bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping the transitional experience of switching leadership roles
Authors: Sheard A.G. , Kakabadse A.P. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis study proposes that executives need to be prepared to switch roles and membership of groups in order to fulfil their leadership responsibilities effectively.Design/methodology/approachA validated framework provides insight into the leadership roles that executives can switch between as they move from one formal, informal or temporary group to the next within the organisation's wider senior management team. The methodology adopted is qualitative, focusing on inquiry‐based learning which enabled the authors to gather data on those aspects of context that relate specifically to the leadership roles executives switch between.FindingsChanging role is found to facilitate improvement in each executive's decision‐making effectiveness and, over time, in the decision‐making capability of an organisation's wider senior management team.Research limitations/implicationsA one‐organisation intensive case study of a multinational engineering company engaged in the design, development and manufacture of rotating turbomachinery provides the platform for the research. The concepts advanced will require validating in other organisations of both similar and different demographic profiles.Practical implicationsThe concepts advanced, and implications discussed, provide an insight into the nature of leadership as a network of relationships. The practical steps individual executives can take to develop their ability to adopt different leadership roles are highlighted.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to assist executives within the wider senior management team to better adapt and coordinate their behaviour with other executives. In so doing, it is suggested that executives contribute more positively to the organisational decision‐making processes and wider senior management team interaction by being adaptive and responsive to changes in their surrounding context.
American crafts shows: price or style conscious?
Authors: Tiemann Thomas K. , Barbour James L. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a classification for the process by which crafters find appropriate consumers in the post‐modern market structure that exists between black or gray markets where illegal or illegally obtained goods are sold, and the markets that serve the Fordist, mass‐production, mass‐distribution portion of an economy.Design/methodology/approachPrincipally the research was done via personal interviews and visits to craft show sites and comparing the findings to the existing street‐market structures of Europe.FindingsThe institutions that have evolved to support market segregation/segmentation in crafts markets are interesting and are better understood within a classification system like the one developed here. How these institutions differ from the street‐market culture of Europe lends an insight into this uniquely American post‐modern market system.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is the beginning of a larger body of work that should be undertaken to better comprehend how the increasing post‐modern market structure is interacting with and occasionally replacing, the traditional market structures in the USA.Practical implicationsAs the post‐modern market structure becomes more prevalent in the USA understanding how it is similar to and differs from, the comparable market structures in Europe is important to policy decisions on the local level, particularly with respect to local support of this type of market.Originality/valueThis work extends earlier work looking at farmers’ markets into the crafts market environment. As such it brings the overall understanding of the post‐modern market structure in to more clear focus.
A longitudinal study of material planning applications in manufacturing companies
Authors: Jonsson Patrik , Mattsson Stig‐Arne 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper seeks to describe the state‐of‐the‐art, reasons for selecting various material planning methods, and modes of applying methods for initiating inventory replenishment of purchased items. It also identifies trends from 1993 to 2005.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical survey data are collected from Swedish manufacturing companies in 1993, 1999 and 2005. The MRP, re‐order point, fixed interval ordering, run‐out time, and Kanban methods are studied.FindingsMRP is the most commonly used method and its position has strengthened since 1993. A common way of determining parameters such as order quantities and safety stocks is to use judgment and experience. Parameters used in material planning methods are reviewed relatively infrequently. The planning frequency has increased, with daily planning now being typical.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation is that different data collection techniques were used in 1993 compared with 1999 and 2005. An important research implication is that the state‐of‐the‐art applications differ from theoretically appropriate application modes. The trends are towards less appropriate modes among the most widespread applications.Practical implicationsThe frequency of reviewing planning variables is relatively low in industry, and should in most situations be increased. The paper implies that more user‐friendly software applications need to be developed and implemented. It could serve as guidelines when designing and developing training and education programs and function as a benchmark.Originality/valueThe paper provides a longitudinal state‐of‐the‐art description of materials planning usage and identifies application modes with positive and negative performance impact.
Social security expenditures and economic growth
Authors: Lee Chien‐Chiang , Chang Chun‐Ping 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to re‐examine the long‐run co‐movement and causal relationship between GDP and social security expenditures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses panel data unit root tests and panel cointegration tests, as well as estimation techniques appropriate for heterogeneous panels such as fully modified OLS. Data are employed on 12 Asian countries from 1972 to 2000.FindingsThe cointegration test results show strong evidence in favor of the existence of a long‐run equilibrium cointegrating relationship between GDP, capital stock and social security expenditures after allowing for heterogeneous country effects. Regarding the panel‐based error correction model and the Granger causality test, there are long‐run, bi‐directional causal linkages between social security expenditures and economic growth. In addition to the robust test, they display similar results.Originality/valueThe paper shows that in every moment, economic growth must be based in the social welfare policy contiguously, and the economic growth process can allow the social welfare policy to proceed contiguously
Latinas and black women: key factors for a growing proportion of the US workforce
Authors: Cocchiara Faye , Bell Myrtle P. , Perkins Berry Daphne 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo compare and contrast the experiences, challenges, and career mobility of black women and Latinas in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachExtant literature and data from the US Census Bureau, the US Department of Labor, the Pew Hispanic Research Center, and other relevant repositories were used to assess the workforce participation, education, and income for women of color. Specifically, their representation in organizational positions was examined, considering historical and social influences that affect this representation. Relevant human capital theory (HCT) was applied to consider its predictive power for outcomes of black women and Latinas in the workplace.FindingsAlthough women of color are increasing proportions of all women in the US labor force, equal opportunity legislation (now in its fifth decade) has improved their status less than would be expected by their education and workforce participation. HCT does not adequately explain the experiences of Latinas and black women.Practical implicationsBeing aware of barriers that black women and Latinas face in the workplace will prevent organizations from devaluing a growing segment of workers and help them compete in an increasingly competitive market.Originality/valueWhile black women and Latinas are the most numerous women of color in the US workforce, the relatively small amount of research on women of color, particularly Latinas, remains a gaping hole in the field. Thus, the value of this article is that it adds to the literature on the workplace experiences of an important segment of the US population.
A new national design code for indoor air environment of sports buildings
Authors: Ma Xiaojun , Jian Yiwen , Cao Yue 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose is to present parameters of a new design code, which is intended to control the indoor air environment for sports buildings in China.Design/methodology/approachBased on requirements of international sports federations the characteristics of indoor airflow of sports buildings in China, include the parameters of indoor air environment of gymnasiums and natatoriums, air velocity, temperature, humidity and fresh air volume. Some illustrations and considerations are shown too.FindingsCompared with the international standards and design guidelines, the Chinese new design code has more detailed parameters for high level sports game.Research limitations/implicationsNot all the indoor air parameters of the code are mentioned in this paper. The designs of sports building are built for high level sports games in recent years of China, the parameters of class A are paid more attention to in the paper.Practical implicationsThe contents of paper could be the major designs in heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in sports building.Originality/valueThis paper could be a guide to advice the designing of indoor air environment of sports building, especially for the Beijing Olympic game in 2008, and is useful to help advanced HVAC design and analysis on the similar large space buildings.
Determinants of market orientation in accounting firms
Authors: Özer Alper , Koçak Akın , Çelik Orhan 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThough market orientation has been studied extensively, in the context of goods and services, little is known of its practical application in professional services specifically. This study, therefore, aims to develop and validate a market orientation scale relevant to accountancy firms.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual framework was built from first principles and the literature, and a research questionnaire adapted from the widely used standard pattern. Data collected from 1,042 usable questionnaires completed by managers of accounting firms in Turkey were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis was employed, to test the model and analyze approaches and applications in practice.FindingsResults suggest that Turkish accounting firms believe customer orientation to be the most significant construct within market orientation. The market environment is also considered important, but there is no strong support for competitor orientation, conventionally the third plank of market orientation, mainly because of the unique characteristics of the profession.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the study focused only on accounting firms and the measurement scale was adapted accordingly, valid conclusions can be drawn for that particular sector of the professional service industry, and with due caution for service providers in general. The Turkish setting limits international applicability, but contains potentially transferable insights.Originality/valueMarket orientation has an important role in competition. The study reported here applies the concept in a practitioner context so far ignored by researchers, in a developing country interestingly positioned between the first and third worlds.
An exploration of the management practices and processes most closely associated with high levels of export capability in SMEs
Authors: Doole Isobel , Grimes Tony , Demack Sean 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo take a more holistic and integrated view than in existing studies of export capability among small and medium‐sized enterprises, by exploring the key components of marketing management, and the blend of processes, practices and activities most closely associated with high levels of overall export performance.Design/methodology/approachThe principal research instrument is the export marketing profiling system developed by the authors over a five‐year period, which provided the framework for data collection and analysis. Findings are derived from 250 semi‐structured interviews conducted in SMEs in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK.FindingsThe study identified 17 key practices, processes and activities that, taken together, are closely associated with export performance. They relate primarily to export marketing strategy, and suggest that a blend of capabilities in the areas of knowledge management (including market research and marketing intelligence), relationship‐building, product strategy and pricing are most closely associated with success.Practical implicationsThe study has particular implications for business‐support providers. The findings could be used to assess and evaluate export capability in a wider sense. The conceptual framework could serve as a diagnostic tool for the identification of the areas of operation in which support, intervention and investment might have the greatest impact on overall export capability. Further research in these areas would be of particular importance in the drive to understand the relationship between export capability and performance.Originality/valueThis study's holistic approach to identifying the blend of capabilities most closely associated with high levels of export performance could inform national and local government policy in respect of the role of support agencies in improving the export performance of SMEs, in the UK or elsewhere. It offers a template for further research into key practices, processes and activities.
Information systems in value configurations
Authors: Gottschalk Petter 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper proposes a value configuration approach for managing information technology in enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual research paper is concerned with industrial management and data systems from the perspective of value configurations. The value configuration approach consists of value shop, vale chain and value network.FindingsThe contingent approach to information technology management can be applied to value configurations.Originality/valueTraditionally, data systems in industrial management have been supporting value chains. Recently, alternative value configurations have emerged. Specifically, the value shop and the value network are alternative value configurations. This paper makes an important contribution to insights into information systems depending on value configurations. The final section of this paper suggests that industrial management might expand from value chain management to value shop management, as firms become electronic businesses.
The National Library of New Zealand as a Sun™ Centre of Excellence
Authors: Reid David 
Published: September 2006

PurposeUsing New Zealand as example, the purpose of this paper is to consider why Sun wants to establish centres of excellence and what the benefits are for the contributors.Design/methodology/approachThis article combines narrative and analysis.FindingsConcludes that each party in a centre of excellence gains benefits from its association.Originality/valueProvides an example of a new way of working in the library sphere.
Fourier representation of random media fields in stochastic finite element modelling
Authors: Li C.F. , Feng Y.T. , Owen D.R.J. , Davies I.M. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo provide an explicit representation for wide‐sense stationary stochastic fields which can be used in stochastic finite element modelling to describe random material properties.Design/methodology/approachThis method represents wide‐sense stationary stochastic fields in terms of multiple Fourier series and a vector of mutually uncorrelated random variables, which are obtained by minimizing the mean‐squared error of a characteristic equation and solving a standard algebraic eigenvalue problem. The result can be treated as a semi‐analytic solution of the Karhunen‐Loève expansion.FindingsAccording to the Karhunen‐Loève theorem, a second‐order stochastic field can be decomposed into a random part and a deterministic part. Owing to the harmonic essence of wide‐sense stationary stochastic fields, the decomposition can be effectively obtained with the assistance of multiple Fourier series.Practical implicationsThe proposed explicit representation of wide‐sense stationary stochastic fields is accurate, efficient and independent of the real shape of the random structure in consideration. Therefore, it can be readily applied in a variety of stochastic finite element formulations to describe random material properties.Originality/valueThis paper discloses the connection between the spectral representation theory of wide‐sense stationary stochastic fields and the Karhunen‐Loève theorem of general second‐order stochastic fields, and obtains a Fourier‐Karhunen‐Loève representation for the former stochastic fields.
Effects of chemical reaction, heat and mass diffusion in natural convection flow from an isothermal sphere with temperature dependent viscosity
Authors: Molla Mamun , Hossain Anwar 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo investigate the effects of chemical reaction on natural convection heat and mass transfer from a sphere with temperature dependent viscosity.Design/methodology/approachThe governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a non‐dimensional form and the resulting nonlinear system of partial differential equations are reduced to local non‐similarity boundary layer equations, which are solved numerically by very efficient implicit finite difference method together with Keller box scheme.FindingsThe effects of chemical reaction, the skin‐friction coefficients, surface heat transfer rates, velocity and concentration distribution decrease as well as the mass transfer rates and temperature distribution increase within the boundary layer.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation is valid for steady two‐dimensional laminar flow. The concentration of the reactant is maintained at a constant value and the sphere is isothermal. An extension to unsteady flow with temperature dependent thermal conductivity is left for future work.Originality/valueThis result provides guidance to engineers about heat and mass transfer with the effects of chemical reaction from isothermal spherical surface.
Entrepreneurial, market, and learning orientations and international entrepreneurial business venture performance in South African firms
Authors: Kropp Fredric , Lindsay Noel J. , Shoham Aviv 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis study examines the interrelationships between aspects of entrepreneurial, market, and learning orientations, and international entrepreneurial business venture (IEBV) performance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 396 entrepreneurs and 143 senior managers from early stage, growth‐oriented firms in the Republic of South Africa. These firms had an international focus in that 20 per cent began exporting from their inception and the remaining 80 per cent either began exporting within three years of inception or planned to export within three years of inception. Given the multidimensional nature of IEBV performance, structural equation modeling (AMOS) was used to test the measurement and substantive models.FindingsResults indicate that IEBV performance is positively related to the innovativeness component of an entrepreneurial orientation (EO), a market orientation, and a learning orientation. Contrary to expectations, the communications aspect of EO is inversely related to objective performance measures.Research limitations/implicationsBy design, only successful IEBVs in South Africa were studied, potentially limiting generalizability.Practical implicationsFinanciers can enhance the probability of success by assigning a greater weight to an entrepreneur's creativity.Originality/valueThis is the first examination of the role of all three orientations and multidimensional measures of objective and subjective performance. It examines South Africa, a more dynamic, changing and hostile business environment. Managers and financiers can enhance their probability of success by developing the different orientations.
The relationship between private businesses and their banks
Authors: Binks Martin , Ennew Christine , Mowlah Andy 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how banks have a critical role in helping SMEs by providing investment capital that businesses need and by offering sound financial advice through the growth of the company.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Forum of Private Business (FPB) Bank Report of 2004, the total sample represents responses from the FPB and customers of six participating clearing banks. Although the total sample is used to compile performance indices by the bank, the rest of this paper is based solely on the FPB sample.FindingsBusiness and their managers should improve their knowledge of financial management. Appreciation on the part of banks that SMEs' confidence in formalised process will be greater where small firms’ own representatives have set up contingencies to overcome relationship problems when trading difficulties arise.Originality/valueIt was found that in order to pursue economic competitiveness it is necessary for many SMEs to have a flexible working relationship with their banks.
An approach for evaluating preventive maintenance scheduling cost
Authors: Oke S.A. , Charles‐Owaba O.E. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to revisit the preventive maintenance scheduling literature. The problem to be solved is the simultaneous scheduling of resource‐constrained preventive maintenance and operations. In particular, the expression that defines the period‐dependent cost function for a preventive maintenance scheduling activity is redefined. A case study is presented from the shipping industry.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper a mathematical theory of differential calculus known as three‐dimensional wave equation is applied. The methodology involves transforming the preventive maintenance cost function that is expressed in terms of several variables into a more precise framework. The motivation for the work is the need to measure the total preventive maintenance scheduling cost more precisely than with the use of the existing linear cost structure.FindingsIn this paper the findings from the analysis carried out found evidence that validates the claim of the feasibility of analyzing preventive maintenance cost using the approach proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that, in practice, maintenance managers strive to reduce the cost of preventive maintenance activities in order to achieve low cost production of goods. This would encourage a high patronage of customers and prevent decisions being made on wrong data. The approach presented here aims at correcting this weakness by revealing a more precise and reliable method of preventive maintenance scheduling cost computation. This is a scientific tool that should be of immense benefit to maintenance planners, particularly those actively engaged in scheduling functions.Originality/valueThe work in this paper is new, since a novel framework is presented in a way that has not been documented earlier.