bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asset life cycle management: towards improving physical asset performance in the process industry
Authors: Schuman Charles A. , Brent Alan C. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeAsset management is often one of the last options to maximise cost savings in a competitive global economy due to its intrinsic complexity, especially in many developing countries. Asset management in the process industry must consider the commissioning, operational and end‐of‐life phases of physical assets when commencing a design and implementation project. However, current asset management models show inefficiencies in terms of addressing life cycle costs comprehensively, as well as other aspects of sustainable development. An asset life cycle management (ALCM) model is subsequently proposed for assets in the process industry, which integrates the concepts of generic project management frameworks and systems engineering with operational reliability in order to address these inefficiencies.Design/methodology/approachExperiences within a large petrochemical company in South Africa are used as a case study to demonstrate and discuss the different components of the proposed ALCM model.FindingsOperational reliability and systems engineering are the means to achieve optimum value from physical assets over a facility's lifetime. Thereby, activities are identified that should be completed during each stage of the project life cycle. The application of performance measurements for the operation and support stages is proposed to influence decision making in the process industry.Originality/valueSpecific issues pertaining to the ALCM model are highlighted to ensure optimal practicality and incorporation of the model with other management practices in the process industry.
Examining the utility judgments of public and business administration instructors and understanding their professional identity
Authors: Sementelli Arthur 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine if business and public administration have distinct identities based on perception of curriculum areas.Design/methodology/approachPROSCAL, and algorithm for multidimensional scaling was used.FindingsBusiness and public administration faculties have different identities based on their perceptions of curriculum areas.Research limitations/implicationsRelied on a maximum likelihood probability approach. The study should be replicated using other psychometric techniques, or be extended to other disciplines.Practical implicationsPublic administration is empirically validated as distinct from business administration and political science. Care must be taken when borrowing ideas from either field, though results indicate that communicating with business administration would be easier due to the shared space.Originality/valueIt is one of the few (if not the only) papers using PROSCAL. It is one of the first to mathematically determine if groups were understanding and processing stimuli similarly enough to be compared.
Managing intangible assets
Authors: Schoemaker Michiel , Jonker Jan 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo develop a concept of managing intangible assets in contemporary organisations. Insight is given into the rise of the network organisation and the importance of talent, social capital and identity in this kind of organisation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a conceptual framework based on a theoretical analysis of recent literature in the fields of human resource management and organisational identity.FindingsOrganisations in contemporary society fundamentally differ from the ones dominating the twentieth century. Work nowadays is providing service(s), organising based upon a mix of people's talents, social capital and information and communication technology (ICT). Modern organisations depend on talent. Talents make the distinctive difference between an organisation and its competitors. Organising with talents requires a second‐order form of networks: (social) cohesion in the network quintessential to make it work. This can be found in the notion of “social capital”. Yet talents and social capital only thrive in an excellent community of work. Organisations as communities of work hold together by a common identity. With the rise of the modern organisation in the information society the community of work has become a fundamental part of organising.Research limitations/implicationsFirst there is a growing inter‐affiliation and interdependency of work processes and the community of work. Second, assumptions regarding the manageability of “organisations” are under pressure. More research is needed in the field of the relationship between organisational processes, commitment and identity.Practical implicationsIn order to survive and prosper, “modern” organisations acting in the information society need to be flexible configurations bearing a recognisable identity.Originality/valueThis paper gives insight in the relationship between core competencies and identity on the one hand and work processes and the community on the other hand. Talents and social capital need to be placed at the heart of the modern organisation. This demands a re‐balance in the relations between the individual and the organisation.
In competence we trust? Addressing conceptual ambiguity
Authors: Grzeda Maurice M. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe competence framework continues to be plagued by unresolved conceptual ambiguity. This paper aims to consider other perspectives of managerial performance.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual article that examines and critiques current perspectives of competence based on an extensive literature review.FindingsSources of conceptual ambiguity are rooted in treating competence as both independent and dependent variables in relation to managerial performance. A managerial learning framework and a career perspective may offer less ambiguous, more promising conceptual frameworks for managerial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe arguments presented for moving beyond the competence framework need to be developed into propositions that can be tested empirically.Practical implicationsManagement development and education activities may not be achieving their intended outcomes due to the level of conceptual ambiguity found with the competence framework. It may be necessary to reconsider the efficacy of development programs and activities that rely on a competence approach.Originality/valueConceptual ambiguity regarding competence has been previously noted. This paper presents an analysis of the possible sources of ambiguity, and the dilemmas faced when trying to reduce the level of ambiguity. By clarifying these issues, the paper may be of value to researchers in the management development field and to practitioners involved with employee and managerial development.
High‐potential development policies: an empirical study among Belgian companies
Authors: Vloeberghs Daniël , Pepermans Roland , Thielemans Kathleen 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo investigate different aspects of the development policies of high potentials and their relationships with organizational characteristics in a set of Belgian companies.Design/methodology/approachA set of research questions has been used to conceive a structured questionnaire to empirically investigate the different aspects of high‐potential development policies using a survey among 86 Belgian companies.FindingsThe results indicate that very often the development policies are of anad hocnature, but that individuals may get some say in the process. Job rotation and mentoring/coaching are quite popular activities and formal external training has the most diversified application. As expected, high‐potential development takes up more time and offers a wider scope of activities than is the case for other managerial development initiatives. Especially, organization size may bring some variation in these patterns.Research limitations/implicationsThe target group in this research is limited to the HR managers from the profit sector in Belgium. This is a “restricted diverse organization survey” and makes use of a non‐representative sample.Practical implicationsThe link has been made with the “new psychological contract”. Implications for changing career planning are presented (from traditionalistic to a more “self‐directed” tendency). Also, the larger scope of development activities in an international environment and the role of management development as a “glue technology” has been elaborated on.Originality/valueMost of the studies on high potentials are normative and prescriptive; very few articles have presented empirical findings on high potentials and placed them in an organizational context. Also, the specific role of development techniques in a planned international high‐potential environment has been highlighted.
Heritage organisations and condition surveys
Authors: Dann Nigel , Worthing Derek 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role and purpose of condition surveys used by heritage organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the analysis of questionnaires and interviews with a range of leading heritage organisations in the UK.FindingsThe research suggests that the management of maintenance, and specifically the implementation of condition surveys, lacked an explicit underlying strategic basis. The strategic opportunities implied by the development of conservation planning methodologies had not been translated into management practice and had not impacted on the implementation of condition surveys.Practical implicationsFurther investigation into the organisational and process barriers to utilising conservation plans in developing integrated management of the built cultural heritage is needed.Originality/valueThis paper will be of use to practitioners and academics interested in appropriate and sustainable maintenance and management of the built cultural heritage.
Cost savings by application of passive solar heating
Authors: Spanos Ioannis , Simons Martin , Holmes Kenneth L. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeImplementation of the concept of passive solar heating design in dwellings has the potential to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions at little or no cost to the developer but with real benefit to the occupier. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possible benefits to be gained by the application of passive solar heating concepts to the orientation and fenestration of domestic buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used has been to select a simple domestic building designed to current building regulations and apply to it modifications which embody the principles of passive solar heating design. The anticipated performance of the modified building has then been compared with that of its counterpart of conventional configuration by application of a number of currently available simulation models. This study forms part of the Department of Trade and Industry sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Coventry University and Kenneth Holmes Associates, Chartered Architects.FindingsIt is predicted that by careful selection of orientation of a domestic building and modification of its layout, in order that glazing is strategically located, it is possible to effect significant improvements in energy consumption. There is some variation in the output of the alternative techniques but they present a common overall result.Research implications/limitationsThe solutions are purely predictive and it would be of great value if the outcomes could be evaluated by medium term measurement of the performance of dwellings constructed to the proposed design principles.Practical implicationsThe concept under analysis could, at little or no cost, result in reduced energy demand in domestic buildings. In the current environmental climate, even modest improvements should be of considerable interest to designers and developers.Originality/valueDraws upon alternative approaches to passive solar heating design in dwellings and reaches conclusions based on the application of these different approaches to a real live case study.
A cost‐and‐benefit evaluation of housing rehabilitation
Authors: Yiu C.Y. , Leung Andrew Y.T. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThere have been very few cost‐and‐benefit evaluations of rehabilitation. This paper is a triangulation attempt to evaluate directly the cost‐and‐benefit of rehabilitation works without relying on price‐proxy and econometric assumptions.Design/methodology/approachChau et al., in their paper, “Estimating the value enhancement effects of refurbishment” (Facilities, Vol. 21 No. 1/2, 2003) have produced an empirical test by regression on the elevation of property price‐differential after rehabilitation. However, property price is merely a proxy on the improvements of building conditions, and its efficiency in reflecting building quality is subject to some institutional constraints. The estimation is also subject to the validity of econometric assumptions. This paper investigates the improvements directly under 18 assessment criteria of the quality of seven housing blocks in Hong Kong.FindingsThe results show that rehabilitation brings benefits to owners, but that these only marginally outweigh the benefits of redevelopment.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size is small, yet it opens up a new framework for future studies on building performance assessment of rehabilitation.Practical implicationsThe study serves as a benchmark for future assessment of rehabilitation works.Originality/valueThe study represents an attempt to evaluate the costs and benefits of rehabilitation using a direct performance assessment approach.
Risks factors associated with offshore IT outsourcing
Authors: Tafti Mohammed H.A. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo provide a framework for risk assessment of offshore IT outsourcing.Design/methodology/approachBased on review of recent literature, this paper has identified major risk categories of offshore IT outsourcing, discussed various risk factors within each category, and provided a general framework for the study of risk factors in this area.FindingsProvides a general framework and a check‐list of the major risk factors related to offshore IT outsourcing.Research limitations/implicationsSuggests further research studies in three specific directions: case‐based studies; country and region risk analysis; and strategic alliance.Practical implicationsProvides a very helpful guideline for practitioners in assessing various risks involved in offshore IT outsourcing.Originality/valueThe paper provides a synthesis and analysis of the viewpoints as reflected in the literature on various dimensions of the risks associated with offshore IT outsourcing.
Performance, scalability and reliability issues in web applications
Authors: Iyer Lakshmi S. , Gupta Babita , Johri Nakul 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive strategy for performance, reliability and scalability (PSR) testing of multi‐tier web applications.Design/methodology/approachThe strategy for PSR testing is presented primarily through examination of the intangible knowledge base in the PSR testing field. The paper also draws on relevant recent work conducted in the area of software performance evaluation.FindingsThe study revealed that appropriate testing procedures are critical for the success of web‐based multi‐tier applications. However, there was little academic work that collectively focused on PSR testing issues. This paper provides step‐by‐step testing procedures to ensure that web‐based applications are functioning well to meet user demands.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the rapid changes in technology and business environments, more applied research will be needed in the area of PSR testing to ensure the successful functioning of web‐based applications. For future studies, structured interviews or case‐study methods could be employed to present the views of online companies.Originality/valueThis paper provides a comprehensive strategy and the suggested steps for managers and technical personnel to ensure that the multi‐tier, web‐based applications are effective, scalable and reliable.
The signification and the feasibility of measuring globalization of economy
Authors: Bobek Vito , Korez Vide Romana 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo introduce the systemic approach towards measuring globalization of the economy that is based on the theory of systemic framework of national competitiveness and economic growth.Design/methodology/approachConstruction of a composite index of global economy by the principal components analysis (PCA) on the basis of 83 individual indicators, linked into the seven spheres of national competitiveness in the period of contemporary globalization. The weights of single indicators in the composite index are determined by two levels: on the first level, the weights of the indicators in the subindices are determined, whereas on the second level the weights of the sub‐indices in the joint composite index of global economy are determined. Reliability of the composite indices is verified by Cronbach'sα.FindingsThe results of the PCA indicate the high reliability of the joint composite index on the basis of five subindices, whereas the inclusion of the remaining two subindices – international business activities and government role – has lowered the reliability of the joint composite index. This finding is combined with many statistical limitations in the field of measuring globalization of economies.Research limitations/implicationsThe unavailability and incomparability of statistical data in the field of international business activities presented great obstacles to deeper analysis. Such analysis would be attainable above all by the international harmonization of hard data collecting and greater emphasis on development of qualitative surveys in the field of activities of transnational enterprises.Originality/valueThis paper develops the concept for monitoring and benchmarking globalization of economies which is founded on the comprehensive theory and solid methodology. It offers a useful tool for national policymaking.
The business concept of utilizing the interactive TV
Authors: Tsaih Ray , Chang Hsin‐lu , Huang Chiung‐Yu 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis study seeks to explore the possibility of adopting the interactive TV (iTV) as an alternative for the PC at the user‐end and also to explore the corresponding practicability for any firm which wants to play an active role in the commerce associated with the iTV.Design/methodology/approachThrough investigating the available literature related to the architecture and commerce of the current iTV in detail, this study explores the possibility and practicability of adopting the iTV as an alternative for the PC at the user‐end.FindingsThere is a feasibility for providing the direct interactivity between viewers and any firm – the feasibility that is (conceptually) ignored or (physically) blocked in the current iTV architecture. The proposed business concept emphasizes that this feasibility should be available to the firm which wants to play an active role like that in the B2C e‐commerce.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a limited literature about the architecture and commerce of the current iTV. Furthermore, the corresponding business environment of the iTV is not mature, and thus there are hardly any relevant and reliable empirical data available.Practical implicationsThis study describes a practicability for any firm which wants to play an active role in the commerce associated with the iTV.Originality/valueThis study pioneers the commerce associated with the iTV from the perspective of media commercials and any firm not in the iTV value chain, and thus opens up a practicability for the firm which wants to play an active role in the iTV commerce.
A strategic contingency model for technology alliance
Authors: Ju Teresa L. , Chen Shu‐Hui , Li Chia‐Ying , Lee Tien‐Shiang 
Published: June 2005

PurposeBased on theories of organizational learning and strategic considerations, this study aims to develop a strategic contingency model for technology alliance and identify how alliance‐specific factors, strategic factors, and organizational capability factors influence firms to acquire competencies and competitive advantages through technology alliance.Design/methodology/approachA six‐page, 94‐item survey questionnaire was developed and mailed to top‐level managers of the semiconductor firms in Taiwan. A total of 63 valid responses were received.FindingsThe study results indicate that firms with higher absorption orientation, higher risk reduction orientation, higher R&D scale economy orientation, and higher top management team experiences tend to perform better in acquiring competitive advantages. In addition, the strategic fit between strategic factors, organizational capability factors and technology alliance choice could lead firms to better competitive advantage.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the results of this study are fruitful, several suggestions could be made for academicians and business practitioners. First, the respondent rate of this study is low and could be improved. Second, in addition to the strategic contingency model as developed in this study, more research factors could be further investigated. Third, more case studies could be conducted to reconfirm the results of this study.Originality/valueThe major contribution of this study is to investigate what critical factors would influence the choice of a technology alliance model, and what effects the influencing factors have on the relationship between a technology alliance model and the intended competency development. The results of this study provide very important references for academicians and practitioners to investigate the effectiveness of technology alliance.
A generic service model for secure data interchange
Authors: Chiu Ruey‐Kei , Chen Jason C.H. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe paper aims to propose a model that attempts to build an innovative common gateway compliant with RosettaNet Standards for the secure message exchange between electronic businesses in this age of internet economy.Design/methodology/approachThe use of RosettaNet Standards is to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency of message exchange, and consequently gain mutual benefits by means of agile response for cross‐organizational co‐operation. This common message gateway is built and implemented as an organization's front‐end interface, but is seamlessly integrated with business's back‐end information systems for the message exchange with the business partners of the organization. The proposed common gateway service model provides organizations with low cost, high efficiency, high security of message exchange and transmission over the internet. A prototyping system is also built and tested in a local network devices manufacturing company with its suppliers to examine its feasibility and efficiency.FindingsThe result shows that the service model can help the company to achieve a new level of efficiency and effectiveness of streamlining data flow and creating a seamless link with its business partners in this era of internet economy.Originality/valueThe paper presents a common gateway service system for secure data exchange and transmission over the internet between business partners to build a value‐added supply network.
Government demarketing: different approaches and mixed messages
Authors: Wall Anthony P. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo compare three demarketing campaigns.Design/methodology/approachThis is a commentary piece which compares three campaigns those aiming to reduce smoking, excessive drinking and the use of the motorcars – undertaken by the United Kingdom government and considers the different approaches being used.FindingsThe article highlights areas where there appears to be a conflict between the particular demarketing campaign and other initiatives.Originality/valueOutlines some of the different approaches that can be employed by government when trying to demarket the use of products or commodities.