bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating performance characteristics of electricity use of British historic buildings in Malaysia
Authors: Kamaruzzaman S.N. , Edwards R.E. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo present the findings of the investigation on the electricity use characteristics of British historic buildings in Malaysia, identifying where the design needs further modification as well as pin‐pointing recurring problems within this building type.Design/methodology/approachThis research work was conducted on four British historical buildings by gathering electricity bills, original drawings/documents, meeting with the staff and local authorities to collect as much information as possible on the building, such as occupancy pattern. Based on materials collected, a “normalised“ calculated electricity consumption was established to allow comparison between buildings in different climatic regions or with different occupancy patterns.FindingsComparing energy consumption against established benchmarks provides the first indication of how well the buildings are performing and opportunities for improvement. It was expected that this study would give a good indication of the electricity consumption characteristics of historic buildings in Malaysia.Research limitations/implicationsThis work was done on historic buildings in Malaysia restricted to only British Colonial architectural buildings, which perhaps limits its application in the region. However, it may apply to other British architectural buildings elsewhere.Practical implicationsThis provide useful information for architects, engineers as well as building owners on the current state of energy consumption apart from creating energy savings awareness.Originality/valueIt is expected that this study would give an initial benchmark of the electricity consumption characteristics of historic buildings in Malaysia as well as British colonial buildings elsewhere.
Good marketers know the score
Authors: McDonald Malcolm 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a rejoinder to Michael Thomas's Viewpoint, “The malpractice of marketing management”.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a “comradely counterpoint” to Thomas's Viewpoint, discussing such topics as consumer sovereignty, marketing ethics, advertising, consumerism, distribution of wealth, and postmodernism.FindingsAlthough Thomas warns that “management” does not necessarily mean “good management” or even “honest management”, and can be “mismanagement” in practice, the contention here is that successful marketers and marketing institutions have already absorbed the message, embraced the notion, and taken the steps.Originality/valueThe paper sets a welcome precedent: the right of any reader to pen a rejoinder to viewpoint commentaries.
An investigation of internet commodities exchange at ABC Food Markets
Authors: Aghazadeh Seyed‐Mahmoud , Seyedian Mojtaba , Cimino Andrew , Garguiolo Frank R. , Hart Kevin 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo explore the business‐to‐business purchase and sale of supplies and services over the internet.Design/methodology/approachA case‐based research approach is used to evaluate the internet commodities exchange (ICE) system for ABC Food Markets, the largest grocery chains in Western New York. Two surveys were conducted to measure ICE quality. The first survey was created and sent out to 27 venders. The second survey was performed for 14 department managers that were using the system.FindingsA set of future recommendations for the ICE system has been constructed based on the surveys.Research limitations/implicationsMore data and information should be collected in any future research to investigate further the criteria developed in this paper.Practical implicationsThe findings may be used to direct management teams in designing and implementing future generation of ICE.Originality/valueThe ICE system for ABC has been a technological breakthrough in the world of e‐procurement as a whole. Systems like ICE will be used in every business for all buying and selling purposes.
Balancing performance measures for information security management
Authors: Huang Shi‐Ming , Lee Chia‐Ling , Kao Ai‐Chin 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo provide useful references for manufacturing industry which guide the linkage of business strategies and performance indicators for information security projects.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses balanced scorecard (BSC) framework to set up performance index for information security management in organizations. Moreover, BSC used is to strengthen the linkage between foundational performance indicators and progressive business strategy theme.FindingsThe general model of information security management builds the strategy map with 12 strategy themes and 35 key performance indicators are established. The development of strategy map also express how to link strategy themes to key performance indicators.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation of listed manufacturing companies in Taiwan may limit the application elsewhere.Practical implicationsTraditional performance measurement system like return on investment, sales growth is not enough to describe and manage intangible assets. This study based on BSC to measure information security management performance can provide the increasing value from improving measures and management insight in modern business.Originality/valueThis study combines the information security researches and organizational performance studies. The result helps organizations to assess values of information security projects and consider how to link projects performance to business strategies.
Postponement strategies through business process redesign in automotive manufacturing
Authors: Wadhwa S. , Bhoon K.S. , Chan F.T.S. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo demonstrate how postponement strategy can be applied in an automotive company by using business process redesign in the knowledge innovation context.Design/methodology/approachA demonstrative case was developed using simulation of alternative scenarios of cycle service levels (CSL) and product flexibility, etc. to determine the value of postponement (VOP) in a manufacturing process integrated with a supply process.FindingsIt was shown that by managing the knowledge on existing processes and developing an innovative mindset for managers, it is possible to derive significant benefits by redesigning the processes. The financial benefits in terms of the VOP showed significant savings even at high service levels desired in automotive supply chains. The need to identify judicious level of flexibility to benefit from postponement strategy was observed to be important.Research limitation/implicationsA pragmatic data set reflecting the operating conditions was used to show the potential benefits. There is a need to generalize the results with alternative data sets. Additional research will be expedient to enrich some of the useful possibilities identified in this industry research effort.Practical implicationsPostponement strategies can offer significant benefits if the knowledge of existing supply chain and manufacturing processes is used to innovate new integrated process redesigns. These benefits may be usefully measured by the industrial managers as the VOP. The VOP is dependent on CSLs as well as the flexibility requirements due to the multiple automotive models.Originality/valueIn the knowledge and innovation context this is a useful industrial research effort in the organization to redesign the external (supply chain) processes with proper collaboration and redesign of the internal (manufacturing) processes leading to significant potential benefits as shown by the VOP under various scenarios.
Differential impacts of information technology on cost and revenue driver relationships in banking
Authors: Mistry Jamshed J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to utilize a cost and revenue driver model for commercial banking to examine the differential effects of the drivers within and between banking functions, and to examine the role of information technology (IT) in moderating the relationship between costs and cost drivers and revenue and revenue drivers.Design/methodology/approachThe model is estimated on a cross‐sectional sample of 121 banks from the functional cost and profit analysis data set collected by the Federal Reserve Banks. Multivariate regression analysis with interaction terms is utilized to examine the differential impact of IT in two contrasting banking functions.FindingsThe results document the role of transactional IT on the cost driver relationships in the labor cost models in both the demand deposit and commercial loan functions. The role of strategic IT in the revenue driver models is documented for the demand deposit function but not for the commercial loan function.Research limitations/implicationsOnly two banking functions are selected. Expanding the model and testing it on other banking functions may be useful.Practical implicationsBy disaggregating the IT variable and incorporating IT in a cost and revenue driver model managers can utilize the model to examine the impact of IT in banking.Originality/valueA model that disaggregates the IT variable by allocating support costs to functions and delineates links between IT variables and cost and revenue drivers in banking.
Mass appraisal with genetic fuzzy rule‐based systems
Authors: Aurélio Stumpf González Marco , Torres Formoso Carlos 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe traditional models of real estate market have several sources of imprecision, such as transitions between submarkets, generating difficulties in property valuation. The purpose of this paper is to examine an alternative to improve mass appraisal models, using fuzzy rules.Design/methodology/approachFuzzy rule‐based systems (FRBS) are able to generate flexible systems and may be useful in considering vagueness or imprecision presents in real estate market. An application to the housing market of Porto Alegre (Brazil), with more than 30,000 apartments, transacted in 1998‐2001, illustrates the fuzzy system, comparing with traditional hedonic regression model.FindingsThe results have indicated the potential of fuzzy rules to use in mass appraisal.Originality/valueThis paper presents a procedure to develop mass appraisal models using FRBS.
Empowering Africa's development using ICT in a knowledge management approach
Authors: Jain Priti 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to explore the role of information and communication technology (ICT) using a knowledge management (KM) approach. The knowledge in the context of this paper refers to indigenous knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a literature review.FindingsThe discussion suggests that, in spite of various infrastructural limitations in Africa, KM applications can still play a vital role in indigenous knowledge management and consequently empowering Africa's development.Research limitations/implicationsThe major hindrance is the fact that Africa has thus far achieved little on its own; rather it has been emulating the progress made in the developed world. Because of this, there is a scarcity of in‐depth knowledge related to an African context. In truth, some areas in which ICT has the potential to change, pertaining to the economy and society, have not been observed in any way. More research is required to identify specific needs of a country.Practical implicationsThe paper supposes that in spite of all these variations and implications KM can be adapted for indigenous knowledge. The paper contributes in terms of the literature review to showing how tacit knowledge can be managed using ICT. It can be useful for the researchers and knowledge workers. Recommendations are made concerning what needs to be done to improve ICT conditions in Africa such as: ICT policy formulation; literacy programs; legal and regulatory framework; manpower training; and empowerment of local people.Originality/valueLittle has been done in Africa to explore the potential of using ICT as a mechanism with a knowledge management approach, in the thrust of Africa's development. This paper proposes how it is possible to use ICT to manage and disseminate indigenous knowledge.
Developing indigenous knowledge databases in India
Authors: Kanaujia Sukula Shiva 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to reflect the information environment with emphasis on indigenous science and technology knowledge requirement in developing countries, particularly India.Design/methodology/approachIndigenous scientific/technical knowledge functions as a critical national resource for any developing country. Literature reflects need and provision of database services that can cater to indigenous knowledge.FindingsThe paper discusses nationally developed databases, various aspects related to initiation and creation of these databases in India. The objectives behind development of such databases and some factors such as indigenous knowledge need, strategic culture, managerial capability, technological thrust and organizational interest responsible for developing databases in India are highlighted. Other features such as quality assessment control and network‐based indigenous knowledge database access and information delivery are discussed. Current indigenous knowledge database activities, efforts of NISCAIR and NISSAT, are highlighted along with promotion and marketing of indigenous knowledge databases. Constraints to indigenous knowledge development in India are discussed. Some guidelines are given to keep balance in the collection and distribution of indigenous knowledge in the developing countries. The paper concludes with the idea of pacing in the right direction for developing balanced and information service‐oriented indigenous knowledge system.Originality/valueThe paper gives an overview of indigenous knowledge database development in India and is useful for librarians to discern the gradual change towards indigenous knowledge storage and to find out the information centers on a national level which can be helpful in indigenous knowledge database development in India.
Iceland: the story continues … of nation‐wide access to e‐journals
Authors: Gylfadottir Thora , Hlynsdottir Thorny 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to update an earlier study on the impact of nation‐wide access to 10,000 e‐journals in Iceland.Design/methodology/approachThe data of usage from 2000 to June 2005 are analysed by publisher, user type and institution.FindingsGrowth of downloads continued to 2004 and peaked at almost half a million but appears to have levelled off in the first six months of 2005. Document supply continues to decline from its peak in 2000.Originality/valueThis is the first study that shows the impact of a large number of e‐journals being made available to the whole population of a country without restriction.
Estonian interlending and document supply: historical experience and today's reality
Authors: Lushchik Maria , Mikson Margit , Sikk Maiu 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a factual but also light‐hearted historical description of interlending and document supply in Estonia.Design/methodology/approachThe article provides an informal discussion of interlending and document supply in Estonia.FindingsThe article finds that much has changed in interviewing and document supply in Estonia, since 1830 due to the disturbed history of the countryOriginality/valueThe article provides an easy to read description of document supply in Estonia – a country that has seen much turmoil in the last 100 years.
Consortial monograph interlending in the UK: a case study
Authors: Shoebridge Michele , Détraz Marie‐Pierre , Evans Jill 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to summarise the outcomes of the one‐year Monograph Interlending Project jointly funded by CURL and the British Library in 2004‐2005.Design/methodology/approachThe article presents the main features of the BookNow model – a blueprint for a consortial monograph inter‐lending service, as developed by the Project, and discusses the issues it has brought to the fore.FindingsThe BookNow model, which was developed with a view to testing the viability of the BLDSC‐Plus option recommended by the 2003 consultancy report, Monograph Interlending for the Higher Education Research Community, is a radical and innovative customer‐focused system for the delivery of inter‐library loans (ILL) across the UK. However, initial business planning indicated a very high cost to both the British Library and higher education libraries, were the service to be developed. In addition it is unclear whether this level of investment is necessary within the context of more recent initiatives which are fundamentally transforming the library and information landscape, in particular, the Google digitisation programme and the potential for developing services based on revealing content through Amazoogle strategies. The Project has nevertheless highlighted a number of areas where CURL and the British Library could usefully work together and in cooperation with other partners within the library and information community to improve current ILL practices for the immediate future.Originality/valueThis is an original piece of research identifying ways of improving the delivery of ILL across the UK.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature – 54
Authors: McGrath Mike 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approachIncludes the reading of over 140 published works, including journals, monographs, reports and web sites.FindingsFinds that usage statistics are still not giving a clear indication of the importance of document supply but it is confirmed that the large proportion of demand comes from a small number of titles. Institutional repositories are here to stay and expanding. Experience of e‐journals is appearing in the published literature with greater frequency with some interesting conclusions. Copyright and digital rights management (DRM) remain fraught areas.Originality/valueProvides a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
Approximate confidence interval for the new extreme value distribution
Authors: Hurairah Ahmed , Akma Ibrahim Noor , Bin Daud Isa , Haron Kassim 
Published: July 2006

PurposeExact confidence interval estimation for the new extreme value model is often impractical. This paper seeks to evaluate the accuracy of approximate confidence intervals for the two‐parameter new extreme value model.Design/methodology/approachThe confidence intervals of the parameters of the new model based on likelihood ratio, Wald and Rao statistics are evaluated and compared through the simulation study. The criteria used in evaluating the confidence intervals are the attainment of the nominal error probability and the symmetry of lower and upper error probabilities.FindingsThis study substantiates the merits of the likelihood ratio, the Wald and the Rao statistics. The results indicate that the likelihood ratio‐based intervals perform much better than the Wald and Rao intervals.Originality/valueExact interval estimates for the new model are difficult to obtain. Consequently, large sample intervals based on the asymptotic maximum likelihood estimators have gained widespread use. Intervals based on inverting likelihood ratio, Rao and Wald statistics are rarely used in commercial packages. This paper shows that the likelihood ratio intervals are superior to intervals based on the Wald and the Rao statistics.
Understanding international web site usage
Authors: Singh Nitish , Fassott Georg , Chao Mike C.H. , Hoffmann Jonas A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe technology acceptance model (TAM) has been one of the most influential theories in the information technology literature, but it has not been used in the marketing literature to understand consumer acceptance of international web sites. Thus, the purpose of this study is to use TAM to study international consumers' acceptance and use of MNEs web sites designed specifically for their country.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies and extends the TAM to study the B2C international web sites of American and Japanese MNEs for Brazilian, German, and Taiwanese consumers. In total, there were 2,243 usable questionnaires and the structural equation modeling method was used to analyze the data.FindingsThis study provides strong support for the applicability of TAM in explaining international web site usage in Brazil, Germany, and Taiwan and shows that cultural adaptation is an important explanatory variable that should be included in the TAM when exploring cross‐cultural issues.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is that it not only extends the use of TAM to study user acceptance of international e‐commerce web sites, but also sees how the cultural adaptation of international web sites impacts the attitude and the purchase intention of consumers.
The application and use of the PAF quality costing model within a footwear company
Authors: Bamford David R. , Land Nicola 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an investigation into collection and measurement of cost of quality, explaining how this information was presented and used for business improvement in a footwear company.Design/methodology/approachAn action research methodology was adopted. The research involved: review of available COQ literature; identification of cost categories; adoption and trial of cost collection systems.FindingsQuality costing can only be used as a management tool if the data presented is both accurate and valid. This is limited by availability of required information and necessary expertise and resources to gather and analyse such information. Careful development of the cost model and a transparent, agreed methodology for employing it is essential.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology applied was appropriate, generating data to facilitate discussion and draw specific conclusions from. A perceived limitation is the single case approach; however, this can be enough to add to the body of knowledge.Practical implicationsGuidelines for quality cost collection and analysis are presented. The methodology developed is being used elsewhere within the same corporate group.Originality/valueThe paper describes how one company effectively used COQ to produce focused data for decision making. It demonstrates that COQ can focus efforts to improve business performance.
Determinants of environmentally responsible operations: a review
Authors: Fai Pun Kit 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the underlining needs for and determinants (factors, tools and methods) of environmentally responsible operations (EROs) and present some direction for work in the areas involving an environmental/quality/operations management interface.Design/methodology/approachSix typical ERO tools/methods are described, and the findings of a literature review, of selected journal articles on environmental management and related areas from 1994‐2003, are presented.FindingsThe review identifies 15 ERO factors under three groupings, namely policy, product/process, and performance evaluation. The relevance of these factors to the ERO tools/methods is also discussed. The findings are useful for implementing EROs and developing a paradigm for integrating environmental, quality and operations management in organisations.Originality/valueThe paper underlines the ERO potentials for environmental, quality and operations management interface and suggests the venues that warrant future work.