bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance measurement system and relationships with performance results
Authors: Olsen Eric O. , Zhou Honggeng , Lee Denis M.S. , Ng Yoke‐Eng , Chewn Chong Chow , Padunchwit Pean 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis study aims to address an important gap between the normative view of an integrated performance measurement system (PMS) design that assumes a clean slate and the organizational realities of a PMS design as an ongoing analysis, coordination and improvement process.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of a PMS based on three criteria – i.e. causality, continuous improvement and process control – and use a case study to illustrate the application of the methodology and the interpretation of results for PMS design.FindingsThe determination of “driver measures” in an integrated PMS involves a complex process that requires a number of considerations not adequately addressed in prior research.Research limitations/implicationsThis study involves only a single case study and the model presented involves only a two‐tier analysis.Practical implicationsThe framework provides a simple methodology that organizations can easily adopt to analyze individual and group performance measures and relate them to the strategic performance measures of the company.Originality/valueThe study follows an emerging line of research that addresses the design of an integrated PMS as an ongoing improvement process.
Traditional or contemporary? The prevalence of performance measurement system types
Authors: Burgess T.F. , Ong T.S. , Shaw N.E. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine the prevalence of traditional versus contemporary (balanced) types of performance measurement system (PMS) in an emerging economy and link incidence to key organisational factors of size, age and ownership.Design/methodology/approachData on design and use of PMSs are collected through a questionnaire survey (n=149) of electrical and electronic firms. Hierarchical cluster analysis identifies two PMS groups and assigns them to traditional and contemporary types, and then links them to key organisational factors via contingency tables.FindingsUse of contemporary PMS dominates the sample. PMS type is significantly associated with size and ownership, while age is not. Firms more likely to use contemporary PMSs are foreign‐owned and large in terms of number of employees.Research limitations/implicationsThis survey‐based research employs multivariate analysis and therefore standard limits for such statistical work apply. Results rely on hierarchical cluster analysis.Practical implicationsIf balanced approaches are more effective, as is argued by many, then a firm without such a style of PMS is at a competitive disadvantage given the high incidence of use.Originality/valueThe paper establishes a framework for a contemporary type of PMS that integrates balanced scorecard and other balanced approaches, then collects data in an emerging economy. Links use of contemporary PMS type to key organisational factors.
Modeling the efficiency of GCC banks: a data envelopment analysis approach
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe major aim of this research is to measure the relative efficiency of the top 50 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) banks. The sensitivity of the results is also investigated.Design/methodology/approachData envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the relative efficiency of GCC banks. Cross‐sectional data for the year 2005 were used to conduct the analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that the performance of several banks is sub‐optimal, suggesting the potential for significant improvements. Separate benchmarks were derived for possible reductions in resources used, and significant savings are possible on this account.Originality/valueFrom a policy perspective, this study highlights the importance of encouraging increased efficiency throughout the banking industry in the GCC.
Product finding on the semantic web
Authors: Langegger Andreas , Wöß Wolfram 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThere is still little support for the consumer decision‐making process on the web, especially when prices are not the primary property of a product. Reasons for that are complex product specifications as well as often volitional weak interoperability between e‐commerce sites. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe semantic web is supposed to make product information more interoperable between different sites. Additionally, some products with limited time frames of availability, like real estates or second‐hand cars, require periodical searches over several days, weeks, or even months. For those kinds of products existing systems cannot be applied. Instant information about new offers on the market is therefore crucial. Wireless access to the web enables services to become instantaneous and to provide up‐to‐date information to users.FindingsThis paper presents a framework which is based on multivariate product comparison allowing users to delegate search requests to an agent. The success of the agent depends heavily on the matching algorithm. Fuzzy utility functions and the analytical hierarchy process are a very feasible combination for the scoring of offers.Originality/valueThe proposed system supports users finding products on the web matching specific user preferences and instantly informs them when new items become available on the virtual market. As a specific use case the framework is being applied to the real estate sector, because especially for this sector several shortcomings of the current support have been identified.
WSMO/X in the context of business processes: improvement recommendations
Authors: Nitzsche Jörg , van Lessen Tammo , Karastoyanova Dimka , Leymann Frank 
Published: September 2007

PurposeService‐oriented architecture (SOA) is an architecture paradigm targeting integration of applications within and across enterprise boundaries. It has gathered research and industry acceptance and has given an enormous impetus to the business process management technology. Web service (WS) technology is one implementation of the SOA paradigm. It enables seamless integration of new and legacy applications through a stack of standardized composable specifications. WS orchestration is facilitated by the Business Process Execution Language which provides a recursive service composition model. While the programming model the WS technology provides is very flexible, a major deficiency is the need to discover services implementing a particular abstract interface, whereas functional similarities of services are disregarded. The Semantic Web Service technologies, like Web Service Modelling Ontology (WSMO) and Web Ontology Language for Services have been developed with the purpose of eliminating these deficiencies by enabling service discovery based on functional and non‐functional properties. The paper aims to focus on these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a list of requirements that business processes impose on SOA applications. It analyzes the support that WSMO/Web Service Model eXecution environment (WSMX) provides to address these requirements and compares it with the support enabled by the WS specification stack.FindingsThe paper identifies major flaws in the WSMO model and its reference implementation with respect to business process support.Originality/valueThe paper recommends possible solutions for eliminating the lack of needed features on behalf of WSMO/WSMX. It presents in detail how to enable asynchronous stateful communication among WSMO WS and partner‐based WS discovery by extending the WSMO model. Additionally, it extends the API of the reference implementation to facilitate the execution of services communicating asynchronously.
Modeling e‐learning content
Authors: Wolfgand Matsui Siqueira Sean , Helena Lima Baptista Braz Maria , Nascimento Melo Rubens 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to present a modeling approach for e‐learning content, describing how to structure e‐learning content and also represent it in OWL DL.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents three different layers of information that should be considered in e‐learning and conceptual models to guide the representation of e‐learning content. This proposal is based on existing standards and experience gained in previous works. It is also shown how to structure and represent the content embedded in learning objects (LOs).FindingsBesides providing a better structuring of the e‐learning content, content reuse and exploratory navigations over content through the semantic relationships between information (mainly information objects (IOs) and conceptual units) are promoted.Research limitations/implicationsA visual tool to allow a better exploration of the e‐learning content is already being developed. However, it is essential to develop optimized storing and retrieving mechanisms that would make this approach more interesting.Practical implicationsWhen compared with other approaches such as those based on semantic models and deductive models, the decrease in complexity makes acceptance and adoption of this approach by teachers and instructional designers easier.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified three‐level information need for e‐learning content and presents a new modeling approach. Besides structuring the e‐learning content, the model is also represented in OWL DL. It allows an easier/richer implementation of e‐learning content.
Architectural approach for handling semi‐structured data in a user‐centred working environment
Authors: Ekelhart Andreas , Fenz Stefan , Goluch Gernot , Klemen Markus D. , Weippl Edgar R. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeToday the amount of all kinds of digital data (e.g. documents and e‐mails), existing on every user's computer, is continuously growing. Users are faced with huge difficulties when it comes to handling the existing data pool and finding specific information, respectively. This paper aims to discover new ways of searching and finding semi‐structured data by integrating semantic metadata.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed architecture allows cross‐border searches spanning various applications and operating system activities (e.g. file access and network traffic) and improves the human working process by offering context‐specific, automatically generated links that are created using ontologies.FindingsThe proposed semantic enrichment of automated gathered data is a useful approach to reflect the human way of thinking, which is accomplished by remembering relations rather than keywords or tags. The proposed architecture supports the goals of supporting the human working process by managing and enriching personal data, e.g. by providing a database model which supports the semantic storage idea through a generic and flexible structure or the modular structure and composition of data collectors.Originality/valueAvailable programs to manage personal data usually offer searches either via keywords or full text search. Each of these existing search methodologies has its shortcomings and, apart from that, people tend to forget names of specific objects. It is often easier to remember the context of a situation in which, for example, a file was created or a web site was visited. By proposing this architectural approach for handling semi‐structured data, it is possible to offer a sophisticated and more applicable search mechanism regarding the way of human thinking.
Building corporate image through societal marketing programs
Authors: Chattananon Apisit , Lawley Meredith , Trimetsoontorn Jirasek , Supparerkchaisakul Numchai , Leelayouthayothin Lackana 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to develop and test a Thai model for societal marketing's impact on consumer's attitudes toward a corporate image.Design/methodology/approachA preliminary model was developed from the existing literature, followed by exploratory research consisting of three in‐depth interviews and four focus groups to refine the model. The model was then tested with data collected from a mail survey completed by 1,153 respondents, using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings indicate that a societal marketing program and corporate communications can create positive consumer attitudes toward corporate image. In addition both educational level and marital status of respondents significantly influence consumer attitudes towards corporate image. Moreover, societal marketing program identity, when compared with other variables, illustrates the most powerful impact on customers' attitudes toward corporate image.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were gathered from one program only, hence future research could extend these findings to other programs to test their generalisability.Practical implicationsThe key implications of these findings for marketing managers include support for the use of societal marketing programs at a strategic level as well as suggestions for successful implementation of these programs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to societal marketing research because a scarcity of empirical research still exists in this field, particularly in Asian countries such as Thailand.
Organisational sociopaths: rarely challenged, often promoted. Why?
Authors: Pech Richard J. , Slade Bret W. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeOrganisations sometimes select and promote the wrong individuals for managerial positions. These individuals may be incompetent, they may be manipulators and bullies. They are not the best people for the job and yet not only are they selected for positions of authority and responsibility, they are sometimes promoted repeatedly until their kind populate the highest levels of the organisational hierarchy. The purpose of this paper is to address this phenomenon by attempting to explain why it occurs and why organisational members tolerate such destructive practices. It concludes by proposing a cultural strategy to protect the organisation and its stakeholders from the ambitious machinations of the organisational sociopath.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop an explanatory framework by attempting to combine elements of the theory of memetics with structuration theory. Memetic theory helps to analyse culture and communication of beliefs, ideas, and thoughts. Structuration theory can be used to identify motives and drives. A combination of these theoretical approaches can be used to identify the motives of organisational sociopaths. Such a tool is also useful for exploring the high level of organisation tolerance for sociopathic managers.FindingsOrganisational tolerance and acceptance for sociopathic managerial behaviour appears to be a consequence of cultural and structural complexity. While this has been known for some time, few authors have posited an adequate range of explanations and solutions to protect stakeholders and prevent the sociopath from exploiting organisational weaknesses. Reduction of cultural and structural complexity may provide a partial solution. Transparency, communication of strong ethical values, promotion based on performance, directed cooperation, and rewards that reinforce high performing and acceptable behaviour are all necessary to protect against individuals with sociopathic tendencies.Originality/valueThe authors provide a new cultural diagnostic tool by combining elements of memetic theory with elements of structuration theory. The subsequent framework can be used to protect organisations from becoming the unwitting victims of sociopaths seeking to realise and fulfil their needs and ambitions through a managerial career path.
An emergent entrepreneur?
Authors: Frith Kirk , McElwee Gerard 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe identification and exploitation of opportunities requires specific entrepreneurial skills. The purpose of this paper is to present the activities of a drug‐dealer in a provincial town in the UK.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a qualitative approach, specifically a narrative history, an examination of the key motivations and business functions carried out by the dealer is provided. The personal circumstances and entrepreneurial characteristics of the dealer are explored and compared with existing typologies of entrepreneurial individuals.FindingsThe paper concludes by suggesting that social research of this kind is not value free, and nor should it attempt to be so. The drug‐dealer outlined in this account exhibits clear and well‐defined entrepreneurial characteristics.Originality/valueThe paper develops a more detailed understanding of the nature and function of drug‐dealing activities and how these correlate with an contradict existing theoretical contributions.
A survey of law, business and philosophy students in China on the ethics of tax evasion
Authors: McGee Robert W. , Guo Zhiwen 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to learn the views of law, business and philosophy students in China on the ethics of tax evasion.Design/methodology/approachThis paper begins with a review of the literature and identifies the main issues and summarizes the three main viewpoints that have emerged over the centuries. It then reports on the results of a survey of Chinese law, business and philosophy students who were asked their opinions on the ethics of tax evasion. The survey consisted of 15 statements, representing the 15 issues and three viewpoints that have emerged over the centuries. Participants were asked to signify the extent of their agreement with each statement by placing a number from 1 to 7 in the space provided. About 256 usable responses were received. The data were then analyzed to determine which of the three viewpoints was dominant among the sample population. The three groups were compared to determine whether their responses were different. Male scores were also compared to female scores to determine if the responses differed by gender.FindingsThere was widespread approval for tax evasion on ethical grounds, although some arguments to support tax evasion were stronger than others. Males and females were equally opposed to tax evasion. Business and economics students were more favorably disposed to tax evasion than were law and philosophy students.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample was limited to students in just three majors in one Chinese city. Sampling students in other majors and in other Chinese cities might have yielded different results. Sampling Chinese business people, Chinese lawyers and accountants might have also yielded different results. No comparison based on age was made because the sample consisted of people from the same age group. Choosing a sample consisting of different ages might have revealed differences in opinion based on age.Practical implicationsIf the government of China wants to reduce the extent of tax evasion, the first step is to determine why people evade taxes. The second step is to take measures to remove the reasons why people evade taxes. The present study ranks the reasons why people think tax evasion is morally acceptable. Corruption, waste and unfairness were the three strongest reasons for justifying tax evasion. Thus, three things government can do to reduce the extent of tax evasion is to become less corrupt, less wasteful and less unfair. This study has widespread implications for other countries, since the same arguments have been used in the literature for the past 500 years to justify tax evasion. The findings for China might be applied to any number of other countries.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to rank the reasons that have traditionally been given to justify tax evasion for a city in central China and it is one of only a few to rank reasons justifying tax evasion for any country.
Sino‐Irish teaching dynamics through learning styles' awareness
Authors: Mangina Eleni , Mowlds Frances 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the investigation of Chinese students' learning styles through managed learning environments. Despite the diversity of cultures in the world and the implications of it within the teaching strategies and learning styles, knowledge transfer across cultures has been one of the most challenging tasks for the academic institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses a case study of Asian undergraduate students in terms of their learning styles and the on‐line delivery of courses from western academics. A review of relevant research is presented and certain issues of the multicultural character of education are discussed.FindingsLearning styles is the only information available to western academics, so that they can adjust the teaching strategy, enhance students' imagination and challenge them to the new for them “student‐centered” teaching strategy. On‐line managed learning environments can bridge the gap between the east and west academic pedagogies.Practical implicationsIt is hoped that the growing interest of on‐line delivery of courses will be of particular value for courses delivered from western academics to Asia. The awareness of students' learning styles will provide the opportunity for the teachers from the western institutions to substantially contribute to global knowledge transfer across cultural borders.Originality/valueThe diversity will always exist in the classroom and the success of teaching is based on the ability to use the awareness of differences, and facilitate skills to make these differences benefit the students and the class as a whole.
Crafting self identity in a virtual community
Authors: Tian Robert G. , Wu Yan 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the construction of virtual community identities among Chinese internet users and their motivation for lurking, posting or flaming.Design/methodology/approachTakingQiangguo Luntanas an online study site the authors apply an ethnographic approach for the research, a method that is becoming more and more favourable by scholars in study virtual communities. The data gathered are mainly through participant observation and in‐depth interviews.FindingsThe findings suggest that internet bulletin boards enable ordinary Chinese to have their identities as politically activated citizens constructed in cyberspace. A consistent enthusiasm for political participation can be found in user's pennames, signature files, political clusters, and online behaviours.Originality/valueThis is an original case study.
Organizational changes in Chinese companies: a resource‐based view
Authors: Alas Ruth , Sun Wei 
Published: September 2007

PurposeIn recent years, resource‐based theory has emerged as one of the most promising theoretical frameworks in the field of management. In this paper, the authors aim to explore the application of a resource‐based view when implementing organizational change in Chinese organizations. The problems associated with change are explored from the perspective of human resources (HR).Design/methodology/approachStructured interviews were conducted with top or middle managers in 160 companies in several large cities in the northern part of China: Beijing, Tianjin, Jinan and Zibo.FindingsFrom the perspective of HR, the main problems faced when implementing change in Chinese organizations include the following: bureaucratic regulations and strict orders remain the core features of the process of implementing changes in Chinese companies. Meanwhile, the intrinsic values and emotions of employees were neglected and coercion and manipulation was frequently used as a strategy to overcome resistance to change. Moreover, Chinese managers are found to lack the skill to involve employees in the change process.Originality/valueThe study provides some insights into the human side of the change management process in China. Based on the research results the authors have identified the main problems associated with HR and recommend that the human resource management function facilitate the success of organizational changes.