bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A collaborative model for service provision by multiple public‐sector agencies
Authors: Fu Hsin‐Pin , Chang Tien‐Hsiang , Chao Pei , Chiou Chyou‐Huey 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis study proposes an integrated collaborative web site among government agencies to enhance customer satisfaction with the service quality of government agencies.Design/methodology/approachThe present authors invited all involved public‐sector agencies to integrate their service processes into a model of one‐stop shopping and established collaborative mechanism for providing customized service.FindingsThe present study has identified five factors that were critical for success in such an undertaking. These factors included: establishing appropriate regulations for the implementation process; designing a viable collaborative‐service system; establishing a closely connected virtual organization; ensuring the participation of senior managers from all agencies; and obtaining the cooperation of the facilitators from various agencies (including appropriate merit and bonus incentives).Practical implicationsThe real challenge for establishing the collaborative‐service web site was managerial – in combining the service processes of a dozen or more agencies to make the model work. Managerial issues that need to be addressed were the design of service processes, the overall organizational structure, the establishment of audit and supervision procedures, and the establishment an operational model for the web site.Originality/valueThis web site serves as a successful “one‐stop‐shopping” model that increases customer satisfaction with the service quality of government agencies. This study provides information for other government agencies that might wish to establish similar collaborative models to enhance service in the public sector.
Leapfrogging toward the “singularity”: innovative knowledge production on market‐driven campuses
Authors: Harkins Arthur M. , Kubik George H. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on the production and application of seven knowledge production Modes in support of continuous innovation societies (CIS).Design/methodology/approachSeven tertiary educational archetypes are constructed as engines for creating and supporting CIS, with attention to the modal types of knowledge that each produces together with markets for this knowledge.FindingsThe most important “on the horizon” type of knowledge identified for the future of tertiary education is Mode III, or knowledge produced by and for the individual. The division of knowledge production is projected within tertiary education through leadership or lagging indicator choices, and the associated roles of faculty, students, and stakeholders.Originality/valueSpecial emphasis is placed on the future of leapfrog campus, or the campus capable of, or aspiring to, new leadership status in support of CIS.
Review of The New Knowledge Management: Complexity, Learning and Sustainable Innovation by Mark McElroy
Authors: Loan Peter 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to review Mark McElroy's article which looks at the new knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachA critique of McElroy's work: The New Knowledge Management: Complexity, Learning and Sustainable Innovation is presented.FindingsThe new KM requires changes in traditional organizational practices: managers should defer to workers, creating optimal knowledge production environments; organizations should become open, broadly sharing the knowledge production process. The adoption of the new KM is critical to the organization's ability to remain competitive in the Knowledge Age.Originality/valueThe new KM falls somewhat short of McElroy's claim for it to be an implementation strategy for organizational learning, because of its limiting assumption that knowledge is a product. The theory of knowledge that supports the new KM does not adequately deal with knowledge and the knower, or with truth or wisdom. This theoretical weakness does not detract from the power or value of its insights; rather it renders problematic the placement of KM within the organization and the organizational relationship of managers and employees.
Periscopic media tour
Authors: Henry Craig 
Published: September 2006

PurposeOver a two‐month period, the editor of this review has searched worldwide for the most interesting and useful media articles on the topic of strategic management for the July/August issue of Strategy & Leadership.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to his own collection of finds, the editor sorted through suggestions by a team of veteran top managers and senior academics for new strategic concepts and actions.FindingsThe result is a surprisingly diverse set of media discoveries on such topics as best‐in‐class metrics, the value of an MBA, consumer market evolution, new Internet marketing concepts, price cut traps, must win battles, Google business model innovations, the strategy/design interface.Practical implicationsURL links and references have been provided for the articles so that managers can easily follow up this quick scan of the media by reading the articles in full.Originality/valueProvides a snapshot of what managers are reading and a guide to trends and fresh thinking.
Adoption of corporate social responsibility – incorporating a stakeholder perspective
Authors: Enquist Bo , Johnson Mikael , Skålén Per 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe aim of the present paper is to study what effect CSR has had on the practice of organizations.Design/methodology/approachSince the effects of CSR on practice are an understudied topic the paper adopts a single case study design and studies Swedbank. Theoretically the paper approaches the problematic from the perspective of neo institutional theory and stakeholder theory.FindingsIf CSR approaches colonize organisational practice, a fundamental shift from a shareholder strategy, to a social harmony strategy may be experienced, i.e. that the current focus on shareholder needs in contemporary organizations is balanced with the needs of other stakeholders. CSR adoption is surprisingly high at Swedbank and the paper thus argues that CSR might change the practice of organizations toward social harmony.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study design does not make possible empirical generalizations. Therefore, further research should focus on generalizing the findings. Further research might also conduct case studies by using the adoption framework in other empirical settings.Originality/valueThe paper offers new insight on of the adoption of CSR in organizations and connects this issue to stakeholder theory. Additionally, framing the adoption of CSR from an institutional perspective is also novel.
Characteristics of target costing: theoretical and field study perspectives
Authors: Everaert Patricia , Loosveld Stijn , Van Acker Tom , Schollier Marijke , Sarens Gerrit 
Published: September 2006

PurposeDespite appearing in the literature over 10 years ago as a potentially exciting cost management technique, there is still limited agreement about the nature of target costing. The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of target costing, and to test whether these characteristics were adopted in three European companies that used target costing.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on case study data, collected at three manufacturing companies (consumer electronics, machinery, and transportation equipment).FindingsThe paper identifies eight characteristics of target costing, based on the early Japanese case descriptions. These characteristics are related to the way a target is set and how progress towards that target is measured. The findings of the case studies confirm these characteristics. However, some differences were found regarding the interpretation of the strict rule that “the target cost cannot be exceeded at product launch”.Research limitations/implicationsThe results indicate that future research on the adoption of target costing cannot be disconnected from its characteristics. Further studies might investigate whether degree of openness to suppliers, leadership position, time pressure and position in the supply chain can explain the noted differences in characteristics among companies.Practical implicationsThe characteristics identified in this paper provide an aid to researchers and managers considering target costing. Detailed case descriptions provide best practices examples for other companies.Originality/valueThis study is the first empirical paper concerned with describing the typical characteristics of target costing. By exploring the characteristics, we hope to inspire others to further explore this interesting phenomenon.
Exploring the experiential intensity of online shopping environments
Authors: Demangeot Catherine , Broderick Amanda J. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the gap in the literature on experiential elements of online shopping environments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a theory‐building approach to understand how consumers perceive their experience of the navigation of an online shopping environment and identifies the facets which make up their experiential intensity. The paper first reviews the literature on the experiential attributes of web sites. It then outlines the methodology and explains the use of a “shopping with consumers” approach to uncover consumer perceptions.FindingsCombining think‐alouds with in‐depth interviews, four dimensions of experiential intensity are found (context familiarity, product presence, visual impact and site‐user understanding), and related to four perceptions of a shopping navigation, as: an experience, a tool, an environment, and a dialogue between shopper and web site.Originality/valueThis conceptualisation adds to the literature on experience creation, which is critical in delivering consumer value. It is more specific and extensive than extant typologies, clarifies the construct and increases its explanatory power. Think‐alouds and depth interviews are shown to yield valuable insights. Consumer perceptions reflect the expectations they have of shopping environments. When shopping online, consumers think like shoppers, not computer users. They want to feel in a familiar shopping context. They want to examine products closely and seek the sense of personal relationship and involvement induced by site‐user understanding. Marketers need to harness technological developments to respond to these expectations. Practically, the study provides e‐retailers with a framework to assess the current levels of experiential intensity, or initiate the creation of more intense experiences.
Exploring children's perceptions of material possessions: a drawing study
Authors: Chan Kara 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to explore children's perceptions of material possessions in Hong Kong using drawing and open‐ended questions.Design/methodology/approachA total of 42 Chinese children aged 6‐12 were asked to draw what comes to their minds for two statements: “This child has a lot of new and expensive toys”; and, “This child does not have a lot of toys.” After drawing, children were personally interviewed to answer four questions associating material possessions with its social meaning and symbolic significance.FindingsAnalysis of drawings and interviews indicated that there were significant difference in children's perception of someone with a lot of toys and someone without many toys in terms of observable qualities and personality traits. Younger children were more likely to relate material possessions with happiness, friendship, and feeling good about oneself. Older children were more likely to relate materialistic possessions with wastefulness. There is evidence that young children were able to appreciate the value of possessions based on emotional attachment, personality association and social meaning. It was contradictory to John's model of consumer socialization that young children could only understand the surface value of possessions.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the findings, this paper proposed three hypotheses about children's perception of material possessions that can be further tested in a quantitative survey.Originality/valueThe paper may be of value to markets and advertisers who target at Chinese children. They should be sensitive to children's negative association of material possessions including wasteful and showing off. They can encourage the instrumental materialism of how to use material goods to protect the Earth's resources, to enhance friendship, and to achieve self‐defining goals.
Concurrent engineering teams II: performance consequences of usage
Authors: Boyle Todd A. , Kumar Vinod , Kumar Uma 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis is the second paper in a two‐part discussion of the determinants and performance consequences of concurrent engineering (CE) team usage. In this paper, a model is developed outlining the relationship between the extent of CE team usage and three measures of performance, specifically NPD financial performance, NPD development performance, and communication quality.Design/methodology/approachTo test the model, 2,500 questionnaires were mailed to NPD managers from the machinery, computer product, electrical equipment, and transportation equipment manufacturing industries. Of the 2,500 questionnaires mailed, 189 usable questionnaires were retuned for a usable response rate of 7.5 percent.FindingsResults of performing partial least squares analysis indicate that the frequency of use of CE teams and functional involvement on CE teams influences communication quality, which in turn, influences both NPD financial and development performance.Research limitations/implicationsTo researchers of NPD, the major implication of this study is that it highlights possible reasons (e.g. not considering the extent of usage or not including functional involvement or communication quality in their models) why they are obtaining such inconsistent results when examining the relationship between NPD practices and performance. The major limitation of this study is that only CE teams have been selected for investigation or risk the problems associated with developing a very long questionnaire.Originality/valueTo practicing NPD managers, the value of this research is that it highlights that CE teams which do little to improve communication quality will not lead to improvements in NPD performance.
Managing organizational context for engineering team effectiveness
Authors: Doolen Toni L. , Hacker Marla E. , Van Aken Eileen 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a study investigating the role of organizational context on the effectiveness of engineering work teams.Design/methodology/approachPrevious research was used to operationalize organizational context and work team effectiveness, and a survey was developed to assess both in this research. This study was conducted within two engineering units of a high‐technology company. In total, 16 teams of engineering knowledge workers participated in the study. Correlation and path analysis were used to investigate both direct and mediated relationships between nine organizational context variables and team effectiveness.FindingsDirect relationships between eight organizational context variables and team member satisfaction and between two organizational context variables and team performance were found. Effects of five variables on team member satisfaction were either fully or partially mediated by team processes (TP).Research limitations/implicationsThis study empirically validated existing models of team effectiveness and identified multiple dimensions of organizational context that are important to the development of effective teams as measured by team member satisfaction and team performance. The study took place within a single organization. Additional research is necessary to generalize the findings.Originality/valueA broader cross‐section of organizational context variables were included in this study than in previous studies. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by empirically studying organizational‐team relationships using intact work teams. This research addressed an increasingly important set of teams – teams of knowledge workers. Finally, this research was designed to specifically test for the existence of a mediating variable (TP).
The combined use of quality management programs and work teams
Authors: Angeles Escriba‐Moreno M. , Canet‐Giner M. Teresa 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe main goal of the work presented here is the study and comparative analysis of the changes that take place in the structure of organizations when managers decide to establish work teams in the context of quality management. It can be observed that team characteristics change and adapt to evolving management programs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors selected a qualitative research method, in particular the case study methodology. The comparative analysis of organizational changes was analyzed in three different business units that had implanted advanced quality management programs using work teams.FindingsThere is a relationship between the quality management approach and the degree of integration of the teams into the organizational structure; when the quality approach is an advanced TQM approach, teams are more integrated into the organizational structure. Results show that a reduction of hierarchical levels in the organizational structures favors the integration of work teams and vice versa. It also facilitates effective development of the teams.Practical implicationsAs a result of the findings, supervision should be reduced and a great deal of autonomy and resources should be assigned to teams. In any case, the existence of linkage positions (a leader or facilitator that forms a part of the team) makes the required supervision easier and more flexible.Originality/valueThe paper shows that significant organizational changes requiring different uses of design variables can be obtained with the simultaneous establishment of TQM programs and work teams. The paper is relevant to managers attempting to use teams as an effective asset for obtaining the competitive advantage of their firms.
Strategic motivations of Finnish FDIs in Asian countries
Authors: Tahir Rizwan , Larimo Jorma 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo empirically investigate how the location‐specific variables and strategic motives influence the ownership strategies of Finnish manufacturing firms in ten South and Southeast Asian countries from 1980 to 2000.Design/methodology/approachBecause of the nature of the dependent and independent variables, the binomial logit model is used in the analysis. The regression coefficient estimates the impact of independent variables on the probability that the wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) is market, efficiency and/or a risk‐reduction seeking type of foreign direct investment (FDI). A positive sign for the coefficient means that the variable increases the probability of choosing WOS and undertaking a certain type of investment.FindingsThe research results indicate that the low cultural distance, large market size, and high levels of economic welfare in the target country increases the probability of choosing WOS in order to undertake market‐seeking and efficiency‐seeking FDIs. Similarly the low level of risks in the target country increases the probability to choose WOS in order to undertake risk‐reduction seeking FDIs.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the lack of information about the absolute and relative size of FDIs and competition related data could not be included in this study. Adding those variables would also be interesting for future research.Practical implicationsThis study may also help the different governments to understand the strategic motives of different multinational firms and fine‐tune existing investment policies or criteria to better satisfy some of their motives.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study trying to analyze how the location‐specific variables and strategic motives have influenced the ownership strategies of Finnish manufacturing FDIs in Asian countries.
The inter‐organizational relationship in a multi‐contractor business network
Authors: Hui Encon Y.Y. , Tsang Albert H.C. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a study on the relationship between the client and the contractor in a multi‐contractor business network.Design/methodology/approachA model built on transaction cost economics and relational exchange theory is proposed to determine the preferred governance mechanism as a function of fit with the technical environment of facilities management. Hypotheses in the model are tested by means of data collected from a survey of facilities managers.FindingsIt is found that decision making uncertainty has a negative effect on relational norm. On the other hand, a positive relationship exists between asset specificity and relational norm, and this relationship is moderated by risk of malfunction.Research limitations/implicationsAs trust and relational norm may be affected by the local culture, validation of the study may be necessary in other cultural settings.Practical implicationsBy means of the empirical model, the gap between the current relational norm and the desired relational norm can be determined. With this knowledge, the facilities manager of the client can then plan change initiatives to narrow the gap.Originality/valueThe developed regression equation facilitates objective determination of the preferred relational norm between the client and the contractor in the context of maintenance out‐tasking.
An inter‐linguistic and inter‐cultural analysis of global corporate web sites
Authors: Lee Miranda Y.P. , So Daniel W.C. , Wong Lornita Y.F. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to identify inter‐linguistic and inter‐cultural commonalities and differences between web sites targeting, respectively, English and Chinese viewers, and to examine within‐language and within‐culture variations of web sites for viewers in Greater China.Design/methodology/approachTwo comparisons were made: among the home and subsidiary web sites of the same corporation, McDonald's (www.mcdonalds.com), and across web sites of five corporations within the aviation industry.FindingsCorporate identity and positioning, corporate culture and citizenship are projected differently on the McDonald's web sites for the Anglo‐American viewers and the Chinese viewers. Web sites written in the same language, Chinese, reveal within‐language and within‐culture variations in contents and style across different web sites in the fast food and aviation industries within Greater China.Research limitations/implicationsA more extensive research on different industries can be conducted to validate the preliminary findings of this research. Relevant conceptual resources can then be developed to explain the inter‐linguistic and inter‐cultural differences.Practical implicationsFindings from this comparative analysis help raise the corporate communicators' awareness of inter‐linguistic and inter‐cultural as well as within‐language and within‐culture variations when drafting contents for web sites targeting viewers of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.Originality/valueComparative studies of global web sites targeting viewers of, respectively, English and Chinese groups, and within‐language and within‐culture variations in Greater China are still limited. The findings from this research serve as a basis for future investigation for effective bilingual corporate communication from the linguistic and cultural perspectives.