bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel hyperspectral medical sensor for tongue diagnosis
Authors: Liu Zhi , Li Qingli , Yan Jing‐qi , Tang Qun‐lin 
Published: February 2007

PurposeTongue diagnosis is a standard expert technique of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Computerized tongue diagnosis promises to automate the process of tongue diagnosis yet the tongue images segmentation upon which it depends is made difficult by the fact that the tongue is non‐rigid and varies greatly in size, shape, color, and texture. This paper presents a novel medical sensor system for TCM tongue diagnosis, which makes use of hyperspectral imaging technology.Design/methodology/approachThe tongue image capturing sensor device for Chinese medical is based on the theory of the pushbroom hyperspectral imager. The paper illustrates its advantages by detecting the tongue contour in the hyperspectral images.FindingsThe experiments from 1,522 clinical tongue images show the validity of the system.Practical implicationsIn this paper, the authors propose to use hyperspectral technology for tongue diagnosis for the first time in the literature and obtain promising results.Originality/valueThe novel sensor for tongue image capture gives a new method for tongue imformation collection. This system gives a new approach for tongue information collection.
Adaptive reuse and sustainability of commercial buildings
Authors: Bullen Peter A. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeTo investigate the viability of adaptive reuse of commercial buildings and the impact it has on the sustainability of existing built environment in Western Australia.Design/methodology/approachA survey of building owners in Western Australia and a review of literature concerning adaptive reuse of commercial buildings.FindingsThe concept of adaptation is supported by building owners and there is a strong intuition/perception that adaptive reuse serves the key concepts of sustainability. Building owners are considering adaptive reuse as a viable option to demolition and redevelopment of existing facilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a structured questionnaire limits the depth of responses in the study. A follow up study using interviews would allow further because it does not allow probing, prompting and clarification of the issues addressed.Practical implicationsResults from this research has implications for building owners and managers as it will eventually provide a theoretical framework that can be incorporated in the decision‐making process for adaptive reuse projects.Originality/valueThe contribution of existing buildings to the three tenets of sustainability has not been explored comprehensively in Western Australia.
Development of an effective methodology for assessment, repair and maintenance of the earthquake damaged buildings
Authors: Alani Amir M. , Khosrowshahi Farzad 
Published: February 2007

PurposeConsiderable amounts of work have been carried out in developing cost models for the repair and maintenance of earthquake damaged buildings in recent years. Most of these developments have been based on methods and approaches using risk analysis, probabilistic earthquake and scenario earthquakes. The main objectives of this paper can be summarised as: to highlight the extent and variability of influencing factors (quantitative and qualitative) affecting the repair and maintenance of post‐earthquake damage to buildings and structures; and to present the first configuration of a proposed quantitative model for the repair and maintenance of damage inflicted on buildings.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this, an in‐depth review of the available literature in this field was deemed necessary. The presented literature review, demonstrates the need and the gap in knowledge, as well as the complexity of the subject for such development. In developing the proposed model, attention has been paid to the recommendations made and good practice observed within the industry and the corresponding literature. The suggested assessment mechanism of buildings (data collection) has been proposed in conjunction with the ATC – 38 post‐earthquake building assessment forms and the ASCE/FEMA 356 – pre‐standard and commentary for the seismic rehabilitation of building. The ability (mechanism) to estimate the cost of required repair and maintenance based on a thorough condition survey of the inflicted damage on buildings was of paramount importance in this study.FindingsThe main finding reported in this paper, apart from the presented cost estimation methodology and the first configuration of a quantitative model, is the necessity to acquire and establish a broad knowledge base of variables and parameters, influencing such development.Originality/valueThis paper certainly paves the way for a more rigorous and comprehensive approach for further development in this field.
The impact of online retail grocery shopping on retail space: a Cape Town case study
Authors: McClatchey Juliette , Cattell Keith , Michell Kathy 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of completed case studies of two major multi‐channel grocery retailers in South Africa. The aim of the research was to establish the potential that online grocery retail has to undermine traditional retail by decreasing foot traffic and undermining rental income.Design/methodology/approachThe growth of online shopping in the retail sector is a matter of concern for those involved in the development and management of shopping centres. Non‐probability convenience sampling was employed to interview shoppers in the five largest regional shopping centres in Cape Town tenanted by the two major grocery “e‐tailers” in South Africa.FindingsThe findings show that the online grocery market is an expanding market segment. Furthermore, diminished foot traffic is likely to affect the ability of smaller retailers to pay turnover rentals. Miller's revised rent model is adapted and used to illustrate the potential savings that may be generated by changing the rent models currently in use.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research into exactly what consumers buy online from food retailers needs to be undertaken in order to establish the maximum potential reduction in foot traffic attracted by food anchors.Practical implicationsIt is concluded that the South African retail industry is heavily reliant on traditional retail centres and although the loss in rentals resulting from online grocery sales is not currently considerable, it does represent a potential future threat.Originality/valueThe paper speculates about the effects of growth in online buying on rental agreements in shopping centres. The paper would appeal to property investors, property developers and facilities managers.
Envelope within an envelope: an FM approach to adaptive re‐use of redundant barns
Authors: Frattari Antonio , Lawrence David 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the innovative concept of “envelope within an envelope” as a tool to give redundant timber farm barns (which may be perceived as uneconomic for adaptation) new life for residential purposes. It aims to outline research that is proposed in order to provide guidelines for conservation/preservation professionals, potential user/occupants, investors and developers. It is based upon current problems existing in the Trentino region of Italy and the state of Michigan in the USA.Design/methodology/approachAfter explaining the new concept and its potential for solving current conservation/preservation problems, the paper introduces technical and facilities management (FM) goals for research and development. Within the FM goal a series of objectives are outlined giving a broad methodology to consider user needs, costings, and communication needs for raising awareness.FindingsThe concept recognizes traditional conservation/preservation interventions capable of extending the life of a structure while at the same time permitting innovative technology to be introduced to provide modern and sustainable accommodation that will be perceived as economically viable.Originality/valueThe concept of “envelope within an envelope” incorporates not only technical elements of conservation/preservation but also behavioural and economic elements arising from the user‐orientated emphasis given by the introduction of an FM framework. This improves on the technocratic solutions that are offered by the “structure within a structure” concept.
“Decision research” correlates directly with better business performance
Authors: Ganeshasundaram Raguragavan , Henley Nadine 
Published: February 2007

PurposeProceeding from the widely accepted but relatively untested premise that the gathering of intelligence via market research is central to business success, this paper reports a study investigating the extent to which the type of research carried out influences the level of business performance.Design/methodology/approachJust over 6,000 market research projects conducted by a sample of 68 companies in New Zealand were classified as mainly “decision” or “background research” the companies allocated to one of three categories according to the mix of those types in their total research programme, and their business performance rated on four criteria. Firm size and the market research budget were taken into account as potential confounding variables. ANOVA, MANOVA and factor analysis were applied to data gathered from responses to a questionnaire developed by Diamantopoulos and Souchon, appropriately modified to the specific conditions of this study.FindingsCompanies carrying out mostly “decision research” rated themselves as performing generally better than those placing more emphasis on “background research” regardless of the size of the firm or the its market research budget. They scored highly on return‐on‐assets, return‐on‐sales and sales growth, and exhibited positive overall performance. The initial finding was strongly reinforced by factor analysis, 98 per cent of the variation in business performance being explained by the categorisation of a company's research as dominantly “decision” “background” or “mixed”.Practical implicationsThe evidence for the positive effect of “decision research” on business performance suggests deliberate repositioning of market research strategy towards “decision research” rather than the “background research” which is generally in favour. This will require a major shift in the marketing management mindset with respect to marketing intelligence.Originality/valueThis is the first study to show a direct correlation between type of market research conducted and better business performance. It offers an improved conceptual framework for marketing intelligence and planning.
On the role of bank staff in online customer purchase
Authors: Durkin Mark 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper reports the findings of the latest, quantitative phase of a continuing study that explores the impact of the internet on bank‐customer relationships. The specific aim is to shed light on customers' own views about when, how and in which circumstances personal contact with bank staff remains appropriate despite developments in online banking.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on key elements of the theoretical framework developed in earlier phases of the study and taking methodological leads in the academic literature, a questionnaire was constructed and delivered to 5,000 customers of one UK bank. The usable response rate was just less than ten per cent, delivering almost 500 sets of respondent data, which were analysed by multiple regression.FindingsMotivating and inhibiting influences on interaction with bank staff are identified. Data analysis shows that the more complex the service product offerings, the more customers require reassurance about internet security and the impersonal and intangible nature of online transactions. At the highest level of complexity, they feel the need for “coaching” in the procedures of online banking by bank staff, face‐to‐face and perhaps even in the home.Research limitations/implicationsWhile Stage I consisted of a small number of depth interviews with specialist managers in four countries, Stage II analysed a large number of questionnaire returns from customers of one bank in one country. There is obvious scope to enlarge both study settings and thereby improve the generalisability of findings and conclusions.Practical implicationsThe implications for marketing planning and strategy development in the banking environment are discussed, including the possibility that a viable strategic option could be reduce the emphasis on online transactions in the particular case of higher net‐worth customers.Originality/valueAdds to the body of knowledge about the rapidly developing phenomenon of remote banking transactions, especially the purchasing of financial services, facilitated by customer adoption of online banking (or “internet banking” or “e‐banking”).
Electronic journals collections in Argentine private academic libraries
Authors: González Bonorino Adina , Molteni Valeria E. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe aim of this research is to describe the impact that the emergence of electronic journals has exerted on different services and areas making up information units in Argentine private universities.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis focuses on the 27 libraries with journals that answered a survey, and impact is evaluated by means of the survey's closed and open questions. This research covers the following aspects: selection and acquisition, human resources, technical processes, informatics, marketing, users services, library cooperation, and publishing.FindingsThe research outlines the extent to which electronic reference services are being used in Argentina, and the analysis reveals reasons why leading private academic libraries have included electronic journals in their collections. The number of universities granting access to electronic journals has increased slowly over the last five years, though libraries count on a rich variety of electronic journals subscriptions – particularly databases. There is a lack of uniformity with regard to the adoption of standard criteria for cataloguing electronic journals – though over 50 percent said they did catalogue them.Originality/valueAlthough the study is limited to the Argentine private academic library system, it provides further insight into the realities of private academic libraries in Argentina regarding access, use, and publishing of electronic journals – which, because of the inherent problems of duplication and cost, pose a great challenge to information professionals today.
Performance comparisons of tree‐based and cell‐based contact detection algorithms
Authors: Han K. , Feng Y.T. , Owen D.R.J. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of three commonly used global search algorithms, namely tree‐based augmented spatial digital tree, cell‐based no binary search and D‐cell, in the discrete element simulations.Design/methodology/approachA large number of test cases with up to five million particles/discrete objects are employed to numerically examine the computational costs of the three search algorithms and their performance is compared.FindingsComprehensive comparisons reveal that the D‐cell is more efficient than the tree‐based search algorithms for large‐scale problems. The parametric study of the D‐cell algorithm itself shows that the performance of the algorithm is strongly dependent on the cell dimension chosen.Research limitations/implicationsThe only limitation of the current work is that the tested domain shape is regular, and thus more complex domain shapes may need to be considered.Originality/valueThe paper provides clear guidance regarding the possible actual computational performance of the tested search algorithms for practical applications.
An exploratory study of service quality in the Malaysian public service sector
Authors: Agus Arawati , Barker Sunita , Kandampully Jay 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to obtain a better understanding of the extent to which service quality permeates within the Malaysian public service sector by drawing on management and customer perceptions of service quality.Design/methodology/approachTwo separate surveys were distributed to managers and customers across 86 branches of a public sector department within the Malaysian Ministry. The manager survey comprised instruments relating to organisational service performance, while the customer survey contained instruments relating to service quality and customer satisfaction. A total of 430 manager and customer surveys were completed, representing a 95 percent response rate.FindingsThe results support the conceptual model in demonstrating a strong correlation between service quality dimensions, service performance and customer satisfaction. In particular, service providers classified as “excellent” were rated most favourably in terms of responsiveness, access and credibility.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalisability of the results is limited by the absence of the employees' perception of service quality.Practical implicationsThis research adds to the body of knowledge relating to public service quality management.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies within the context in which this study took place. The study addresses key relationships between service dimensions, service performance and service quality within the Malaysian public service sector. Although previous research has addressed similar issues within the context of the public sector, relatively few studies pertain directly to Malaysian public services.
Root cause analysis based maintenance policy
Authors: Ming Tan Cher , Raghavan Nagarajan 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to ease the implementation of predictive maintenance policy in industry using the root cause analysis technique, and to compare the reliability and cost effectiveness of root cause based maintenance (RCBM) relative to conventional corrective maintenance (CM).Design/methodology/approachThe system is modularized into its components and maintenance schedules are developed based on each component's individual degradation trends. The effectiveness of RCBM over CM is studied by analyzing system reliability patterns and total maintenance cost functions obtained through empirical cost models, accounting for yield and production loss, maintenance, replacement and catastrophic failure costs. Cost variations for various possible failure distribution parameter values (β, η) under the CM and RCBM policies are also obtained. The proposed methodology is tested in a real aircraft failures case study.FindingsRCBM is generally more effective over CM in achieving timely maintenance at optimal cost (savings up to 65 percent) while keeping high system reliability, for a wide range of (β, η) values. However, CM could still be beneficial for a restricted range of large (β, η).Practical implicationsIndustry should consider shifting from CM to adopt the proposed RCBM policy, which is proved to be more efficient in most cases. The implementation is not necessarily complex.Originality/valueThe effectiveness of RCBM over CM in terms of reliability and cost considerations is clearly illustrated. This paper justifies the need to shift from CM to RCBM, which brings us closer to a practical implementation of predictive maintenance. This work also serves as a simple and valuable guide to implementation for maintenance and operational managers in production industries.
Overcoming barriers to sustainable implementation of the ISO 9001 system
Authors: Zeng S.X. , Tian P. , Tam C.M. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis study aims to explore the barriers to implementation of ISO 9000 in China, and to identify how these barriers can be overcome.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structural questionnaire survey, this paper examines the main barriers for enterprises in effective implementation of the ISO 9001 standard.FindingsThis paper highlights the problems in implementing the standard, which determines the sustainable implementation, including: short‐sighted goal for “getting certified”; over‐expectation on the ISO 9001 standard; mandatory requirement (not wholehearted commitment) in some industries; and following others (the trend) in certification. With regard to the effective audit of the ISO 9001 standard, the main problems were explored, including: lack of commitment from some certifying bodies; excessive competition between certifying bodies; and offering of a total packaged service from consultancy to certification by certifying bodies.Practical implicationsThe ISO 9000 series have permeated into all industrial sectors. Although there are many stories of successful adoption of ISO 9001, problems in implementing the standards need to be explored, which may affect the sustainable implementation.Originality/valueBased on the analysis, the paper proposes that the government should improve the legal framework and enforcement schemes to strengthen supervision and control for effective auditing of ISO 9000 standards.
Sarbanes‐Oxley: are audit committees up to the task?
Authors: Hoi Chun‐Keung (Stan) , Robin Ashok , Tessoni Daniel 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to study the audit committee (AC) provisions of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act with the objective of identifying implementation issues and to recommend firm and board actions to remedy the problems that are identified.Design/methodology/approachStandard economic theory was used to analyze the incentives and abilities of AC members, relying on results in the financial economics literature regarding outside director behavior.FindingsThe framework predicts that the new provisions in conjunction with the new regulatory/liability environment will increase risk‐aversion in directors belonging to ACs. This, in turn, creates an incentive alignment problem between AC members and shareholders leading to sub‐optimal decisions with regard to the audit. In particular, it is noted that demand will increase for high‐quality audits irrespective of cost considerations. The analysis also indicates that director labor markets will not mitigate this sub‐optimality.Research limitations/implicationsBecause Sarbanes‐Oxley places direct responsibility for the audit in the hands of the AC, interventions by managers who may have incentives more aligned with those of shareholders are not considered. In a real world setting, managers may be playing a constructive role behind the scenes.Practical implicationsSpecific action items to mitigate the problems are suggested. These steps have the combined effect of: increasing compensation for AC members (to support the additional workload); decreasing their risk exposure (to facilitate incentive alignment); and providing additional resources (to ensure efficiency of oversight).Originality/valueIn studying the AC provisions of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act, this paper has gone someway towards identifying implementation issues and recommending firm and board actions to remedy the identified problems.
CEO succession: best practices in a changing environment
Authors: Dalton Dan R. , Dalton Catherine M. 
Published: February 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to look at CEO succession in light of regulations and post‐Sarbanes‐Oxley (post‐SOX) dynamics.Design/methodology/approachDescribes best‐in‐class practices for boards of directors responsible for CEO succession.FindingsFinds that the post‐SOX dynamics promise to even further confound boards of directors' responsibilities for succession planning and execution.Originality/valueProvides some practical guidelines that may facilitate CEO succession in the challenging post‐SOX business environment.