bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From university to working life: mentoring as a pedagogical challenge
Authors: Saarnivaara Marjatta , Sarja Anneli 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the transition from university to working life through different theoretical approaches. Inspired by Barnett the paper also asks: What is it to learn for an unknown future? According to Bartlett neither knowledge nor skills are sufficient to enable success in the contemporary world. What is needed are certain kinds of human qualities and dispositions. The paper seeks to introduce two examples that help us to analyse the phenomenon from the perspectives of higher education and working life.Design/methodology/approachThe data consists of an interview on pedagogical practices in actor training and of group mentoring discussions in a teacher community.FindingsBased on the observations, the educational process itself with its disturbing factors, the transition to working life, and finding one's place in it are all sites that provide their own challenges for an unknown future. The contradiction between security and the unknown inscribed in them produces uncertainty. Furthermore, the paper maintains that self‐challenge is one of the dispositions needed for living with uncertainty.Originality/valueDialogic mentoring is a tool by which the problems and contradictions raised by daily practices can be challenged. Some of these contradictions may have their roots in unsolved challenges during education, and then have to be shouldered by the work community. The concept of dialogic mentoring is a fruitful pedagogical tool in preventing and reducing work‐based stress and exhaustion experienced by newcomers in work communities.
Work time and learning activities of the continuously employed
Authors: Livingstone David , Stowe Susan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the paid and unpaid work time and learning activities of a small longitudinal sample (n=286) of continuously employed Canadians over the 1998‐2004 period.Design/methodology/approachA sub‐sample of those who responded to two national surveys carried out in 1998 and 2004 and who were continuously employed throughout this period was selected. In addition to a quantitative analysis of their responses to both surveys, a qualitative analysis of open‐ended interviews in 2000 with many of the same respondents offers further insight into orientations to engagement in formal (course‐based) and informal learning.FindingsThose who are not taking adult education courses are still very likely to participate continually in job‐related informal learning. There is some indication that continuing lack of participation in courses may be associated with declining participation in job‐related informal learning. The in‐depth interviews suggest that most continuously employed respondents see course‐based education and informal learning as complementary.Originality/valueThe lack of prior longitudinal population studies means that understanding of continuity and change in work and learning relations has been based on inferences from cross‐sectional surveys. There are few recent longitudinal surveys of work and learning and none that incorporate both unpaid work and informal learning as well as paid work and adult education course participation. This study provides some elementary benchmarks for further diachronic research on work time and learning relations.
Explication: working to discover and share new knowledge from prior experience
Authors: Franklin Peter 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop the sustained argument that explication can contribute to the emergence and development of the philosopher‐manager who is appropriately sceptical of generalisations, and confident in their own abilities to develop local, valid and meaningful theories based on their wisdom and personal experience.Design/methodology/approachThe idea and practice of explication as a source of (new) meaning and knowledge in a contested postmodern world is the main focus of this paper. Within the postmodern discourse which informs and shapes the paper, particular attention is given to the problematics of autobiography, fiction and “truth”, and the undecidability of meaning.FindingsExplication offers managers the prospect of “new” explicit knowledge and skills based on their prior experience and, more importantly perhaps, explication helps people to develop a honed philosophical mindset which can recognise and deal with the empty arguments, flawed recipes and fictions that often characterise traditional management theory.Research limitations/implicationsFuture empirical research on the ways that explication is described and practised, is urgent and vital. This will yield interesting and valuable insights for those who practice explication, and for those who design and implement OD solutions including the corporate university.Practical implicationsThe paper outlines the handful of related activities which make up the explication process.Originality/valueThis paper locates the idea of explication within a postmodern discourse. The paper benefits from previous work by the author which encourages managers to exploit their experiential learning so as to create and to share their own theories rather than rely on the dictums of others.
Mobilizing organizations for innovation and value creation: an integrated model of the mobile company
Authors: Voelpel Sven C. , von Pierer Heinrich , Streb Christoph K. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to provide managers and academics alike with valuable insights into how global organizations are able to manage innovation by the organization‐wide mobilization of knowledge resources.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is the result of an eight‐year in‐depth theoretical and practical research process mainly undertaken within Siemens AG, and is based on a total of 68 expert interviews conducted with distinguished experts in related fields. Consisting of three phases, the research stretched from analyzing the interrelation of mobility and innovation and deducing case studies towards the development of an integrated model of a mobile company.FindingsIn order to leverage on innovation as one of the most important sources of competitiveness and business success, organizations have to abandon outdated organizational models and engage into mobilizing their knowledge resources.Originality/valueThe results of this in‐depth work can be applied to the reality of a global business, networked across organizations, people, borders and cultures. By providing proof of the impact of people and business processes' mobility on knowledge creation, this article shows how to mobilize organizations for innovation and, consequently, value creation by suggesting an advanced organizational model called the “MOBILE company”.
Where is the knowledge we have lost in managers?
Authors: Girard John P. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to theorize what relationship exists between knowledge loss and the manager type. Specifically, the purpose of this research is to determine if some types of middle managers report lower levels of information anxiety. A manager's knowledge classification was based on the seminal research of Davenport and Prusak, and Nonaka and Takeuchi.Design/methodology/approachA sample of Canadian Public Service middle managers completed an online survey instrument over a three‐month period in the autumn of 2003. Ninety‐nine usable survey results formed the basis of analysis for the project. To increase how one may generalize the findings, the sample was compared to a recent large random sample of the same population, which determined that the two samples were statistically the same. Segmenting the managers by knowledge transformation tasks (based on Davenport and Prusak) and knowledge exchange methods (based on Nonaka and Takeuchi) permitted the development of two hypotheses based on the dependent variable of information anxiety.FindingsAn empirical examination revealed that most of the sample reported relatively low levels of information anxiety. The type of tasks performed by the respondents was not a major factor; however, there was a significant negative relationship between frequency of task and information anxiety. The discovery of a weak positive relationship between tacit knowledge use and information anxiety provides the promise of exciting future research opportunities.Originality/valueThis pioneering research is the first project to consider the relationship between information anxiety and type of middle manager through the lens of knowledge transformation tasks and knowledge exchange methods.
Efficiencies from knowledge management technologies in a military enterprise
Authors: Schulte William D. , Sample Travis 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe debate about the differences between government, commercial and military knowledge management initiatives continues. Many consultants and vendors posit that the different objectives of government, military and commercial organizations require different philosophies, methodologies and technologies to achieve success. Many agree that technology is not the most important element of knowledge integration. However, they also agree that knowledge management technologies can enable knowledge integration and contribute to efficiencies in organizations. This study provides empirical research to contribute to this theoretical and practical discussion.Design/methodology/approachThis study explores the perceived differences of the impact of knowledge management technologies between commercial, military and government users. Analysis of variance is used to compare means of responses among the three groups. This study applies hypothesis testing through a case study of an enterprise in the military sector, the United States Department of the Navy's (DON) Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).FindingsThe primary conclusion of this study is that there is a significant difference in expectations among contractors, government civilian and uniform military knowledge workers on expected efficiencies from KMTs. Contractors and uniform military have similar expectations. Government civilians have significantly lower expectations. Contractors have the highest expectations from KMTs.Research limitations/implicationsThere are a few studies that compare government and commercial sector knowledge management expectations and practices. In addition, case studies and anecdotal data provided by vendors and consultants communicate the value of knowledge management technologies. Still there is a need to grow the body of knowledge on the impact of KMTs on efficiency. To that end there is a growing commitment to empirical and conceptual research by scholars in knowledge management.Practical implicationsImplications for scholars and practitioners are posited.Originality/valueThere is still a lack of empirical research on the impact of knowledge management technologies on competitive advantage in government organizations. This study adds to understanding of this area of research.
A conceptual integration of performance analysis, knowledge management, and technology: from concept to prototype
Authors: Sasson Joseph R. , Douglas Ian 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe current paper seeks to describe a conceptual integration of the fields of performance analysis, knowledge management (KM), and technology to create a net‐centric knowledge management system (KMS).Design/methodology/approachThe design methodology incorporates an interdisciplinary approach and the involvement of various government agencies that provides a basis for creating a process‐centered KMS.FindingsThree prototypes that integrate the aforementioned fields have been created and demonstrate the viability and value of this type of KMS.Originality/valueThe authors know of no other system that is as integrative, interdisciplinary, comprehensive, and effective at taking a process‐centered view of KM. This paper provides an example of how such a system can be built and implemented to meet KM needs in a complex environment with knowledge accessibility challenges.
Survey of knowledge management practices in Indian manufacturing industries
Authors: Singh  , Shankar Ravi , Narain Rakesh , Kumar Adish 
Published: January 2007

PurposeKnowledge management (KM) involves strategies and processes of identifying, capturing, and leveraging knowledge to enhance competitiveness. The new world of knowledge‐based organizations is distinguished from the organizations of the last millennium by its emphasis on monitoring and controlling the organization by shared knowledge derived from internal and external data sources. It believes in continual transformation of the knowledge‐base according to changing business strategy. The objective of this paper is to understand the KM practices in Indian manufacturing organisations, which are going through a major transition in this area.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports the findings of a postal survey carried out to access the impact of KM practices in Indian manufacturing industries. Data were collected and analysed for 71 industries under this category.FindingsThe results indicate that the main reasons why these organisations are focusing on KM are gaining completive advantage and creating new knowledge. However, culture and financial constraints are amongst the highest ranked barrier for KM implementation.Originality/valueThere have been major changes in the Indian engineering industry in terms of better awareness and adoption of KM practices. The paper addresses many related issues in this direction.
Brand excellence: measuring the impact of advertising and brand personality on buying decisions
Authors: Rajagopal  
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe identity of brand, from the perspective of consumers, is the foundation of a good brand‐building program. Effective brand management encompassing brand personality is of paramount importance in reaching the overall company goals of satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability. Advertising effectiveness can be measured by brand and advertising evaluations. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the strategies of effective brand building and managing the same with reference to acquiring optimum customer value for long‐run competitive gains.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the literature on the brand building and develops arguments in reference to symbiotic relationship of brands with cognitive behavior of consumers. The discussion in the paper is categorically spread over brand equity, brand personality, media impact on brands and brand knowledge. This paper also discusses the process that builds brand personality through media communication.FindingsThere are many psychographic variables like emotions associated with the brand image which constitute the personality of a brand. In case typical product category advertisements are associated with negative affect, the particular advertising functions act as a counter‐attitudinal message, which is more persuasive in the case of a mismatch rather than a match with the category advertisements. However, a persuasive advertising may affect consumer preferences. It will be of critical importance for future researchers and practitioners to understand the increasingly complex variety of factors underlying and influencing the linkages between brands and customer relationship.Practical implicationsEffective brand management, encompassing brand personality, is of paramount importance in reaching the overall company goals towards satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability. Companies may choose to deliver advertising in a more appealing dimension for quick cognitive reflexes of customers.Originality/valueThis paper argues the importance of the brand building and management issues from the perspective of consumers' cognitive variable for a sustainable effect rather than developing a framework of strategies considering company as a pivot. The paper explores and attempts to establish the symbiosis between the cognitive drivers of consumers and brand personality.
Performance measurements in the implementation of information systems in small and medium‐sized enterprises: a framework and empirical analysis
Authors: Sharma Milind Kumar , Bhagwat Rajat 
Published: January 2007

PurposePerformance measurement in the implementation of information systems is under‐developed for, under‐researched in, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). This article aims to develop a framework for IS that measures and evaluates IS performance from the following six perspectives: operational efficiency of the IS function, down time of IS, responsiveness of IS, timeliness of information, accuracy of information, overall competitive position.Design/methodology/approachThis research is exploratory in nature, a survey methodology is used for study and the focus of study is cross‐sectional. The objective of the study was to become more familiar through survey and information collected at one point in time. The methodology was based on a questionnaire survey and personal interviews.FindingsEmpirical analysis from 147 Indian SMEs suggests that IS performance measurement framework can be the foundation for SMEs' strategic growth in the era of globalization. These findings provide SMEs the opportunity to compare their IS performance against other firms of similar size.Research limitations/implicationsThe target of the study is the SMEs operational in the western part of India and hence it has the limitation in terms of the scope. However, the overall results are encouraging with 70 percent response rate in the survey and underline the need for more such studies. The results have implications for all managers responsible for IS, in any SME in the era of globalization.Originality/valueThe paper presents a framework for IS performance measurement for SMEs. Findings reported in the paper provide SMEs the utility of IS‐related practices and its performance measurement in day‐to‐day business operations.
A framework for evaluating the criticality of software metrics: an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach
Authors: Sureshchandar G.S. , Leisten Rainer 
Published: January 2007

PurposeUnless the key measures are identified and managed, the entire concept of measurement would end up making one step forward and two steps sideways. The key is to identify those measures that add value to the measurement approach per se. The present work is yet another contribution to further augment the purpose and spirit of the concept of measurement.Design/methodology/approachThe present research work strives to critically examine the relative importance of software metrics from the standpoint of their utility towards improving business performance. It illustrates how an absolute AHP framework can be formulated for the same.FindingsCriteria with respect to product, process and resource categories have been identified and decision alternatives have been explored in order to devise boundary conditions for classifying software metrics as critical, essential and redundant (CER).Practical implicationsThe new industrial era models and analogies are adequate to meet the rigours of the ever‐changing IT world. But, from the measurement and metrics perspective, it has long been a problem of plenty. The current study provides a methodology to streamline the cornucopia of measures into a consolidated definite set of metrics that are more meaningful and useful with respect to the set objectives.Originality/valueThe lineage of measurement thinking is unswervingly attributing to a paradigm shift in the way metrics are evaluated and value creation is perceived and this has resulted in an approach that is more and more compatible with the Pareto principle. The current work adds fuel to such a thought.
An application of the integrated AHP‐PGP model in supplier selection
Authors: Perçin Selçuk 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe supplier selection problem has gained great attention in business management literature. The first objective of this study is to determine the required variables in selecting the best suppliers and to develop a supplier selection model based on these selected variables. The second objective is to explain how an integrated AHP‐PGP model can be used in supplier selection decisions while minimizing suppliers' defects rate, rate of late order delivery, purchasing costs, and maximizing suppliers' scores and after‐sales service levels.Design/methodology/approachAn integration of an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi‐objective pre‐emptive goal programming (PGP) is used to consider both quantitative and qualitative factors in selecting the best suppliers and allocating the optimum order quantities among them.FindingsThe integrated model is presented with a real‐world application using source data provided by the manufacturing firm operating in an automotive industry in Turkey. Findings demonstrate that the integrated AHP‐PGP model can be useful to all firms in their supplier selection decisions.Research limitations/implicationsThe integrated model presented in this study could be used to incorporate criteria such as quantity discount, demand satisfaction and budget constraints, etc. Further, the AHP approach could be extended with the genetic algorithm or data envelopment analysis techniques in solving such a problem.Originality/valueAlthough there is considerable research in the literature, this study differs from the literature by introducing stages of the AHP model extensively, and adding a service objective function related to the suppliers' after‐sales service levels. In addition, the paper is especially of interest to both practitioners and researchers.
Measuring the performance of public sector organisations: a case study on public schools in Malaysia
Authors: Lee Nagarajah 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically validate the performance management framework for managing public sector performance, particularly public schools.Design/methodology/approachThe performance management framework was developed based on the balanced scorecard principle, that is, appropriately managing the performance determinant will lead to excellent performance. The performance determinant comprises four elements; customer orientation, learning and growth, internal processes, and financial management. Focus group discussions were used to derive the indicators to assess these elements. These indicators were later transformed into Likert Scale questionnaires that were used in the subsequent survey.FindingsThis framework was validated using survey data from secondary schools in Sarawak, Malaysia and it was found that the model has an adequately good fit (χ2/df=2.70, GFI=0.88, CFI=0.88, TLI=0.87, RMSEA=0.057)Research limitations/implicationsSince the framework was validated in an educational setting, some modifications need to be made if it were to be used for managing the performance of other non‐profit organisations. However, the structural model proposed in this paper can be used as a generic platform to develop a specific framework for other types of organisations.Practical implicationsThe performance management framework proposed in this paper provides valuable insights on the interrelationships between performance determinants and performance.Originality/valueEven though the balanced scorecard forms the platform for the performance management framework, the author assesses both the direct and indirect effects of the performance determinants on the overall organisational performance using structural equation modelling, a technique that performs simultaneous analysis.