bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework
Authors: Hersberger Julia A. , Murray Adam L. , Rioux Kevin S. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an emergent conceptual framework for examining virtual communities.Design/methdodology/approachEstablished theories and models of community, social networks, information exchange, and information sharing behaviours are explored with the goal of determining their usefulness in conceptualising virtual communities.FindingsExplored theories and models are inter‐related and expanded to form a tiered conceptual framework for examining virtual communities. This framework also acknowledges the affective contexts in which virtual communities operate.Practical implicationsThe presented conceptual framework may inform information professionals tasked with creating, maintaining, and improving corporate, educational, research, and other information systems. It may also be of use to researchers who seek to build theory that attempts to explain phenomena observable in virtual communities.Originality/valueIn contrast to models and frameworks which focus on analysing individual components and attributes of virtual communities, the presented framework provides a holistic starting point for understanding inter‐related structural, cognitive, behavioural and affective dimensions of online communities
Controlling construction waste by implementing governmental ordinances in Hong Kong
Authors: Tam Vivian W.Y. , Shen L.Y. , Fung Ivan W.H. , Wang J.Y. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeOwing to limited space, reducing the waste going to landfills has become a pressing issue in Hong Kong. As most of the solid waste was generated from construction activity, the Hong Kong Government has instituted a number of measures aimed at reducing waste from this source. However, it appears that the application of these measures has been of limited effectiveness. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of implementing regulatory measures for reducing construction waste in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachThe data used for the analysis are from a survey to construction professionals in the local industry by means of questionnaire, interview discussions and case studies. The survey examined the commitments and responsibilities imposed on project participants for implementing seven major regulatory waste management controlling measures: legislative controls; controlling public filling facilities; controlling landfill areas; providing on‐site sorting facilities; implantation of a environmental management system; implementation of a waste management framework plan; and implementing recycling scheme.FindingsThe results of the investigation illustrate that legal commitments have been mainly allocated to contractors. Insufficient commitments and responsibilities are allocated to other project participants such as project clients, designers and consultants. The study has also found that existing waste control ordinances allow for skewed distribution of commitments and responsibilities of controlling construction waste among project stakeholders. The results demonstrate that there is need for a balanced allocation of responsibilities and commitments among all project stakeholders.Originality/valueRevision and further development of legal measures are necessary to ensure that all project stakeholders play an active role and share commitments in waste control and reduction. This research provides references for studying construction waste management in other construction industries.
Estimating productivity using simulation
Authors: Rustom R.N. , Yahia A. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeRecently, there has been increased interest in the use of simulation for real‐time planning, scheduling, control of construction projects and obtaining optimum productivity. The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the use of simulation as an effective tool for estimating production rates in an attempt to prepare optimal time schedules.Design/methodology/approachGaza Beach‐Camp Shore Protection Project was taken as a case study. The case study is used to demonstrate how to estimate effectively the production rates of labour and equipment during the implementation of the project activities and to estimate the duration of the project using process simulation. The model simulates the construction of 1,600 m of gabions divided into 32 identical stations. Probabilistic distribution functions were used to fit the time functions for each process and sub‐process based on 100 replications.FindingsThe simulation output generated three probabilistic values for completing each activity upon which the overall project completion time is determined. The resources utilizations for all processes were also generated and used in the determination of the average production rates.Originality/valueThe computation of productivity based on effective resources utilization has been demonstrated to give better results than estimating productivity based on aggregate resources assignments.
Application of line‐of‐balance and 4D CAD for lean planning
Authors: Björnfot A. , Jongeling R. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest the application of the line‐of‐balance (LoB) scheduling technique in combination with a 4D CAD workspace model as a method to improve the management of the flow of resources through locations in construction projects, defined as work flow. Current scheduling methods fail to consistently manage work flow, which can disrupt the construction process, leading to waste such as conflicts in time and space by construction crews.Design/methodology/approachLoB and 4D CAD are applied to a case study of multi‐story timber housing project involving the construction of 95 apartments in five six‐storey buildings. Based on the case study results, the benefits and limitations of the combined use of both methods are discussed.FindingsThe majority of the problems experienced during the actual construction process quickly become evident from an analysis of a relatively simple LoB diagram. Furthermore, the 4D CAD workspace model provides additional insights in the scheduling of construction activities, such as workspace availability, the spatial context of workspaces and partial overlap of workspaces.Practical implicationsVirtual design and construction methods based on principles from lean construction can contribute significantly to the value of the product and the elimination of waste in any construction project.Originality/valueThe paper refers to the guiding principles from lean construction in relation to virtual design and construction methods, such as simulations with 4D CAD. Additional research and studies of practical applications are suggested to facilitate the combination of principles from lean construction with virtual design and construction methods.
Integrated collaborative design
Authors: Austin Simon A. , Thorpe Anthony , Root David , Thomson Derek , Hammond Jamie 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe an approach to managing the supply chain from the perspective of design which the paper refers to as integrated collaborative design (ICD).Design/methodology/approachBuilding on a substantial program of research using a range of methodologies previously reported, the concept of a design chain is described the argument is made that the industry needs to center the development of integrated teams (as proposed in accelerating change) around collaborative working of all parties involved in the design process.FindingsThe research recognizes that the construction sector is too often focused on the short‐term objectives of projects, rather than long‐term business strategy and organizational relationships. The ICD approach involves three steps: identifying tasks (process management); allocating roles (as part of supply chain management); and focusing design solutions to deliver value.Originality/valueThe paper outlines the principles and approach to ICD and provides a strategic overview within which various techniques and practices can be utilized to integrate organizations and more effectively manage the design process.
How do a company's information technology competences influence its ability to innovate?
Authors: Gordon Steven R. , Tarafdar Monideepa 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe research that explores how an organization's information technology (IT) competences influence its ability to innovate.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on prior research to describe stages of the innovation process and to identify several IT competences that have been linked to innovation success. Then, examining innovation at three case study sites, it demonstrates how IT competences can influence the success of innovation at various stages of the innovation process.FindingsThe paper finds that IT competences in information and knowledge management, project management, collaboration and communication, and business involvement are likely to improve an organization's ability to innovate.Research limitations/implicationsThe research in this paper is exploratory. The small number of cases limits one's ability to claim that the IT competences one has identified always affect innovation.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that organizations that want to be innovative should cultivate the identified IT competences.Originality/valueFor researchers, the paper proposes a model relating an organization's ability to innovate to its IT competences. For managers, it identifies it competences that should be cultivated to support the process of innovation.
Investigating the internet's impact on interfirm relations
Authors: Sigala Marianna 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to show that research on the internet's impact on B2B inter‐firm relations is limited, while findings are anecdotal and sometimes contradictory. This study investigates inter‐firm relations amongst Business Travel Management (BTM) firms and their clients by examining the impact of online BTM solutions on the creation and reinforcement of relational bonds.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows that two major approaches were combined for examining inter‐firm relations: economic (transaction costs economics) and socio‐psychological (social exchange; inter‐organisation; and industrial network) theories. A model illustrating the interrelations amongst the use of online BTM solutions, two structural (communication, dependence) and two social bonds (trust, satisfaction) was proposed for investigating the impact of online BTM solutions on BTM‐clients relations. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of BTM managers in the UK, Greece, and Cyprus and 194 usable responses were analysed using structural equation modelling.FindingsThe paper finds that the impact of online BTM solutions on trust, satisfaction and dependence was not confirmed. However, the hypotheses reflecting the interactions between structural and social bonds were supported, which confirmed the mediating impact of internet‐enabled communication on fostering inter‐firm relations.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper the sample is convenient, while data are gathered only from the buyer‐traveller perspective. Larger scale, cross‐industry studies that also combine buyers' and sellers' perspectives are required.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that the internet's ability to foster relational bonds was found to be dependent on its exploitation for enhancing inter‐firm communications. When using the internet for enhancing clients' relations and satisfaction, firms should exploit the internet's communication tools and identify clients' information needs for customising the communications' content.Originality/valueThe paper sees that the internet's impact on forming relational bonds and building B2B relations in the BTM context has not been previously researched.
Pacific Voices: educational technologies for literacy learning
Authors: Skouge James , Boisvert Precille , Rao Kavita 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo describe how literacy‐learning strategies and educational technology were integrated in Pacific island classrooms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the unique context and setting of a five‐year initiative that introduced educational technologies to classrooms in the Northern Pacific islands. Several of the literacy strategies that were most valued by the Pacific educators, particularly the creative uses of audio and video technologies in classroom contexts, are highlighted in the paper.FindingsProvides detailed information on how educators can implement similar projects in multicultural settings.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategies and information for educators who work with culturally diverse and indigenous populations and highlights how cultural wisdom and knowledge can be melded with new technologies.Originality/valueThis paper discusses how technology transfer and training can be done in culturally‐appropriate and relevant ways.
Behind the Australian wine industry's success: does environment matter?
Authors: Jordan Rohan , Zidda Pietro , Lockshin Larry 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe success of the Australian wine industry is well documented. However, there have been few comparative studies of the reasons for this success as compared to Australia's main competitors. Most of the anecdotal evidence and trade publications focus on “value for money” and fruit‐driven wines, without looking at how the Australian wine businesses operate. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the external environment in France and Australia as one of the drivers for Australian wine sector success.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews with two French and two Australian wineries and a review of the literature led to a series of hypotheses about the role of market orientation, strategic orientation, innovative and entrepreneurial environment orientation, constraining legislation, industry infrastructure usage, industry plan support, and interorganizational collaboration as factors differentiating the two countries. An online survey of wineries in the two countries resulted in a sample of 82 French and 63 Australian responses. An analysis of variance revealed significant differences between Australian wineries as compared to the French.FindingsAustralian wineries rated themselves higher in market orientation, growth strategy, export proactiveness, perceived innovative environment, perceived entrepreneurial environment, more interorganizational collaboration, and less perceived constraining legislation.Practical implicationsThese results not only provide some basis for Australia's success in wine exporting, but also add to the literature on the effect of the external environment on business performance.Originality valueWine exporting countries can use the results to help shape policy for creating a more conducive environment for exporting wine.
The Nez Perce leadership council
Authors: Humphreys John , Ingram Kendra , Kernek Courtney , Sadler Theresa 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to show how industrial thinking has led to a myopic focus on individual leadership styles to the potential detriment of a broader understanding of leadership. Also, to present the Nez Perce leadership council as an exemplar of post‐industrial leadership. Finally, to demonstrate that a historical approach can be used effectively to elucidate such constructs.Design/methodology/approachA historical examination of the popular portrayal versus the actual functioning of the non‐treaty Nez Perce leadership council during the conflict of 1877.FindingsAlthough Chief Joseph has often been considered the supreme leader of the Nez Perce during the conflict period (industrial view), the group was actually led by a leadership council, which functioned in the manner described by Rost and Smith as post‐industrial leadership.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the paper illuminates Rost and Smith's model, it does not attempt to assess the effectiveness of post‐industrial leadership, as the successes and failures of the Nez Perce during the conflict period could be attributed to other variables beyond the authors' scope. It is to be hoped, however, that future researchers will continue the debate concerning leadership and its peripheral elements.Practical implicationsIt is suggested that contemporary organizational leaders should be focused on leadership beyond style and might consider the post‐industrial model for mutually satisfying influence, particularly with the team‐based and flattened structures common to the modern firm.Originality/valueThe use of a historical example and method to exemplify the contemporary model of post‐industrial leadership. Further, to demonstrate how industrial thinking has encouraged many to focus on the periphery of leadership.
The golden age: service management on transatlantic ocean liners
Authors: Coye Ray W. , Murphy Patrick J. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore lessons in service delivery from an industry that no longer exists. The transatlantic passenger liner dramatizes some of the most unique challenges of service delivery. The ship itself was a delivery mechanism completely separated from support services. Customers were essentially contained for extended periods. Whereas all customers received the same core transportation service, peripheral services varied substantially by service class.Design/methodology/approachDescription of the historical context is followed by examinations of passenger and service provider perspectives to illustrate services expected and delivered. Primary and secondary source material is used to exemplify service management challenges.FindingsSocioeconomic and technological factors played major roles in delivery system design decisions. With stable and loyal workforces and well designed delivery systems, ocean liners were able to deliver service successfully to customer classes with widely varying expectations.Practical implicationsService management on ocean liners occupied a range of levels and intensity not found in current organizational contexts. The context provides modern practitioners pure consideration of complexities and service management implications.Originality/valueThe novel and isolated organizational aspects of transatlantic ocean liners is unique among organizations. Examination of service management in this context provides information of original value not available from examination of other kinds of organizations.
Managing building projects in ancient China
Authors: Sui Pheng Low 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe Chinese civilization is an important part of the history of mankind. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are project management lessons to be learned from Chinese history, including that relating to the management of the building process in ancient China.Design/methodology/approachThrough a review of the literature, this paper discusses the key management and economic practices in the building process of ancient China and highlights these practices from an important document, the Yingzao Fashi or (“Treatise on Architectural Methods”), that was compared with the modern‐day project management framework.FindingsThis paper explains the official systems instituted for public projects; the management of labour, design and planning of construction works; quantity surveying practices; the use, control and recycling of building materials; and inspection of building elements in ancient China.Practical implicationsThe study suggests that lessons in the principles of construction project management in ancient China bear many similarities with the nine areas of modern‐day project management body of knowledge relating to integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, and procurement management. An area for future research would be to compare the Yingzao Fashi with modern‐day codes of practice for building works to determine which of its “ancient” provisions relating to quality management are still relevant today.Originality/valueIt was found that much emphasis was placed by the ancient Chinese on the quality aspects of prominent building projects. This is one facet from which modern‐day project managers and clients can draw lessons.
Crystal structure of the human ephrin‐A5 ectodomain
Authors: Nikolov Dimitar , Li Chen , Lackmann Martin , Jeffrey Philip , Himanen Juha 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe Eph receptors, the largest subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases, and their ephrin ligands are important mediators of cell–cell communication regulating cell attachment, pathfinding, and mobility in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Recent structural studies have revealed unique molecular features that explain many of the biochemical and signaling properties of Ephs and ephrins. Nevertheless, open questions remain, including understanding the precise molecular mechanism underlining their binding‐partner preferences and subclass specificity. In this study, we have determined and present the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of ephrin‐A5—the first structure of an unbound A‐class ephrin. The structure, determined at 2.1 Å resolution, is a variation of the Greek key β‐barrel folding topology, containing eight β‐strands, and stabilized by two disulphide bonds. Overall, ephrin‐A5 is structurally very similar to ephrin‐B1 and ephrin‐B2 but, unlike ephrin‐B2, it does not show dimerization either in solution or in the crystals. Comparing free ephrin‐A5 to the previously published structure of EphB2‐bound ephrin‐A5 reveals that significant conformational changes occur only around the G–H ephrin loop that upon binding bends toward the receptor. Interestingly, the G–H loop undergoes a very similar conformational rearrangement in ephrin‐B2 upon receptor binding. The results of this study further emphasize the importance of the G–H loop for receptor recognition and selectivity, and could serve as a starting point for the development of structure‐based Eph antagonists.
Crystal structure of the MAP kinase binding domain and the catalytic domain of human MKP5
Authors: Tao Xiao , Tong Liang 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMAP kinase phosphatases (MKPs) have crucial roles in regulating the signaling activity of MAP kinases and are potential targets for drug discovery against human diseases. These enzymes contain a catalytic domain (CD) as well as a binding domain (BD) that help recognize the target MAP kinase. We report here the crystal structures at up to 2.2 Å resolution of the BD and CD of human MKP5 and compare them to the known structures from other MKPs. Dramatic structural differences are observed between the BD of MKP5 and that of MKP3 determined previously by NMR. In particular, the cluster of positively charged residues that is important for MAP kinase binding is located in completely different positions in the two structures, with a distance of 25 Å between them. Moreover, this cluster is α‐helical in MKP5, while it forms a loop followed by a β‐strand in MKP3. These large structural differences could be associated with the distinct substrate preferences of these phosphatases, but further studies are needed to confirm this. The CD of MKP5 is observed in an active conformation, and two loops in the active site have backbone shifts of up to 5 Å relative to the inactive CDs from other MKPs.