bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of top management support of enterprise systems implementations outcomes
Authors: Dong Linying 
Published: April 2008

PurposeDespite the general consensus regarding the critical role of top management in the information systems (IS) implementation process, the literature reveals a lack of understanding of top managers' supportive actions. There are also conflicting findings, which, based on the review, are the result of unexamined perspectives (deterministic, contingent, and dynamic perspective) of the impact of top management support (TMS). The purpose of the study is to compare the applicability of the three perspectives to enrich the understanding of TMS under the context of enterprise systems (ES) implementation.Design/methodology/approachCase studies were conducted in two Canadian universities which have implemented a large‐scale ES to examine the applicability of the three perspectives. About 19 interviews were conducted with top managers, department managers, project managers, users and trainer.FindingsResults reveal that the deterministic and contingent perspective may be a simplified version of a complex picture and may not reflect how top management actions affect implementation outcomes. The case study indicates that top managers followed the dynamics of the IS implementation process.Practical implicationsThe case studies offer several important findings to practitioners. For example, top managers need to constantly obtain feedback from users and adjust their supportive actions and the level of these supportive actions accordingly.Originality/valueDespite the consensus on the importance of TMS, TMS studies hold different perspectives of the impact of top managers' supportive actions on IS implementation outcomes. By comparing the three perspectives, the study makes important contributions to both academic researchers and practitioners.
A methodology to define strategic processes in organizations
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Moayer Sorousha 
Published: April 2008

PurposeTo elaborate a methodology enabling organizations to define their strategic processes among other processes.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach has been chosen due to the nature of this research. Case study research method is qualitative method but it can be positivist. The mix of techniques is appropriate and some degree of quantification is necessary. Three high‐level steps are designed and these steps are developed in the managerial holding companies (research case study).FindingsBecause of limitations on budget and time, organizations are able to define the processes which are critical to achieve organizations' goals. This methodology has a holistic view in organizations by using balanced scorecard framework.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is based on a single case. Generalization based on this case should be interpreted cautiously and a limitation of the case study should be kept in mind. Furthermore, the strategy of the research case is a competitive strategy and the strategic processes are chosen according to this strategy. They may be changed based on other strategies. In interpreting the result, these limitations should be kept in mind.Originality/valueDefining the strategic processes helps organizations to use their resources based on their objectives. This paper presents a methodology that improves the ability of organizations in managing and directing their resources efficiently.
ERP innovation implementation model incorporating change management
Authors: Kemp M.J. , Low G.C. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to develop and provide a preliminary validation of a model for how change management during an ERP implementation affects the effectiveness of that ERP implementation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a revised Klein et al. innovation implementation model that explicitly considers change management. The applicability of the revised model to describe the effect of change management on the implementation climate and implementation effectiveness of an ERP implementation is assessed using a case study at a large Australian multinational organisation.FindingsSpecific change management activities are identified and described. Qualitative verification of a proposed ERP innovation implementation model that incorporates the effect of change management is provided.Originality/valueChange management was seen as being an important factor in influencing the effectiveness of the ERP project. This study is the first step in the longer‐term empirical validation of the modified innovation implementation model.
A weakness determination and analysis model for business process improvement
Authors: Coskun Semih , Basligil Huseyin , Baracli Hayri 
Published: April 2008

PurposeModeling of the methods for providing improvements in business processes by value adding is researched with an integrated approach. The main purpose in this approach is improving the processes by determining and analyzing the weak points and reducing the weakness degrees.Design/methodology/approachThe designed model determines weak points that need to be improved, analyzes them to find privileged processes in improvement by considering improvement costs and obtains the improvement degrees for defining the improvement strategy by four‐phase business process improvement framework: start‐up, self analysis, defining improvement strategy for making changes, feedback, and continuous improvement.FindingsThe key factor in keeping up with changes in market conditions is systematic application of improvement efforts and providing planned and controlled value addition with these improvements. Decision problems in process improvement can be structured to provide input data suitable for multi‐criteria decision making techniques and results meet the solution expectations.Research limitations/implicationsThe reason for using analytical hierarchy process, goal programming, and linear programming model is to select the process and determine its improvement degree. Solving the decision problems by these techniques is a time consuming process, so forming suitable programs with decision support systems will be useful.Practical implicationsThe theoretical structure of the modeled techniques in this study was examined with an industrial application. The application process and the results suitability were determined.Originality/valueThe proposed model shows improvement amounts according to the amount of defined importance degrees. It presents an advantage to decision makers by giving concrete improvement values from model results determining their improvement strategies.
Designing low carbon higher education systems
Authors: Roy Robin , Potter Stephen , Yarrow Karen 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to summarise the methods and main findings of a study of the environmental impacts of providing higher education (HE) courses by campus‐based and distance/open‐learning methods.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of an environmental audit, with data from surveys of 20 UK courses – 13 campus‐based, seven print‐based and online distance learning courses – covering travel, paper and print consumption, computing, accommodation, and campus site impacts. Results were converted into energy and CO2emissions per student per 100 hours of degree study.FindingsDistance learning HE courses involve 87 per cent less energy and 85 per cent lower CO2emissions than the full‐time campus‐based courses. Part‐time campus HE courses reduce energy and CO2emissions by 65 and 61 per cent, respectively, compared with full‐time campus courses. The lower impacts of part‐time and distance compared with full‐time campus courses is mainly due to a reduction in student travel and elimination of much energy consumption of students' housing, plus economies in campus site utilisation. E‐learning appears to offer only relatively small energy and emissions reductions (20 and 12 per cent, respectively) compared with mainly print‐based distance learning courses, mainly because online learning requires more energy for computing and paper for printing.Research limitations/implicationsAssumptions were made in order to calculate the energy and emissions arising from the different HE systems. For example, it was decided to include all the energy consumed in term‐time accommodation for full‐time campus students while part‐time campus and distance learning students live at home, only requiring additional heating and lighting for study. Future studies could include more distance and blended learning courses offered by institutions other than the UK Open University and impacts other than CO2emissions.Practical implicationsExisting HE sustainability programmes should be broadened beyond considering campus site impacts and “greening the curriculum”. Indeed, were HE expansion to take environmental impacts seriously, then part‐time and distance education should be prioritised over increasing full‐time provision. This appears compatible with the Leitch Review of Skills on continuing education and training for the UK workforce.Originality/valueThe paper represents the only existing quantitative study of this issue.
Professional development for education for sustainability
Authors: Holdsworth Sarah , Wyborn Carina , Bekessy Sarah , Thomas Ian 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to report research undertaken to assess the extent to which Australian universities were engaged in professional development (PD) activities focusing on the development of education for sustainability for their academics.Design/methodology/approachThis web‐based survey seeks to identify the existence of PD programs and teaching induction programs within universities, or where programs in tertiary teaching that included any sustainability education content were offered.FindingsWhile the vast majority of universities had information about PD available, only one offers a PD course designed to introduce academics to sustainability and teaching sustainability. This is despite the high number of Australian universities that have signed sustainability education declarations, which include commitments to achieving sustainability literacy in staff and students.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey focused only on information contained on web sites, and information that would not have been identified by this methodology such as informal programs, forums and workshops, and anything on secure staff “intranet” sites.Practical implicationsThis research indicates that in Australia there is only very limited PD activity, which provides one explanation for the limited extent to which education for sustainability is evident in universities.Originality/valueThere is little information about PD activity in universities generally, and especially in Australia. This research provides a starting‐point investigation into activity that may have been missed by the research. More importantly, it provides a base for the exploration of PD programs that will be the most effective and efficient in facilitating education for sustainability.
“Growing” a campus native species garden: sustaining volunteer‐driven sustainability
Authors: McKinne Kristan L. , Halfacre Angela C. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the challenges of volunteer‐driven college campus sustainability projects through a case study of the development of an urban native plant species garden on the College of Charleston campus in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.Design/methodology/approachThe research used participant observation as the primary data‐gathering technique. The primary author coordinated this volunteer‐driven sustainability project, and recorded observations throughout the process. The authors used content analysis to examine garden volunteer interview data and campus/community documents. These methods allow the reader to view this case first‐hand, providing a unique look at undertaking projects of this nature.FindingsThe paper provides specific guidance for creating sustainable sustainability projects in similar communities and college campuses, identifies challenges specific to this case study that are easily generalized to other volunteer‐driven sustainability projects, and provides solution strategies to avoid or address these challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings have relevance for projects with similar campus and community characteristics as displayed in the case study, whilst the study provides important guidance for campuses seeking to initiate and sustain volunteer‐driven sustainability projects. Further, it offers a step‐by‐step account of the process of creating a native species garden in an urban environment.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a “handbook” for undertaking similar volunteer‐driven sustainability projects.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills a need to provide first‐hand information for the ever‐growing effort to create more sustainable sustainability projects on college campuses world‐wide. It is the first paper of its kind to document the process of campus native species garden creation and the challenges inherent with this type of volunteer‐driven project. Solution strategies are offered that can be followed for those seeking to implement similar sustainability efforts on their campuses.
Utilizing the design charrette for teaching sustainability
Authors: Walker Jason B. , Seymour Michael W. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the design charrette as a method for teaching sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a student‐based design charrette for the Mississippi Gulf Coast comprising a framework for teaching sustainability. An assessment of the charrette's role in promoting sustainability in higher education was ascertained through respondents completing pre‐ and post‐charrette surveys.FindingsThe paper provides survey results that shed light on the effectiveness of the charrette as an approach for teaching sustainability in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThis research indicates that a charrette framed with criteria for teaching sustainability is viable. However, the study has limitations owing to the project's scope and its being a single‐case sample.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that actively engaging students in interdisciplinary, service‐oriented projects is of value in teaching concepts of sustainability in higher education.Originality/valueThe paper addresses the need for sustainability in higher education, focusing on disciplines of design, by assessing the effectiveness of a well‐accepted design teaching approach, the charrette.
Sustainability and ethics as decision‐making paradigms in engineering curricula
Authors: El‐Zein Abbas , Airey David , Bowden Peter , Clarkeburn Henriikka 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the rationale for teaching sustainability and engineering ethics within a decision‐making paradigm, and critically appraise ways of achieving related learning outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the experience of the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney in teaching environmental sustainability and engineering ethics to third‐year undergraduate students. It discusses the objectives of the course and the merits and drawbacks of incorporating ethics and sustainability in the same teaching framework. In addition, it evaluates ways of incorporating theoretical and applied perspectives on sustainability.FindingsEthics and sustainability overlap but do not coincide; incorporating them in the same engineering course can be effective, provided that points of linkage are clearly recognized in the syllabus, a suitable combination of theory and practical applications is drawn upon and adequate teaching methods, including decision‐making case problems, are used.Research limitations/implicationsWhile environmental sustainability, economic rationality and ethical reasoning can be easily fitted into the syllabus, social sustainability is more difficult to teach because it requires a significant conceptual departure from deep‐seated preconceptions on the part of students and teachers, and does not lend itself easily to conventional classroom activity, such as lectures and weekly workshops. Further research on effective ways of incorporating social sustainability in engineering curricula is therefore needed.Originality/valueThe paper evaluates sustainability issues within the context of civil engineering education.
Sustaining higher education using Wal‐Mart's best supply chain management practices
Authors: Comm Clare L. , Mathaisel Dennis F.X. 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe costs in higher education are increasing and need to be controlled. This paper aims to demonstrate what lessons higher education could learn from Wal‐Mart's reasons for its financial success with its focus on efficient and effective supply chain management (SCM) best practices.Design/methodology/approachWal‐Mart's best practices in SCM were investigated through a secondary data literature review.FindingsWal‐Mart's best practices in SCM can be categorized into four segments: strategic concepts, logistics and distribution, information technology, and supplier collaboration. The company's technology, outsourcing, and collaboration practices are particularly useful in higher education.Research limitations/implicationsThe adoption of Wal‐Mart's best practices was investigated for only one service industry (higher education). Future research could apply these practices to other service industries, such as hotels and transportation.Practical implicationsHigher education is looking for best practices to help control costs and can learn from Wal‐Mart's best practices.Originality/valuePast research has focused on applying the best practices of other colleges and universities to higher education. Benchmarking Wal‐Mart's best practices can add further value to the sustainability of higher education.
Intellectual assets based management for innovation
Authors: Sumita Takayuki 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to make clear why innovation matters now, how intellectual asset based management is related to it, how innovation and excellent management contribute to the world economy and what is necessary from now on, taking Japanese experiences into account.Design/methodology/approachThis paper summarizes the current status on innovation and intellectual asset based management, analyzes the expected function of them, and extracts implications from it.FindingsThis paper finds that intellectual asset based management has a close logical relation with innovation, and could be a solution for challenges caused by globalization.Practical implicationsInternational cooperation on promoting innovation through intellectual asset based management could save the world economy.Originality/valueThis paper illustrates the implications of increasing interests in intellectual assets from various points of view, especially in relation to innovation.
Creating value from intellectual assets
Authors: Bismuth Annabel , Tojo Yoshiaki 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the key policy challenges for OECD countries both at macro and micro level to develop and use their intellectual assets in order to obtain economic returns.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the approach of econometrics studies to gauge the impact of intellectual assets on national accounts and a stocktake of all existing initiatives, frameworks and guidelines relating to extra‐financial corporate reporting on intellectual assets.FindingsThe paper provides macro data on the contribution of investments in intellectual assets to productivity and economic growth in OECD countries and presents the challenges in terms of corporate reporting and corporate governance that result from the increasing importance of intellectual assets for growth and competitiveness. It then provides a stock‐take of existing guidelines and frameworks in OECD countries that encourage companies to report on their intellectual assets and their strategies to create value.Practical implicationsThe paper provides policy recommendations to better understand the role of intellectual assets, improve their contribution to economic growth, and to enhance information on intellectual assets and the diffusion of good practices.Originality/valueThe value of the paper is that it contributes to mitigating the difficulties to assess the contribution of intellectual assets on national accounts that is crucial to obtain an accurate picture of economic growth, downturns and investments. It also contributes to the debate on how to overcome the limits of accounting standards to recognize intellectual assets so as to improve companies' valuation and lower their cost of capital.
Patents and academic research: a state of the art
Authors: van Zeebroeck Nicolas , van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie Bruno , Guellec Dominique 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look at the sharp increase in academic patenting over the past 20 years and to raise important issues regarding the generation and diffusion of academic knowledge. Three key questions may be raised in this respect: What is behind the surge in academic patenting? Does patenting affect the quality and quantity of universities' scientific output? Does the patent system limit the freedom to perform academic research? The present paper seeks to summarize the existing literature on these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's approach is a review of the recent literature on academic patenting and research use of patented inventions, complemented with critical viewpoints and new data on academic patenting in Europe.FindingsThe evidence suggests that academic patenting has only limited effects on the direction, pace and quality of research. A virtuous cycle seems to characterise the patent‐publication relationship. Secondly, scientific anti‐commons show very little effects on academic researchers so far, limited to a few countries with weak or no research exemption regulations. In summary, the evidence leads the authors to conclude that the benefits of academic patenting on research exceed their potential negative effects.Originality/valueThe paper offers a critical overview of the available evidence on the links between patents and academic research, which may be useful both for individuals unfamiliar with this issue or for those experienced in the field who are looking for a state of the art discussion on recent debates.
Mobilizing intellectual capital of diasporas: from first movers to a virtuous cycle
Authors: Kuznetsov Yevgeny 
Published: April 2008

PurposeThis conceptual paper seeks to develop hypotheses to explain a process of involvement of highly skilled members of diaspora to improve badly functioning institutions at home.Design/methodology/approachTo arrive at the hypotheses, the paper relies on four diaspora pilots (in Armenia, Chile, Mexico and Argentina) that were designed and launched with the participation of the author.FindingsA three‐stage process of diaspora involvement is identified: starting from first movers (individuals with longer planning horizon and higher tolerance to risk), to informal search networks, and to institutionalized search networks. Examples of this sequence are given from Taiwan, Chile and Mexico.Research limitations/implicationsThe hypotheses of the paper need qualifications which can be done with time, as more evidence and diversity in outcomes become available. The hypotheses are not rigorous, in a sense that no counterfactual information has been identified to prove them.Originality/valueThe paper examines dynamics of diaspora knowledge networks from “outside”, from a perspective of economic development, rather than migration of skills or network dynamics.