bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategic human resource management and knowledge workers
Authors: Teo Stephen T.T. , Lakhani Bhavini , Brown David , Malmi Teemu 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of adopting a strategic approach to human resource management (HRM) in professional service firms (PSFs). It provides the empirical evidence by comparing and contrasting the adoption of a strategic approach to HRM in two Australian PSFs.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study approach is adopted. Data were collected from multiple sources. The secondary sources comprised annual reports, press releases and industry reports. In total, 40 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with senior partners, professional staff, HR managers and ex‐employees of the two firms.FindingsThe findings suggest that differences in the performance of PSFs could be explained by organizational control systems such as personnel and cultural controls. The qualitative data generated by the two PSF cases provided evidence to support the notion that strategic human resource management is an important factor in explaining firm performance. Our findings provide empirical support for the importance of strategic approaches to HRM.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this study is the adoption of case study method, the findings of which cannot be generalized to a wider population. Thus, the study provides only a limited body of accumulated knowledge. Future studies could adopt a longitudinal research design to test the relationships between HRM systems, control systems and firm performance.Practical implicationsTo be competitive, PSFs must restructure their HRM functions to allow the department to participate in strategic decision‐making. HR departments in firms should also incorporate cultural and personnel controls as a way to achieve higher levels of firm performance.Originality/valueThe paper provides empirical evidence of how PSFs use HRM as a component of success.
National culture and innovation capability: some observations concerning Chinese‐Americans
Authors: Wong Yim‐Yu , Everett André M. , Nicholson Joel D. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature and discuss the relations between national culture, national subcultures and innovation based on three perspectives: divergence, convergence and crossvergence.Design/methodology/approachBased principally on previous studies in the “culture” and “culture and innovation” literature, this paper reviews two key sets of literature: first, the three perspectives of macro‐level cultural interaction are reviewed; second, the relationship between culture and innovation is reviewed. Hofstede's five dimensions of culture in the workplace are employed when discussing the impact of culture and innovation.FindingsThe outcome of the review suggests that the product of crossvergence (Chinese‐American culture in this case) has a high potential to be more innovative than one of the two interacting cultures (Chinese), but does not draw a conclusion regarding relative innovativeness between Chinese‐American and US culture. It is generally found that Western cultures tend to be more innovative than Eastern cultures.Research limitations/implicationsThis conceptual paper has implications for business strategy but does not present fresh empirical data to support its propositions.Practical implicationsIn today's highly competitive and highly complex global environment, innovation is a key success factor in organizations worldwide. The search for talented and innovative employees should not be limited to domestic sources alone. The talent pool of Chinese‐Americans and others from multicultural backgrounds should be tapped. Ethnocentric viewpoints are outdated.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is its exploration of the impacts of the crossvergence of cultures on innovation.
Cataloging free e‐resources: is it worth the investment?
Authors: Brown Christopher C. , Meagher Elizabeth S. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper seeks to demonstrate the value of adding links to freely available web content to the library catalog (OPAC). This aims to answer the research question: “Is there value to cataloging freely available Internet resources in the OPAC?”Design/methodology/approachUsing a URL redirection system for tracking user access to freely available web publications, three years of click‐through use statistics were gathered by placing redirect URLs in the 856 field, tabulating the use data by project category, and redirecting the user to the desired resource.FindingsUsage statistics over three years show that cataloging free resources is well worth the effort.Originality/valueThis is the first study to track use of free resources by click‐throughs to the OPAC.
Library Loans Online: a new channel for a traditional service in England
Authors: Potts David 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a description of a new service to be launched in England that will open up the holdings of public libraries to citizens and enable them to order items for home delivery.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a descriptive analysis of a new service to be launched in England.FindingsThe paper finds that such a service is desired by stakeholders and will enhance the ability of citizens to identify and obtain books that are currently inaccessible to them.Originality/valueThe first public presentation of a service from an author who is responsible for the overall development of the project.
The usage and acceptance of domestic preprint servers in China
Authors: Yaokun Zhang , Nanqiang Xia 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe aims of this article are to describe the current status, usage, and acceptance of domestic preprint servers in mainland China by investigating three integrated preprint servers in mainland China. These are the Qiji e‐print archive (Qiji), the Chinese Preprint Server (CPS), Chinese Science Papers Online (CSPO).Design/methodology/approachThis research gives a quantitative analysis of the submission numbers to three preprint servers, the subject distribution and citations. An investigation of university websites and their policies was also carried out.FindingsPreprint submissions have a strong correlation with official promotion and policies. The preprints communication pattern in mainland China concentrates on the disciplines of physics, mathematics and computer science which reflects international preprint communication behaviour. As yet the domestic preprint servers in mainland China attract little attention from excellent scholars and have a low impact on scientific communication.Research limitations/implicationsNo author survey was conducted.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to characterize the usage and acceptance of domestic preprint servers in mainland China using a quantitative method.
Insights into the issues facing pharmaceutical companies for information provision: a report on the P‐D‐R special meeting, La Grande Motte, 28‐29 February 2008
Authors: Di Nallo Lou Ann , Schöpfel Joachim 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to report on the Pharma Documentation Ring (P‐D‐R) special meeting 2008 on access and use of publishers' content through multiple channels.Design/methodology/approachAfter an introduction to the goals and activities of the P‐D‐R, the paper describes the different sessions of the meeting and then summarises the topics related to document supply.FindingsThe paper reports on the use of primary information in pharmaceutical companies, on global services arising from national functions, on outsourcing information management, and on technical solutions to control, monitor and limit access. One of the hot topics of the conference was restriction by digital rights management (DRM) measures.Originality/valueThis report provides insights into the issues currently facing the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry is the only corporate sector with a long and profitable tradition of networking between information professionals.
Contemporary marketing in professional services
Authors: Reid Mike 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis empirical investigation aims to explore the nature of contemporary marketing practices in the context of the professional services business environment.Design/methodology/approachA self‐administered questionnaire based on the CMP work undertaken by Coviello et al. was employed to collect data. A total of 140 responses were obtained, representing a range of professions.FindingsThe results suggest that professional firms are finding the market environment increasingly complex and competitive. Firms in the sample also use a variety of measures to evaluate performance but primarily focus on financial measures. Firms in the sample also predominantly practice interaction marketing, and interaction marketing is associated with higher levels of marketing performance.Research limitations/implicationsTo the extent that the study is exploratory and a partial replication of the work undertaken by the CMP group, the results may be more applicable to the Australian marketplace. Nevertheless, the increasing complexity in the professional service environment is universal and the results have broader implications.Practical implicationsThe results of this research suggest that the changing marketing environment will require dynamic marketing solutions, including the development of strong relationship building and relationship management capabilities, the adoption of a market orientation, and improvements to the integrated marketing communication capabilities of firms.Originality/valueThis paper adds value to the growing body of literature on business‐to‐business professional services marketing and serves to expand the application of the contemporary marketing practices framework to this context.
The impact of firm reputation and failure severity on customers' responses to service failures
Authors: Hess Ronald L. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate the impact of firm reputation for service quality on customers' responses to service failures. Firm reputation is defined as customers' perceptions of how well a firm takes care of customers and is genuinely concerned about their welfare.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment design methodology was utilized to test the conceptual model. The respondents were adult passengers waiting for flights at a major airport.FindingsOverall, the findings revealed that excellent reputations provide firms with a “buffering effect”, insulating them from some of the negative consequences of failures. Firm reputation moderated the relationship between failure severity and satisfaction, lowered attributions of controllability and stability, and led to higher repurchase intentions following service failures. Attributions of controllability and stability were related only to repurchase intentions; satisfaction did not fully mediate these relationships.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is the use of an experimental methodology. Other methods would enhance the external validity of the findings.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provide compelling evidence that a firm's reputation can be one of its most important assets. Carefully building and maintaining this reputation is paramount for continued success in any industry, but especially important for service firms where failures are inevitable.Originality/valueVery little research has examined the effects of firm reputation. This study contributes by testing the impact of firm reputation on customers' responses within a service failure context.
Successful school principalship in small schools
Authors: Ewington John , Mulford Bill , Kendall Diana , Edmunds Bill , Kendall Lawrie , Silins Halia 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe special characteristics of small schools appear to set them apart from larger schools. In fact, small schools may be a discrete group in that their complexity may not be in direct ratio to their size. The special characteristics of small schools may include the absence of senior staff, administrative assistance on a part time basis only, conservatism and role conflict within the community, and lack of professional interaction. This paper aims to explore these issues by analysing data from a recent survey on Tasmania successful school principalship.Design/methodology/approachResults from a survey with the population of Tasmanian principals in schools of 200 or less students are compared with previous research findings from the limited literature in the area.FindingsThe study has confirmed that contextual demands result in role conflict for teaching principals, that principals of small rural schools are mobile, staying for short periods of time, and that a higher proportion are female. Statistically significant differences were found among small rural schools of 100 or fewer students and small rural and urban schools of between 101 and 200 students. These differences were best explained by combination of the “double load phenomenon” and the increasingly mandated requirements for the implementation of growing amounts of Department of Education policy, rather than rurality or socio‐economic status.Practical implicationsGiven the combination of the expected large turnover in the principalship in Australian schools over the next five to ten years, the high proportion of small schools (at least one‐quarter) and the unlikely change to the traditional career path wherein, for many, becoming a principal of a small school is the initial step progressively moving to large schools, the findings add weight to the need for greater attention to be paid to small school principalship.Originality/valueThe study adds to the very limited research into successful school principalship in small schools.
Facilitating high achievement
Authors: Crum Karen S. , Sherman Whitney H. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe burden for school improvement in a time of accountability falls squarely on the shoulders of principals as new requirements demand that they act as instructional leaders. The purpose of this study is to discover the common themes of school leadership and instructional practices of high school principals at successful schools in Virginia.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive exploratory study was designed to provide insight into how successful high school principals facilitate high levels of student achievement. The research was grounded by allowing principals to talk about their actual practices as leaders.FindingsThe principals provided valuable insights into their daily practices that foster an environment which is supportive of high‐student achievement. These practices are categorized in the following themes: developing personnel and facilitating leadership, responsible delegation and empowering the team, recognizing ultimate accountability, communicating and rapport, facilitating instruction, and managing change.Practical implicationsFindings have direct implications for current principals, aspiring leaders, and leadership preparation programs. The themes that emerged serve as a powerful framework to help current and aspiring principals develop a leadership philosophy that promotes and fosters a successful learning environment.Originality/valueThe need to promote high‐achievement permeates the daily practices of principals. Although, reform efforts are not new, No Child Left Behind has created new demands on leaders. Studies on effective leadership practices, though, do not reflect empirical research based on contemporary schools. Instead, most are meta‐analyses of twentieth century research creating a need for research on effective leadership practices in today's schools.
Predictors of principals' satisfaction with their schools
Authors: Friedman Barry A. , Friedman Mark A. , Markow Dana 
Published: August 2008

PurposeDespite the importance of principals' satisfaction with their school's performance (PSS), few empirical studies have addressed the components and predictors of principals' satisfaction with their school. The purpose of this study is to identify the most salient components of PSS among school satisfaction indices, districts' characteristics, and principals' demographics.Design/methodology/approachThis study was a secondary data analysis of a survey of 431 principals in 29 school districts across the USA conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc. The researchers first identified reliable indices of PSS from the survey instrument responses. PSS was then regressed on districts' characteristics, demographic variables of the principals, and school satisfaction indices.FindingsA total of 11 reliable PSS indices were identified. Negative student behavior, decision‐making involvement, and equipment and facilities indices significantly predicted PSS after district and demographic variables were controlled.Originality/valueThis study offers an explanation of the underlying dimensions of principals' satisfaction of their schools' performance. The findings suggest actions that principals should take in order to improve their school satisfaction and ultimately, school effectiveness.
Leading for sustainability: is surface understanding enough?
Authors: Pepper Coral , Wildy Helen 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to report an investigation of how education for sustainability is conceptualised, incorporated across the curriculum and led in three Western Australian Government secondary schools. It also reports on processes to enable education for sustainability to become embedded into these schools.Design/methodology/approachData for the research were gathered through semi‐structured interviews with teachers who were reputedly leading education for sustainability.FindingsWith the exception of one participant, the concept of education for sustainability is not widely embraced in the schools of this study. Instead participants focus only on the environmental aspect of sustainability. Again, with the exception of one participant, education for sustainability remains fragmented and vulnerable to changing school conditions. Leadership of education for sustainability occurs whimsically and with little vision for the future across this study with little evidence of alliance building or collaboration among colleagues.Originality/valueThe paper concludes that leading for sustainability requires a combination of a deep knowledge of sustainability; forward thinking and the ability to imagine a different future; the interpersonal and networking skills to build strong relationships; and the energy and capability of taking action to achieve the imagined different future.
Centralization and decentralization of schools' physical facilities management in Nigeria
Authors: Ikoya Peter O. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThis research aims to examine the difference in the availability, adequacy and functionality of physical facilities in centralized and decentralized schools districts, with a view to making appropriate recommendations to stakeholders on the reform programmes in the Nigerian education sector.Design/methodology/approachPrincipals, teachers, members of the board of education including parents and community leaders were surveyed from centralized and decentralized school districts on availability, adequacy, and functionality of schools facilities.FindingsEmerging data revealed that decentralization enhances the availability, adequacy and functionality of schools physical facilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe implication of the findings is that decentralization is a more efficient method of managing schools' infrastructure because it promotes accountability and reduces official corruption in schools administration.Originality/valueFindings from this research provide practical solutions to the problem of physical facilities inadequacy in the Nigerian school system.
Examining the impact of reverse logistics disposition strategies
Authors: Skinner Lauren R. , Bryant Paul T. , Glenn Richey R. 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to empirically examine the impact that different disposition strategies have on strategic performance in the reverse logistics process. This research also includes the role of the returns policy in the customer decision‐making process as a foundation for determining the appropriate disposition strategy.Design/methodology/approachA general review of the literature and depth interviews with logistics professionals following commonly employed investigative techniques provided the foundation for the study. A survey was developed and mailed to the senior supply chain operations professional at 400 companies in the auto parts industry resulting in 118 usable responses.FindingsThe current research shows that under instances of active resource commitment to reverse logistics programs, operations and supply chain managers may expect superior performance by choosing destroying, recycling, refurbishing, and/or remanufacturing of product.Practical implicationsIf firms focus on reverse logistics activities as a must do, a strategic approach that examines outcomes rather than day‐to‐day operations is suggested. If managers do not have adequate resource support for reverse logistics, they should destroy the product. The other disposition options all require significant resources in order to reclaim value from returns.Originality/valueTraditional strategy research has focused on the importance of a strategic fit between a firm's internal strengths and weaknesses and the external environment. In contrast, a resource approach stresses internal aspects of the firm. This study combines the two views along with examining the effects of resource commitment.
Optimization models for buyer‐supplier negotiations
Authors: Talluri Srinivas , Vickery Shawnee K. , Narayanan Sriram 
Published: August 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose optimization models for assisting in buyer‐supplier negotiations by effectively considering multiple factors and interrelationships among them.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used in the paper involves a combination of data envelopment analysis and multi‐criteria decision models.FindingsCategorizes suppliers into efficient and inefficient performers and identifies effective negotiation strategies with respect to cost, quality, and delivery performance.Originality/valueThis original contribution presents models, which buyers can utilize for effectively negotiating with suppliers across a variety of factors.