bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions about benchmarking best practices among French managers: an exploratory survey
Authors: Huq Faizul , Abbo Marie‐Helene , Huq Ziaul 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to present a discussion on the most commonly accepted benchmarking norms in the USA, the lessons learned from benchmarking experiences and see how they are translated to benchmarking projects by French managers.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire is developed, based on the ten‐step Xerox benchmarking process, to identify the perceived and/or experienced benchmarking best practices amongst French managers. Large, medium and small companies are surveyed and managers who have participated in or are in the middle of a benchmarking project contributed to the information in developing the conclusions about the perceived best practices, steps and pitfalls for a benchmarking project in French companies.FindingsThe survey result showed uniformity amongst French managers from large companies and their opinion on what is important in bringing a benchmarking project to a successful conclusion. There was however lack of uniformity of opinion when it came to what is important in the benchmarking process amongst French managers from companies of different size.Research limitations/implicationsCaution should be exercised when interpreting these findings since the paper only used data from an exploratory survey of French managers from companies of varying sizes. The limitation of the study is that the conclusions are applicable to French managers only. In order to compare them one would need survey data, using the same questionnaire from managers in other countries.Practical implicationsIndeed, the authors' findings provide a persuasive argument for what French managers consider important in a benchmarking project. It provides valuable insights into the lessons learned from the years of benchmarking experiences and how these experiences have been translated across cultures.Originality/valueBased on the French experience with the benchmarking process, the critical success factors for benchmarking were identified. Importance of each step in the benchmarking process varies amongst companies, critical issues are company and industry specific. In order to compete successfully in today's global marketplace, the French managers recognize the importance of benchmarking, although their perceptions of the important steps in the process vary depending on company size.
Balanced score for the balanced scorecard: a benchmarking tool
Authors: Punniyamoorthy M. , Murali R. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to create a model called “Balanced score for the balanced score card” and to provide an objective benchmarking indicator for evaluating the achievement of the strategic goals of the company.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the concepts of “Balanced scorecard” proposed by Robert. S. Kaplan and David P. Norton. This paper also adopts the model given by Brown P.A. and Gibson D.F. and the extension to the model provided by P.V. Raghavan and M. Punniyamoorthy. Preference theory is used to calculate the relative weightage for each factor, using the process of pair wise comparison. The balanced score for balanced scorecard provides a single value by taking into account all the essential objective and subjective factors – be it financial or non‐financial. It also provides a suitable weightages for those parameters. The target performance and the actual performance are compared and the analysis is made.FindingsInformation from a leading organization was obtained and the balanced score for a balance scorecard was calculated for that organization. The variations were analyzed through this model. The depth and objectivity in the analysis is highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsThis provides a single bench marking measure to evaluate how far the firm had been successful in achieving the strategies. The paper has adopted the preference theory which limits the weightage to be accorded to the factors concerned. However, further refinement can be provided by the usage of analytic hierarchy process for arriving suitable weightages.Practical implicationsThe organization can calculate the balanced score by themselves, by assigning appropriate importance to the activities – as they deem fit. It is a tailor made benchmarking information system created by the firm for itself.Originality/valueThis is of value to the top management to identify the important activities and setting suitable target measures to be achieved in those activities. The variations are arrived by comparing the targeted performance with the actual. This will help the firm to take suitable actions under those parameters where there are significant deviations.
Scales to measure and benchmark service quality in tourism industry
Authors: Narayan Bindu , Rajendran Chandrasekharan , Sai L. Prakash 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and validate scales to measure and benchmark service quality (SQ) in tourism industry.Design/methodology/approachThe second‐order confirmatory factor analysis is employed to validate the instrument. SQ dimensions have been modeled which have significant impact on customer satisfaction (CS) separately from those which do not have a significant impact.FindingsHospitality, food, logistics, security, and value for money have significant impact on satisfaction, while amenities, core‐tourism experience, hygiene, fairness of price, information centers, culture, distractions, personal information, and pubs do not have a significant impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe above pattern may be different in a different destination, and in a different context. However, a major implication of the current findings is that a destination need not have natural cutting edges to be developed as a tourist destination. A destination with good logistics and assurance for security, value for money, impressive hospitality and food, can satisfy a customer.Practical implicationsThe scale which has been developed by us will be useful for destination managers to measure the SQ perceptions of tourists and benchmark destinations. The distinction of SQ dimensions with and without the impact on CS could enable a manager to manage these two sets of factors separately.Originality/valueUnlike previous works, SQ has been modeled in tourism as a second‐order factor, which appears to be a more appropriate approach. The authors have also modeled factors with and without significant impact on satisfaction separately, and the approach does not seem to have precedence in literature. The inclusion of the factor, “Fairness of Price” is also a new contribution to literature.
Supplier selection in pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Kirytopoulos Konstantinos , Leopoulos Vrassidas , Voulgaridou Dimitra 
Published: August 2008

PurposeEvaluating and selecting the best among the offers provided by various suppliers is a complex problem that takes into account both tangible and intangible criteria, which incorporate interdependencies and feedback. The decision making is aggravated by the complexity of supply chain relationships and enterprise strategies especially within enterprise clusters. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive method for the evaluation and selection of suppliers' offers in parapharmaceutical industry clusters.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed approach consists of two parts. The former is the comprehension of the supply chain processes within the parapharmaceutical industry in Greece, and the latter is the use of an analytic network process (ANP)‐based method for the selection of the best offer.FindingsThe proposed approach enables the decision maker to visualize the impact of various criteria on the final outcome and documents the evaluation results in such a way that they can be communicated to various stakeholders. The results indicate that quality‐related issues dominate the decision‐making process in the parapharmaceutical industry.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcome of the model depends highly on the inputs provided by the decision maker. Moreover, the ANP method is computational intensive, but this limitation can be alleviated by appropriate software tools.Originality/valueThe proposed framework is considered to be an innovative approach for the parapharmaceutical industry as well as enterprise clusters. The criteria set here may be used for nearly every similar industry consisting of active clusters (for example, the apparel industry).
Listed property trusts and downside systematic risk sensitivity
Authors: Lin Lee Chyi , Robinson Jon , Reed Richard 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and examine the determinants of downside systematic risk in Australian listed property trusts (LPTs).Design/methodology/approachCapital asset pricing model (CAPM) and lower partial moment‐CAPM (LPM‐CAPM) are employed to compute both systematic risk and downside systematic risk. The methodology of Patel and Olsen and Chaudhry et al. is adopted to examine the determinants of systematic risk and downside systematic risk.FindingsThe results confirm that systematic risk and downside systematic risk can be individually identified. There is little evidence to support the existence of linkages between systematic risk in Australian LPTs and financial/management structure determinants. On the other hand, downside systematic risk is directly related to the leverage/management structure of a LPT. The results are also robust after controlling for the LPTs' investment characteristics and varying target rates of return.Practical implicationsInvestors and real estate analysts should conscious with the higher returns from high leverage and internally managed LPTs. Although there is no evidence that these higher returns are related to higher systematic risk, there could be the compensation for higher downside systematic risk.Originality/valueThis study provides invaluable insights into the management of real estate risk in Australian LPTs with implications for REITs in other countries. Unlike previous studies of systematic risk in REITs or LPTs, this is the first study to assess downside systematic risk and explore the determinants of downside systematic risk in LPTs.
Covenant strength in shopping centres: a diversified risk?
Authors: Hutchison Norman , Adair Alastair , McWilliam Julie 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe paper has two aims: to consider the volatility of the covenant strength risk ratings among the top 25 retailers in the UK over the period 2002 to 2006 and to devise a risk scoring model for evaluating covenant strength in shopping centres.Design/methodology/approachIn a shopping centre the risk of tenant default on rental payments is spread over a number of tenants. It is often imagined that this is well diversified risk, but between shopping centres there are differences in the tenant mix and thus in the overall reliability of the cash flow of the investment. However, often information on the overall covenant strength risk score is not available and important differences between shopping centres ignored. This paper analyses credit risk scores of the top 25 retailers in the UK over the period 2002 to 2006 using data supplied by ICC. In addition, case studies of three shopping centres are used to illustrate the use of a covenant strength risk scoring model.FindingsThe analysis demonstrates that within the top 25 retailers significant variations in covenant strength present financial risks to investors highlighting the added value that credit reporting can provide for clients. In addition, the case studies emphasise how tenant change and vacancies can impact the overall risk profile of shopping centres, a finding that would have added significance in secondary locations.Practical implicationsThe methodology could be applied by investors to give an overall view of the default risk of a multi‐let investment and allow comparison between shopping centres facilitating dynamic analysis on an ongoing basis.Originality/valueThe explicit contribution of risk factors, such as covenant strength, to the initial yield does not have a major coverage in the literature. This analysis has the potential to identify at an early stage areas of potential default and thus enhance the decision‐making process.
Moving towards a global real estate index
Authors: Topintzi Ermina , Chin Henry , Hobbs Peter 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the steps that need to be taken in developing a measure of global performance for direct real estate.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts by reviewing the major considerations concerning the available real estate performance series across the world. The paper explains the steps that work through the obstacles of deriving an aggregate performance measure for each of the three regions and then combining them to get a global property returns series. Back‐casting series and weighting assumptions are also covered.FindingsBased on the preliminary results, the paper explores the correlations in the results between different countries, and the performance of “global” property relative to other major asset classes. The paper concludes by drawing out the research issues and implications, and the steps for further research.Practical implicationsMany challenges are involved in the construction of a global index of direct real estate market performance. On the one hand these are associated with the nature of real estate, which tends to be relatively illiquid and immature as an asset class. On the other, there are significant variations in the quality of data availability across countries. IPD has played a huge role in generating consistent data series across countries, and this increases the ability to move towards a “global index” of direct market performance.Originality/valueThe study examines the increasing need for a global performance benchmark for direct real estate and the way a practitioner approaches the limitations and challenges involved in constructing one.
The role of trust in supply chain governance
Authors: Ghosh Anupam , Fedorowicz Jane 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide and illustrate a framework for the role of governance mechanisms in information sharing among supply chain members. The importance of trust in governing interorganizational relationships is emphasized.Design/methodology/approachTrust, bargaining power, and contract are three key constructs supporting the governance of information sharing and material flow coordination in supply chains. A conceptual framework showing how these governance mechanisms affect coordination and ultimately, supply chain performance is presented. Four types of trust – calculative, competence, integrity, and predictability – are thought to play an important role in determining the efficacy of information sharing. Three research questions are posed on the relationships among trust, bargaining power, contracts, and information sharing in supply chain coordination. These governance issues are shown to be key factors in the supply chain business model, as illustrated in a case study from the retail distribution industry in the USA where collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment is used to exchange supply and demand forecasts.FindingsAn example from the retail distribution industry shows that the three constructs of the governance framework are intertwined. Trust as a governance mechanism plays a crucial role in sharing information among business partners.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework is illustrated with a single case. It will need to be tested empirically for supply chains across different industries.Originality/valueThe paper presents a governance mechanism framework for supply chain information sharing. Knowledge of the role of governance mechanisms in information sharing coordination will help chain members to realign business relationships and contribute to improved overall operational performance of the chain.
Integration of queuing network and IDEF3 for business process analysis
Authors: Jeong Ki‐Young , Cho Hyunbo , Phillips Don T. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a framework and prototype software to use IDEF3 descriptions as a knowledge base from which a queuing network (QN) analysis is performed to compute system performance measures as part of quick response manufacturing. This intends to help domain experts obtain informative quantitative performance measures such as resource utilization, waiting time, and cycle time without relying on a time consuming simulation approach.Design/methodology/approachA general open queuing network is used to extract the related resource information from the process knowledge captured by IDEF3 method. The relational database is used to integrate the open QN and IDEF3, which also improves the knowledge reusability. In addition, the performance of the open queuing network analyzer (QNA) is compared to the simulation through case studies.FindingsThe domain experts usually do not own much technical modeling knowledge. However, through this integration, it is found that they could obtain several meaningful system performance measures without simulation. They could also perform the diverse “what if” scenario analyses with this prototype without difficulties. It is another finding that the system performance measures generated by the open QNA are reasonably close to the values obtained from simulation, articularly when the system utilization is low.Research limitations/implicationsThe open QN analysis used in this integration is not as generic as the simulation approach in terms of the modeling scope and capability. Hence, this integration supports only the exclusive OR (XOR) out of three junctions in IDEF3 grammars.Practical implicationsSome system analysis problems do not require a complex simulation modeling approach. Domain experts need a modeling tool to quickly obtain some system dynamics and insights. This integration framework suffices those requirements.Originality/valueThis paper describes the first attempt to generate informative system performance measures from the IDEF3 model using the open QN. It also offers practical help to the domain experts working in the system analysis area.
Assessing readiness for business process reengineering
Authors: Abdolvand Neda , Albadvi Amir , Ferdowsi Zahra 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose how to minimize the risks of implementing business process reengineering (BPR) by measuring readiness. For this purpose, the paper proposes an assessment approach for readiness in BPR efforts based on the critical success and failure factors.Design/methodology/approachA relevant literature review, which investigates success and failure indicators in BPR efforts is carried out and a new categorized list of indicators are proposed. This is a base for conducting a survey to measure the BPR readiness, which has been run in two companies and compared based on a diamond model.FindingsIn this research, readiness indicators are determined based on critical success and failure factors. The readiness indicators include six categories. The first five categories, egalitarian leadership, collaborative working environment, top management commitment, supportive management, and use of information technology are positive indicators. The sixth category, resistance to change has a negative role. This paper reports survey results indicating BPR readiness in two Iranian companies. After comparing the position of the two cases, the paper offers several guidelines for amplifying the success points and decreasing failure points and hence, increasing the rate of success.Originality/valueHigh‐failure rate of BPR has been introduced as a main barrier in reengineering processes. In addition, it makes a fear, which in turn can be a failure factor. This paper tries to fill the gap in the literature on decreasing risk in BPR projects by introducing a BPR readiness assessment approach. In addition, the proposed questionnaire is generic and can be utilized in a facilitated manner.
Analysis of interactions among the variables of supply chain performance measurement system implementation
Authors: Charan Parikshit , Shankar Ravi , Baisya Rajat K. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the key supply chain performance measurement system (SCPMS) implementation variables, on which the top management should focus, so as to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of supply chain (SC).Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, an interpretive structural modeling (ISM)‐based approach has been employed to model the SCPMS implementation variables. These variables have been categorized under “enablers” and “results.” The enablers are the variables that help boost the SCPMS implementation variables, while results variables are the outcome of good SCPMS implementation.FindingsThe paper highlights the variables associated with implementation of SCPMS. A key finding of this modeling is that awareness about performance measurement system (PMS) in SC is a very significant enabler. For better results, top management should focus on improving the high‐driving power enablers such as awareness of PMS in SC, commitment by the top management, consistency with strategic goals, funding for PMS implementation, and effective information systems.Originality/valueIn this paper, an interpretation of SCPMS implementation variables in terms of their driving and dependence powers has been carried out. Those variables possessing higher driving power in the ISM need to be taken care of on a priority basis because there are a few other dependent variables being affected by them.
Adoption and risk of ERP systems in manufacturing SMEs: a positivist case study
Authors: Poba‐Nzaou Placide , Raymond Louis , Fabi Bruno 
Published: August 2008

PurposeIn order to deepen the knowledge and further advance theory on enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation in small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), this paper seeks to explore the following question: what can be done to minimize the risk of ERP system implementation, from the adoption stage onwards, in a small manufacturing firm?Design/methodology/approachThe research method is based on a positivist holistic single‐case design in order to perform an initial test of a process model of ERP system adoption by SMEs. The unit of analysis selected by purposeful sampling is a small manufacturing business.FindingsIn attempting to minimize the risk of ERP implementation, the small manufacturing firm applied three principles, eight policies and ten specific practices in adopting ERP.Research limitations/implicationsThe research design, based upon a single‐case study, imposes care in generalizing the results of the study. This design, however, allowed the identification and understanding of the risk of ERP from a managerial/practical standpoint, as opposed to a research/theoretical standpoint.Practical implicationsIn managerial terms, the results show that highly formalized management is not necessary to minimize ERP implementation risk in the context of SMEs.Originality/valueFew studies have focused on the adoption process within the ERP implementation cycle. The proposed model, as validated empirically in this study, adds to the understanding of this process in small‐manufacturing firms, especially as regards the minimization of implementation risk from the adoption stage onwards.