bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lawlessness and economic governance: the case of hawala system in Somalia
Authors: Ismail Abdirashid A. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how informal money transfer system known as hawala works in Somalia. The paper also intends to contribute to the current debate on the lawlessness and economics of governance.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an institutional approach and a simple game theoretical model. The author interviewed agents and informants of the hawala system but mainly relied on surveying the literature.FindingsTo support economic relationships and increase the future cost of hold ups by their agents, the hawala companies, with the help of two main social institutions, use seven main strategies.Research limitations/implicationsA research on contract enforcement should involve with the contract partners (i.e. firms and agents) and third part enfocers (i.e. social groups). However, the author findings are based on surveying the existing literature and interviewing on a small number of agents and other informants in the West. Further, research should examine the practical experience of owners/managers of the firms and the traditional/religious leaders.Practical implicationsEstablishing future formal commercial laws in Somalia, currently functioning informal mechanisms should be taken into great consideration.Originality/valueThis paper is one of very few research studies on the hawala system. Further more, little if any attention has been paid on economic governance aspect of the system by these studies. According to the authors' knowledge the paper is the only one that considers economic governance with the case of complete picture of statelessness in our contemporary world.
An evaluation of office productivity measurement
Authors: Haynes Barry P. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to evaluate approaches to the measurement of office productivity.Design/methodology/approachThe author presents an historical context to office design and reviews appropriate literature. The review aims to establish the limitations in defining office productivity and the range of approaches to its measurement.FindingsThe review of the literature reveals that there is no universally accepted means of measuring office productivity but the researchers that have produced the most research evidence have tended to adopt a self‐assessment approach.Originality/valueThis paper establishes that the “people‐centred” approach to office evaluation is most appropriate for office workers with varying job tasks and allows the end‐user or occupier perspective to be established.
Using simulation to optimise renting and space planning decisions
Authors: Farncombe Martin , Waller Andrew 
Published: November 2007

PurposeMany modern businesses have accommodation needs which vary sharply over time. Corporate real estate (CRE) managers plan for these variations using “common sense” estimates based on average occupation levels, and these estimates are almost always wrong. This study aims to present a method where these businesses can optimise decisions on their mix of short‐ and long‐term space based on previous occupation patterns.Design/methodology/approachThe optimum accommodation mix is derived from Monte Carlo simulation, where previous work patterns are resampled to estimate future needs. The method is extended to look at the effect of rental costs, and looks at how rental decisions are affected by attitudes to risk. Extensions of the method include pricing of real estate derivatives and assessing the probability of making money from renting premises. The method is easily within the grasp of most spreadsheet users, and can be automated using a number of simple, downloadable tools. This method is suitable for organisations with fluctuating workforces, and will be of special interest to project‐based organisations.FindingsUse of “average” occupancy levels to predict the accommodation mix, while intuitive, produces worse results than simulation. While the method is transferable, the analysis must be performed using the company's specific distribution. The mix depends not only on the ratio of short‐ to long‐term rents, but also on the renter's perception of risk.Practical implicationsThe method produces provides more accuracy for accommodation planning in all “real world” cases. The technique also provides an opportunity for the CRE manager to engage with the board about the importance of business planning.Originality/valueThe study describes a simulation method widely used outside the real estate industry, and provides simple side‐bars that will help readers to create their own models using Microsoft Excel.
Six sigma: it is not what you think
Authors: McCarty Thomas D. , Fisher Sally A. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a practice guide for where to apply six sigma process improvement methodology to the corporate real estate function.Design/methodology/approachBased on years of direct experience provide practical guidance on how to get started and to overcome resistance that process improvement is not for service organizations like CRE.FindingsWorld‐leading CRE departments are addressing cost pressure and performance expectations using process improvement, and the method of choice is six sigma. A methodology that emerged from mechanized manufacturing might seem ill‐adaptive to CRE and similar service cultures. Yet, with guided implementation and disciplined use, six sigma yields tangible results in service environments.Research limitations/implicationsDocumenting and benchmarking process improvement results across CRE departments; surveying the level of business adoption of six sigma methodology compared to the level of CRE adoption within the same company and how this leads to business misalignmentPractical implicationsWorld class benchmarks will be set in the future by CRE organizations that adopt six sigma process improvement methodology.Originality/valueA provocative discourse furthering the cause six sigma within an industry that famously resistant to change.
Turning knowledge into value in professional service firms
Authors: Forstenlechner Ingo , Lettice Fiona , Bourne Mike , Webb Carol 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the findings of research into the value perception of knowledge management among lawyers and staff from among the top ten global law firms.Design/methodology/approachInterviews were conducted with lawyers as well as knowledge management (KM) service providers within the selected law firms. The results were then analysed by statistical means and compared to previous findings in literature. The methodology is inspired and broadly based on a research paper into the value perception of information by Broady‐Preston and Williams.FindingsThe findings are that respondents showed strong support for the value of KM to law firm success through concepts such as improved efficiency, quality and other drivers for better performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey in the paper itself was limited to the top ten global law firms and is therefore not representative of the entire professional service sector or the law firm sector.Practical implicationsThe results in the paper indicate strong support from the internal customer side for the notion of KM adding value to the business of a law firm.Originality/valuePrior to this paper there has been little research into the value perception of knowledge management within the professional service environment.
Quality measurement of Croatian public and academic libraries: a methodology
Authors: Petr Kornelija 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to present the proposed methodology for the first scientific project to evaluate Croatian academic and public library services.Design/methodology/approachThe project shown in the paper will: collect statistical data on state‐of‐the‐art in libraries, as well as public and academic library staff opinions on evaluation activities in their libraries; define dimensions of effectiveness that will differentiate academic and public libraries; show differences in views between library management and staff; and encourage more positive attitude of library staff toward evaluation activities.FindingsThe paper finds that the possible obstacles to creating a positive climate for performance measurement in the Croatian library and information science community might be, among other things: insufficient number of staff, inexperience and lack of skills needed for data collection and processing, lack of motivation, fear of being made redundant, etc. This project will hopefully help uncover all the weak spots of Croatian library community. However, certain problems are anticipated in getting Croatian librarians to express their real opinions.Practical implicationsThe project is considered of utmost importance for the Croatian LIS community because it will not only describe the present situation, but it will also draw attention to evaluation topics preparing librarians by the means of a set of workshops and an evaluation manual designed especially for Croatian library community for systematic and dedicated work on measurement and improvement of library services.Originality/valueThe paper shows that this is the first project of its type in Croatia.
Collaborative co‐design
Authors: Somerville Mary M. , Nino Mary 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the use of collaborative co‐design activities to advance strategic planning assessment efforts by staff members of the merged (city‐university) Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Library in California's Silicon Valley.Design/methodology/approachThe activities use action research approaches rather than traditional approaches which rely on gathering library‐centric data to assess organizational effectiveness. The paper also reports on staff members' application of Learning 2.0 competencies to co‐create physical places and virtual spaces which enable learning for and with users.FindingsThis conversation based approach encourages co‐defining “success” with user constituencies through sustained dialogue that, over time, builds relationships.Practical implicationsIn the process, library staff invite, interpret, and apply user generated evidence and insights to co‐create sustainable relationships and concurrently advance systems thinking and workplace information literacy. This “research in practice” initiative extends action research on “thought leadership”.Originality/valueIn development since 2003, this inclusive co‐design approach reflects theoretical and applied insights from researchers in Europe, Australia, and North America, who have worked with US library practitioners to develop user‐centric processes for improving organizational effectiveness and enhancing user efficacy.
ISO 9001: 2000 and managing change in a South African law firm library
Authors: Garratt Olwyn 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to describe a personal journey, through identifying and managing change in a small law library.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes a simple approach to improving services and managing change in a small workplace solo library.FindingsThe paper shows that by using ISO 9001 audits as a tool for identifying weaknesses in existing systems, and applying the Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act principles, corrective actions were identified and implemented.Originality/valueThis paper gives simple, practical guidance for service identification improvement in small workplace libraries.
Public library and users' lifestyle in a changing context
Authors: Nagata Haruki , Sakai Kanako , Kawai Tetsuya 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that in a time of dramatic social change and progress in information communications technology, surveys and analysis were used to identify residents' lifestyles and their views and attitudes toward public libraries.Design/methodology/approachTwo series of surveys were conducted in suburban/rural cities of Japan in 2004 and 2006. The first survey was across all local residents, and the second among library users. The results of these surveys were analyzed in depth, and different lifestyle groups were identified. Library use by each of these groups was investigated in detail.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that those who positively appreciated the various benefits of the public library tended to be frequent/regular visitors and to belong to the “Group of ‘actively striving’” and the “Group of ‘respecting others’” in the 2004 survey, and similar types of group in the 2006 survey. In addition, the 2006 survey also showed that the visitors include those who were not necessarily conscious about library services, and 10 per cent of the respondents were not much interested in them at all.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate that the libraries acquire new user groups according to their service innovations. However, it was found that people have already started to utilize search engines on the internet, regardless of the presence/absence of the corresponding service in the library to acquire various types of information.Originality/valueThis paper re‐examines the traditional understanding of the user profile of public libraries, and demonstrates a tool to help identify changes in use and users.
Factors influencing the usage of 3G mobile services in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Chun‐Hsiung , Tsou Chun‐Wang , Huang Ming‐Feng 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse factors influencing subscribers' usage of 3G mobile services in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachThe research model, based on a technology acceptance model (TAM) and added perceived enjoyment, was tested by means of a two‐stage structure equation modelling approach. Data were collected from 532 respondents via a web questionnaire survey.FindingsThe findings indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment are positively related to attitude, and perceived enjoyment has a positive influence on perceived usefulness.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest users of 3G mobile services need to be provided with more diverse and entertaining ways of communicating, which are at the same time easily accessible and convenient to use.Originality/valueA new correlation from perceived enjoyment to perceived usefulness was found to have a significant effect. This finding indicates enjoyment as a key factor influences customers' adoption of 3G services.
Evaluating the searching capabilities of e‐commerce web sites in a non‐English language
Authors: Lazarinis Fotis 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this work in progress is to build a methodology for evaluating the searching capabilities of e‐shops. The emphasis of the evaluation is on ease of use and on the characteristics THAT influence the retrieval of products in non‐English queries.Design/methodology/approachInitially an evaluation model is built in the paper, based on previous studies and on the attributes of worldwide search engines. Next, this model is applied in the evaluation of the searching effectiveness of Greek e‐shops with the aid of real users who define the importance of each criterion of the model. The results of this review are then presented and analysed.FindingsThe methodological evaluation revealed several inefficiencies of the local search engines related to interface issues and most importantly to their searching effectiveness. The evaluation showed that the search engines do not take account of the morphology of the queries, which is significant in a non‐English and non‐Latin language like Greek, and thus user searches fail. The user assessment of the importance of the attributes of the evaluation model helps search engine developers to realize the usefulness of the facilities they provide and the user required options.Originality/valueThe methodology described can be used for evaluating the searching effectiveness of local search engines and for designing quality search tools for e‐shops.
Sound policies and procedures: the basis of a sound compliance program
Authors: Wolosz Linda 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to: emphasize the importance of sound policies and procedures to support a sound compliance program; define the relationships among rules, policies, and procedures; and recommend a detailed, step‐by‐step approach for implementing a strong rules, policies, and procedures infrastructure.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the nature of rules, policies, and procedures and how they relate to one another, and recommends an approach to implementing a strong rules, policies, and procedures infrastructure broken down into four phases: discovery, rationalization, implementation, and ongoing maintenance.FindingsThe study finds that financial services organizations need to take steps for creating, controlling and distributing the right policies and procedures to the right audience based on the right interpretation of laws, regulations and guidance à propos to their businesses. In large complex firms today, the ongoing maintenance of rules, policies, and procedures cannot exist without the assistance of an automated solution.Originality/valueThe paper provides practical advice from experienced systems consultants.
SEC adopts new anti‐fraud rule for private funds
Authors: Shea Fries Elizabeth , Galloway Jackson B.R. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze new SEC Rule 206(4)‐8 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and discuss its practical implications.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the new rule, the types of advisers and funds to which the rule applies, examples of topics on which advisers might make statements that run afoul of the new rule, the application of the rule to both existing and potential investors, the application of the rule beyond statements made in the context of a securities transaction, and the application of the rule to any conduct that is fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative, including negligent conduct. The paper explains that the scope of the new rule extends beyond Section 34(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, that the rule creates no new fiduciary duty, and that it creates no new private right of action against fund advisers.FindingsThe new rule signals that the SEC continues to focus intently on the fund activities of both registered and unregistered investment advisers, in particular with respect to their unregistered funds.Practical implicationsThe new rule is an indicator of the SEC's enforcement intentions. Advisers should review their compliance programs, particularly as they relate to communication and other interaction with current and prospective fund investors, in light of the new rule.Originality/valueThe paper provides an helpful rule description and practical guidance from experienced securities lawyers.
SEC adopts amendments to Regulation SHO
Authors: Kaswell Stuart J. , Rosenblat Alan , Ha Christopher S. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to summarize and explain amendments to SEC Regulation SHO adopted on June 13, 2007Design/methodology/approachThe paper explains elimination of “grandfather” exception to Reg SHO close‐out requirement, explains proposed amendments to options market maker exception and long locate requirement, and explains elimination of all price tests that were designed to restrict short selling in bear markets.FindingsThe paper finds that, in June 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted and proposed amendments to the short sales rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC: adopted amendments to Rules 200 and 203 of Regulation SHO to: the eliminate the “grandfather” exception to the “close out” requirement, extend the current close out requirement of 13 consecutive settlement days for securities sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the Exchange Act to 35 settlement days, and update the market decline limitation relating to index arbitrage trading activity;proposed and re‐proposed amendments to Regulation SHO to eliminate the “option market maker” exception to the close out requirement, and to require broker‐dealers making a sale as “long” to document the present location of the securities being sold; and adopted amendments to Rule 10a‐1 and Regulation SHO to repeal all price tests, including the “tick” test, and to provide that no price test, including any price tests of any self‐regulatory organization (“SRO”), shall apply to short sales of any securities. The adopted amendments to Rule 10a‐1 and Regulation SHO to repeal all price tests took effect on July 3, 2007. The other adopted amendments to Regulation SHO will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.Originality/valueThe paper provides a concise, practical summary by lawyers who specialize securities markets regulations.
Young Australians' perceptions of mobile phone content and information services:an analysis of the motivations behind usage
Authors: O'Doherty Kieran , Rao Sally , Maio Mackay Marisa 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to understand the motivational factors that influence the purchase of mobile phone content among young Australians.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive qualitative analysis of focus group data is used to explore the topic. Focus group participants were strategically selected from a larger sample to be representative on a broad range of demographic variables.FindingsThere is considerable negativity associated with spending money on mobile content owing to the following factors: The mobile phone is perceived primarily as a communication tool. Money spent on the mobile phone for uses not related to communication is often perceived as wasted. The mobile phone is seen as an inferior channel for entertainment and information when compared to television, magazines, and the internet. Consumers are wary of deceptive advertising practices for mobile content. Many consumers are able to access “free” content.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should focus on comparisons to consumers in other countries and on the relative pervasiveness of the factors identified in this study in the general population.Practical implicationsConsiderable negativity towards spending money on content suggests problems with revenue models relying on direct sales of content. However, “free” content is often perceived very positively. Advertiser‐sponsored models and branded “value add” models may prove to be effective ways of leveraging this positive sentiment.Originality/valueThe paper provides a unique examination of the link between perceptions of mobile content and the perceived role of the mobile phone in everyday life, and draws important conclusions regarding the implementation of successful revenue models. The conclusions reached are likely to be of interest to mobile application developers, content aggregators, content owners, and mobile telecommunication companies.