bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What makes a career barrier a barrier?
Authors: Murtagh Niamh , Lopes Paulo , Lyons Evanthia 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research findings on the experience of career barriers by women who have changed career, and to suggest the practical implications of these findings for career management.Design/methodology/approachAn established, qualitative methodology, interpretative phenomenological analysis, was used to explore participants' experiences. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight women who had changed careers and were analysed to identify the salient themes.FindingsParticipants experienced career barriers, but their subjective experience did not necessarily match objectively defined barriers. One participant, for example, experienced redundancy not as a barrier to her career path but as an opportunity. It was only when situations or events threatened the self‐concept that problems were experienced as barriers. These barriers were not insurmountable and participants used a number of strategies to overcome potential barriers.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that career management or counselling should acknowledge and explore the client's subjective experience of career barriers. Strategies such as challenging or reframing potential barriers can be effective methods for helping clients to dismantle them.Originality/valueThis research points to the gap in career theory and research on the experience of barriers in adult careers. It presents evidence on the subjective nature of barriers and on strategies used to overcome them.
Exploring innovative apprenticeship: quality and costs
Authors: Grollmann Philipp , Rauner Felix 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show that the quality of learning in German apprenticeships can be increased without raising costs under certain conditions. It starts with a contextual description of apprenticeship in the dual system, showing that this insight is of central importance, since employers in Germany are increasingly withdrawing from apprenticeship provision.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a case study‐methodology and shows one selected case out of 24 presented. The selected case is then related to the findings of the other cases explored.FindingsThe findings in the paper imply that quality of apprenticeships can be improved without an increase in costs, challenge the classical economics of apprenticeship. “Grounded” indicators of quality in apprenticeship are formulated: learning in productive work processes is a core characteristic of apprenticeships; the productive work apprentices engage in needs to follow a well thought through sequential logic; learning is based on a high degree of autonomy; learning is embedded into the business process; client satisfaction provides an important quality benchmark; commitment to occupation and the company can provide a source of responsibility and quality; and professional competence is the ultimate goal of learning.Research limitations/implicationsThe results in the paper were further processed into a self‐evaluation tool assisting companies in their cost‐benefit calculation. The developed standardised instrument was not tested in an international context. Both instruments presented could be further validated by taking up the view of multiple stakeholders and comparing results with alternative methodologies of assessing the learning quality.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests an intensified integration of apprenticeship training into productive work processes. In order to turn this into quality learning the complexity of tasks needs to be increased over the course of apprenticeship.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a new look at the costs of apprenticeships. Therefore, it is of interest to researchers and managers with an interest in apprenticeship training.
Vocational training in Australia: is there a link between attrition and quality?
Authors: Snell Darryn , Hart Alison 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the debate surrounding quality of training as it has unfolded in Australia and how concerns about high non‐completion rates have entered the debate.Design/methodology/approachThis paper bases its discussion of quality in VET training on analysis of qualitative data collected from focus groups and one‐on‐one interviews conducted with employers, Institutes of Tertiary and Further Education, registered training organisations, trade unions and local, State and Commonwealth government representatives located in the southeastern part of Victoria, Australia.FindingsThe paper shows that throughout many parts of the world a growing concern has emerged about the quality of training for apprentices and trainees in what has become an increasingly deregulated environment dominated by private interests. In Australia, where non‐completion rates can be as high as 50 percent of those who commence training, government leaders at both State and Federal levels are taking a renewed interested in understanding the relationship between quality of training and non‐completion rates. The paper finds that data suggesting training quality in Australia is being threatened by fully on‐the‐job training, the narrowing of training skills, the loss of transferable skills and a lack of training. It argues that these factors have contributed to high rates of non‐completions among apprentices and trainees and that poor regulation of quality standards, government subsidies to employers and training organisations and abuse are contributing to these quality problems.Originality/valueThe paper presents useful insights into the relationship between quality in training and attrition among apprentices and trainees in regional Australia.
Where has all the synergy gone? The M&A puzzle
Authors: Ficery Kristin , Herd Tom , Pursche Bill 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to understand synergies in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions.Design/methodology/approachProvides excerpts from the forthcoming book Synergies: The Art and Science of Making 2+2=5 by Bill Pursche.FindingsThe six most common mistakes that acquiring executives make are: defining synergies too narrowly or broadly; missing the window of opportunity; incorrect or insufficient use of incentives; not having the right people involved in synergy capture; mismatch between culture and systems; and using the wrong process.Original/valueThis paper is a new approach to capturing the value of synergies in M&A, aimed at executives throughout the M&A process.
Complex venture acquisition: going beyond the traditional systems engineering paradigm
Authors: Vandergriff Linda J. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore new complex venture approaches needed because the classical twentieth century system engineering model does not accommodate the complexities of twenty‐first century ventures, especially those with significant knowledge management components.Design/methodology/approachA complexity literature review was performed to identify the attributes of complex ventures. Then the fundamental differences in defining, developing, and implementing complicated traditional systems and complex ventures were explored. The resultant complex venture model builds on the insights derived from chaos and complexity theories; observations of several acquisition successes and failures; and doctoral research on agile enterprise decision support.FindingsSuccessful traditional systems engineering complicated systems models' built‐in assumptions do not scale to the needed twenty‐first century complex solutions. It is necessary to develop a complex venture model that guides the engineering solutions that: describe complex ventures as flows of intelligence, energy and matter provide value in a dynamic co‐evolving context; provide leadership, not control, with clear and consistent venture‐wide vision that guides empowered individual agent decision making; institute tiered situationally‐aware decision making in both time and place; address factors (material and non‐material) contributing to solution success; provide for rapidly changing context and the co‐evolutionary ventures, including unexpected users, uses, and implementations.Originality/valueA complex venture conceptual model informs the architecting and systems engineering acquisition practices for this new solution category.
The use of knowledge management in software acquisition
Authors: Haddad Maliha , Ribière Vincent 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the use of knowledge management (KM) principles and technologies to improve the outcomes of software acquisition projects. Software acquisition organizations typically contract‐out their software projects to reduce the risks associated with developing the software internally and to control their cost.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a study of contracted software projects. Research results by the authors emphasize the need for institutionalizing processes for the collection of data about contracting costs within an organization so that databases of metrics about completed projects can be built and later used to forecast costs for future projects to improve the decision‐making processes about outsourcing.FindingsA study of two‐dozen contracted projects indicates that such organizations face unique risks and hidden costs that are particular to software acquisitions. KM models, practices, and tools are potentially valuable for improving software outsourcing activities.Originality/valueKM can be useful for identifying the organizational structures, processes and informational technologies for measuring, collecting, and analyzing costs and risks incurred before, during and after the contract award. The same framework can also be used to collect data on the acquisition activities and processes such as writing requests for proposals, contractor evaluation and selection, predicting needed resources, and identifying risks. Such knowledge can be used on future projects to improve the acquisition processes by allocating adequate resources and identifying risks to improve the likelihood of project success.
Explaining buyers' responses to sellers' violation of trust
Authors: Wang Sijun , Huff Lenard C. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis study seeks to explain a buyer's response to a seller's violation of trust. Four negative responses (decline in trust, negative emotions, negative word‐of‐mouth (WOM) and reduction in repurchase intentions) and four explanatory variables (magnitude of violation, integrity versus capability‐based cause of failure, perceived likelihood of repeated violations and stage of trust prior to the violation) were identified. The study develops and tests hypotheses regarding the possible influence of the explanatory variables on each of the four negative responses.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment was conducted in which business professionals were given one of 16 scenarios, varied by levels of the four explanatory variables, describing a violation of trust in a business‐to‐business service situation. Respondents were asked questions regarding their probable response. Four‐way ANCOVA was used to analyze the results.FindingsThe study finds that stage of trust and perceived likelihood of repeated violation had significant main effects on decline in trust, negative WOM and repurchase intentions. Integrity‐based attribution influenced decline in trust, but magnitude of violation had no main effects. Three significant interactions were found.Research limitations/implicationsFindings show the importance of first impressions and reputation. Care should be taken to assure customers that violations will not be repeated. A major limitation was that scenarios cannot induce the same intensity of thought and emotion that real situations do.Originality/valueDespite extensive literature in service failure and recovery, this is perhaps the first study to rigorously examine and seek to explain a buyer's response to a seller's violation of trust.
Interpersonal trust between marketing and R&D during new product development projects
Authors: Massey Graham R. , Kyriazis Elias 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe primary objective of this research is to test a model examining interpersonal trust between marketing managers and R&D managers during new product development projects.Design/methodology/approachIn this study interpersonal trust as a bi‐dimensional construct with cognitive and affective components is conceptualised. The authors' integrative structural model specifies Weber's structural/bureaucratic dimensions – formalisation and centralisation to predict three communication dimensions, communication frequency, quality, and bi‐directionality. In turn these communication dimensions are used to predict cognition‐based trust, and affect‐based trust. In addition, the paper models the direct effects of the three communication dimensions on a dependent variable – perceived relationship effectiveness. The hypothesised model consists of 16 hypotheses, seven of which relate to the two focal interpersonal trust constructs. The measures were tested and a structural model estimated by using PLS. Data were provided by 184 R&D managers in Australia, reporting on their working relationship with a counterpart marketing manager during a recent product development project.FindingsThe hypothesized model has high explanatory power and it was found that both trust dimensions strongly influenced the effectiveness of marketing/R&D relationships during new product development, with cognition‐based trust having the strongest impact. The results also reveal which forms of communication help to build interpersonal trust. The most powerful effect was from communication quality to cognition‐based trust. The next strongest effects were from bi‐directional communication, which was a strong predictor of affect‐based trust, and a somewhat weaker predictor of cognition‐based trust. Interestingly, the direct effects of our three communication behaviours on relationship effectiveness were modest, suggesting that their relationship building effects are largely indirect. Last, it is revealed that bureaucratic means of control on product development projects have mixed effects. As expected, centralisation reduces cross‐functional communication. In contrast, formalisation has a positive effect during product development, as it stimulates both the frequency and bi‐directionality of communication between marketing managers and R&D managers on these projects.Originality/valueThis is the first study to treat interpersonal trust as the focal construct in marketing/R&D relationships during new product development. Moreover, it is the only study of marketing/R&D relationships to conceptualise, measure, and model two underlying dimensions of interpersonal trust (cognition‐based trust, and affect‐based trust). Our study also integrates aspects of Weber's theory of bureaucracy, with interaction theory, and demonstrates the strong links between these theoretical frameworks.
Synthesis, purification and curing studies of vinyl ester network
Authors: Behera D. , Satapathy H. , Banthia A.K. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to prepare and characterise vinyl ester (bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA)) prepolymer via a new synthetic route by the esterification of methacrylic acid and epoxy resinDesign/methodology/approachBisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (BPA) type epoxy resin. The synthesised compound was then purified and characterised.FindingsBisGMA prepolymer was synthesised from methacrylic acid and diglycidyl ether of BPA‐type epoxy resin using triphenylphosphine as a catalyst and hydroxytoluene as a stabiliser. The synthesised compound was then purified by normal phase liquid chromatography and was analysed by proton NMR and reverse phase HPLC. The cure kinetics of the purified resin were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using NETZSCH thermokinetics software.Research limitations/implicationsThe preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer described in the present investigation may be useful for preparation, purification and kinetics study of the other vinyl esters by a new synthetic route. Also, the polymers supports based on bisphenol‐A‐glycidyldimethacrylate have acceptable mechanical properties, chemical stability and are suitable for dental restoratives, fissure sealants, coatings, adhesives, moulding compounds, structural laminates, electrical applications and military/aerospace applications.Practical implicationsThe method for the preparation, purification and kinetics study of the prepolymer is simple and the above method provides a simple and practical solution for some other vinyl esters.Originality/valueThis is a novel method for synthesis and purification of BisGMA and may be useful for the synthesis and purification of other vinyl esters.
Business and finance books showcased at Book Expo 2007
Authors: Mercado Marina I. , Cassell Kay A. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeTo preview new titles showcased at Book Expo 2007 held in June in New York City.Design/methodology/approachThe review is based on selecting for review that which was displayed by both mainstream and small presses.FindingsSome predominant themes were leadership, management and business development.Practical implicationsThese new titles provide a way to understand how the thinking in these areas is changing and how as a result the workplace is changing.Originality/valueThis is a tool that librarians can use to update their collections in these areas.
Communicating the value of your libraries
Authors: Holt Glen 
Published: September 2007

PurposeAims to focus on the issue of value in libraries.Design/methodology/approachDraws from research conducted to set up a conservative transportable cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) methodology that could be applied to public libraries. The paper discusses the CBA‐survey participant comments draws out the value themes that interviewees talked about as they answered various questions.FindingsThere is a huge tendency in North America to talk about libraries as if they are secular churches and to impute spiritual values to them. This paper suggests that while library users may hold such feelings, that is not the first line of reasons for why they use their library.Originality/valueShows how library communications needs to be framed in the practical as well as the ethereal, the practical along with the ideal.
Responding to change: the management of further education colleges in England
Authors: Hannagan Tim , Lawton Alan , Mallory Geoff 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine changes in the management of further education (FE) colleges in England following the Further and Higher Education Act (1992) and the removal of colleges from Local Education Authority control. These changes are mapped against developments in the management of public service organisations, more generally, labelled new public management (NPM), and the adoption of “business‐like” tools to support management responses to a new environment for colleges.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws upon a national survey of general FE colleges and four case studies, researched in depth through semi‐structured interviews and analysis of relevant documents. The research was carried out between 1997 and 2000. The case studies were revisited through recent Inspection reports.FindingsThe paper finds that colleges reacted differently to the imperatives of change and that the extent to which the prescriptions of NPM were acted out depended upon a range of factors that were not included in many configurations of NPM.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was carried out in the 1990s and the original cases were revisited through Inspection reports post 2002. The inspectors had a different agenda than the original researchers and care needs to be taken in utilising the Inspectors' reports.Practical implicationsThe implementation of a uniform public policy across a diverse and complex sector is not guaranteed to succeed. Policy‐makers need to be aware of the “one‐size‐fits‐all” tendency of public policy making.Originality/valueThe management of the FE sector is under researched. This paper researches key issues for practitioners following on from education reform and provides empirical evidence for academics of the extent to which NPM reforms take hold on the ground.
Radio frequency identification tagging
Authors: Hingley Martin , Taylor Susan , Ellis Charlotte 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe principal rationale for this study is to investigate the implications of the introduction of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging on suppliers. Emphasis concerns the impact it is likely to have on suppliers to the UK grocery retail market.Design/methodology/approachPrimary research focuses on UK grocery suppliers' perception, with two specific research questions: “What are the implications of the introduction of RFID on suppliers?” and “How will these implications impact on the success of RFID in the future?” In‐depth interviews were conducted with a selection of different suppliers to gather attitudes towards RFID technology.FindingsRFID is highly topical, and currently at the forefront of many supply chain managers' minds. This study focuses on business‐to‐business implications of RFID to the FMCG/perishable food sectors, notably in comprehension of an under‐researched area of supplier perspective. This study concludes that in order to keep costs of application of RFID to a minimum, retailers and suppliers need to develop standardized but flexible systems. Implementation of RFID must take into account the context of supply chain power imbalance.Research limitations/implicationsReviewed literature suggests existing focus has been on the operational benefits to be gained from implementation of RF‐technology, and a good deal of work conducted has concerned the issue of consumer privacy. There has been one major investigation (in the UK), conducted by the Institute of Grocery Distribution concerning implications for the retailing industry; however, there is still a gap in the literature concerning attitudes of suppliers (notably with regard to the grocery sector). This study redresses this balance by conducting field work with suppliers.Practical implicationsTo prevent any future animosity retailers and suppliers must work together and costs need to be more equitably distributed. The FMCG/perishable food categories appear to offer a specific challenge to RFID introduction; however, future study is considered necessary to capture the diversity in these sectors.Originality/valueThe paper provides information of value to all those involved with methods of verification in the supply chain.