bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building new bridges
Authors: Johnson Bob L. , Owens Michael 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper provides an example of how organization theory can be linked with other literatures in a complementary and productive manner. Establishing a bridge between the organization theory and learning environment literatures, the authors seek to provide an example of how such literature‐bridging can enrich our understanding of the school‐classroom relationship.Design/methodology/approachAfter providing a set of working criteria with which to assess the developmental maturity of a field, this paper provides a general review of the learning environments literature. This is followed by an examination of an important yet under‐explored relationship in this literature: the school‐classroom relationship. Using concepts from organizational theory, the authors seek to establish the utility these concepts have for understanding the relationship that exists between classroom‐ and school‐level learning environments.FindingsGiven the importance of organization theory to our understanding of educational organizations and the increased absence of a substantive organizational perspective from our dialogue, there is a need to build and/or re‐establish bridges between organization theory and other lines of inquiry in education. Teaching and learning occur in an organizational context. Thus it is important that this context be considered by educational researchers. The time has also come to aggressively link the study of learning environments with literatures such as organization theory.Originality/valueThis paper provides an example of how literature‐bridging can be used to encourage and enrich dialogue between separate yet complementary lines of inquiry. It also sheds light on the relationship shared between the classroom and larger school.
An ALE‐FEM approach to the thermomechanics of solidification processes with application to the prediction of pipe shrinkage
Authors: Bellet Michel , Jaouen Olivier , Poitrault Isabelle 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe present paper addresses the computer modelling of pipe formation in metal castings.Design/methodology/approachAs a preliminary, a brief review of the current state‐of‐the‐art in pipe shrinkage computation is presented. Then, in first part, the constitutive equations that have to be considered in thermomechanical computations are presented, followed by the main lines of the mechanical finite element resolution. A detailed presentation of an original arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian (ALE) formulation is given, explaining the connection between the Lagrangian and the quasi Eulerian zones, and the treatment of free surfaces.FindingsWhereas most existing methods are based on thermal considerations only, it is demonstrated in the current paper that this typical evolution of the free surface, originated by shrinkage at solidification front and compensating feeding liquid flow, can be effectively approached by a thermomechanical finite element analysis.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work should deal with the following points: identification of thermo‐physical and rheological data, automatic and adaptive mesh refinement, calculation of the coupled deformation of mold components, development of a two‐phase solid/liquid formulation.Practical implicationsAn example of industrial application is given. The proposed method has been implemented in the commercial software THERCAST® dedicated to casting simulation.Originality/valueThe proposed numerical methods provide a comprehensive approach, capable of modelling concurrently all the main phenomena participating in pipe formation.
Maximum possible induced flow rates in open‐ended vertical eccentric annuli with uniform heat flux
Authors: Mokheimer Esmail M.A. , El‐Shaarawi Maged 
Published: February 2005

PurposeObtaining the maximum possible flow rates that can be induced by free convection in open‐ended vertical eccentric annuli under fundamental thermal boundary conditions of the fourth kind (heating or cooling one of the annulus walls with a uniform heat flux while keeping the other wall at ambient temperature). Obtaining the maximum possible flow rates that can be induced by free convection in open‐ended vertical eccentric annuli under fundamental thermal boundary conditions of the fourth kind (heating or cooling one of the annulus walls with a uniform heat flux while keeping the other wall at ambient temperature).Design/methodology/approachThe fully‐developed laminar free convection momentum equation has been solved numerically using an analytical solution of the governing energy equation.FindingsResults are presented to show the effect of the annulus radius ratio and the dimensionless eccentricity on the induced flow rate, the total heat absorbed by the fluid, and the fully developed Nusselt numbers on the two boundaries of the annulus for a fluid of Prandtl number 0.7.Practical implicationsApplications of the obtained results can be of value in the heat‐exchanger industry, in cooling of underground electric cables, and in cooling small vertical electric motors and generators.Originality/valueThe paper presents a solution that is not available in the literature for the problem of fully developed free convection in open‐ended vertical eccentric annular channels under thermal boundary conditions of the fourth kind. Also presents the maximum possible induced flow rates, the total heat absorbed by the fluid, and the Nusselt numbers on the two boundaries of the annulus. The effects of N and E (the radius ratio and eccentricity, respectively) on these results are presented. Such results are very much needed for design purposes of heat transfer equipment.
Models for predicting quality of building projects
Authors: Yean Yng Ling Florence 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe objectives of this paper are to: find out whether design‐bid‐build (DBB) or design‐build (DB) procurement method gives better quality building; identify variables that significantly affect quality scores of DBB and DB projects; and construct models to predict quality scores of DB and DBB projects.Design/methodology/approachThe research design was based on a structured questionnaire and data on quality performance and factors that may affect quality of a building project were collected by postal survey and face‐to‐face interviews.FindingsThere was no significant difference between the quality scores of DB and DBB projects. To ensure that buildings procured through DBB have high quality, owners should adopt the following practices: engage experienced consultants; short‐list bidders and select contractors based on a combination of price and ability. To obtain high quality DB buildings, owners should engage architects to prepare the scheme design and not to set the budget too early. For both types of projects, owners should allow contractors to propose changes to the contract with a view to improving its quality.Research limitations/implicationsAs there is no significant difference in quality of DBB and DB projects, the argument that DB projects produce lower quality buildings is demolished.Practical implicationsThe practical implication is that owners play an important part in ensuring that they obtain buildings of high quality.Originality/valueBuilding owners and consultants can use the two models to predict quality scores of DBB and DB projects and take specific actions to improve the quality of their projects if necessary.
Factors affecting ICT diffusion
Authors: Peansupap Vachara , Walker Derek 
Published: February 2005

PurposeTo address the critical issue of how best to adopt and diffuse information and communication technology (ICT) into organisations.Design/methodology/approachDuring April and May 2002, a survey of ICT diffusion of ICT users from three construction organisations was conducted.FindingsResults from an earlier phase of this study indicated that 11 factors influence ICT diffusion. The aim of this paper is to report on phase 2 study results within three construction organisations based on the 11 factors found to influence ICT diffusion. Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with five to six ICT users and an implementer for each of the case study companies.Originality/valueThree factors were found to have a weak influence on ICT diffusion, while eight have a strong influence. These influencing factors may be grouped into four interrelated categories: management, individual, technology, and work environment. Their inter‐relationship should be coherently and comprehensively addressed.
Analysis of factors that drive brief development in construction
Authors: Othman Ayman A.E. , Hassan Tarek M. , Pasquire Christine L. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors that drive changes to the construction project brief and the background to those factors. The founding argument, that incorporating these changes is paramount for achieving client satisfaction, introduces the concept of dynamic brief development (DBP), which permits changes throughout the project life cycle. The understanding and attitude of the major construction project stakeholders towards DBP are investigated along with identifying the originators of brief development and the value and risk sources.Design/methodology/approachA threefold method was used comprising a comprehensive questionnaire survey followed by structured interviews. The results of these were further investigated though a brainstorming session with major construction project stakeholders. A total population of 266,434 units for the survey was identified, reduced to a random stratified sample of 530. The response rate was 49.2 per cent and the responses were analysed using a weighted relative importance index. A total of 88 interviews were carried out and 12 client organisations participated in the brainstorming session.FindingsThe findings lead to the conclusion that there is a need to set out a detailed brief development management system that incorporates both value management and risk management. This system should enable the appropriate project participant to make informed decisions at the right time for the benefit of the client. The system must facilitate feedback to both client organisations and construction professionals to enable lessons to be learned. Understanding the relationship between the factors that drive brief development and the various project team members will facilitate managing brief development in a way that increases client satisfaction and enhances the performance of the project.Originality/valueThe paper identifies deficiencies in current practices and techniques and presents a system which overcomes them.
Metrics for innovation: guidelines for developing a customized suite of innovation metrics
Authors: Muller Amy , Välikangas Liisa , Merlyn Paul 
Published: February 2005

PurposeDuring the past year, the authors have built a framework for a suite of metrics that senior managers can customize to track and promote innovation success in their companies.Design/methodology/approachSenior executives can use the suite of metrics to assess their company's innovativeness over time and hence combat the insidious strategy decay that often afflicts a company's business.FindingsThe framework combines three views on innovation – resource, capability, and leadership – providing the perspective to develop a suite of metrics for assessing and developing a company's capacity for innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe optimal selection of metrics and the optimal value or “sweet spot” of any particular metric will vary from company to company.Practical implicationsAs more firms develop strategic innovation metrics and a database that validates their relevance, top managers will learn to assess and guide a company's innovation capability more effectively.Originality/valueThis is the first strategic guideline for building a customizable system of innovation metrics.
Improving the creativity of MBA students
Authors: Pinard Mary C. , Allio Robert J. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeDescribes how The F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College features creativity as one of the early and essential components of its innovative two‐year MBA program.Design/methodology/approachArticle reports on the indicators that the program is a success.FindingsFor corporations seeking creativity in new hires, MBA graduates who have completed the “Creativity stream” offer increased confidence in their ability to express themselves creatively; willingness to accept ambiguity and the uncertainty of process as part of discovery; openness to alternatives ways of seeing a problem, solution, or scenario; and renewed trust in themselves and their potential as creative thinkers.Research limitations/implicationsEmployer survey results suggest that there is a link between Babson MBAs’ success at producing more and better creative solutions on the job and their exposure to creative process in the “Creativity stream”.Practical implicationsThere is only limited evidence that arts experiences as part of corporate creativity training are noticeably beneficial, but Unilever's management contends that such training leads to changed perceptions and better decisions.Originality/valueCreativity training can help employees and their managers develop new approaches to resolving corporate challenges.
Integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques in network analysis
Authors: Coviello Nicole E. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis article introduces a method for assessing network dynamics over time. It integrates a qualitative approach to data collection with a bifocal approach to data analysis, i.e. where data are interpreted with two lenses: qualitative and quantitative.Design/methodology/approachThe dynamics of an entrepreneurial firm's network are analyzed by combining: content and event analysis of case data and network maps with the use of UCINET 6, a software package developed for social network analysis.FindingsIn illustrating the bifocal approach, steps related to data collection, preparation and analysis are discussed. The findings show how the bifocal approach captures change in both a network's structure and its interactions, through a firm's life‐stages.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary limitation of the approach is that reliance on UCINET 6 statistics oversimplifies network analysis. Thus, optimal use of the approach is best achieved when the structural patterns generated by UCINET 6 are balanced by qualitative analysis of the interactional dimensions of the network on a longitudinal basis. Future research opportunities include cross‐network analysis and examination of the networks of lead entrepreneurs in comparison with one another, over time.Practical implicationsThe bifocal approach allows examination of network power shifts and identification of opportunities for strategic action and relationship management.Originality/valueThis article shows that the application of the bifocal approach facilitates a more meaningful analysis of networks than does a purely qualitative approach. It allows for time‐based examination of whole systems of organizations and scrutiny of dimensions pertaining to both network structure and the interactions and relationships between individual actors.
A qualitative approach to investigating online strategic decision making
Authors: Weischedel Birgit , Matear Sheelagh , Deans Kenneth R. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeCompanies operating on the internet need appropriate metrics to make strategic marketing decisions. This paper applies established qualitative research methods to the online environment to evaluate how web managers generate and incorporate web metrics to inform strategic marketing decisions.Design/methodology/approachInitial theories were developed using a comprehensive literature review as well as exploratory interviews with New Zealand companies. Applying a mixed methodology, the exploratory research used interviews to assess current practice within the industry, refine the research questions and set up the research design. An in‐depth case study in the USA evaluated best practices and highlighted issues that affect the use of web metrics. The main data collection utilized case studies to generate the in‐depth information necessary for theory building.FindingsThe exploratory results showed that companies currently measure web site performance and consumer behaviour online but are still uncertain how best to use those metrics to inform strategic marketing decisions. The in‐depth case study showed how web metrics can be used when sufficient resources are available and measuring performance is a priority. Owing to the initially recognized low level of web metrics use, the main research was expanded purposively to selected participants who make greater use of web metrics.Originality/valueThis paper applies traditional qualitative research methods to the online environment. Analysis of the case studies and continued research will address the research gap and provide recommendations to web managers as well as attempt to illustrate best practices, solutions to issues and industry benchmarks.
Fieldwork and data collection in qualitative marketing research
Authors: Alam Ian 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a systematic and rigorous process of data collection and fieldwork in qualitative research using four empirical studies of customer interactions in new product development (NPD) as examples. The intention is to dispel a misconception that the qualitative research lacks objectivity and methodological robustness.Design/methodology/approachTo collect data for all the four studies a preliminary process of conducting fieldwork was first developed from the extant literature. This preliminary framework was applied in the first study and subsequently revised twice in the second and third study by incorporating necessary changes and additions. Finally, the framework was tested and further refined in the fourth study.FindingsThe findings from these four empirical qualitative studies have demonstrated that a theory generating idiographic research such as field interviews could be carried out systematically. These findings also provide a basis for proposing a structured framework for data collection.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based only on business‐to‐business NPD. Therefore, to increase the applicability of the results more studies are needed in other business and marketing fields.Practical implicationsThe results offer an in‐depth look at specific research activities that can be carried out for efficient idea generation work and the overall NPD efforts.Originality/valueThe framework reported in this paper allows for an iterative data collection process from multiple respondents and from multiple sources. This method of data collection is a key issue because product managers tend to interact with the customers and other partners repeatedly and throughout the NPD process. Thus the product managers would find this framework useful for research involving NPD and customer interactions.
Simulation performance in the optimisation of the supply chain
Authors: Manzini Riccardo , Ferrari Emilio , Gamberi Mauro , Persona Alessandro , Regattieri Alberto 
Published: February 2005

PurposeRecently, material flows have been viewed as an integral part of the overall manufacturing system and a critical factor in SCM. Static approaches and theoretical models are ineffective in considering all variables and constraints involved in complex instances: these often require a lot of computing time and present poor flexibility in terms of model changes. VIS approach is a valid way to support design and management decisions in order to achieve the integrated optimisation of the whole chain, but literature does not discuss difficulties and time required in applying it, or its related costs.Design/methodology/approachDiscrete/continuous hybrid simulation tools are used in order to model and simulate several operating conditions in combination with different system configurations.FindingsThe discussion of the industrial cases shows the importance of simulation in supporting decisions concerning the design and management of supply chains in their great complexity and in a stochastic competitive and extended context.Originality/valueThe paper deals with five significant industrial cases, which are simulated in collaboration with important enterprises and belong to different industrial sectors, in order to obtain an original quantitative analysis of time and costs resulting from a simulation optimisation based on the introduction of a set of innovative performance indices.
An object‐based knowledge integration system for product development
Authors: Lee C.K.M. , Lau H.C.W. , Yu K.M. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to study how knowledge‐based systems are applied in an industrial environment. This paper attempts to propose a system, object‐based knowledge integration system (OBKIS) which supports the early stages of product development.Design/methodology/approachThis proposed system characterizes the “dynamic” information exchange capability through its distinct features to include executable tasks within product information script that is being utilized in various functional groups, thereby introducing the action items to be carried out in relevant areas. To achieve the “dynamic” information exchange capability, object technology, which is favorable to the creation of inter‐related modularized data objects, is incorporated into the product information script to facilitate the active information interchange process. The universal extensible markup language (XML) is also adopted to facilitate data exchange between the database and the knowledge base in order to make real time data and knowledge available throughout the enterprise.FindingsFurther research on developing the well‐structured XML schema is needed in order to provide a well‐understood syntax and self‐defined mark‐up language to suit particular needs of product data exchange. For verification and measurement, it is suggested that one should evaluate the system in terms of data reliability, transformation accuracy and effectiveness for improving product design process.Practical implicationsThe implications of these for information flows and management of product data during product development are discussed. In order to validate the feasibility of the proposed system, a prototype is developed for a local company so as to provide linking between the system design concept and system implementation in a practical environment.Originality/valueThe significance of this research is that a new product data schema for the initial phase of product development is formulated and the proposed system supports invoking various behaviors for the same message and overriding the pre‐defined inherited operation such that a flexible correlation can be formulated in the iterative product design process.