bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expectation and reality in ERP implementation: consultant and solution provider perspective
Authors: Helo Petri , Anussornnitisarn Pornthep , Phusavat Kongkiti 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse expectation and reality in enterprise resource planning implementation from the consultants' and software vendors' point of view and process these further as requirements of future IT systems.Design/methodology/approachA small‐scale survey among Finnish enterprise resource planning system (ERP) software vendors and consultants on ERP implementation challenges is analysed (n=59). The results are connected to existing literature in the field of deploying ERP systems in the form of discussion.FindingsThe consultants' opinions show similar results with studies conducted with companies using ERP systems. The implementer's point of view shows clearly the challenge of using standardized ERP packages for various requirements on different levels. Although the sales presentations tend to emphasize the general purpose and flexibility of software packages, the dilemma between customization and vanilla system remains. The implementer's viewpoint emphasises challenges in operations: production planning, materials management, sales and marketing.Research limitations/implicationsThe complexities of large ERP systems represent a true challenge from the knowledge transfer point of view. Standardized ERP packages implement standardized approaches, which has been a key benefit. The results show that the challenges are related to production planning and materials management.Practical implicationsSoftware vendors and consultants have a thorough knowledge of ERP implementation, but still the key challenges remain much the same. ERP project deployment requires careful planning with regard to the change management aspects, but also IT related technical aspects. The paper presents a checklist for matching the ERP system with the specific requirements of the company.Originality/valueThe results of the survey triangulate and justify many aspects found in previous research. From the consultants' point of view developments in production planning and complex products are especially needed. Initial solutions and further research are outlined.
Financial early‐warning models on cross‐holding groups
Authors: Lieu Pang‐Tien , Lin Ching‐Wen , Yu Hui‐Fun 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper primarily uses statistical methods to establish financial early‐warning models that make it possible to predict, in advance, the probability of a company experiencing financial distress.Design/methodology/approachIn its empirical analysis, this is the first study that attempts to use financial ratios and non‐financial ratios as variables to analyze business groups, and the present study uses the (K‐S tests), and (M‐U tests) and logit regressions model.FindingsFinancial ratio variables remain the primary variables for predicting corporate financial distress. Upon examining the predictor variables for corporate financial distress at one, two, and three years prior to distress, it was found that financial ratio variables were the main ones at one and two years prior to distress, while at three years prior to distress there was one financial ratio variable and two ownership structure variables that showed significant differences. Financial structure, solvency, profitability, and cash flow indicators are the principal financial ratio variables. Ratios of director and supervisor ownership stakes after pledging of shares differed significantly between financially distressed and non‐distressed companies. Establishing independent directors and supervisors can lower the likelihood of financial distress.Research limitations/implicationsAs the time remaining before occurrence of financial distress grows shorter, test results show that the number of financial ratios with significant differences goes up. But the longer the time that remains before occurrence of financial distress, the more the financial ratios show non‐significant differences. That is why a number of scholars hold that the longer the period under study, the less explanatory power it has.Originality/valueThe mean contribution of this paper is that establishing independent directors and supervisors can lower the likelihood of financial distress. The paper is useful to researchers or practitioners who are focused on financial risk management and corporate governance implementation.
Double pressing for porcelain stoneware tiles: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Gamberini Rita , Regattieri Alberto 
Published: October 2008

PurposeDouble pressing systems have recently been introduced to speed up and improve the pressing step of porcelain stoneware tiles. This paper aims to analyze double pressing systems using discontinuous pre‐compaction, both technically and economically. Two operative conditions are considered: the traditional forming of tiles during pressing is compared with the innovative production of a unique large‐sized slab, subsequently customized according to market requirements. Furthermore, manufacturing conditions are explored with infrequent or frequent production runs, due to increasingly smaller production batches, in order to evaluate which production process is more suitable when changing operative conditions are managed.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is carried out experimentally, by collecting data in existing pilot plants, producing batches of products of different size and colour. Details are provided concerning the technical characteristics of the systems, along with costs per manufactured square metre for investments, personnel, maintenance, spare parts and electric power. A case in which some production days are reserved for each manufactured batch is compared to a case in which production runs are repeated more frequently in a day.FindingsManufacturing large‐sized slabs and customization has shown to be an efficient solution for companies operating in changing markets.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research should study double pressing systems using continuous pre‐compaction.Originality/valueThe proposed analysis, by presenting an evaluation process and sharing data collected experimentally, provides innovative support for addressing decision makers when new pressing systems for porcelain stoneware tiles are selected.
Collaborative supply chain network using embedded genetic algorithms
Authors: Lam C.Y. , Chan S.L. , Ip W.H. , Lau C.W. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to propose a genetic algorithms approach to develop a collaborative supply chain network, i.e. a supply chain network with genetic algorithms embedded (GA‐SCN), so as to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of a supply chain network.Design/methodology/approachThe methodologies of the GA‐SCN are illustrated through a case study of a supply chain network of a Hong Kong lamp manufacturing company involving 10 entities, whose roles range from suppliers, purchasers, designers and manufacturers, to sales and distributors. A GA‐SCN is developed according to the information provided by the company, the performance results in the case study are discussed, and the concepts of network analysis are then introduced to analyze the equivalence structure of the developed GA‐SCN.FindingsThe genetic algorithms approach is a suitable approach for developing an efficient and effective supply chain network in terms of shortening the processing time and reducing operating time in the network: the processing time and operating cost are reduced by around 45 percent and 35 percent per order, respectively, in the case study.Originality/valueThis paper is the first known study to apply genetic algorithms for the development of a collaborative supply chain network to increase the competitiveness of a supply chain.
Total agile design system in contemporary organisational scenario
Authors: Vinodh S. , Sundararaj G. , Devadasan S.R. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to emphasize the adoption of computer aided design (CAD) technology for enabling the contemporary organizations to acquire agile characteristics.Design/methodology/approachA model called total agile design system (TADS) was designed. Subsequently, a survey was conducted among 25 industry captains. By referring to their reactions, a roadmap for successfully implementing TADS has been evolved.FindingsThe results of literature survey indicated that both research and practicing communities are yet to exploit CAD and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) technologies effectively for acquiring agile characteristics in organizations. The survey conducted among the industry captains indicated that the TADS model would bridge CAD/CAM and AM concepts in organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this research were based on the survey conducted among industry captains of organizations situated only in Coimbatore city of India. Yet these findings would be applicable to the organizations situated in majority of the other parts of the world as the environment prevailing in these organizations is mimicking the scenario of all contemporary organizations.Practical implicationsThis research culminated in the development of a roadmap. This roadmap considers the practicality of implementing TADS in contemporary organizations. The contemporary organizations, which apply TADS using this roadmap, would imbibe world class manufacturing dimensions.Originality/valueThe literature on AM has so far seen no survey examining the application propensity of automation technologies like CAD/CAM. This paper has overcome this research lacuna.
Computational study on a damage‐coupled model for crystalline polyethylene
Authors: Alvarado‐Contreras J.A. , Polak M.A. , Penlidis A. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to formulate an algorithm for a novel damage‐coupled material law for crystalline polyethylene at finite inelastic strains followed by investigation of the influence of the aggregate representation and material parameters on the material response.Design/methodology/approachThe constitutive equations are developed within the framework of continuum damage mechanics to describe crystal fragmentation caused by atomic debonding of the crystallographic planes. The material is assumed initially isotropic and homogeneous and is represented as an aggregate of randomly oriented crystals with an orthorhombic lattice. For the velocity gradient, an additive decomposition into symmetric and skew‐symmetric components is applied, where the skew‐symmetric part (spin) is decoupled from the lattice shear by means of a damage variable. Structural features such as lattice parameters and orientations, slip systems, and kinematic constraints are incorpo‐rated.FindingsThe proposed model is implemented to predict stress‐strain behaviour under uniaxial tension and damage accumulation and texture development at the different stages of deformation. In the numerical examples, the effects of the aggregate size, crystal orientations, and material parameters on the model estimates are analyzed.Originality/valueThe model used herein is a first attempt to analyze the influence of crystal fragmentation caused by the debonding of the crystallographic planes on the predicted mechanical behaviour and texture development of polyethylene prior to failure.
Analysis and evaluation for assembly behaviour of reheat stop valve based on virtual prototyping
Authors: Shi Bing , Jin Ye 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to develop an assembly behaviour dynamic model of reheat stop valve assembly under run‐time situations and combined (assembly error, friction, fluid dynamics and thermal load behaviour) and to carry out assembly process evaluation and optimisation.Design/methodology/approachThe fluid dynamic behaviour analysis is carried out for the dynamic torque characteristics of reheat stop valve and for the thermal load distribution of the valve shaft‐bush subassembly, which is used for evaluating the thermal deformation of valve shaft by using of finite elements method. The assembly behaviour dynamic model is developed by multibody dynamics theory, which is as the basis of developing virtual prototyping platform for analysing and evaluating the current assembly process.FindingsIt is revealed that the deformation (ε) of valve shaft due to the thermal load, and the assembly coaxial error (e) can change the motion clearance remarkably, which lead the dynamic properties and performance of reheat stop valve changed greatly. The current assembly behaviour variable are not optimum and the initial design clearance between valve shaft and bush 4# can be optimised by the developed virtual prototyping platform on the basis of ADAMS® API. The results of evaluation for the assembly behaviour reveal the well dynamic characteristics of reheat stop valve with the optimum assembly behaviour variable. This will be useful for improving the current assembly process of reheat stop valve.Research limitations/implicationsThe present assembly behaviour dynamic model based on virtual prototyping for optimum assembly process design uses only single objective optimisation (the most important clearance between valve shaft and bush 4#). For a complete optimum assembly process design has to be carried out with other three clearance variables (the clearance between valve shaft and bush 1#, bush 2# and bush 3#) together.Practical implicationsThe present analysis provides some benchmarks for improving the current assembly process. In practice, the assembly coaxial tolerance of valve shaft‐bush subassembly and the initial design clearances must be limited strictly.Originality/valueThis paper provides a methodology for analysis and evaluation of reheat stop valve assembly behaviour with the consideration of combined environmental behaviours. Based on this methodology, it is possible to develop an assembly behaviour dynamic model, and further, to develop a virtual prototyping platform for analysing and evaluating the assembly process which will offer help to designers for improving the reheat stop valve assembly process.
International trade, foreign direct investment and the phenomenon of child labor
Authors: Iram Uzma , Fatima Ambreen 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal links between, foreign direct investment (FDI), openness through trade, poverty, value added of agriculture sector as share of GDP, urban population and child labor by using annual data for Pakistan over the period 1970‐2003.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological framework for causality testing is a multivariate vector autoregression (VAR) model. This permits investigation of the importance of factors on the incidence of child labor in Pakistan. More generally, this study seek to establish the causal link between these factors and child labor, which might suggest important implications for eradicating child labor's strategies for Pakistan.FindingsThis study presents strong and robust evidence that in the long‐run trade openness raises the output of the exportable sector and increases the demand for child labor as well as the child‐wage. However, FDI is found to lower the incidence of child labor, indicating that because of low labor standards and a high incidence of child labor, Pakistan is not attracting a greater inflow of FDI.Practical implicationsThis study provides several implications for the policy debate on globalization and child labor and end by suggesting that rich countries should restrict the sale of goods from developing countries that lack or do not enforce child labor laws. Yet many doubt the ability of trade sanctions to eliminate child labor.Originality/valueThis could be the first ever effort in describing child labor incidence with the help of VAR technique for Pakistan.
Macro‐, Meso‐ and Microeconomic considerations in the delivery of social services
Authors: Freyens Ben 
Published: October 2008

PurposeIn the wake of public service liberalisation in many OECD countries, economic interventions into the purpose and implementation of social policies have gained a lot of interest in recent years. The prime aim of this paper is to describe the nature of these interventions. The paper examines the reasons for pursuing elusive efficiency objectives in the conduct of public policy, rationales for purchaser‐provider splits, evaluation of cost‐quality relationships, service costing and pricing, and the influence of “external” economic variables.Design/methodology/approachThe paper breaks the analysis of public policy down to three layers of economic interventions: macroeconomics (allocative efficiency, intervention rationales and macroeconomic environment), mesoeconomics (economics of delivery in “social industries”) and microeconomics (agent behaviour, contracting, pricing and evaluation). Each level of economic intervention is illustrated with examples, mainly taken from Australian public policy and mainstream social economic research.FindingsSome of the most critical questions in policy implementation (outsourcing, pricing, contracting and agency problems) can be traced back to economic reforms. Experiments with new modes of service delivery are driven by a changing economic context, yet the efficiency gains from these innovative approaches may come at the expense of service quality.Practical implicationsChanging macro‐, meso‐ and microeconomic variables profoundly alter the parameters of service delivery. Designers and managers of service delivery systems need to be aware of – and skilled in – the practical application of economic principles, concepts and methods.Originality/valueExcept for the health sector, there is a lack of consistent research on the interrelationships between the standard economics toolkit and the delivery of public services. Yet the two are profoundly intertwined. The paper helps distinguish these relationships by putting together elements of conceptual analysis and fieldwork.
Evaluating Stephen Zarlenga's treatment of historical monetary thought
Authors: Mouatt Simon 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the proposition that the monetary reform movement has correctly identified the central importance of money‐issue whilst, simultaneously, not appreciated the sophistication of previous monetary theorists.Design/methodology/approachThe Classical, Keynesian and Marxian monetary traditions are explored within the context of the views of the monetary reformers, as espoused by Stephen Zarlenga of the American Monetary Institute.FindingsThe monetary reform movement has presented a far too simplistic view of previous monetary theorists yet identified an underdeveloped arena for research.Practical implicationsThe development of understanding towards a state theory of money.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to theoretical knowledge regarding the political economy of money creation.
Gender, HIV‐AIDS, land restitution and survival strategies in the Capricorn district of South Africa
Authors: Akinboade O.A. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at aspects of gender issues in HIV/AIDS (non)affection on land restitution and survival strategies in the Capricorn district of Limpopo province of South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThe study administered questionnaires to purposively selected AIDS‐affected households. For comparison, other randomly selected household categories that have lost members to other causes of death and those who have not experienced any deaths were included in the sample with a view to determining whether the disease could potentially affect households' ability to make potential claims to land, their access to, use of and retention of land, all of which engender a spread of survival strategies as the household's food and livelihood security is threatened.FindingsIn the study area, land is still largely held under traditional customs. Households having land to reclaim as a proportion of those interviewed are low. There are more aged heads among land‐claiming AIDS‐affected households. There is a significant presence of women heads among the land‐claiming households. Accepting cash compensation for land restitution is not popular in the study area. AIDS‐affected households are completely food insecure. As a coping strategy, households borrow money or food. AIDS‐affected households, defined as households that have lost members to AIDS‐related illnesses, sell their livestock because they are no longer able to manage the herd and they sell their crops to meet contingencies. Among them, it is the female‐headed households that are significantly not coping well. Gender is not significantly associated with receipt of social grants in any of the household categories. It is also not significantly associated with the adoption of the maintaining strategy of receiving food parcels or borrowing money or food nor in the adoption of reductive strategy of starving for one or two days. The sale of land is not a coping strategy in the study area.Originality/valueThere are few studies that link the HIV/AIDS pandemic to the land restitution process in South Africa. The findings could assist in understanding the coping/survival strategies of affected households and in designing suitable policies to assist them.
Retaining customers through relationship quality: a services business marketing case
Authors: Catherine Myhal Genevieve , Kang Jikyeong , Murphy John A. 
Published: October 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore customer‐perceived relationship quality in a B2B setting, and to propose a conceptual model for this construct.Design/methodology/approachAn instrumental single case study design is adopted, and Eisenhardt's case study method for theory development is used to collect and analyse data from 55 different customer companies.FindingsThe research identifies a list of 208 components that are important to customers' relationship quality perceptions. These are grouped into seven parsimonious dimensions, which are assembled into a conceptual model. The IMP Group's relationship substance framework, composed of actor bonds, resource ties and activity links is built upon and expanded by adding four new dimensions: competitive position, external association, relationship impact, and situational factors. Together, these dimensions successfully encapsulate the items that customers within this study identify as important when evaluating the quality of their relationships with their service provider.Research limitations/implicationsThough the case study design used potentially limits the generalisability of findings, it is believed that the proposed model does have a wider resonance in terms of helping both academics and practitioners to understand relationship quality.Practical implicationsBecause customer relationships (and the benefits derived from them) are difficult to duplicate, these may be a source of competitive advantage for firms. Managing these relationships, as well as their quality, emerges as a point of competitive distinction.Originality/valueTo one's knowledge, there is no published paper that provides a conceptual model of relationship quality using the customer's perspective in a B2B setting. It is believed that the research makes a significant contribution in terms of filling this gap in the knowledge.