bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Classifying client side FM organisations in the United Kingdom
Authors: Kaya Sezgin , Alexander Keith 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo demonstrate the negative results of market sector based classification of client side FM organisations (FMOs) in benchmarking studies, and propose collection of both external and internal organisational patterns as the key characteristics of FMOs.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with leading consultants, clients and academics on the negative side effects of the current benchmarking studies in FM, followed by a critique of published FM and Organisational management studies to explore the characteristics of FMOs. As a result, it is proposed that characteristics of FMOs depend on its relations to the external and internal patterns.FindingsIt has been found that in literature and practice on FMOs, characteristics related to the internal environment of FMOs are neglected. These characteristics are: hierarchy, specialisation, centralisation, span of control, size, and reporting line. On the other hand, those related to the external environment of FM are widely covered in FM literature. These characteristics are occupancy profile, change, visibility to customers, and procurement options. This paper concludes with the proposition that the external and internal patterns collectively define the characteristics of FMOs and should equally be taken into account.Research limitations/implicationsPrepares the background for an exploration of what makes FM organizations similar and dissimilar to each other. The extent of interviews and literature survey is explorative and hence inclusive.Practical implicationsA systematic exploration for comparative FM studies in the UK, and also source of information for FM scholars striving for understanding the context and relationships in client FM organizations.Originality/valueThis paper extends the depth and scrutiny of studies related to FM organizations by investigating both practice and theory and proposes a system that can explain the differences between FM organizations.
The influence of heterogeneous expectations on security prices
Authors: Abraham Rebecca , Harrington Charles W. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to provide empirical support for the Miller model. The paper proposes the use of the ratio of individual to institutional holdings as a proxy for heterogeneous expectations of security returns.Design/methodology/approachBoth bivariate t‐tests and regression analysis were used to test whether optimistic valuations existed for stocks with high levels of institutional ownership. Data on open short positions were collected and hypothesized to decrease with the level of institutional holdings. High ratio stocks were compared to glamor stocks and low ratio stocks to value stocks.FindingsFor stocks with higher institutional ownership, optimistic valuations dominated resulting in significantly lower future security returns than for stocks with higher individual ownership thereby supporting the Miller model. The results were not sensitive to variations in size, momentum, and book‐to‐market ratios. Further support for the Miller model was provided by the finding that open short positions decreased with the level of institutional holdings. High ratio stocks resembled glamor stocks and low ratio stocks corresponded to value stocks.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the ultra‐short term period of one month after portfolio creation. Future research should extend it to the three‐to‐five year time horizon.Practical implicationsUltra‐short term investors should hold value stocks, intermediate three‐12 month investors should hold glamor stocks, and long‐term investors should hold value stocks.Originality/valueThe finding of a new proxy for heterogeneous expectations. The paper also establishes a new methodology for testing the Miller model.
R&D strategy and stock price volatility in the biotechnology industry
Authors: Xu Bixia 
Published: July 2006

PurposeBiotech share price is highly volatile, compared to most other industries. There is limited explanation for what causes such a high volatility. The purpose of this study is to explore how R&D strategies selected by biotech firms affect their share price volatilities. Specifically, the paper empirically investigates the impact of drug discovery and development diversification on share price volatility.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis is applied to observe the effect of R&D strategy on share price volatility. Share price volatility is regressed on the measure of drug discovery and development diversification. Strategies are classified into two categories: diversified vs. concentrated. Meanwhile, other factors that have an influence on share price volatility such as firm maturity, firm size, and book‐to‐market ratio are controlled. For robustness, a return model is also used to further test the effect of R&D strategy, and sensitivity analyses using alternative drug discovery and development diversification measures are performed. Empirical data was collected for publicly‐traded biotech firms from COMPUSTAT, CRSP and Biospace.FindingsThe major finding of this study is the significant impact of R&D strategy in term of drug discovery and development diversification on share price volatility. Firms that have more diversified drug portfolios are associated with lower share price volatilities; and lower stock returns. In contrast, firms that have more concentrated drug portfolios are associated with higher share price volatilities; and higher stock returns.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research can explore effects of other aspects of the drug discovery and development as well as other firm attributes on biotech share price volatility. In addition, share price volatility may have impacts on managerial issues such as employee stock option issuance. Such impacts should also be studied.Originality/valueThis study targets a major aspect (i.e. R&D strategy) of the very fundamental value drive in the industry (i.e. drug discovery and development) to shed light on the limited understanding of what contribute to biotech share price volatility. The benefit of produce diversification has been examined in some other industries; however, its benefit is largely unknown in the biotech industry. This study has implications for investor risk assessment and corporate risk management.
Supporting clinical governance in primary care
Authors: Wall Debbie , Gerada Clare , Conlon Maurice , Ombler‐Spain Sharon , Warner Lucy 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo report on the clinical governance work of the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team's, Primary Care Team.Design/methodology/approachThe review describes the formation of the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team's Primary Care Team and the development of a range of national clinical governance activities, drawing on a case study example.FindingsThe Team have been developing appraisal, and revalidation for general practitioners across the UK, supporting front‐line staff in primary care to improve patient experience by embedding principles of clinical governance into day‐to‐day practice, and are providing an online education and training programme to develop primary care managers. It has established links, and worked collaboratively with a range of partners in its activities.Originality/valueThe article provides a summary of the activities of the Primary Care Team and its activities to date. An example of supporting clinical governance in primary care is given in a case study of facilitating an influenza vaccination campaign.
The role of an NHS Board in assuring the quality of clinically governed care and the duty of trust to patients
Authors: Stanton Paul 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo provide an overview of the change to NHS Clinical Governance Support Team's Board Development Programme.Design/methodology/approachThe background to the programme, the methods adopted by the Board Team and lessons learned are outlined. Commitment and active support at Board and senior levels are known to be essential for organisational change and, in order to help translate aims into strategic priorities and to implement these into improved services, the Clinical Governance Board Support Team was formed in 2000 as part of the overall NHS Clinical Governance Support Team (CGST). Its members provide advice and support to NHS personnel who are involved in improvements to health care services.FindingsThe team worked initially with Boards of acute NHS Trusts and later with Primary Care, Ambulance and Mental Health Trusts. Among the lessons learned from their own work and the increasing body of research‐based evidence is the importance of the leadership role of the Board in fostering a positive culture of change, enthusing and empowering staff. Other factors are the effectiveness of communication with external organisations, scrutiny of all points of contact with users of the services and involvement of users – patients and carers – at all stages. The Team evolved during the programme, strengthening its clinical base and introducing patients and carers as associates. In order to meet demand and increase capacity of the Team, learning materials have been developed and these and their experiences widely disseminated. An example of success is demonstrated by the progress made by a pilot cohort of Primary Care Trusts.Originality/valueThis review summarises the aims, objectives and progress of the work of the Board Development Programme.
Talent development: the new imperative?
Authors: Barlow Liz 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to provide alternative views on talent development to promote thought.Design/methodology/approachIdeas on talent development including succession planning drawn from experience of working with organizations are presented in this article.FindingsThe article finds that talent development is a more complex and fraught activity than many in human resources recognize, and that standardized approaches that assume that talented people are very similar do not work effectively. Talented people need and want to take charge of their own development but with the right support from the organization.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this article are that people need to take charge of their own development and that it should be personalized for each individual.Originality/valueThis article is useful for individuals and organizations in seeking alternative methods of developing talent.
Prediction of swimmability in a brackish water body
Authors: Jin Guang , Englande A.J. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe primary objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that will predict the swimmability of certain areas of a brackish water body (Lake Pontchartrain) based on physicochemical and meteorological conditions.Design/methodology/approachSamples were collected and analyzed for bacteria indicator organisms at 13 sites along and adjacent to Lincoln Beach for four years. Physicochemical parameters and meteorological data were also recorded. A logistic regression model and an artificial neural networks (ANNs) model were both used to predict whether a lake condition is “safe to swim” or “not safe to swim”, given only physicochemical and meteorological parameters.FindingsBoth models predicted very well the results observed when lake conditions were “safe to swim” (97.7 percent of time the statistical model predicted correctly and an average >99.5 percent of the time for the ANNs model). However, for conditions under which the lake water quality was “not safe to swim”, the statistical model predicted correctly only 5.6 percent of the time. The ANNs model successfully predicted the “not safe to swim” conditions for an average 98.5 percent of the time. However, this percentage decreases to 53.9 percent when ANNs is used for forecasting “not safe to swim” conditions.Research limitations/implicationsThe poorer performance of both models for “not safe to swim” conditions is probably due to the fact that most data (84.5 percent) were collected during “safe to swim” conditions. The limited database for “not safe to swim” conditions resulted in a poorer forecasting success rate.Originality/valueThe ANNs model might serve as a useful tool for public beach management with increased data on “not safe to swim” conditions.
An overview of oil pollution and heavy metal concentration in Warri area, Nigeria
Authors: Essoka P.A. , Ubogu A.E. , Uzu L. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the concentration of selected heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni) in oil‐polluted soils of two communities in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachSoil auger samples were collected at a depth of 0‐15 cm from four sites. Two soil samples were collected from two sites observed to have had oil spills and also two samples from two sites without oil spillage. The soil samples were analysed using the UNICAM 969 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer to determine the level of concentration of the heavy metals in these sites. Their levels in the oil‐spilled sites are compared with those of the control sites and also with the European community standards.FindingsThe results obtained from this study reveal that the concentration of the heavy metals considered were higher in the oil‐spilled sites relative to the control sites. Similarly, when compared with the European community standards, the concentration is said to be quite significant.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that the operations of the oil industry in the study area have not been sufficiently accompanied by adequate environmental protection. To safeguard agricultural land in the area and hence human health, there is an urgent need for government to address the incidence of oil spills in this area.Originality/valueThis paper provides information on the contribution of the oil industry in heavy metals contamination in the Niger‐Delta area of Nigeria.
Empirical study of value‐at‐risk and expected shortfall models with heavy tails
Authors: Harmantzis Fotios C. , Miao Linyan , Chien Yifan 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims to test empirically the performance of different models in measuring VaR and ES in the presence of heavy tails in returns using historical data.Design/methodology/approachDaily returns of popular indices (S&P500, DAX, CAC, Nikkei, TSE, and FTSE) and currencies (US dollar vs Euro, Yen, Pound, and Canadian dollar) for over ten years are modeled with empirical (or historical), Gaussian, Generalized Pareto (peak over threshold (POT) technique of extreme value theory (EVT)) and Stable Paretian distribution (both symmetric and non‐symmetric). Experimentation on different factors that affect modeling, e.g. rolling window size and confidence level, has been conducted.FindingsIn estimating VaR, the results show that models that capture rare events can predict risk more accurately than non‐fat‐tailed models. For ES estimation, the historical model (as expected) and POT method are proved to give more accurate estimations. Gaussian model underestimates ES, while Stable Paretian framework overestimates ES.Practical implicationsResearch findings are useful to investors and the way they perceive market risk, risk managers and the way they measure risk and calibrate their models, e.g. shortcomings of VaR, and regulators in central banks.Originality/valueA comparative, thorough empirical study on a number of financial time series (currencies, indices) that aims to reveal the pros and cons of Gaussian versus fat‐tailed models and Stable Paretian versus EVT, in estimating two popular risk measures (VaR and ES), in the presence of extreme events. The effects of model assumptions on different parameters have also been studied in the paper.
Determinants of dividend payout ratios in Ghana
Authors: Amidu Mohammed , Abor Joshua 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the determinants of dividend payout ratios of listed companies in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe analyses are performed using data derived from the financial statements of firms listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange during a six‐year period. Ordinary Least Squares model is used to estimate the regression equation. Institutional holding is used as a proxy for agency cost. Growth in sales and market‐to‐book value are also used as proxies for investment opportunities.FindingsThe results show positive relationships between dividend payout ratios and profitability, cash flow, and tax. The results also show negative associations between dividend payout and risk, institutional holding, growth and market‐to‐book value. However, the significant variables in the results are profitability, cash flow, sale growth and market‐to‐book value.Originality/valueThe main value of this study is the identification of the factors that influence the dividend payout policy decisions of listed firms in Ghana.
Impact of e‐commerce in lowering operational costs and raising customer satisfaction
Authors: Kumar Sameer , Petersen Palo 
Published: July 2006

PurposeMuch research has been done on how e‐commerce has allowed companies to integrate business processes and reduce operational costs. The intent of this study, however, is to understand how e‐commerce has affected companies' abilities to serve the customers' needs and to raise their level of satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachExploratory data analysis and logistics regression were used to analyze data collected from a multi‐industry company survey. The analysis showed that companies have been able to improve the level of service they can provide to their customers with e‐commerce.FindingsThe research showed that there is a direct correlation between the use of e‐commerce and improved customer service. In particular, e‐commerce has improved the availability of information, reduced processing errors, reduced response times, lowered costs of services, and has effectively raised customer satisfaction and the level of service that customers expect to receive.Practical implicationsThe research revealed, that many businesses are making the transition to integrated e‐commerce business operations. This is being done with the expectations of lowering operational costs and also significantly improving the level of their service offerings.Originality/valueThe study is unique in terms of applying logistics regression approach to multi‐company data across various industries to analyze the impact of e‐commerce on the service aspect of business operations. It also addresses the research question – whether e‐commerce use in a business effectively raises the level of customer service and overall business operation to a more desirable quality.
A model of knowledge processes in a manufacturing company
Authors: Jambekar Anil B. , Pelc Karol I. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe core purpose is to offer a framework that integrates key insights from the literature on knowledge creation, learning and problem solving in conjunction with mapping of customer needs into a closed loop model of knowledge processes in a manufacturing environment.Design/methodology/approachBased on review of literature on knowledge creation and synthesis of a conceptual model that connects the life‐cycle of knowledge and know‐how with core product and business processes of a manufacturing company. Specification of requirements and design of a managerial dashboard are illustrated with a case of a medium‐sized manufacturing company.FindingsThe paper presents properties of knowledge and know‐how creation processes in manufacturing environment and proposes the integrated model of those processes. Furthermore, the paper recommends a four‐stage approach that can be utilized to create a firm‐specific knowledge management system. The model is applied for design of a managerial dashboard system for manufacturing company.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the model conceptualized is generic, it will benefit from additional applications in different manufacturing settings. Further research has been planned.Originality/valueFor practising managers, the model facilitates productive thinking to integrate knowledge and know‐how generation that is a consequence of business problem solving and knowledge accumulation and dissemination infrastructure. A new integrated model of those processes is proposed and used for the design of the managerial dashboard.
Qualifound – a modular tool developed for quality improvement in foundries
Authors: Santos Gilberto , Barbosa Joaquim 
Published: July 2006

PurposeCastings defects are usually easy to characterize, but to eradicate them can be a difficult task. In many cases, defects are caused by the combined effect of different factors, whose identification is often difficult. Besides, the real non‐quality costs are usually unknown, and even neglected. This paper aims to describe the development of a modular tool for quality improvement in foundries, and its main objective is to present the application potential and the foundry process areas that are covered and taken into account.Design/methodology/approachThe integrated model was conceived as an expert system, designated Qualifound, which performs both qualitative and quantitative analyses. For the qualitative analyses mode, the nomenclature and the description of defects are based on the classification suggested by the International Committee of the Foundry Technical Association. Thus, a database of defects was established, enabling one to associate the defects with the relevant process operations and the identification of their possible causes. The quantitative analysis mode deals with the number of produced and rejected castings and includes the calculation of the non‐quality costs.FindingsThe validation of Qualifound was carried out in a Portuguese foundry, whose quality system had been certified according to the ISO 9000 standards. Qualifound was used in every management area and it was concluded that the application had the required technological requisites to provide the necessary information for the foundry management to improve process quality.Originality/valueThe paper presents a successful application of an informatics tool on quality improvement in foundries.