bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Broader rationalities and alternative forms of organisation
Authors: Faifua Denise , Harding Sandra 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to argue that the legacy of instrumental rationality has had a profoundly impoverishing effect on rational accounts of organisation, and that even though non‐rational accounts move beyond instrumental rationality, they remain tied to economist assumptions. The paper outlines the broader Weber and Habermas's model of rationality, and demonstrates its application.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on verbatim quotes from a sampling of 35 in‐depth interviews, the paper reveals the range of very different rationalities expressed in the social relations of work, of four very specific types of organisation: a bureaucracy, an entrepreneurial unit, a producer co‐operative and a worker co‐operative.FindingsThe paper outlines two ideal sets of findings, ideal in the sense that in two of the organisations the rationalities, social relations of work and associated outcomes fit well with the Weber and Habermas model of instrumental strategic action and social strategic action.Research limitations/implicationsThis study shows the potential for broader rationality as it plays out in the workplace. The notion of workplaces that free workers to contribute in socially strategic ways points to new approaches to management and organisation.Practical implicationsThe paper offers practical insights into social relations built on co‐operation, moral judgement and communication.Originality/valueThe power of the idea of broader rationality is that being more rational, i.e. attending to more than a narrow impoverished view, provides the prospect of action advancing the social and the economic in a profound way.
Strategic brand management decision: the case of Sony Ericsson Walkman
Authors: Uggla Henrik , Verick Hira 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe paper aims to review Sony Ericsson's brand management decision to leverage a brand from the Sony portfolio in their cellular phones.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on data from Sony Ericsson and brand portfolio theories.FindingsThe results reveal that the function of the Walkman brand has changed from a sub‐brand strategy that initially protected the Sony brand against potential failure of the extension via a graveyard brand with outdated product categories into a brand driver defining the category of Sony Ericsson's premium MP3 player cellular phones.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategic brand management insights and thinking underlying the Sony Ericsson brand portfolio strategy and how new product categories can subvert incumbent brands.Originality/valueThis paper is of particular value to anybody seeking to understand brand‐based business development, including business managers, brand managers and academic researchers.
Interview with Max Mckeown
Authors: by Ruth Young Interview 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to interview Max McKeown is a strategic advisor who has been elected to the Customer Service Hall of Fame, been nominated as a “Star of Human Resources” by Personnel Today.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.FindingsMax McKeown is a strategic advisor for four of the five most admired companies in the world and has extensive knowledge on several subjects, which include innovation, engagement, human potential, customer experience, marketing, team building and competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe paper provides strategic insights into why the most original minds in business win.
Work experiences, satisfactions and psychological well‐being of female and male managers in the hospitality sector in Turkey
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Koyuncu Mustafa , Fiksenbaum Lisa 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore gender differences in the work and career experiences of female and male managers and supervisors in the hospitality and tourism sector in Turkey. There is a belief that women tend to be disadvantaged in this sector as few women occupy the senior executive positions and those that do receive less pay. In addition, managerial and professional women in Turkey, in general, are less likely to achieve senior executive positions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports research examining the work experiences, work and career satisfactions and psychological well‐being of females and males in managerial and supervisory positions in the hospitality and tourism sector in Turkey. Data were collected in 12 five‐star hotels operating in the Mediterranean and Agean region.FindingsThe paper finds, in answer to the research question – do female and male managers working in the Turkish hospitality and tourism sector report similar personal and work situation demographic characteristics, stable personality traits, work experiences, job satisfaction and levels of psychological well‐being – that the answer was Yes.Originality/valueThe paper is of value in pointing out that although its findings are positive, hospitality and tourism organizations still need to make efforts to support the career aspirations of their female managers and supervisors, and suggests elements which have proved useful in supporting women's career success and advancement.
Mentoring and preferences: a diagnostic survey for equal mentoring opportunity
Authors: Okurame David E. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine mentoring experiences and preferences aimed at creating equal mentoring opportunity for male and female employees in the Nigerian work setting.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from 140 randomly selected managers (70 males and 70 females).FindingsResults revealed that mentoring occurrence is entirely informal and more males compared to females served as mentors. Respondents commonly reported and preferred career‐related benefits of mentoring. An examination of preferred mentor gender indicated a significant relationship between gender of respondent and that of preferred mentor and protégé. Concern for positive interaction reflects frequently mentioned reasons for this preference among men and women. The preferred qualities of a mentor often cited by respondents were those which enable a mentor to deliver career functions while reverence was the most mentioned protégé quality. The distribution of male and female respondents differed on some of the preferred qualities.Research limitations/implicationsThough based on a self‐report instrument, findings imply that mentoring preferences of males differ from those of females.Practical implicationsA training and policy intervention should be considered to enhance delivery of mentoring and create equal opportunity for male and female employees.Originality/valueMentoring is currently being canvassed as a mandatory human resource tool in the Nigerian work setting. Empirical guidance on fostering the relationship in ways that create equal opportunities for male and female employees however, remains elusive due to a lack of research in this direction. This study narrows this gap in literature and contributes empirical information that equips management to better deal with the gender issue in mentoring. Beyond the Nigerian environment, it serves as a basis for advancing equal opportunities in mentoring, especially for Africans. This addresses shortcomings in the scholarly scope of reference journals which has a dearth of African empirical findings on mentoring.
Work experiences of Moldovan women in Italy: bearing the double identity strangeness
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore multiple cases of Moldovan women who individually initiated and involved in work arrangements with Italian employers. The main purpose is to examine the international employment experiences of female migrants by identifying the challenges they face in a foreign country and building a comprehensive typology of female migrant workers.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical work consists of field notes gathered through direct observations and semi‐structured interviews conducted with five Moldovan women while they were still working in Italy. The content analysis of the interviews reveals how Moldovan workers perceive their foreign experience and the ways it influences their personal development.FindingsThe paper suggests that such brain mobility concepts as brain drain, brain waste and optimal brain drain represent the distinguishing characteristics of our interviewees who are citizens of a transitional economy. Imaginary trip, frustrating encounter, identity consolidation and self‐actualization are identified as four consecutive stages through which the self‐initiated migration experience develops over the time. The resulting variations in migrants' behaviours and mind‐sets create a typology of female workers based on their desperateness to migrate (planner vs despairer), their failure to tolerate the frustrating encounter (surrenderer), their attitudes towards personal development (conformist vs rejuvenator) and their ability to transcend their own limitations (highflyer). The paper describes the double identity strangeness along with other aspects which differentiate self‐initiated experiences from expatriate assignments.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a limited number of case studies prevents concluding whether and to what extent the findings apply to all female migrant workers from other transitional economies. This limitation could be clarified in a future study on larger samples of female respondents involved in self‐initiated employment arrangements in Italy or in other developed countries.Practical implicationsAt the organizational level, the findings allow employers and human resource managers in the destination country to distinguish different types of migrant workers and better understand their particular needs in order to facilitate their intra‐firm integration.Originality/valueUsing a gender analysis highlighted in the international migration literature, this research makes a contribution towards creating a solid knowledge base on Moldovan migrant women – a widely underexplored group of migrant workers – and their involvement in labour market processes in Italy.
Gender and diversity research in the Southern Management Association
Authors: Brown Jo Ann E. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis report summarizes research on gender, diversity and related topics presented at the 2007 Southern Management Association (SMA) conference in Nashville TN.Design/methodology/approachThe SMA is a regional affiliate of the Academy of Management. SMA's annual conference promotes its mission of advancing the research, teaching, learning and practice of management.FindingsDiversity topics were scheduled throughout the conference and included in five of the eight tracks. One symposium was devoted to deep‐level diversity.Originality/valueThe papers presented at the SMA conference highlight the growing interest in and variety of diversity research.
Structural engineering in the new millennium: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Haldar Achintya , Mehrabian Ali 
Published: September 2008

PurposeStructural engineering as a part of civil engineering has over 5,000 years of distinguished history, as documented in this paper. An attempt is made in this paper to define structural engineering as it exists at present, then some historical structures are identified.Design/methodology/approachThe advances of structural engineering are discussed in chronological order, encompassing the development of the concept, analysis, the use of innovative construction materials, and construction. The developments which necessitated the change of design philosophies are presented, and the current status of structural engineering is discussed in terms of several specific topics. Opportunities and challenges in the new millennium in structural engineering are then presented in terms of education, service to society, and research.FindingsIn the past, structural engineering always met the challenges it faced. It helped to improve our quality of life, and its role in society is not expected to change in the near future.Originality/valueThe paper has provided an over‐view of this important profession – from ancient history to the present day. Based on research over several decades it offers a prediction of the direction in which this profession and the academic research that underpins it is likely to take in the future.
Traditional cob wall: response to flooding
Authors: Forster Alan M. , Medero Gabriela M. , Morton Tom , Buckman Jim 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe influence of flood conditions upon traditional cob construction is little understood. This paper aims to investigate the ability of cob materials to resist flood situations and documents basic failure mechanisms. This work also seeks to investigate the wettability characteristics of cob materials utilising environmental scanning electron microscopy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes the form of a literature review and case study underpinning laboratory experiments.FindingsCob walls that are suitably compacted, straw reinforced and are composed and manufactured of the correct materials appear to have the ability to resist total failure when subjected to initial flood conditions, however, the duration to which these structures will remain intact has still to be ascertained, and testing is ongoing. A correlation appears to exist between the rate of cob material's compaction and the duration to which the structural integrity of the walls was retained when the samples were submerged in water. In addition, the use of straw reinforcing increased the duration to which the wall could be submerged before failure. Un‐reinforced cob walls that were submerged in simulated floodwaters, exhibited an undercutting pattern of deterioration prior to failure. The materials for cob construction exhibited both hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics. This would have an influence on the material's ability to saturate and dehydrate, and also have an impact on moisture transfer mechanisms. Unsaturated cob wall/samples developed surface tension between hydrophilic surfaces and this is believed by the authors to increase inter‐particle bond strength within the material by the suction effect.Originality/valueThis paper is believed to be the first preliminary investigation into the effect of flooding on cob structures. Additionally, it utilises environmental scanning electron microscopy to reveal information about the surface characteristics of the materials and uses wettability studies to assess the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the aforementioned.
On the safe evacuation of occupants in multiplex facilities
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to investigate approaches pertaining to the safe evacuation of occupants from multiplex facilities during fire emergencies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes the published literature for the purpose of identifying the frequent causes of ignition in multiplex facilities and examining the set of factors that render multiplex facilities to be high‐risk facilities in fire emergences. The paper then describes the set of prescriptive international building regulations for the means of egress in public assembly facilities, as being the thresholds of the minimum safety levels that are acceptable to society; and presents a set of proposed guidelines for facility managers to observe in their day‐to‐day operation of multiplex facilities.FindingsThe paper has established that multiplex facilities are high‐risk buildings in fire emergencies. The role of facilities managers in the operation and maintenance stages of multiplex facilities has been discussed for the purposes of achieving safe evacuation of occupants and improved crowd management.Originality/valueThis paper provides for a better comprehension of the roles of design professional and facility managers involved in the design and operation of multiplex facilities in the provision and maintenance of adequate means of egress in such facilities.
Preferences of older people for environmental attributes of local parks
Authors: Alves Susana , Aspinall Peter A. , Ward Thompson Catharine , Sugiyama Takemi , Brice Roger , Vickers Adrian 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study aims to examine the environmental attributes relevant to older people's preferences for neighbourhood open spaces. It also aims to explore the association between the relative importance of different environmental attributes and personal and social characteristics in a sample of older people covering a range of geographic locations in the UK.Design/methodology/approachChoice‐based conjoint analysis (CBC) was used to obtain responses from a sample of 237 older people (60 years +) living in the UK. A total of 13 environmental attributes were identified from earlier qualitative and quantitative studies. Participants were asked to choose a preferred park from a pair of hypothetical neighbourhood parks differing on four of the attributes presented in a questionnaire. The questionnaire included 14 such tasks.FindingsThe results suggest that older people preferred a neighbourhood park which is without nuisance, has cafes and toilets, many trees and plants, light traffic en route, wildlife to watch, and is well maintained. Analyses also reveal that whether or not people live alone, and their functional capabilities in getting around, make a difference in the way they place importance on attributes.Practical implicationsThe findings can assist those involved in designing and managing outdoor environments to identify salient environmental attributes and prioritise interventions aimed at improving access to, and use of, outdoor spaces for older adults. The approach aids understanding of what is likely to maximise preference and use of open spaces in different segments of the older population.Originality/valueConjoint analysis procedures are some of the best tools available for determining importance or relative value of attributes of complex environments from the user point of view. The CBC analysis has been employed for the first time in this study to explore the relative importance of such attributes of open spaces for older adults.
FM market research review: do we really have the “intelligence”?
Authors: Zhou Moss Qi 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give a broad review of existing facilities management (FM) market research. It aims to identify the differences and commonalities of the various market research reports, especially the different market definitions used and different methodologies to calculate the size of the market.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses the author's collection of UK FM market publications and years of research in this field.FindingsSurprisingly, none of the current reports use a robust market research methodology and thus this casts doubt on the estimated size of the market and other findings.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper only reviews the reports that the author has collected. Therefore, these may not be the latest versions of the publications.Practical implicationsThe paper calls for all FM market research agencies to collaborate, to work out a robust market research methodology that can stand up to scrutiny. It also proposes to conduct FM market research from the demand side of the market – to use completely different market segmentations.Originality/valueThis paper tries to warn general FM professionals on quoting market size – all estimates should be treated with discretion.
Air pressure variations at drainage stacks of high‐rise residential buildings
Authors: Wong L.T. , Mui K.W. , Hui P.S. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the air pressure variations in an in‐use drainage stack of high‐rise residential buildings with the probable influence of occupant loads.Design/methodology/approachThe air pressure variations in a drainage stack of a typical in‐use high‐rise residential building in Hong Kong were correlated to the number of water closet (WC) flushes of the building. In particular, measured diurnal WC flushing patterns of the residential buildings were used to correlate the diurnal pressure variations measured at 16 m above the stack base in a 115 m high, 150 mm diameter fully vented drainage stack of a typical high‐rise residential building of Hong Kong.FindingsThe occurrence of the maximum air pressure in the stack could be correlated with the expected hourly WC flushes of the high‐rise residential buildings with mathematical demonstrations.Research limitations/implicationsThere may be high speed transients in the stack (>1 hertz) which was not measured.Originality/valueThe result would be a useful source of reference for the development of control strategies against probable appliance seal loss in high‐rise residential buildings.
Designing facilities management needs into warehouse projects
Authors: Yean Yng Ling Florence , Tekyi Edum‐Fotwe Francis , Thor Huat Ng Moxham 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an investigation of facilities management (FM) needs of warehouse tenants to inform future warehouse design.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines FM needs that must be designed into warehouse projects. It identifies tenants' FM requirements in warehouses; investigates the relationship between tenant satisfaction and performance of different facilities in warehouses; and recommends design and FM practices that warehouse owners should adopt to give tenants value for money. The research involves a quantitative study of tenant requirements for using warehouses. A questionnaire survey was conducted on tenants to find out their important requirements with a structured instrument. The sample was tenants of warehouses in Singapore.FindingsThe results reveal that users' main needs and priority in warehouse operation comprise: incorporating an operations office within warehouses; providing an air well along the loading/unloading bays; ensuring no interruption of electricity supply; providing air‐conditioning to the office; and providing good housekeeping.Originality/valueThe paper provides information that can be the foundation for developing a set of generic tenant FM requirements that could accelerate the design development of warehouses.