper is particularly interested in the successful application of assessment within different organizational cultures and moving library assessment from a project‐based approach to a more programmatic, integrated, and sustainable operation within libraries.FindingsThe findings of the study indicate that all the ARL libraries in Phase I are developing a stronger understanding of the value of assessment and library leadership supports this movement. It finds that there are staff in each library who have good research methodology skills, although they may not be involved in assessment efforts. It reveals that areas that did not receive a passing grade in most libraries included resource allocation, sustainability, prioritizing needs, choosing the appropriate assessment method, using data for improvement, and communicating assessment results.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information on a project intended to help librarians in decision making.
Of Orrefors and Noritake: or, has Geert Hofstede something to say about web site design?
Authors: Gorman G.E. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at Geert Hofstede's five dimensions of culture.Design/methodology/approachReviews Hofstede's web site and numerous of his writings.FindingsThe distinctive sites mentioned are a reflection of Swedish and Japanese dimensions of culture respectively. In a global village, where the web is almost ubiquitous, this kind of understanding is more important than ever.Originality/valueConsiders the value that Hofstede's paradigm, or perhaps another cross‐cultural analytical tool, might have in enhancing understanding of web design and usability.
A checklist for evaluating open source digital library software
Authors: Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion , Chua Alton , Anqi Khoo Davina , Boon‐Hui Khoo Emily , Bok‐Tong Mak Eric , Wen‐Min Ng Maple 
Published: September 2006

PurposeMany open source software packages are available for organizations and individuals to create digital libraries (DLs). However, a simple to use instrument to evaluate these DL software packages does not exist. The objectives of the present work are to develop a checklist for DL evaluation and use this checklist on four DL software packages.Design/methodology/approachFeatures that characterized “good” open source DL software were determined from the literature. First identified were essential categories of features that DL software should possess. These categories were then decomposed into supporting features. From these, a checklist that covered all such features was developed. The checklist was then used to evaluate four popular open source DL software packages (CDSware, EPrints, Fedora, and Greenstone) for the purposes of assessing suitability for use in a DL project to be undertaken by the authors.FindingsA checklist consisting of 12 categories of items was developed. Using this, Greenstone was found to be the best performer, followed by CDSware, Fedora and EPrints. Greenstone was the only software package that consistently fulfilled the majority of the criteria in many of the checklist categories. In contrast, EPrints was the worst performer due to its poor support for certain features deemed important in our checklist, and a total absence of functionality in other categories.Originality/valueThe present work attempts to develop a comprehensive checklist for assessing DLs. Its flexibility allows users to tailor it to accommodate new categories, items and weighting schemes to reflect the needs of different DL implementations.
Public Library 2.0
Authors: Chowdhury Gobinda , Poulter Alan , McMenemy David 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis article seeks to propose a new vision for public libraries in the digital age.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper is based on an understanding of the recent developments in ICT, internet and digital libraries; and also on the authors' personal experience in research and development in library and information science – especially in relation to public libraries – and digital libraries.FindingsThe study argues that currently there are no proper mechanisms for capturing, preserving and disseminating community knowledge, and proposes that public libraries in the digital age should take a new role whereby they should act not only as a gateway to knowledge, but also as a platform facilitating the creation of, and access to, local community knowledge. Proposes a model for PL2.0 where public libraries can take on this new role to build a network of community knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper proposes a conceptual model for the second generation of public libraries, and further studies are required to test and implement the model.Practical implicationsThe paper proposes that the new role of public libraries will be to shift from solely providing access to knowledge to acting as a platform for the storage and dissemination of local community knowledge within the global context created by twenty‐first century digital technologies.Originality/valueThe proposed model will bring in a “cultural change” by giving a new role to public libraries in preserving and disseminating community knowledge.
JavaScript tools for online information retrieval
Authors: Gamage Ruwan , Dong Hui 
Published: September 2006

PurposeEfficiency of server side search engines is very low in cases of slow internet connections. Therefore, this study aims to examine use of client side search tools.Design/methodology/approachA previously introduced client side JavaScript search model was used. New data were obtained for response times against an array of different sized index files. A simple linear regression model was used to obtain the limitation of file size for the search tool. Response times for repeated searches were obtained for the client side search model and selected server side search tools.FindingsIt was found that the search model could be used only for a small‐sized data set. Still, it was useful against server side search methods for repeated searches during a single session.Research limitations/implicationsResponse time differs according to the network traffic, connection speed, and so on. Therefore, use of the search model is context‐specific.Originality/valueThe model is easy to use and maintain. Therefore, organizations that wish to make their small data collections searchable on the web can use the model. The model is especially suitable for users with slow internet connections who experience very low efficiency in searching large server side databases. The paper introduces the model, solutions and technical aspects for practical execution.
Real options and the impact of intellectual capital on corporate value
Authors: Sudarsanam Sudi , Sorwar Ghulam , Marr Bernard 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to discuss intellectual capital (IC) from a valuation perspective and examine the nature of such capital and why traditional valuation methods fail to reflect the unique characteristics of IC and propose an alternative approach that captures them.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on the existing literature in the fields of financial valuation and IC. The analysis of these fields allows us to combine them and discuss the possible usage and limitations of real option models for the assessment of intellectual capital in firms.FindingsA valuation perspective is developed based on the real option models that have been extended from their origin in financial asset valuation to the valuation of firms' growth opportunities. Intellectual resources embody these opportunities contributing to both their evolution over time and their realisation in future. A typology of IC is developed based on the influence upon the various valuation parameters of real options. This approach provides a richer framework to analyse the relationship between IC and corporate value.Practical implicationsClarification of the relationship between IC and managerial flexibility as a source of value will help managers understand how they can create and leverage such flexibility to create value. The paper enables managers to understand how different types of IC impact on risk taking, timing of investment projects and the value of speculative investments.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies the nature of IC in the way it contributes to managerial flexibility to gain competitive advantage and exploit growth opportunities. It extends the real options valuation framework to the valuation of intellectual assets thus providing a link among intellectual assets, business strategy and firm value.