bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mismatched perceptions and expectations
Authors: Saunders Mark N.K. , Skinner Denise , Beresford Richard 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo explore potential mismatches between stakeholders' perceptions and expectations of key and technical skills needed for an advanced modern apprentice within the UK.Design/methodology/approachUsing data collected from the automotive sector, the template process is used to establish lecturer, student and employee stakeholder group's expectations of a person taking up employment alongside an advanced modern apprenticeship or as an advanced modern apprentice. Perceptions of the extent to which expectations are met and their relative importance are assessed.FindingsAll stakeholders acknowledge that a skills gap exists across key and technical skills. However, whilst students focus on technical skills, lecturers and employees place greatest emphasis on key skills and their ability to transfer them.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this research is based on the UK automotive sector, the findings emphasise the importance of key skills and understanding as part of students' learning. Research is needed to establish why students appear to undervalue these and establish whether similar patterns exist in other sectors.Practical implicationsThe voluntarist approach to UK vocational education and training has, when combined with the need for further education colleges to be economically viable, resulted in courses that appear attractive but do not always meet the automotive sector's needs. Research is needed to establish whether this is occurring across other sectors.Originality/valueThis template process offers a new technique to explore stakeholders' perceptions and expectations. The findings provide new insights into the mismatches between expectations of the stakeholders in vocational education and training.
HRD in France: the corporate perspective
Authors: Weil Amandine , Woodall Jean 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo explore and describe the roles, activities and strategies of French human resource development professionals.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based primarily on exploratory and descriptive research. A range of secondary sources on European and French human resource development is critically reviewed to generate a number of research questions designed to identify the corporate perspective on human resource development by means of cases drawn from six organizations located in Eastern France.FindingsThese confirm the lack of a clear understanding of human resource development on the part of French companies; the wide range of activities that is considered to fall within human resource development; an emerging interest in management development, career development and skills forecasting, but a neglect of training evaluation; the similarity of human resource development practitioner roles to those elsewhere in Europe; growing evidence of the involvement of line managers in human resource development activity, and a strong commitment to the strategic significance of human resource development.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was based on an opportunity sample of just six companies in Eastern France, and may therefore not be representative, but it does provide findings that expand upon and also qualify earlier research.Practical implicationsThis study provides new knowledge and understanding of the context and practice of human resource development in France and makes a number of suggestions for further research.Originality/valueThis paper provides original research based on recent cases of corporate human resource development practice, and should be of interest to scholars of international human resource development.
Changes in HRM in Europe
Authors: Nikandrou Irene , Apospori Eleni , Papalexandris Nancy 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo examine HRM strategies and practices and HRM position within organizations in various cultural, economic and sociopolitical contexts from a longitudinal perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the 1995 and 1999 Cranet data in a longitudinal methodological framework to explore the changes and trends in 18 European countries with regard to certain HRM issues between the points of time when measurements took place. Country is the unit of analysis, and cluster analysis is used for each of the two waves of data to classify countries into relatively homogeneous groups/clusters.FindingsThe overall picture is that the 18 countries form two major clusters. Countries in Europe can be systematically clustered in a North/West‐South/East distinction, regarding HRM practices. There is no indication of convergence between the major clusters. However, movement from one cluster to another was observed, with Italy and East Germany moving to the North‐western cluster.Research limitations/implicationsThe level of analysis, which is HR practices at a national (average values) and regional level, is a methodological limitation of the present study. Analysis at this level conceals qualitative differences between countries, which are important in the contextual paradigm.Practical implicationsThe issue of convergence in HR practices has important implications for HR managers in multinationals who operate in Europe and the transferability of HR practices.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the issue of whether over time there is an increasing “Europeanisation” (convergence) of HRM practices in Europe or not, by studying HR practices in 18 European countries.
Working students at Greek universities
Authors: Mihail Dimitrios M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeGreece has the highest youth unemployment rate in the European Union. Even though it is clear that persistent unemployment requires bold measures in engaging young educated Greeks in the labour market, there is no coherent policy targeting that population group, especially university students. This research paper aims to explore the idea of restructuring the internal labour market in Greek universities by expanding services and offering part‐time job positions to their students.Design/methodology/approachIn assessing the feasibility of such a project a survey was conducted involving 237 undergraduate students majoring in business management and 22 administrative executives at the University of Macedonia, Greece.FindingsThe survey's main findings indicate that there is a tendency to match job openings with skills supplied by students in a work‐school programme focused on campus part‐time jobs.Research limitations/implicationsA large‐scale national survey involving students from various academic disciplines and executives from different universities would result in a more informed discussion on institutions that promote youth employment.Originality/valueThis study has shown that a work‐study programme promoting work opportunities on campus is plausible in Greece and might have great value for key stakeholders – students and universities.
Career management in transition: HRD themes from the Estonian civil service
Authors: Rees Christopher J. , Järvalt Jane , Metcalfe Beverley 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo explore, through a case study, some of the key career‐related HRD issues that senior managers are currently facing in the Estonian civil service.Design/methodology/approachPresents primary empirical research into career management in the Estonian civil service since 1991, that is, in the post‐Soviet era. The research involved in‐depth interviews with a group of 12 senior staff employed by the Estonian civil service.FindingsThe interview data reveal the ways in which downsizing and de‐layering in the Estonian public sector have led to shortened career paths, increased functional flexibility, increased spans of control and shifts towards open job systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe research explored career‐related issues solely within the Estonian civil service. Further research would be needed in a wider range of organisations and countries before the transferability of the findings could be established to transitional economies more generally.Practical implicationsProvides practical insights into the difficulties of career management in transitional economies situations from an HR perspective.Originality/valueOffers a valuable contribution by demonstrating that, within certain parameters, Western‐based career management strategies and techniques may be adapted to fit transitional public services in Estonia but only as one element of a comprehensive HR modernisation programme.
MBA for small firms and microenterprises? Development issues
Authors: Lynch Paul , Baty Richard , Abdullah Farouk , Seaman Claire 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo report on an investigation amongst small firm owner‐managers in the service sector into potential demand for an MBA.Design/methodology/approachRelevant recent literature is critiqued concerning small firms and learning, and MBAs and small firms. A description is given of the research methods employed involving a mail questionnaire sent to 600 small and microenterprises eliciting 99 completed questionnaires, and follow‐up interviews with a sample of 20 respondents.FindingsIdentifies a potential market for an MBA tailor‐made to the requirements of a “learning segment” of small firm owner‐managers. Finds owner‐managers have sophisticated product requirements to be satisfied which would necessitate significant changes in higher education course provision and processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was not concerned with investigating price. Bridging the gap between meeting the educational needs of small firms and higher education provision would help to address issues of social exclusion and potentially enhance the competitive economy.Practical implicationsHigher education institutions need to make significant changes to course provision and teaching, learning and assessment processes in order to develop an MBA product appropriate for the small firm market.Originality/valueAssists with planning and designing a small firm MBA. Furthers debate concerning small firms and lifelong learning in order to develop a more competitive economy.
Managing human resources in a multinational context
Authors: Sumetzberger Walter 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo develop more sensitivity for different patterns of human resource management in multinational companies.Design/methodology/approachSystemic approach; the concepts and models are based on the evaluation of consulting projects in the field of human resource management.FindingsA concept of four typical varieties of human resource management, a model and important aspects for designing the cooperation processes between human resource departments and company management in multinational companies.Originality/valueThis paper provides a complex mindset about human resource management in a multinational context, which is a prerequisite for designing constructive cooperation processes between human resource departments and company management and for increasing the effectiveness of human resource activities.
Methods to enhance reflective behaviour in innovation processes
Authors: Verdonschot Suzanne G.M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study aims to trace methods that help to develop the reflective behaviour that is necessary for identifying and describing learning processes in organisations that focus on improvement and innovation.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review results in the characteristics of reflection when reflection is used to trace learning processes in innovation. This results in five characteristics. Literature on research methodology is reviewed in order to find methods that promote this reflective behaviour. These methods are analysed to find out to what extent they contain the characteristics for reflection in innovation processes.FindingsThe literature review leads to five elements that characterise reflective behaviour in innovation processes. It offers a description of several methods that can be used to identify learning processes. The main conclusion is that hardly any method contains all five characteristics for adequate reflective behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study mainly reviewed research methodologies and no other methods that actively promote reflection.Practical implicationsThe findings offer concrete guidance for practitioners how to encourage reflective behaviour and innovation processes.Originality/valueThe paper refers to the interest of both research and practice. From the research point of view it presents a variety of methods for analysing learning processes in order to deepen our knowledge with respect to these processes. From the practice point of view, it offers concrete methods that enable participants to develop reflective skills that help them to become more knowledge productive.
Assessing the impact of entrepreneurship education programmes: a new methodology
Authors: Fayolle Alain , Gailly Benoît , Lassas‐Clerc Narjisse 
Published: January 2007

PurposeFacing the multiplication of entrepreneurship education programmes (EEP) and the increasing resources allocated, there is a need to develop a common framework to evaluate the design of those programmes. The purpose of this article is to propose such a framework, based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).Design/methodology/approachTPB is a relevant tool to model the development of entrepreneurial intention through pedagogical processes. The independent variables are the characteristics of the EEP and the dependent variables are the antecedents of entrepreneurial behaviour. To illustrate and test the relevance of the evaluation methodology, a pilot study is conducted.FindingsData are consistent and reliable, considering the small scale of this experiment. The EEP assessed had a strong measurable impact on the entrepreneurial intention of the students, while it had a positive, but not very significant, impact on their perceived behavioural control.Research implications/limitationsThis is a first step of an ambitious research programme aiming at producing theory‐grounded knowledge. Reproduction of the experiment will allow researchers to test how specific characteristics of an EEP influence its impact and how the impact differs across several cohorts of students. Those comparisons will serve to improve a priori the design of EEP.Originality/valueThe new methodology is built on a robust theoretical framework and based on validated measurement tools. Its originality is about a relative – longitudinal – measure of impact over time and a particular use of the theory of planned behaviour which is seen as an assessment framework.
IRFOC induction motor with rotor time constant estimation modelling and simulation
Authors: Radwan E. , Mariun N. , Aris I. , Bash S.M. , Yatim A.H. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide a new and simple inverse rotor time constant identification method which can be used to update an indirect rotor field oriented controlled (IRFOC) induction motor algorithm.Design/methodology/approachTwo different equations are used to estimate the rotor flux in the stator reference frame. One of the equations is a function of the rotor time constant, rotor angular velocity and the stator currents. The other equation is a function of measured stator currents and voltages. The equation that uses the voltage and the current signals of the stator serves as reference model, however, the other equation works as an adjustable model with respect to the variation of the rotor time constant. Voltage signals used in the reference model equation are obtained from the measured DC bus voltage and the inverter gating signals. The proposed scheme is verified using a MATLAB/SIMULINK model for two different motors and experimentally using a DSP development tool (MCK 243) supplied by Technosoft S.A.FindingsThe proposed estimator was able to successfully track the actual value of the inverse rotor time constant for different load torque and speed operating conditions. Increased oscillations in the estimated inverse rotor time constant appeared at lower speeds (below 10 per cent of rated speed) due to drift in a PI regulator (used at the estimator side), which was tuned under rated operating conditions and using parameters nominal values.Research limitations/implicationsThis estimation scheme is limited when near zero speed operation is demanded; otherwise it gives a simple and practical solution. A suggested way out of this, is to provide a self‐tuning controller that can automatically adjust even for zero speed operation, or to automatically disconnect the estimator and take the most updated value as long as the operating speed is below a predetermined value.Originality/valueThis paper presented a new inverse rotor time constant estimator for an IRFOC induction motor application and in conjunction rotor flux was estimated without voltage phase sensors.
A fuzzy logic controlled power electronic system for maximum power point detection of a solar energy panel
Authors: İskender İres 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo analyze the operating performance of a fuzzy logic control (FLC) based solar energy conversion modular system controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP) microcontroller.Design/methodology/approachA range of published works relevant to the solar energy conversion modular systems are evaluated and their limitations are indicated in the first section of the paper. The circuit diagram of the panel‐boost converter system is described in the second section. In the third section, a neural network model is suggested for the photovoltaic panel and the model is created in the MATLAB/SIMULINK and then combined with other blocks existing in the system. The design of the FLC method is described in section 4. The simulation and experimental results corresponding to the control of the duty‐cycle of the converter to set the operating point of the solar panel at the maximum power point (MPP) are given in sections 5 and 6, respectively. Section 7, summarizes the results and conclusions of the study.FindingsThe paper suggests a simple dc‐dc boost converter controlled by FLC method. The proposed converter model can be used to obtain maximum power from a photovoltaic panel.Research limitations/implicationsIn preparing this paper, the resources books existing in the library of our university and the resources relative to the solar energy conversion and FLC published in English language and reachable through the internet were researched.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests a neural network model for a solar panel, which can be used in the simulation of the solar energy panel‐boost converter system. The solar energy panel‐boost converter system proposed in this study can be used by the researchers who are working in the solar energy conversion area.Originality/valueThe suggestion of a neural network model for a solar panel and creation of this model in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment provides researchers to simulate and to analyze the performance of the solar energy panel‐boost converter system using the MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation program. In addition, since the control approach proposed in this paper does not require the information on temperature and solar irradiance that affect the maximum output power, can effectively find the MPP of the solar panel.
Full‐vectorial finite element solution to open waveguide problems using adaptive perfectly matched layers
Authors: Al Salameh M.S. , Makki S.M. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide an efficient numerical eigenvalue solution for open waveguides with lossy anisotropic materials.Design/methodology/approachVector edge elements are used to represent the core of the problem, and an adaptive perfectly matched layer (PML) is used to truncate the surrounding region. The parameters of the PML are allowed to change at each frequency to obtain accurate results using small number of unknowns.FindingsThe method is able to solve many configurations, and considerable reduction in mesh size has been reported. In addition, by adapting the solution according to some error criterion, it will be possible to minimize the dependence on human experience and rely more on automated algorithms.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a need to improve the performance of the adaptive algorithm by building an automatic adaptive procedure that can work without human intervention.Practical implicationsA systematic full‐wave algorithm for solving practical electromagnetic engineering problems associated with open waveguides, such as planar transmission lines and optical waveguides, using relatively small computer resources.Originality/valueProposed a new “dimension” of adaptation for PML, besides the classical h‐/p‐/hp adaptation methods available in literature. Thus, the requirement for smaller computer resources makes this method cost‐effective for industry in the design of practical open waveguides.
Efficient transient simulation of interconnect networks
Authors: Condon M. , Dautbegovic E. , Brennan C. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo provide an efficient and accurate model for interconnect networks characterised by frequency‐domain scattering or admittance parameters. The parameters are derived from measurements or rigorous full‐wave simulation.Design/methodology/approachInitially, Hilbert transform relationships are enforced to ensure causality. A reverse Fourier series representation of the discrete data is then converted to the z‐domain and from this a state‐space formulation is determined. This enables the application of a judiciously chosen model reduction algorithm to obtain an efficient time‐domain representation of the network.FindingsSample results from both simulated and measured data indicate the efficacy of the proposed modelling strategy. For successful implementation of the strategy, it is necessary to employ the Hilbert transform to ensure that a causal impulse response is obtained.Practical implicationsThe method is applicable to the interconnect networks for which the analytical models cannot be obtained due to the complexity and inhomogeneity of the geometries involved.Originality/valueThe work combines in a novel manner aspects from several existing techniques proposed for network simulation and model reduction. The end result is a highly efficient causal, stable and passive representation of the network in question for implementation in a time‐domain circuit simulator.
Optimizing a transformer driven active magnetic shield in induction heating
Authors: Sergeant Peter , Dupré Luc , Melkebeek Jan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeTo design an optimal active shield for the mitigation of the magnetic stray field around an induction heating device.Design/methodology/approachThe active shield consists of several compensation coils in series and generates a counter field opposite to the main field. One extra compensation winding – the “generating compensation winding” (GCW) – is positioned close to the excitation coil and works as the secondary winding of a transformer. The power in this winding is used to drive the other compensation coils (the active shield), which are the load of the transformer. A circuit with passive components is inserted between the GCW and the other compensation coils. The shield is optimal if it achieves a high field reduction, while the energy dissipation is low. By using a genetic algorithm (GA) that minimizes an objective function, the optimization algorithm finds the optimal geometry and the optimal current for the GCW and the other compensation coils. The objective function uses time harmonic and axisymmetric finite element calculations.FindingsThe transformer driven active shield reduces the magnetic field effectively. It is cheap and easy to build, but it works well only for one frequency.Research limitations/implicationsThe shield is sensitive to tuning of the passive circuit and to changes in the frequency of the induction heater.Practical implicationsThis transformer driven shield is an alternative for the classical active shield with external power supply.Originality/valueAn active shield that does not need an external power supply is a cheap solution for the shielding of magnetic fields.