bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The philosophical foundation of the lecture‐versus‐case controversy
Authors: Ardalan Kavous 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo see how educational philosophies that underlie lecture and case methods of teaching are related to how faculty perform their teaching, research, and service.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the premise that foundational philosophies, worldviews or paradigms underlie educational philosophies, and each educational philosophy favors a certain instructional methodology, which in turn implies a certain way or method of instruction.FindingsThe findings of this paper are that each educational philosophy favors a certain instructional methodology, which in turn determines not only the way that the instruction is performed but also how faculty perform their teaching, research, and service.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper implies that differences between the underlying world views of lecture and case methods of teaching similarly lead to differences in many other aspects of the teaching and learning process.Practical implicationsThis paper implies that, in practice, faculty would perform their teaching, research, and service in a more consistent manner if they become consciously aware of the underlying philosophy of their teaching method.Originality/valueThe original contribution of this paper is that it shows how in a systematic manner the differences in teaching philosophy lead to differences in what faculty do in all areas of their activities: teaching, research, and service.
Fund management, intellectual capital, intangibles and private disclosure
Authors: Holland John 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how fund managers (FMs) deal with major problems of ignorance and uncertainty in stock selection and in asset allocation decisions.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with 40 fund managers in the period October 1997 to January 2000. A seven stage approach was adopted to sift through and process the large volumes of case data. The interview case data formed the basis for identifying common patterns and themes across the cases.FindingsThe case data revealed the nature of this private information agenda concerning intellectual capital or intangibles and the dynamic connections between these variables in the value creation process. The case data provided insight into how the book value and market value gap arose and the special role of information on intangibles and intellectual capital in valuing the company.Practical implicationsThe fund management behaviour has important implications for regulatory policy issues on insider information, on corporate disclosure, the corporate governance role of financial institutions, and for the governance of financial institutions.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on issues of importance in an increasingly concentrated and global FM industry.
Constitutionalising immigration law
Authors: Marzal Elia 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe object of this research is the reconstruction of the existing legal response by European Union states to the phenomenon of immigration. It seeks to analyse the process of conferral of protection.Design/methodology/approachOne main dimension is selected and discussed: the case law of the national courts. The study focuses on the legal status of immigrants resulting from the intervention of these national courts.FindingsThe research shows that although the courts have conferred an increasing protection on immigrants, this has not challenged the fundamental principle of the sovereignty of the states to decide, according to their discretionary prerogatives, which immigrants are allowed to enter and stay in their territories. Notwithstanding the differences in the general constitutional and legal structures, the research also shows that the courts of the three countries considered – France, Germany and Spain – have progressively moved towards converging solutions in protecting immigrants.Originality/valueThe research contributes to a better understanding of the different legal orders analysed.
Discovering market networks
Authors: Mattsson Lars‐Gunnar , Johanson Jan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeIn 1982 two books published in Sweden suggested a network perspective on markets and marketing. The purpose of this paper is to explain the emergence in Sweden of the network perspective.Design/methodology/approachProvides an examination of research in industrial marketing and related fields during the 1970s and the roles of the societal and academic contexts for the research.FindingsClose relations between academic research and business was particularly crucial since it provided access to industry on all organisational levels and business relevance of the research. Three areas of research seem to have been especially important in the development: supplier‐customer interaction, strategy and organisation of the firm and the interconnectedness between markets. The emergence of the network perspective is seen as a result of a conceptual compromise between a group engaged in dyadic business relationship research and another group that had a wider systems interdependence view on markets. The paper shows that the development can be regarded as a discovery process.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to the development in Sweden during the 1970s and leading to the publication of two books that suggested a network perspective. A result of the paper is that the development during the period is only the first phase in the discovery of market networks. This suggests that analysis of the later development may be fruitful.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the roots of the network perspective on markets and marketing and contributes to the understanding of the development of new paradigms in general.
Research in relationship marketing: antecedents, traditions and integration
Authors: Eiriz Vasco , Wilson Dom 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the theoretical foundations of relationship marketing from the perspective of several management‐related disciplines, and to attempt a fresh perspective that seeks to integrate these contributions.Design/methodology/approachDespite the recent popularity of research into relationship marketing, there is still some confusion surrounding the concept of and how it differs both from “non” relationship marketing and from other ways of managing marketing relationships. This confusion reflects, to some extent, the diverse origins of the concept and the scarcity of research into such fundamental questions as what is a relationship, and what forms of relationship are more or less suited under different circumstances to management through relationship marketing. Taking a broad approach to the subject, the paper explores and integrates these theoretical foundations.FindingsThis article finds that an integrated account can be offered for the emergence of relationship marketing as a coherent area for research. Areas of marketing research with particular relevance to the development of research into relationship issues are: supply chain management, interaction theory, database marketing, and services marketing. Future research into relationship marketing should focus on: the rationale, processes and structures involved in relationship marketing.Originality/valueThe paper encompasses and integrates the diverse theoretical origins of relationship marketing and integrates the research traditions emerging from these origins as they relate to relationship marketing. The paper then considers the implications and priorities for the future development of research and theory in relationship marketing.
Assessing the impact of culture on relationship creation and network formation in emerging Asian markets
Authors: Fletcher Richard , Fang Tony 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to develop an alternative approach to researching the impact of culture on relationship creation and network formation in Asian markets.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual approach is taken.FindingsThe paper has argued that in Asian markets culture can be better understood on the basis of cultural groupings (e.g. ethnic grouping) than on politically defined and artificially created national boundaries. The assessment and comparison of cultural differences and similarities in Asia can be conducted by using an “enlarged” emic approach. Given the idiosyncratic nature of relationships and the increasing significance of the emic contexts enriched by globalisation, the proposed approach is likely to generate a better understanding of the impact of culture on relationship creation and network formation in emerging Asian markets.Practical implicationsManagers doing business in emerging Asian markets need to go beyond traditional national culture stereotypes to capture cultural diversities and paradoxes in terms of, for example, ethnic culture, regional culture, professional culture, and emerging global culture groupings within and across national borders.Originality/valueDiffering from the “either/or” nature of the mainstream scholarship which tends to bipolarise national cultures, this paper emphasises the “both/and” character of Asian cultures which intrinsically embrace paradoxes in philosophies, values, and behaviours. The paper has suggested that an “enlarged” emic approach to cross‐cultural clustering and comparison be used in Asian contexts to better understand the workings of relationship creation and network formation in emerging Asian markets.
Mapping out devolution: an exploration of the realities of devolution
Authors: Cascón‐Pereira Rosalía , Valverde Mireia , Ryan Gerard 
Published: July 2006

PurposeFew definitions in the HRM literature have reached as much consensus as the term “devolution”. However, devolution is a phenomenon that has been defined from the perspective of HRM specialists, with little or no contribution from middle managers. This paper seeks to explore what is behind the commonly shared definition of devolution, by examining not only the actual tasks that are being devolved, but also by trying to establish different degrees of devolution according to a number of dimensions.Design/methodology/approachAn approach that facilitated the exploration of the extent of devolution and impact on middle managers' perceptions was required. A qualitative approach was adopted. Specifically, a case study of a hospital in Spain was undertaken. The research methods included in‐depth interviews, participant observation and internal documentation.FindingsThe findings emphasize the importance of reflecting on the reality and the rhetoric of devolution. The results indicate that it is worthwhile to break down the concept of devolution into dimensions (tasks and responsibilities, decision‐making power, financial power and expertise power) and to specify what dimensions are devolved.Practical implicationsThere is a clear difference between the rhetoric of devolution and what actually happens in practice. In order to distinguish between those organisations that go beyond the rhetoric of devolution, it is important to differentiate between the devolution of tasks and the devolution of decision‐making power and autonomy in order to undertake these tasks. This differentiation facilitates the identification of those companies which display superficial levels of devolution and take steps to advance the process.Originality/valueThis paper questions the traditional definition of devolution. It proposes a new definition of devolution based on the identification of various dimensions and incorporates the perspectives of all the actors involved in the process.
Mathematical model of an electromechanical actuator using flux state variables applied to reluctance motor
Authors: Burlikowski Wojciech 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAims to present a new approach for formulating state‐space equations of an electromechanical actuator using magnetic flux linkages as state variables.Design/methodology/approachThe model is based on employment of discrete databases and their interpolation. The algorithm of determination of databases defining the flux/current characteristics of an actuator is described. Graphical interpretation of variable transformation is presented. A simplified, two‐axis model of reluctance motor is used to illustrate the application of the proposed modelling technique. Comparison with the classical model of the motor is used to verify the validity of the method. Analysis is focused on determination of saturation phenomenon influence on formulation methodology and on correctness of obtained results.FindingsA very good agreement is observed between reference dq model and the proposed model. The main problem of the presented method is the existence of undefined entries in databases. Sufficiently dense databases can be used to overcome the problem.Research limitations/implicationsThe model is limited to actuators in which eddy currents and hysteresis phenomenon can be neglected. Future research will be concentrated on evaluation of different interpolation strategies of databases used in the model for realistic saturation conditions.Practical implicationsThe model can be used as a library block for testing various control strategies for actuators without standard simplifying assumptions (e.g. sinusoidal winding distribution). It can be implemented in any simulational software (e.g. SIMULINK) as its block diagram is simple and no numerical differentiation is necessary in derivation of the model data.Originality/valuePresents an extension of state‐space model of an actuator based on database discretised description of variables to two or more state variables.
Artificial neural network based robust speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motors
Authors: Pajchrowski Tomasz , Urbański Konrad , Zawirski Krzysztof 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to find a simple structure of speed controller robust against drive parameters variations. Application of artificial neural network (ANN) in the controller of PI type creates proper non‐linear characteristics, which ensures controller robustness.Design/methodology/approachThe robustness of the controller is based on its non‐linear characteristic introduced by ANN. The paper proposes a novel approach to neural controller synthesis to be performed in two stages. The first stage consists in training the ANN to form the proper shape of the control surface, which represents the non‐linear characteristic of the controller. At the second stage, the PI controller settings are adjusted by means of the random weight change (RWC) procedure, which optimises the control quality index formulated in the paper. The synthesis is performed using simulation techniques and subsequently the behaviour of a laboratory speed control system is validated in the experimental set‐up. The control algorithms of the system are performed by a microprocessor floating point DSP control system.FindingsThe proposed controller structure with proper control surface created by ANN guarantees expected robustness.Originality/valueThe original method of robust controller synthesis was proposed and validated by simulation and experimental investigations.
Transcending organisational autism in the UN system response to HIV/AIDS in Africa
Authors: Clarke John G.I. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo encourage the ongoing transformation of the UN system by conceptualising leadership challenges within a cybernetics/systems paradigm.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory methodology was used to explore the “paradox of plenty” within the UN system in Southern Africa – how the system can more effectively metabolise the considerable latent creative synergic potential within it, to respond to the challenges of HIV/AIDS in Africa.FindingsStatements from UN leaders call for a new paradigm of humanitarian assistance if the challenges of HIV and AIDS are to be met. However, conversations with a wide range of people both within the UN system and closely connected to it suggest a disconnect between what the system does and what the system espouses – a bias toward “doing things right” rather than “doing the right thing”. Drawing on the writings of Berry (eco‐spirituality), Beer (VSM), Argyris and Schon (double loop learning), Hock (chaordic organisation) and Ackoff (corporate planning) the sub‐optimal organisational performance is interpreted as an “autistic” condition, whereby organisations become “so locked up inside themselves that nothing and no one can get in”. Interactive dialogue with primary health care workers in Swaziland generated five interconnected principles for developing a systemic response to HIV and AIDS. These are proposed as “antidotes” to counteract autistic tendencies within the UN system.Research limitations/implicationsThe principles are offered for discussion and refinement through further research by cyberneticians and systems thinkers.Originality/valueIf internalised by UN leadership the perplexing challenges that HIV/AIDS is posing could be met with renewed confidence and hope.
Paradoxes of optimisation in public service management
Authors: Dewhurst D. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo examine the paradoxes of optimisation in public service management.Design/methodology/approachConsiders the managerial philosophy of target setting as an organisational control and examines its resulting consequences.FindingsThat while the temperate use of the philosophy has its place, awareness of its limitations will control the damage done by its uncritical acceptance.Practical implicationsBy discussing target setting and its susceptibility to a range of difficulties in the public service management raises awareness of its limitations.Originality/valueConsiders an important concern about the use of target setting in the public and private domains.
Governance of economic transitions: a case study of Ukraine
Authors: Sergeyev Andrey , Moscardini Alfredo 
Published: July 2006

PurposeUkraine has had to change in ten years from a strong centrally controlled communist economy to a market economy. It has not been successful. The purpose of this paper is to explain this failure from the complexity management point of view.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes a cybernetic view of the attempts at Governance in Ukraine over its transition period. To diagnose the problem a novel approach based on the Viable Systems Methodology of Stafford Beer is used.FindingsSerious structural flaws are identified in the organisation of governance at the national level and it is shown how these inadequacies induced the formation of mutant abnormal strategies at the level of economic agents.Practical implicationsPresents credible explanations of phenomena such as barter, corruption, growth of overdue debts and the existence of incentives (other than profit maximizing ones) which drive the behaviour of firms.Originality/valueThere are many explanations of the same phenomena in contemporary economic literature but our explanations are based purely on an analysis of the complexity management tasks performed at each level of recursion: from a government to a firm. Moreover, the paper shows that the structural specificity of a system shapes the behavioural patterns of each systemic element, would it be a government body or a firm's management. Therefore, the notion of structural determinism allows one to state that structure defines the dynamics of any systemic change.
A cybernetic diagnosis of Sri Lanka's 2002‐2003 peace negotiations
Authors: Solomons Leonie , Moscardini Alfredo 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper identifies meta‐level considerations long ignored in Sri Lanka's peace negotiations.Design/methodology/approachVariety absorption being at the heart of manoeuvres by the various parties of the negotiation, Ashby's Law of Requisite Variety informs the diagnosis. Also used are Beer's viable systems model, Maturana's structural coupling and Stokes sociological thinking on identity which encompasses the nature of identity, levels of identity, organisation of identity.FindingsWhilst in Sri Lanka's conflict resolution parlance, identity has been pivotally limited to race, in socio‐cybernetic terms it denotes much more. This leads to the recognition that relationships between structurally coupled entities change as negotiations progress thus calling upon them (and others) to dynamically adapt their identity in their endeavour to retain viability.Practical implicationsThe diagnosis shows the need to design negotiation processes capable of absorbing the variety needed to address the content of negotiations.Originality/valueLinking identity to viability explains why stakeholder relations move through emergent properties/relations and why negotiations between static protagonist, as done in all previous Sri Lankan peace negotiations, are doomed to failure. This work is useful for those who formulate the modalities of Sri Lanka's peace talks and for cyberneticians and people involved in conflict resolution – particularly those bedevilling sovereignty.
Identity: articulating cybernetics and sociology
Authors: Stokes Paul A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo establish the concept of identity as the bridging concept of cybernetics and sociology.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is a pincers movement. On the one hand, it is argued that there has been a move towards an identity society; identity is a foundational concept for an understanding of contemporary society. On the other hand, the paper argues that in the work of Beer, identity became the key to his proposal that the VSM is the optimal form of variety management in a social system. The study is based on an extension and application ofFinalizierungstheorieto the problem.FindingsIdentity is the key concept for the articulation of cybernetics and sociology. There has been a singular failure to apply cybernetic ideas to sociological materials in a manner that has met with the approval and satisfaction of the sociological community. Beer's formulation of the identity phenomenon and its extrapolation in the social sphere proposes a solution to this long‐standing problem.Practical implicationsThe approach allows for a broad ranging multi‐level research programme in sociological cybernetics to be formulated and pursued in a manner congenial to the accumulation of a substantial knowledge base ranging from micro‐ to macro‐issues.Originality/valueThis paper presents a unique synthesis of cybernetics and sociology building on and extending the work of Beer in the field of managerial cybernetics.