bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Earned value management in a data warehouse project
Authors: Art Gowan J. , Mathieu Richard G. , Hey Mark B. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeSets out to examine earned value management (EVM), a project management technique that relates resource planning to schedules, technical costs and schedule requirements.Design/methodology/approachProvides an example of how EVM can be implemented in a data warehouse project and how it can be used as a tool to diagnose and solve problems.FindingsEVM is based on the belief that the value of the project increases as tasks are completed and therefore the earned value of a project is a measure of the real progress of that project.Originality/valueOffers a significant analysis of EVM, its benefits and pitfalls.
Price segment stability in consumer goods categories
Authors: Stamer Hans H. , Diller Hermann 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper sets out to explore the degree to which consumer price segments can be generalized across product categories.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive segmentation framework of price‐related activating and cognitive inner processes and preferences is proposed to account for heterogeneity in consumer response to price. Large‐scale consumer survey data on price‐related attitudes in eight consumer goods categories (paper tissue, soap bar, chocolate bar, detergent, facial moisturizer, television set, washing machine, jeans) are used for cluster analysis.FindingsOn the aggregate level, five stable price segments across consumer goods categories are identified and described. On the individual level, it is found that price behavioural consistency is a function of the category context in terms of price uncertainty and quality uncertainty.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that price management should be concerned with price segment structures and their specific price needs. Price segmentation could particularly benefit retailers in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of consumer targeting.Originality/valueThe contribution of the study is to show that identical price segments can be identified across categories, whereas the individual segment membership depends on the nature and level of perceived risk in the category.
For dynamic relationship marketing theory: a reply to Rese
Authors: Hunt Shelby D. , Arnett Dennis B. , Madhavaram Sreedhar 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe authors propose to reply to the comment by Mario Rese on the article “The explanatory foundations of relationship marketing theory.”Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a critical analysis.FindingsThe comment of Rese has misspecified the major problems facing those firms adopting relationship marketing‐based strategies.Practical implicationsIn order to find the answers as to why some relationship marketing efforts are successful and others are not, marketing managers must look at more than one research tradition.Originality/valueThis paper clarifies the eight types of factors that influence relationship marketing‐based strategy success.
Avoiding failure by using a formal problem diagnosis process
Authors: Cervone H. Frank 
Published: July 2006

PurposeSeeks to provide an overview of a formal method for diagnosing and resolving problems that arise during the system development process.Design/methodology/approachUsing a communicative problem‐solving model proposed by Lumsden and Lumsden, the author applies the model to the problem diagnosis process in systems development by way of a case study.FindingsApplying a formal model to problem diagnosis and resolution provides a way for the development team to truly understand the problem it is trying to solve and the implications of the solution. When the model is used, the problem can be analyzed within its larger organizational context, thereby creating more effective solutions that will be welcomed and embraced.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to systems developers and managers, especially those who need to diagnose and resolve issues within their larger organizational context. By situating the general model proposed by Lumsden and Lumsden within the systems development context, the paper describes a new approach to organizing this type of activity within the systems development function.
Educating Citizens serves to educate at all levels of higher education
Authors: Jordan Rebecca 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo provide readers with a summary and appraisal of the book, Educating Citizens: Preparing America's Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility.Design/methodology/approachAfter a thorough examination of the text, its value is considered from the perspective of a university faculty member who is interested in the development of citizen education programs.FindingsEducating Citizens: Preparing America's Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility provides a thought‐provoking case for the development of civic and moral learning programs at undergraduate institutions. Using their research at 12 diverse higher learning institutions, the authors highlight the importance of and impediments to developing citizen education programs and go further to define and establish goals for such programs. Detailed strategies on how to incorporate civic learning into the classroom, curriculum programs, extracurricular activities, and the institution at large are also evaluated.Research limitations/implicationsThis review is written from the perspective of a faculty member at a large US public university. While there are many commonalities between perspectives from the diversity of higher learning institutions, there are likely to be some differences.Practical implicationsThis review provides the reader with insight into Educating Citizens: Preparing America's Undergraduates for Lives of Moral and Civic Responsibility and will aid in the decision to examine this text.Originality/valueGiven that citizen education initiatives are gaining international recognition, the reader is likely to gain further understanding into how colleges and universities are approaching the increasing demand for civic learning.
PAL in action: a company's OL experience
Authors: Chuah K.B. , Law Kris M.Y. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to describe the development and introduction of the project action learning (PAL) framework as the OL vehicle in a company's move towards a learning organization.Design/methodology/approachThis is a longitudinal case study of this company‐based LO and OL project. The paper describes the development and implementation experiences of PAL within the company, located in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China.FindingsThis paper describes the first four rounds of the PAL implementation within the case company. This is a work in progress. To date a very successful start to PAL implementation has been reported.Practical implicationsAfter a successful start of the PAL implementation, the authors and the sponsoring company anticipate a continued propagation of PAL activities as the main OL vechicles of the company.Originality/valueThis is a useful case reference for LO and OL development and implementation in industrial organization particularly for manufacturing enterprises in Southern China.
The privatisation process and evolving share ownership structure of Mainland China's leading state‐owned enterprises
Authors: McGuinness Paul B. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeChina is in the midst of an aggressive privatisation process in which key state‐owned enterprises have already tapped, or have plans to tap, international capital through initial public offerings in Hong Kong. Aims to critically assess two major SOE bank IPOs, the Bank of Communications and China Construction Bank offerings of June and October 2005, respectively, in an attempt to shed light on the evolving share ownership structure of China's leading SOEs especially the extent of capital injections from “foreign” (i.e. non‐Mainland) entities.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives of this paper are pursued, as noted above, through detailed analysis of recent ownership change in two highly topical and major SOE bank cases.FindingsThe forms and mechanisms for recent “foreign” capital injection are outlined – in terms of both the private equity and IPO capital injection routes – as well as recent initiatives, in a number of SOEs, to convert non‐tradable PRC stock holdings into tradable holdings. Recent cases suggest that foreign equity fusion is taking place at an unprecedented pace and scale, and is fostered by recent innovations like “unlisted foreign shares”.Research limitations/implicationsOnly time will tell whether the evolving ownership patterns of China's leading SOEs result in the kind of governance and performance benefits that are eagerly anticipated. As this process of ownership is ongoing, and in some senses still in its early stages, much research will be necessary in the future to confirm whether the expectations of foreign investors and the SOEs themselves are likely to be met.Practical implicationsThe case analysis of the evolving equity structure of SOE banks presented here provides useful background for those wishing to evaluate the merits of other SOE banks that are in the midst of IPO preparations, especially in light of the key vetting role played by the introduction of new stake holders.Originality/valueIn sum, this paper provides key insights on how a unique equity model is being transformed such that SOE stakeholders are rapidly, in many cases, seeking ways to share and diversify ownership risk. This paper sheds light on the mechanisms for doing so by reverting to real and highly topical examples with the SOE bank sector.
Internal risk control benchmark setting for foreign exchange exposure
Authors: Al Janabi Mazin A.M. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide foreign exchange risk measurement/management techniques and strategies that can be applied to investment and trading portfolios in emerging financial markets, such as the Moroccan foreign exchange market, with the objective of setting up the basis of a methodology/procedure for the measurement, management and control of foreign exchange exposures in the day‐to‐day trading operations.Design/methodology/approachDemonstrates a proactive approach for the measurements, management and control of market risk exposure for financial trading portfolios that contain foreign exchange securities. This approach is based on the renowned concept of value‐at‐risk (VAR) along with the creation of a software tool utilizing matrix‐algebra technique. In order to illustrate the proper use of VAR and stress‐testing methods, real‐world examples and practical reports of foreign exchange trading risk management are presented for the Moroccan Dirham.FindingsTo this end, several case studies were achieved with the objective of setting up a practical framework of trading risk measurement and control reports in addition to the inception of procedures for the calculation of VAR's limits. Moreover, the effects of hedging of foreign exchange trading exposures with reciprocal equity trading positions were explored and quantified. Finally, initial empirical tests of the long‐term behavior of the Moroccan foreign exchange and debt markets were quantified and analyzed.Practical implicationsIn this work, key foreign exchange trading risk management methods, rules and procedures that financial entities, regulators and policymakers should consider in setting up their daily foreign exchange trading risk management objectives are examined and adapted to the specific needs of emerging markets, such as in the context of the Moroccan foreign exchange market.Originality/valueThis paper fills a gap in the foreign exchange risk management literature especially in the emerging markets perspective. The risk management procedures that are discussed in this work will aid financial markets' participants, regulators and policymakers in founding sound and up‐to‐date policies to handle foreign exchange risk exposures.
Learning lessons? The registration of lobbyists at the Scottish parliament
Authors: Dinan William 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe Scottish Parliament was founded on principles of openness and accessibility and signalled the potential for a new style of politics after devolution. In the aftermath of allegations of political sleaze early in the life of the new institution, the Standards Committee of the Scottish Parliament conducted an inquiry into the registration of lobbyists. This process attracted much comment and criticism from public affairs practitioners and the Scottish media. Based on original empirical research, numerous interviews and first‐hand observation, the purpose of this paper is to offer a response to some of these criticisms.Design/methodology/approachThe research reported here is based upon extended fieldwork and observation of the developing lobbying industry around the new Scottish Parliament, spanning the period from late 1998 until summer 2003. It involved some 73 interviews with various corporate and voluntary sector lobbyists, public servants and elected representatives. It also draws on participant observation at more than 70 official, public and private meetings for those involved in public affairs in Scotland. In addition, the paper monitored the popular and specialist media in Scotland for news and analyses of issues relating to lobbying at the new Parliament, undertook focus group research to test public opinion on the issue of registration, designed and administered an e‐mail survey of public servants in the USA and Canada charged with maintaining registers of lobbyists and conducted archival research at the Scottish Executive's library at Saughton House in Edinburgh.FindingsThe paper suggests the efforts by parliamentarians to regulate their relations with lobbyists need to be grounded in principles that apply to all outside interests seeking to influence the democratic process.Originality/valueThe paper challenges the assertions that lobbying is misunderstood by elected representatives and that the lobbying industry is entirely committed to increasing transparency.
MNCs and knowledge management: a typology and key features
Authors: Michailova Snejina , Bernhard Nielsen Bo 
Published: July 2006

PurposeIn the literature there is inherent lack of process‐oriented, evolutionary perspectives of organizational knowledge as it pertains to international business. To fill this gap, the aim of this paper is to draw on existing theories of the multinational corporation (MNC) and integrate it with knowledge management research to analyze key knowledge management features and dynamics of different types of MNCs. The paper aims at proposing a link between types of MNCs and knowledge management strategies applied by MNCs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a series of examples from MNCs worldwide to propose a knowledge management based typology of MNCs and to illustrate how they exhibit different strategic dynamics related to knowledge management.FindingsAn important stream of literature on MNCs distinguishes between two traditional models for established MNCs, originally described as ethnocentric and polycentric models. A common theme in these studies propose that dramatic changes in the competitive environment has reduced the effectiveness of traditional MNC approaches, highlighting the need to move toward network‐based structures. Building on the evolutionary perspective of MNCs, the paper suggests a third type of MNC characterized by a virtual infrastructure based on an e‐business model. The paper argues that this type may be more appropriate for organizing managerial activities across organizational and national boundaries in the new web‐based knowledge economy.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that whereas traditional MNCs invite for management interventions based on centralized economies of information, it makes more sense to manage networked MNCs as integrated learning organizations and e‐business based MNCs as boundary‐less virtual communities of practice.Originality/valueThe paper develops a new typology of multinational corporations based on key features and dynamics related to knowledge management. The paper distinguishes between traditional MNCs, knowledge networks and MNCs as e‐businesses. It particularly addresses strategic, technical, organizational and human dimensions of knowledge management and how these differ in the three MNC models.
KM your way to CMMI
Authors: Dayan Rony , Evans Stephen 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe two related fields – knowledge management (KM) and capability maturity model integrated (CMMISM) – and highlight their similarities.Design/methodology/approachThe KM framework used for this comparison is the one established and used at Israel Aircraft Industries, while the CMMISMsource of information is none but the original document produced by the CMMISMproduct team at the Carnegie Mellon University, as well as papers published on the subject.FindingsKnowledge management is a rather young discipline promising to maximize innovation and competitive advantage to organizations that practice knowledge capture, documentation, retrieval and reuse, creation, transfer and share to its knowledge assets in a measurable way, integrated in its operational and business processes. The capability maturity model integrated deals with the ways an organization has to follow, in order to maintain well mapped processes, having well defined stages, because of the assumption that in mature organizations, it is possible to measure and relate between the quality of the process and the quality of the product. Though KM and CMMISMtake different approaches to the achievement of competitive advantage, they seem to be supporting as well as dependent of each other.Originality/valuePractitioners as well as researchers in the field of knowledge management and in the implementation of the CMMISMstandard will find comfort in realizing how mutually supportive are these two fields.
The Hungarian space research knowledge management project: a focus on the Rosetta Mission
Authors: Sándor Lipusz Csaba , Tróznai Gábor , Bogdány János , Szalai Sándor 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe Hungarian Academy of Sciences is supported by the Hungarian Ministry of Informatics and Communications (RMKI). RMKI started a research and development project in 2003 with the aim of studying the knowledge management methods for long duration space research projects and to develop an information system providing a base for saving and using the knowledge gathered. The aim of this article is to investigate the RMKI research and development project.Design/methodology/approachThis article first describes the environment of the project, details the questions identified by the project staff, and gives some characteristics of the solutions when found.FindingsThe article finds that the outcomes identified by a knowledge management project grow fast and have a tendency to become unmanageable very quickly, even if technical questions are taken into consideration when starting. The main question remains whether an acceptable solution exists in the area covered by the economical resources.Originality/valueThis article focuses on the technical aspects of knowledge management projects and identifies a mechanism for setting up an information system with the capacity to support knowledge preservation for at least a decade, which is considered to be a long period.
Strategic or operational perspectives on performance: what is prioritized in a large construction company?
Authors: Samuelsson Peter , Ekendahl Per , Ekevärn Petter 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis case study sets out to discuss the balance of operational and strategic perspectives on performance measurement in a large construction company.Design/methodology/approachIn interviews, managers at two middle organizational levels in the case company were asked to prioritize which criteria they found most important to direct their business. The results from these interviews were compiled in success maps in order to describe how the managers thought these criteria were interrelated.FindingsA gap was found between operational and strategic perspectives at the two organizational levels: lower management ranked criteria that corresponded to strategic objectives lower than did the middle management. One reason for this gap seems to be the lack of incentives for aligning with the strategic objectives. If there were no incentives, lower managers tended to prioritize operational criteria prior to strategic criteria.Practical implicationsThis study emphasizes the need to link strategic objectives to criteria that give incentives for lower management to comply with the strategic objectives, to formulate unambiguous strategies and to communicate these strategies clearly.Originality/valueIn large construction companies, measurement of effectiveness is particularly complicated since adjustment to local markets must be balanced with alignment with corporate strategies in order to benefit from the competitive advantages of a large organization. Managers in a large construction company have to combine operational and strategic perspectives in measurement and management. Little research has been done to investigate and understand this area and therefore this paper can make a useful contribution.
Micro politics and micro firms: a case study of tourism policy formation and change
Authors: Thomas Rhodri , Thomas Huw 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the extent to which micro businesses in tourism might influence the process of tourism policy formation and change in urban settings.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework that considers the motivations to participate in the policy‐making process and the resources needed to influence policy change informs a case study of micro businesses in Saltaire, UK.FindingsThe paper argues that, although the propensity of local micro firms to influence the local political agenda will be affected by structural considerations that manifest themselves differently from place to place, it is possible to identify key conditions that will need to be present if such enterprises are to challenge the power of other local interests.Originality/valueThe paper begins to redress the imbalance in the literature that has neglected micro business participation in policy formation and change.