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Bricks or clicks? Understanding consumer usage of retail mobile apps
|
[
"Self-service technology",
"Mobile phone",
"Mobile shopping",
"Mobile apps",
"Mobile commerce"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Mobile shopping represents an important and emerging revolution in customer-service provider relationships. Mobile commerce sales increased 56 per cent to nearly $50bn over the past year in the USA alone (Bensinger, 2016), and are projected to account for approximately 50 per cent of total retail sales by 2020 [National Retail Federation (NRF), 2015]. This change reflects consumers' growing desire to have convenient, portable touchpoints to carry out transactions that have been traditionally dependent on interactions with employees in physical store contexts.\nConceptual development and hypotheses: Perceived ease of use of mobile apps\nStudy 1: Methods\nResults: Effects of the perceived ease of use of a retailer app\nDiscussion: The purpose of Study 1 was to examine the impact of app ease of use on consumers' app connection and future behavioral intentions. Findings confirmed that app ease of use has a positive impact on consumers' intentions to make purchases with the app and to recommend it to others. Subsequent mediation analyses suggest that app connection underlies these effects. As expected, results also revealed a positive (negative) IE of app ease of use through app connection on consumers' intentions to make purchases with the app (in the store).\nStudy 2: Methods\nResults: Moderating role of retailer app usage frequency\nGeneral discussion: Mobile apps present a number of growing opportunities - and obstacles - for firms seeking to balance contemporary customer needs with increasing points of traditional and SST interaction. Overall app usage among US consumers grew 76 per cent from 2013 to 2014, with the largest growth seen among shopping app usage - an astonishing 174 per cent increase (Khalaf, 2015). This highlights the need for service providers need to better understand the role that their own apps play alongside their brick-and-mortar stores (Aubrey and Judge, 2012). However, research on mobile shopping is still in its infancy (Gross, 2015; Verhoef et al., 2015), and SST research on mobile apps is not as extensive as research in other mobile service contexts (e.g. hospitality, gaming). Further, the majority of existing modest literature surrounding apps has focused only on consumers' initial app adoption (Peng et al., 2014; Taylor and Levin, 2014), and consequently very little is known about consumers' (post-adoption) app purchasing behavior or other important behavioral outcomes stemming from app usage (Yang and Kim, 2012; Sanakulov and Karjaluoto, 2015).\nTheoretical contributions: The current research makes several important theoretical contributions to the growing bodies of literature surrounding mobile apps, mobile shopping and the broader SST literature. First, the focus of the current research extended beyond antecedents of mobile app adoption to examine the actual usage experience, itself. Specifically, we showed that the perceived ease of use of a retailer's app is an important experiential perception that influences a critical outcome during the usage of the app (i.e. the likelihood that consumers make a purchase with the app). We then documented other downstream effects of app ease of use on consumers' post-usage behavioral intentions (e.g. intentions to make purchases with the app instead of at the retail store in the future, intentions to recommend this SST to others).\nManagerial implications: The relatively new body of SST literature on mobile shopping, and retailer apps in particular, currently provides organizations with limited guidance on effective mobile app strategies. The present studies respond to recent calls for more granular SST research (Collier et al., 2014; Robertson et al., 2016), and offer additional insights informing retailers:\nLimitations and future research: Given calls for research that finely focuses on specific SST implementation (Robertson et al., 2016), the current research informs the understudied areas of consumer mobile purchases and use of retailer apps (Gross, 2015; Yang and Kim, 2012), and answers prior calls for generalizable research on the intersection between physical retail stores and mobile apps (Aubrey and Judge, 2012; Taylor and Levin, 2014). We also overcame several measurement limitations seen in prior research by assessing consumers' app purchasing behavior (instead of only purchase intentions), and ease of use perceptions based on their actual app usage experience (rather than on expectations of how easy it might be to use). However, the present studies have several limitations that offer potentially fruitful opportunities for future exploration in this evolving area.\n",
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"content": "Purpose: Mobile apps represent an emergent self-service technology that has greatly contributed to the rise of mobile shopping. However, the existing services and marketing literature offer little insight on consumer app usage. Further, little is known about how this app usage might affect important outcomes such as consumers' intentions to use and recommend an app, their channel preferences (in-store vs app), or their purchasing behavior with the app. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine if, and how, consumers' actual experiences using retailers' apps affected these outcomes.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were collected from a series of online surveys of adult consumers based on their prior experiences with retailers' apps. The hypothesized relationships were tested using regression analyses.\nFindings: Results highlight perceived ease of use as a critical app attribute that fosters consumers' personal connections to apps. These connections in turn influence their purchase channel preferences (app vs in-store) and actual purchasing behavior with the app, as well as their future intentions to purchase with the app and recommend it to others. App usage frequency is shown to moderate these effects.\nResearch limitations/implications: The findings provide needed managerial insight into consumer usage of brick-and-click retailers' apps. Specifically, the results inform service providers' mobile commerce strategies - particularly with respect to app design, channel management and customer segmentation. Future opportunities exist to explore and compare consumer usage of other types of service providers' apps, such as \"pure play\" providers that do not have physical stores.\nOriginality/value: This research moves beyond initial app adoption to instead focus on consumers' actual app usage experiences and their implications. Of note, the findings suggest that firms may be paradoxically driving consumers away from their physical stores as they continue to devote considerable resources to creating and providing customers with easy-to-use mobile apps.\n",
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State actors' mobilisation of resources for innovation: a case study of a Chinese vaccine
|
[
"China",
"Industrial networks",
"Mobilising resources",
"State actors",
"Vaccine"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The industrial network approach bases on the understanding that no company control all resources and activities necessary to operate. Therefore companies need to connect to other actors to access resources and build activity links in order to develop (Hakansson, 1982). The notion of interaction has been particularly emphasised in the context of innovation and has been described as taking place in the interface between actors of both business and non-business origins (Ford et al., 2003). Foremost it is the combination of resources that contribute to innovation (Waluszewski et al., 2009). In this paper we focus on how actors can mobilise resources from others in order to support innovation. As Hakansson et al. (2009) note actors belonging to the state or government can occupy a strong position in networks making them able to mobilise resources for a certain purpose. This paper studies specifically state actors and their role in innovation. We look at the case of China, where state actors can hold particularly strong positions in coordinating industrial development (Gobel, 2011).\n2. Theoretical framing: 2.1. Innovation - an interactive phenomenon\n3. Methodology: This study applies a case study from the Chinese biotechnology sector to illustrate how state actors are involved in mobilising resources for innovation. Especially, the connection between the state and its influence on biotechnology innovation processes are brought to the surface and further discussed. A number of scholars emphasise the usefulness of case study methodology when exploring development and change processes (Dubois and Gadde, 2002; Yin, 1994). According to Halinen and Tornroos (2005), case studies are particularly useful in creating in-depth descriptions of interaction patterns, along with investigating the dynamics of networks. A case study is suitable when the researcher seeks to take into account the specific context and provide contextual insights (Dubois and Gadde, 2002; Eisenhardt, 1989).\n4. Chinese state actors mobilising resources for vaccine innovation: 4.1. The Chinese biotechnology industry and vaccines\n5. Analysis and discussion: The following section presents the analysis of the case study by focusing on the main state actors involved in the innovation process of the new vaccine. The state actors are first analysed separately, with the aim to reveal the role of each actor and how the organisation mobilises resources related to the new vaccine. Thereafter the analysis focuses on the general role of state actors in innovation.\n6. Conclusion: The aim of this paper has been to explore how state actors mobilise resources in business networks to facilitate innovation. The case of the HAV in China, illustrates the active role that state actors play in the innovation process, which entails the development of new solutions and the widespread use therein. One of the main arguments for state participation in innovation is the uncertainty associated with undertaking such activities (Van de Ven et al., 1999; Akrich et al., 2002). Thus, actors that can intermediate the innovation process have been described as necessary (Hakansson, 1987; Lundvall, 1988). It is evident in the empirical study that state actors in China hold important positions in mobilising resources to both business and non-business units. Powerful state actors can to a large extent affect and mobilise other state-owned units (research or business units) to involve and participate in new industrial areas. The political centralisation and control of investments directed towards certain strategic industries is particularly common in emerging economies (Mahmood and Rufin, 2005) such as China.\n",
"role": "user"
},
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"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how state actors mobilise resources in business networks to facilitate innovation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A single case study method is used. The case from the Chinese biotechnology sector illustrates how state actors mobilise resources in a network context in order to develop, produce and use a vaccine.\nFindings: The case findings demonstrate that state actors indirectly, as well as actively, are involved in the whole innovation process by mobilising resources necessary for the development, production and use of the vaccine. State actors influence other actors, both political and business, and provide resources in order to facilitate innovation.\nPractical implications: The paper illustrates that state actors, in the specific case, play an important and active role throughout the whole innovation process. This opens up the issue of the possible extended role of state actors in innovation.\nOriginality/value: Over the past decades, Chinese state actors have played an active role in the business landscape. This paper explores state actors' influence on the innovation process on the network level.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Waste in NPD processes of German SMEs
|
[
"Product development",
"SMEs",
"Waste",
"Innovation processes",
"NPD"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are highly important for the economy. They provide a major share of employment, promote innovation and stimulate economic variety (Ayyagari et al., 2007; Radas and Bozic, 2009). Features such as flexibility, innovativeness and problem-solving orientation are known as key characteristics for the prosperity of SMEs (Lin, 1998). Despite the fact that SMEs do not need to operate globally to be successful (Nkongolo-Bakenda et al., 2010), more and more international enterprises threat local market shares of SMEs (Enderle, 2004). These circumstances force SMEs to be innovative in order to gain competitive advantages (Baldwin, 1997; Cooper, 1996; Li and Mitchell, 2009; Rosenbusch et al., 2011).\nTheoretical background: NPD in SMEs\nMethod: Type of study\nResults and discussion: Due to the fact that all interviews were held with interviewees in NPD-oriented positions, we assumed a comprehensive state of knowledge among our participants concerning their NPD processes. This chapter is organised in line with our two research questions from the introductory section.\nConclusion and implications: This study set out to determine waste types and drivers in NPD processes of SMEs. It further investigated measures which have been applied by several firms in order to decrease the level of waste in their processes.\n",
"role": "user"
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{
"content": "Purpose: This study deals with waste in New Product Development (NPD) processes of SMEs. The purpose of this paper is to reveal opportunities for SMEs to overcome resource constraints in their NPD process.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors employed qualitative key informant interviews. This design was chosen because research in this field is still limited. The authors performed 49 interviews in engineering-oriented German SMEs to examine the dimension of waste in NPD processes. The data were collected by conducting semi-structured, face-to-face interviews.\nFindings: The study highlights substantial waste types such as waiting times, rework and duplication of work. In contrast to contemporary literature, waste of material is considered to be relevant in particular for NPD processes of SMEs. In addition to that, the authors found that waste drivers differ to a great extent between the study and the hitherto literature on larger companies.\nResearch limitations/implications: The overall outcome of this study can help organisations to address waste in NPD more thoroughly. The research presented was not specifically designed to draw statistical generalisations. For this reason, the results may not be applicable to all SMEs.\nPractical implications: Based on waiting times as the major waste type in NPD processes of SMEs, the authors claim that firms should pay special attention to disruptions of these processes.\nOriginality/value: The paper gives insights into current waste types in the NPD processes of SMEs. Moreover, it uncovers the NPD activities which can lead to waste.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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An empirical comparison of pricing models in information technology service outsourcing in Indian context
|
[
"Information technology strategy",
"Benchmarking",
"Service industry",
"Fixed Time Fixed Price",
"Pricing models",
"Time and Money"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The information technology (IT) outsourcing has been inexorably growing in spite of its downsides. The main reasons are financial gains and cost reductions, as well as it allows companies to focus on their core selling areas. Within IT outsourcing, offshoring has become a big success because it greatly reduces costs. Countries like India, China and Philippines are attracting a lot of IT outsourcing work. The contracts used between clients (service receivers) and vendors (service providers) in IT outsourcing have details about the type of pricing model to be used. There are different type of external services required by companies, namely, Internet Service Providers, Application Service Providers and Network Service Providers (Lin, 2002). Pricing model refers to the basis on which money will be given to vendors. The two most common pricing models, namely, Time and Material (TnM) and Fixed Time Fixed Price (FTFP) have been discussed in this paper. There are more variations of these models like outcome-based servicing model, etc., which will be discussed as well. Back in 1993 pricing was a big conundrum and companies were struggling to come up with a suitable pricing arrangement in a client server model. Today, however, there are many customized pricing models which are being used per convenience of the client and vendors.\n2. Parameters for comparing pricing models: The pricing models can be compared on various parameters to gauge the popularity, risk, profitability, etc. Below are given descriptions of such parameters.\n3. Methodology and data collection: 3.1. Variables and questionnaire design\n4. Results and discussion: Wilcoxon signed-rank test\n5. Conclusions and further research: When the client and the vendor establish an IT relationship using a contract, it also has to be established what pricing model is going to be used to facilitate the payment terms.\n",
"role": "user"
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{
"content": "Purpose: The information technology (IT) outsourcing has been inexorably growing in spite of its downsides. The main reasons are financial gains and cost reductions, as well as it allows companies to focus on their core selling areas. Within IT outsourcing, offshoring has become a big success because it greatly reduces costs. Countries like India, China and Philippines are attracting a lot of IT outsourcing work. In order to save costs, companies have to work out the best pricing models with the vendors so enable profitability at both ends. The main pricing models prevalent in the industry are Time and Material (TnM) and Fixed Time Fixed Price (FTFP) alternately also referred as Fixed Price. There are various other pricing models now, which are mainly variations of these. The purpose of this paper is to show an empirical comparison between these models from the vendor's perspective to see which of them has greater acceptability.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper is an empirical paper in which literature survey has been done to study various pricing models in the IT service outsourcing industry, on the basis of same, two most used models have been identified, namely, FTFP and TnM, hypothesis were formulated, Likert scale questionnaire was formed. Subsequently data were collected and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was carried out to compare the variables defining the FTFP and TnM models of pricing. In total, 68 firms were targeted and 120 responses were received. The two models were studied against parameters like usage, profitability, risk, deliveries meeting project schedule, good quality code, the pricing model used by respondents' majority of times and whether either of them lead to increasing costs.\nFindings: This study has found that TnM is less risky for vendors, more profitable and vendors are able to manage better quality delivery compared to FTFP. Also it has been statistically proven that the pricing models TnM and FTFP do not impact the usage and schedules in any way. These are important findings as there have been no earlier research papers which have compared the pricing models with reference to Indian IT service outsourcing industry.\nResearch limitations/implications: The two major pricing models TnM and FTFP are studied in the paper below. Data were gathered from 68 companies. As per results, TnM is more profitable, less risky, does not lead to increasing cost and produces good quality code as compared to FTFP also it has been statistically proven that the pricing models TnM and FTFP do not impact the usage and schedules in any way. The implications bridge a gap between theory and practice, as theoretically many pricing models exist, however, what are practical applications and justification vis-a-vis different aspects has not been approached statistically so far in the given context. Further research can be done on other variations of pricing models and to establish which one should be the preferred model and in which circumstances.\nPractical implications: There are major practical implications of the paper as it fills the gap between the theoretical discussions of pricing and identifies and statistically proves importance of various aspects of pricing in practice.\nOriginality/value: The paper is original and adds value in terms of advising the IT service outsourcing companies as to which pricing models to use.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The moderating role of consumer characteristics in the relationship between website quality and perceived usefulness
|
[
"Gender",
"Information quality",
"System quality",
"Perceived usefulness",
"Online group buying",
"Utilitarian orientation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The global internet boom has resulted in the rapid worldwide growth of online shopping, and numerous online shopping websites have been developed in the last decade (Ye et al., 2013). Many retail firms have incorporated the internet into their business practices because it offers the opportunity to expand markets (Doherty et al., 1999). As online sales and retailing grows in importance (Insley and Nunan, 2014), internet retailing diversifies. Amongst the many types of internet retailing, a recent and increasingly popular trend is online group buying (OGB; Coulter and Roggeveen, 2012). The concept of OGB websites (e.g. Groupon and LivingSocial) are channels for consumers to recruit potential consumers through the internet to achieve a sufficient order volume for obtaining goods or services at a discounted group price (Hung et al., 2015). In other words, when consumers cooperate with each other to achieve a required group size or a sufficient order volume, OGB websites offer discounted group prices to them (Wang and Chou, 2014). The growing number of OGB websites and the increasing retail market competition for consumers has made it necessary for retail marketers to develop an enhanced understanding of OGB consumers. Although OGB websites have rapidly increased in number in recent years, motivating consumers to reuse OGB websites by ensuring that they have positive shopping experiences remains the greatest challenge for OGB website administrators.\n2. Literature review and hypothesis development: Research has suggested that OGB websites are a novel internet market-based mechanism (Anand and Aron, 2003). OGB websites have grown dramatically during the past several years, and the phenomenon has attracted recent academic attention. Accordingly, academic attention has been paid to the OGB phenomenon. For instance, a previous study proposed a management model for the OGB process (Wei et al., 2011). Matsuo (2009) suggested an effective pricing mechanism for traders, whereas Anand and Aron (2003) used analytical economic models to study the OGB phenomenon. Other researchers have discussed the phenomenon from a consumer perspective. Liao et al. (2012) focused on consumer demands and goods preference in OGB websites, and Erdogmus and Cicek (2011) used the in-depth interview method to investigate price advantage, novelty, and special offers as factors influencing consumers to use OGB websites.\n3. Methods and data collection: 3.1. Research environment, sample, and data collection\n4. Results: 4.1. Data accuracy analysis\n5. Discussion: To clarify the role of consumer characteristics, this study examined the moderating effects of gender and utilitarian orientation on the relationship between website quality (i.e. IQ and SQ) and PU. Whereas the statistical results showed that gender moderates the relationship between SQ and PU, utilitarian orientation moderates the relationship between IQ and PU. The effect of SQ on PU is stronger for male consumers than for female consumers. The effect of IQ on PU is stronger for high-utility-oriented consumers than for low-utility-oriented consumers.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: Online group buying (OGB) websites have rapidly increased in number in recent years and have become an interesting model for online transactions. Previous studies have shown that consumers' individual characteristics are critical in group buying participation and the perceived usefulness (PU) of an information system, whereas the role of consumer characteristics on the OGB website-quality-PU relationship remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether consumer characteristics (i.e. gender and utilitarian orientation) moderate the OGB website-quality-PU relationship.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A total of 658 OGB website consumers participated in this study. Data were analysed by employing hierarchical moderated regression method.\nFindings: The primary findings are as follows. First, the effect of system quality on consumer PU of the OGB website was stronger for male consumers than for female consumers. Second, the effect of information quality on PU was stronger for high-utility-orientated consumers than for low-utility-orientated consumers.\nOriginality/value: Because of the increasing importance of e-commerce and the growing number of shoppers purchasing from OGB websites, the finding provides enhanced understanding of OGB consumers for segmentation strategies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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Case study: building an internal coaching capacity - the American Cancer Society coach cadre model
|
[
"Coaching",
"Leadership development",
"Non‐profit organizations"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nThe business case: The American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back against cancer. The people, volunteers and staff, of the American Cancer Society are the critical success factor in our long-term success.In 2007 The American Cancer Society (ACS) launched a nationwide initiative to become the very best place to work and volunteer - a place where people want to work, where people develop their skills throughout their careers, and a place where people stay because they are valued. As part of this nationwide initiative, a Nationwide Leadership Development Program (NLDP) was established. The program was designed to include group learning and individual development opportunities, simulations, and coaching support for each NLDP participant over the course of the two-year program. The resulting challenge for ACS was to develop a sustainable, cost effective and high impact method to deliver coaching to the 80 NLDP participants from the 2008 class, and for future classes.The four primary goals for the coaching solution were to:1. Individualize learning experiences.2. Drive improved performance.3. Affect behavioral change.4. Provide a comprehensive development experience for program participants.In addition to meeting these immediate needs of coaching support to the NLDP participants, additional strong business applications were identified that underlined the importance of building a coaching culture in the organization, such as the recognition of coaching as a core management behavior to release performance potential across levels of the organization (Whitmore, 2002). While most of the return on investment evidence around coaching effectiveness is still anecdotal, 70 percent of respondents in a 2002 Hay Group survey (Thomas, 2002) believed that coaching is more effective than training at changing behavior and improving performance of senior executives and high performers.In order to maximize the returns on what was seen as the very high potential of developing a coaching culture in the organization, it was determined that training and developing internal coaches would be better financial stewardship than contracting with external executive coaches. In addition, an internal solution would leverage existing talent, provide individual development benefits to ACS staff and volunteer coaches, and had the potential to result in increased engagement, and a more effective and comprehensive organizational culture change towards a coaching environment. Best practice research (Corporate Leadership Council, 2003) recommends focusing on business needs, optimizing the executive-coach matching, leveraging senior manager participation, and managing coaches to performance standards to maximize the returns on executive coaching. All these recommendations were applied to the design of the Coach Cadre to ensure a best-in-class program.\nCritical success factors: Once the decision was made to develop an internal coaching capacity rather than contract with external executive coaches, the ACS Talent Strategy group took on the design and delivery of what was named \"The Coach Cadre\". The next step was to clearly design the parameters of the program, and identify the critical success factors, scope, process, training and evaluation methods. This was done in partnership between the Talent Strategy management team with contracted consulting services and training support from an experienced and dynamic professional executive coach.The seven defined critical success factors for the coach cadre were to:1. crystallize the business purpose for the coach cadre;2. ensure alignment with organizational strategy;3. generate plans to ensure and maintain top level executive support and participation;4. choose a coaching model;5. clarify the difference between coaching and mentoring;6. identify the core coaching competencies that might be innate or learned; and7. define the coach selection and matching process.\nCoach cadre leadership and management: The cadre structure was developed with the support of an executive sponsor to build organizational support at a leadership level, which was crucial to the success and sustainability of the program. The design, implementation and ongoing administration of the cadre were carried out by a management team of staff, volunteers and the lead consultant.Coach cadre management structure\nDesign process: As seen in Figure 1, the design process was simple in concept and each step in the process was evaluated to ensure alignment with the defined critical success factors. Beginning with identifying the key objectives and outcomes, the process systematically moves to designing the supporting framework, recruiting, selecting and training the coaches, and finally providing ongoing education and support to continually develop the coaches through their coaching experience.Coaching objectives and outcomes\nThe coaching model and competencies: The GROW coaching model and 11 coaching competencies provided the backbone for the recruitment and training of the Coach Cadre coaches. The competencies chosen were skills that would provide the foundation for good coaching, namely: advocating, affirming, asking powerful questions, confronting, energizing, focusing, listening, reframing, reflecting, requesting, and using intuition. The competencies were not weighted or ranked in any way, and all were considered important skills to master in order to conduct excellent coaching.The book Coaching for Performance (Whitmore, 2002) which teaches the widely used GROW coaching model, was used as the basis for the coaching process. Whitmore proposes that:Coaching is not merely a technique to be wheeled out and rigidly applied in certain prescribed circumstances. It is a way of managing, a way of treating people, a way of thinking, a way of being.This philosophy was a natural fit to the goals of the Coach Cadre, and his book was therefore a natural choice to provide the grounding process for the program.\nRecruitment and selection: The recruitment of coaches for the Coach Cadre consisted of an application process, followed by one-on-one interviews with the Cadre management team leaders. Selection was based on three year tenure with the organization (this was preferred but not required), a successful performance record, approval from their manager, and two references. Expectations for successful applicants included the commitment of time necessary to attend all the training sessions, as well as the final day of the NLDP program to meet the clients face to face at least once.The applicants were also asked to write a short paragraph on why they were applying for the Coach Cadre, what experience and skills they felt they brought, and what they hoped to gain from the experience. High-level volunteers and staff, known to be committed to the success of talent development strategy were actively recruited to participate in the Cadre.\nTraining and continuing education: The philosophy surrounding the training design focused strongly on experiential learning, and in creating an atmosphere of safety that would encourage learning through risk-taking and practice. The training session lasted three and a half days, and was very carefully planned to ensure that the participants (known as coaches-in-training or CITs) would be able to spend a substantial amount of time practicing the competencies being taught by coaching one another through different scenarios and role-plays.The training initially focused on the business need for coaching, the organization's definition of the role of a coach in the program, and the overall framework for the cadre within the organization. The remaining time was used to teach each competency separately, beginning with a limited time spent on theory, and the majority of time spent practicing each skill. Each competency was taught by a different lead coach, and included a demonstration of the competency in action, as role-played by other lead coaches. This was followed by longer segments in small groups, with the CIT practicing the competency in trios, taking turns acting as coach, client, and observer. Each small group was facilitated by a lead coach who also offered feedback and led the practice. The lead coaches were encouraged to facilitate as well as coach in their groups to advance learning.The training session ended by bringing all the pieces together to show how the competencies work together in different situations, and how the GROW coaching model provides a framework that pulls together all the competencies. The CIT spent time in small groups practicing the entire GROW model and to further demonstrate the model in practice, the lead coaches provided a demonstration to the entire group in the fishbowl style, with frequent \"stop-action\" from the facilitator, to answer questions and engender discussion.Continuing education and post-training support\nConclusion: The American Cancer Society coach cadre program is now beginning its third successful year, and since inception, has been recognized as a best-in-class program by the Georgia Coaches Association's 2009 Prism Award for outstanding coaching program. The program was also a highlighted session at the 2009 ASTD International Conference (American Society for Training and Development). Within the organization, evaluation metrics show the growth and potential of the program, as from 2008 through 2009, the number of coaches in the program has grown from 24 to 31, delivering over 800 hours of coaching in the first year, XXX hours in 2009, and with a capacity to provide more than XXX coaching hours in 2010. In addition, the organization continues to see steadily increasing demand for coaching through all divisions nationwide. Comments have been:Coaching has provided me with the foundation I need for growth (Coach client, 2008).The coaching program is a best practice that we should embrace and support (ACS National Board member).Through the process of designing and implementing this program, several key learning points emerged. Most importantly these were to ensure that the program goals aligned to specific strategic organizational priorities, so that leadership support is gained at an early stage. The next points around design and structure were to focus on a clear, formal framework for coaching, and recruit coaches for their inherent skills and competencies, while training them in learned competencies and behaviors. The flexibility and ability to learn, evaluate and adjust the framework through the process was also a key factor for success, allowing the program to adjust and stay relevant and sustainable in a precarious business climate, and yet responsive to changing organizational, coach, and client needs. Lastly, regular communication and continuous support for coaches continue to be essential to maintain the high quality of the coaching product being delivered to clients.As a result of the successful implementation of this program, the American Cancer Society is becoming a culture of learners, coaches, leaders and high performers, thereby moving the society closer to its mission of ending cancer as a major health problem by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to outline the steps and process used by the American Cancer Society, a not for profit organization, when creating and implementing an internal coaching capacity.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper examines in detail the design, implementation, successes, and key learning points of the creation of an internal coaching program.\nFindings: - Organizations can build an internal coaching capacity utilizing current talent and limited external resources to benefit the development of targeted staff.\nPractical implications: - The paper details steps to build a coaching cadre.\nOriginality/value: - The paper provides an alternative to buying coaching for an organization and outlines the multiple benefits to building an internal capacity.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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Pro-diversity practices and perceived insider status
|
[
"Cultural diversity",
"Perceived insider status",
"Pro‐diversity practices",
"Leader‐member exchange",
"Social identity theory",
"Canada",
"Diversity management"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Greater cultural diversity in the workforce is a fact of life in many Western countries, such as the USA (US Census Bureau, 2002) and Canada (Statistics Canada, 2006), and must be managed effectively to avoid perceptions of discriminatory treatment that would be damageable for the organization (Del Carmen Triana and Garcia, 2009). Organizations have devoted many efforts to managing cultural diversity in order to demonstrate that employees are not victims of unfavorable treatments in the organization. Training that values diversity (Rynes and Rosen, 1995), programs of equal promotion and employment opportunities for cultural minorities, and fostering of a climate that supports diversity (Del Carmen Triana et al., 2010; Kossek and Zonia, 1993; McKay et al., 2007, 2009), are examples of pro-diversity practices implemented by organizations to develop perceptions of fair human resource policies and to integrate cultural minorities.Empirical studies have looked at the effects of pro-diversity practices on a variety of outcomes, and found significant links with affective commitment (Buttner et al., 2010), intention to quit (Buttner et al., 2010; Stewart, 2011), psychological contract violation (Buttner et al., 2010), and performance at the team or organizational levels (McKay et al., 2009; Thatcher and Patel, 2011). Several other studies have shown that pro-diversity practices are more likely to affect employees from cultural minorities than those from majority groups (McKay et al., 2007; Del Carmen Triana et al., 2010, 2009), but have also highlighted the backlash in response to treatments perceived as preferable to lower-status groups (e.g. cultural minorities) by higher-status groups (e.g. individuals from majority groups, Kidder et al., 2004). Recently, Del Carmen Triana et al. (2010, 2009) highlighted the fact that pro-diversity practices should be studied in connection with the working context at the group level, and found that effects of discrimination in the working group on affective commitment and intention to quit may be altered by pro-diversity practices.A key argument explaining the effects of pro-diversity practices on individual and organizational outcomes draws on social identity theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1986): minority groups tend to perceive themselves and be perceived as out-group organizational members because access to key positions and resources in the organization has been historically controlled by majority groups (Merritt et al., 2010). Pro-diversity practices are implemented to foster cultural minorities' feelings of being integrated or included as organizational members, without damaging the in-group status of employees of the majority group. But while being recognized as in-group is a key mechanism for further understanding the effects of pro-diversity practices (Del Carmen Triana et al., 2010; McKay et al., 2007), empirical studies have not explored in-group perceptions either as a mediator between pro-diversity practices and outcomes, or as a new outcome indicating that employees feel socially integrated into the organizational community.In this article, we partly fill this gap by developing research hypotheses linking pro-diversity practices to perceived insider status (PIS) among employees, with PIS being defined as \"the extent to which an individual employee perceives himself or herself as an insider within a particular organization\" (Stamper and Masterson, 2002, p. 876). We explore PIS as an outcome indicating the successful integration of cultural minorities in the organization, in line with Kim et al. (2009), who studied PIS as a key outcome of the newcomer socialization process. More specifically, we study the effect of pro-diversity practices on PIS, and we posit that the expected effect is stronger when the supervisor develops a high quality relationship with the individual (leader-member exchange or LMX, Liden and Graen, 1980) and when individuals belong to a cultural minority because of their lower-status.In a context of increased cultural diversity at work, scholars and practitioners may want to increase awareness about of the intervening processes that lead to employee turnover and performance, and explore whether the inclusion of minorities is likely to be one such process. We offer two contributions in that respect. By testing the impact of pro-diversity practices on PIS and comparing the impact according to the individual cultural status, this article paves the way to a deeper understanding of the social inclusion of culturally diverse employees. Second, we further explore the mechanisms leading to PIS by positing that the link between pro-diversity practices and PIS is moderated by LMX perceptions. Past research findings indicate that organizational diversity management may restore perceptions of discrimination in the team (Del Carmen Triana and Garcia, 2009; Del Carmen Triana et al., 2010). However, more research is needed to further understand how the treatments toward cultural minorities at different levels in the organization work together to predict individual attitudes at work. In this article, we provide empirical evidence to respond to this question by testing the interaction of pro-diversity practices and LMX on PIS.\nLiterature review: Perceived insider status\nMethod: Sample\nResults: Descriptive analyses\nDiscussion: In this article, we proposed to study employees' perception of inclusion (PIS) according to their cultural status, and to explore mechanisms forming PIS, with two variables: pro-diversity practices (as an antecedent of PIS) and the quality of the relationship with the supervisor (or LMX, as a moderator of the relationship between pro-diversity practices and PIS). Findings support the hypotheses of main and interactive effects of pro-diversity practices and LMX on PIS. The interactive effect on PIS is significant for cultural minorities, but not for other employees.Theoretical and practical implications\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The aim of this paper is to study the effects of pro-diversity practices on perceived insider status, and explore the moderating role of leader-member exchange in this relationship. The main and interactive effects on PIS are studied for cultural minority and majority groups.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Research hypotheses are tested with a questionnaire administered to 210 employees working in three Canadian organizations engaged in diversity management.\nFindings: - Results indicate that the main and interactive effects of organizational fairness and leader-member exchange on perceived insider status are significant. The interactive effect on perceived insider status is higher for cultural minorities than for other employees.\nResearch limitations/implications: - This study shows the importance of perceived insider status in the field of diversity, identifies organizational fairness and leader-member exchange as two significant organizational antecedents to perceived insider status, and describes the mechanisms linking these antecedents to perceived insider status (the interaction effects).\nOriginality/value: - The main contribution of the research resides in the identification of perceived insider status as a variable that deserves more attention in the field of diversity. The article invites future research to explore the behavioral consequences of perceived insider status in diverse teams, and to pursue the understanding of mechanisms leading to feelings of inclusion.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Information systems planning practices in Indian public enterprises
|
[
"Information systems",
"Resource allocation",
"Process planning"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Today we are passing through an era of post-industrial society, which is basically an information society and the economy of today's society is greatly dependent on the creation, management and distribution of information resources. Thus, in this ever increasing changing scenario, information and information systems (ISs) are valuable organizational resources that must be properly managed for any organization to survive, succeed and grow. ISs must provide the relevant, timely and accurate information so as to help organizations gain strategic advantages over their competitors.The fast development and wide usage of ISs in business have changed the way organizations are managed and thus have made many conventional management approaches obsolete. As Drucker (1988) envisioned, new organizations are information based. Recently, several approaches have attempted to shape the new information-based strategic framework-research on business process re-engineering (Davenport and Short, 1990; Hammer, 1990; Hammer and Champy, 1994). Similarly, many other researchers, as given in review of literature have advocated the importance of ISs not only to support operational activities; but also to support strategic decisions. In other words, ISs that do not properly support an organization's strategic objectives, corporate culture, or user needs can seriously damage the organization's prospects for survival and success.\nRationale of the study: The changed scenario of globalization, liberalization and privatization has forced the organizations to pay due attention on the concept and management of ISs. Today, leading companies have started using ISs as tools for staying ahead of competitors. In the process, many organizations have already acquired either a mainframe or personal computers to computerize their ISs. Many more organizations are at the threshold of developing and acquiring these computer systems. It is indeed, a healthy and positive trend but before the organizations decide to acquire larger systems, there is a need to evaluate the planning, controlling and the performance of the already computerized ISs in organizations so that the proposed huge investments in ISs could be utilized effectively and organizations will be able to use information system as weapons of competition. In view of the importance of the subject, it is important to undertake studies to examine planning of ISs in organizations.A review of related studies, clearly establishes the rationale of the study.\nReview of related studies: Deming (1993) has proposed a model that gives a guideline for any information system planning, implementation and control, that is to say, any system must have thorough planning, be executed as per the plan, be checked for actual performance against planned and counter actions should be taken. O'brien (1999) based on several studies advocated the stages for IS cycle as shown in Figure 1.Hann and Weber (1986) have proposed and tested a model that seeks to account for variations that are observed across organizations in the amount of and nature of IS planning activities The authors conceived of an IS plan as a monitoring, bonding, and governance mechanism between senior management and the IS manager.McNurlin and Sprague (1998) has highlighted that planning is difficult task due to some of the following fundamental reasons like aligning business goals and systems plans, rapidly changing technologies, projects vs portfolio, infrastructure development, joint responsibility, other planning issues. In such a scenario, he has advocated for a framework, which may act as a guideline for the planning process.Andreu et al. (1998), Beats (1996) and Cortada (1998) see alignment as a continuous process between business strategies, business organization, IS organization and IS strategy. This process represents necessary skills of a manager, which enable him to relate all of his actions to the mission of the company. It can be inferred from these observations that the perspective with which IT/IS is aligned is not a technical one rather is a business perspective and must start at the planning stage.Cortada (1998) points out that whether to align or not is not a question any more because it has to be there; rather the main question should be on how to align. His study conducted on the best-run organizations has exhibited that the resulting relation it fosters with end-users has become highly collaborative. He has identifies three components of IT architecture that must be planned and controlled, i.e. infrastructure, data architecture and management practices.Palanisamy and Sushil (2001) have established relationship between user involvement in IS planning and strategic success of IS. For strategic success of IS, IS-enabled organizational change, IS-enabled competitive advantage, and IS-enabled organizational learning are considered.It emanates from above literature that IS is a socio-technical system and must be understood from a business perspective and thus start at the planning stage. Thus, there is a need to undertake research in organizations especially in the public enterprises, to study the management of ISs, so that the best practices may be identified and are used as framework to effectively manage IS.A study on \"ISs management practices in Indian public enterprises\" has been conducted with the following objectives.\nObjectives of the study: The objective of the study was to analyze the ISs planning practices in Indian public enterprises.\nScope of the study: In view of the certain constraints like money and time, the study was confined only to two public enterprises namely Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd (HMT); and Punjab Communications Limited (Puncom). These enterprises were selected because of their good performance in the past and they being the early adopters of ISs.\nResearch methodology: Primary data for this study has been collected from the respondents, who were selected scientifically from two large public enterprises in India. Distribution of sample has been given in Table I. The details of the sample are given in Figures 2-7.Primary data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire cum interview method from the selected respondents. The questionnaire was designed based on the model proposed by Malik and Goyal (2001), literature survey, and discussions held with many academicians and professionals in the field. To ensure the quality of the instrument, it was tested for its reliability, content validity and sensitivity. The questionnaire used for the study was found reliable as the Cronbach's a reliability of the scale was more than 0.7 and thus indicating the goodness of the scale measurements. Content validity of the questionnaire was tested by having many discussions on the comprehension, depth of study and relevance in the selected enterprises and the topic of the study and it was found that the questionnaire was comprehensive, appropriate, and relevant to the study. The feedback thus collected was incorporated before administering the questionnaire. Similarly sensitivity of the questions was also found good as Likert scales were used to gather the responses on the perceptions of the respondents. Second, multiple questions pertaining to similar theme were incorporated to ensure the sensitivity. Secondary data was collected from the records/reports, etc. of the respective organizations. Totally 112 managers from both the enterprises participated in the study.In order to reach meaningful conclusions, collected data was subjected to codification and tabulation. SPSS software package was used for applying of the appropriate statistical tools like percentages, averages, significance of goodness, correlation, factor analysis, etc.\nAnalysis and findings: IS development/procurement planning\nConclusions: ISs in the selected enterprises are not being regularly planned in advance; rather ISs are developed/procured on \"as and when required\" basis. This is not a good practice; rather for ISs of any worth, must be adequately planned for and the planning activity must be undertaken on a regular basis.The collaborative effort with respect to IS project planning is found to be moderate. Only the systems management group exhibits collaborative role (47.3 percent). Role of the department management and department staff has been supportive (42 and 60.7 percent, respectively), indicating a passive participation. In the case of organization management, authoritative role is found to be prominent.Departments are least interested in planning for IS projects for the other departments. This shows a general lack of systems thinking in the organizations.\"Interaction with supplier\" is the least considered factor amongst the four factors which are found to be important in IS planning. \"Interactions required with the customers\" followed by the \"Existing H/W infrastructure\" factors have also indicated less consideration in the planning of new IS applications.The concept of project leader for the data architecture planning for the IS projects is prevalent in the selected public enterprises. It is a positive indicator. It is clear that if leaders and heads are ready to take the responsibility of failures, only then the working team (development teams and end-users) feel motivated for exploring high usage and providing constructive feedback.The industry practices on feasibility study are strong on the technical assessment; moderate on the economic and schedule assessment; and weak on legal and schedule assessment. During the study, many managers tried to distinguish between off the shelf procurement and development cycle thus foregoing the need for requirement analysis phase in the case of procurement. In fact this is the catch where they end up finding a gap between what they need and what the readymade products offer. Most of them perceive purchased applications as a given product to them with no possibility for customization. This perception of the managers largely is because of the fact that software industry does not talk of the procurement cycle. If the requirements of the business are not well defined, procured product would become irrelevant. The project/product viability must be carried out from all dimensions.Except SRS freezing, all other tasks namely deliverable definitions; fixation of acceptance criteria; reviews during IS development; approval of system design and test data plan are not adequately planned during IS application development. However, inter company analysis has revealed that all the application development tasks are planned more meticulously in Puncom than in HMT.Planning of time and cost resources is frequently an unstructured activity, which is being undertaken unscientifically in the selected public enterprises. In the absence of proper planning for these resources, the two main resources can go uncontrolled which would lead to delayed and costly projects. Even for the readymade projects, the enterprises should understand that cost of the readymade project is just one of the factors and other factors such as staffing, customization, training, installation, maintenance, etc. cannot be ignored. Inter company analysis has revealed that time factor is being planned better in Puncom than in HMT.\nRecommendations: ISs of any worth must be adequately planned for. The planning activity must be undertaken on a regular basis. ISs must be made a part of the organizational plan so that a proper match between the business and ISs plan can be achieved.A supportive attitude of the department management and of the department staff in IS project planning can contribute only in the presence of strong leadership. Hence, it is the collaborative role of all the heads as well as of the staff, which should be strived for. The organizations should provide adequate training to all their managers so as to sensitize to the collaborative attitude in IS project planning; and to the systems thinking.The public enterprises must undertake a meticulous planning of ISs and should not ignore interactions with suppliers and the existing infrastructure. If the existing infrastructure is ignored, the new IS application may not be able to take care of the information needs of the suppliers; there may also be integration problems with the existing systems and thus rendering the existing infrastructure as useless or waste. The feasibility study is an important aspect of IS planning and must be carried out to determine the viability of the IS project in terms of technical, economic, legal, operational and schedule viability. If a feasibility study is undertaken meticulously, it would help avoid abandoning of IS project at any later stage of the project implementation.It is pertinent to note that unless all the application development tasks like SRS freezing; test data planning; deliverable definitions; acceptance criteria fixation; and approval of systems design are planned and executed meticulously, the uncertainty of results will remain. The user must know what he is going to get before the application is actually designed and the product is delivered. This is urgently required to be implemented in HMT.Time and cost resources planning is generally a function of the managers at the strategic planning level of management, however it is advisable that it should also be carried out even at the IS manager and at the department level. Scientific models like COCOMO should be used to improve the planning for these resources.\nLimitations of the study: The study has only been confined to two enterprises, i.e. HMT and Puncom. Further, the sample of the respondents from the enterprises under study was mainly from the production function. This happened because of the fact that the selected enterprises were the manufacturing enterprises. All the dimensions of the proposed model have not been considered for the purpose of this study.To conclude, the study has researched out the planning, implementation and control aspects of ISs in the public enterprises and brought out many interesting insights in this area. The findings and conclusions there of would go a long way in providing an understanding of the ISs practices in the selected enterprises and thus, would provide a framework for initiating actions for further research and for policy decisions. In other words, policy makers at the enterprise level as well as at the national level would be benefited from the results of this study. Academicians and experts in the field would also get an insight on the existing state of the ISs.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - To determine and analyze the information systems planning practices in Indian public enterprises.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The study is an empirical investigation of Indian public enterprises and thus is primary data based. The primary data was collected from a scientifically-computed sample of respondents through a pre-tested designed questionnaire. Thus, the collected data was subjected to appropriate statistical methods to reach meaningful conclusions.\nFindings: - The findings from the study provide insights in IS planning practices in Indian public enterprises.\nResearch limitations implications: - Only two large enterprises in the public sector have been considered for the purpose of this study. Similar studies with a large number of organizations may further increase the reliability of the findings.\nPractical implications: - The recommendations, based on the findings from this study, can go a long way in improving the health of information systems, which in turn, would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organizations.\nOriginality/value: - The research is original and is based on the primary data collection and interpretation.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Benchmarking competitive methods and strategic choices of Portuguese SMEs: Traditional practices and new realities
|
[
"Benchmarking",
"Generics",
"Strategic choices",
"Competitive strategy",
"Small to medium‐sized enterprises",
"Portugal"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: Recent global changes have forced manufacturing organizations across the globe to reconsider their strategic business models. The increasing significance of Chinese manufacturing and the expanding power of the European Union (EU), among other factors, are clearly presenting manufacturing organizations with tremendous opportunities and new strategic challenges. In recent years, strategic challenges faced by manufacturing organizations have intensified due to unmistakable trends toward emphasizing a customer orientation and an increasing utilization of innovative operational technologies and practices (Guan et al., 2006). In this context, modern manufacturing integrated systems, information technologies (ITs), and electronic commerce/business are redefining operations, and customer relations (Maguire et al., 2007).These new competitive and operational realities are leaving manufacturing organizations with no choice but to re-engineer their strategic business models. In today's dynamic, globally competitive, technology-based, and customer-driven manufacturing environment, a static strategic orientation may not be sufficient. Thus, the need to blend competitive methods to create an innovative strategic orientation is more critical than ever before for the strategic survival of manufacturing organizations.Porter's (1985) strategic typology has been accepted by most scholars and executives, as one of the main frameworks toward effective strategic choices (Campbell-Hunt, 2000). This framework has received wide acceptance in different business cultures. In this context, Portuguese organizations and scholars have adhered to this framework (Green et al., 1993; Marques et al., 2000; Jacome et al., 2002). However, due to recent changes in the competitive environment, Porter's classical generic strategies framework gave ways to hybrid strategies in order to meet new strategic challenges dictate by innovative technologies and increasingly competitive environment (Campbell-Hunt, 2000). Against this backdrop, the objective of this study is to analyze and benchmark the strategic approaches utilized by Portuguese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) manufacturing organizations in response to recent competitive pressures.\n2 Background: Porter's generic strategies framework has been one of the most used frameworks to study the strategic behavior of organizations (Allen et al., 2006). Examples of utilizing Porter's framework are found in many business culture and industries (McNamee and Hugh, 1989; Kim et al., 2004; Garrigos-Simon et al., 2005; Gibbons and O'Connor, 2005; Spanos et al., 2004; Allen et al., 2007). An examination of this literature tends to support the utilizations of Porter's generic strategies in their pure form, or in hybrid mix forms, revealing different levels of performance (for a detailed meta-analysis please see Campbell-Hunt, 2000).During the 1990s several researchers used Porter's generic strategies framework to study how Portuguese organizations were competing in the global market. In the process, the strategic orientation of some of the main Portuguese industries, namely: textile (Raposo, 1994; Curto, 1993), hospitality (Matias, 1992), and construction (Cachadinha, 1993), were studied. For example, Green et al. (1993) studied the applications of Porter's generic strategies in the Portuguese manufacturing organizations of several industries.More recently this research theme was continued by Marques et al. (2000), Silva et al. (2000), and Jacome et al. (2002) who examined three important Portuguese industries, namely: the Cristal Glass, the Mould, and the Porcelain, respectively. These studies pointed to three main conclusions. First, the studied organizations in these three industries were following Porter's classical generic strategies. Thus, Porter's model appeared to be utilized in the manufacturing Portuguese environment. Second, these studies showed that organizations, which followed a differentiation strategic choice tended to achieve higher performance, relative to organizations which did not. Third, these studies hinted to the presence of non-classical differentiation strategic choices. These choices included time-based strategic elements.Typically, firms included in these studies were SMEs and still are considered the engine for global economic grow (Singh et al., 2008). However, in the past, these firms, generally, did not utilize ITs effectively to shape their strategies due to lack of resources, and needed skills (Maguire et al., 2007; Garengo et al., 2005). More recently, some of these firms have utilized individual internet resources, such as e-mail and websites in order to create global business relationships. In today's marketplace these firms are being called upon to integrate e-business options in order to create competitive advantages (Pavic et al., 2007; Maguire et al., 2007).Motivated by the increasing role of innovative technologies in strategy formulation and implementation, the objective of this study is to analyze and benchmark the approaches utilized by Portuguese executives of manufacturing organizations in order to maintain, or improve their organizations competitive position in the global market. Specifically, this investigation focuses on the competitive methods, which are utilized by these executives. In the process, this study explores the following research questions:RQ1. Are Portuguese manufacturing organizations following Porter's classic generic strategies framework?RQ2. How are Portuguese manufacturing organizations adapting strategically to the recent market changes?RQ3. To what extent are Portuguese manufacturing organizations integrating ITs, and e-business option in their innovative corporate strategic choices?\n3 Methodology: 3.1 Instrument\n4 Results and discussion: 4.1 Factor analysis results\n5 Conclusion and implications: Based on the results of this study the following conclusions are in order.First, it is very difficult to relate the hybrid strategic orientation practiced by the studied Portuguese manufacturing organizations to the classical Porter's framework. Since the hybrid generic strategies detected in this study tended to emphasize competitive methods almost equally, it is difficult to establish clear strategic orientations.Second, it seems that Portuguese manufacturing organizations are not sure what strategic dimension they are following. Perhaps, the turbulent market environment is forcing Portuguese organizations to continuously strategically adapt to market conditions. Thus, the strategic choice is dynamic and evolving based on market realities. All strategic groups appear to have a strategic preference in relation to the EAS dimension. However, this behavior can only be interpreted as a pre-requisite to competing in global markets, including new e-markets rather than a true differentiation strategy. Perhaps, this hybrid strategic orientation is dictated by the markets in which they are competing. In this context, benchmarking the strategic choices of successful European firms may help Portuguese firms validate and modify their strategic choices.Third, results show an increased use of e-business competitive methods along with IT. The use of IT and e-commerce strategically is seen as a differentiation effort (Koo et al., 2004). However, since these organizations are part of traditional manufacturing industries, they appear to have difficulties combining cost-leadership with the elements of the e-operational and market environment.Finally, although no significant differences were found between the strategic groups in relation to global performance, as measured by the net return on assets, the results provide evidence that allow us to label Group D as the relatively best performer. Organizations in this group appear to be concerned with QAR, while simultaneous emphasizing efficiency and costumer service. The emphasis placed on those four competitive methods along with OIN and better products and production processes may justify the secondary emphasis placed on marketing leadership.At the conclusion of this research, the authors would like to express their appreciation to the capable reviewers of this journal for their valuable input.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to analyze and benchmark the strategic approaches utilized by Portuguese small and medium enterprises manufacturing organizations in response to the competitive pressures in the European and global markets.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - For the purpose of this paper, factor analysis and cluster analysis are used to analyze and to compare responses obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 68 Portuguese manufacturing organizations.\nFindings: - Based on the results of the analysis, it appears that the sampled organizations are following hybrid strategic orientations. These strategic orientations appear to be motivated by well-defined mixed strategies. The strategic elements of e-business are detected in these mixed strategies.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The sample used in this paper is specific in nature (Portuguese manufacturing organizations). Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly.\nPractical implications: - This paper attempts to shed some light on the effectiveness of current strategic practices of Portuguese manufacturing organizations. The findings of this paper have practical benchmarking strategic implications.\nOriginality/value: - This paper investigates the nature and scope of new strategic orientations utilized by manufacturing organizations. Evidence of the presence of innovative, mixed strategies is uncovered.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Organisational learning and intrapreneurship: evidence of interrelated concepts
|
[
"Organizational learning",
"Portugal",
"Intrapreneurship"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In the current scenario of globalisation, organisations have to be competitive and dynamic, not only in their image and values but also in technological, structural and behavioural changes (Beer et al., 2005; Tennant and Fernie, 2013). These conditions require new attitudes and innovative strategies, and there is also an urgent need for firms to reconsider their methods of operation (Shahzard et al., 2012). The present paper addresses two of these approaches and their relationship, namely, organisational learning and intrapreneurship.\n2. Literature review: 2.1. Organisational learning\n3. Methods: 3.1. Type of study and case selection\n4. Findings: To present the insights obtained from the case studies, the next sub-sections present the outcomes of the cross-case analysis. In doing so, the structure follows the dimensions of organisational learning proposed by Franco and Ferreira (2007), namely, organisational culture, organisational structure, information/knowledge sharing and leadership. Within each of these four sub-sections, reference is made to the related dimensions of intrapreneurship presented in the literature review, in order to show the interdependence between the two concepts subject to study.\n5. Discussion and conclusions: Based on the empirical evidence obtained, this study suggests that in the three firms selected, despite their very different characteristics (sector of activity, location and number of employees), organisational learning and intrapreneurship are concepts which are encouraged by top and middle management. There is an intrapreneurial perspective that is transversal in all the firms, irrespective of their specific areas. The terms of organisational learning and intrapreneurship are known by the department heads who participated in this study, and they are implemented in all the firms analysed. For example, in Aquimisa (case 1) the firm's strategies and policies are related to organisational learning and intrapreneurship. Organisational learning has been found to influence intrapreneurship in this company, the reason for implementing new policies. Consequently, organisational practices and intrapreneurial policies lead to the development and/or improvement of new products.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore in-depth the interface between organisational learning and intrapreneurship. In this way, the paper aims at understanding how these two concepts are interrelated and mutually dependent.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The method employed is qualitative analysis, including multiple exploratory case studies. For data collection, interviews with staff members of the selected companies and analysis of documents were used. Content analysis served as the data processing technique.\nFindings: The research identifies four dimensions of organisational learning and intrapreneurship in which both concepts are interlinked. Within each of these levels, the most beneficial attitudes and behaviours are highlighted.\nPractical implications: This study helps to better understand the dyadic effects between organisational learning and intrapreneurship. Through the dimensions and drivers identified, mechanisms can be developed and implemented leading firms to improve their performance through their employees' learning and intrapreneurial capacities.\nOriginality/value: The contribution of this paper is to provide an in-depth view of the interdependence between organisational learning and intrapreneurship. The findings allow development of a new conceptualisation of these concepts and the underlying drivers.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Keeping the peace: An investigation of the interaction between personality, conflict, and competence on organizational citizenship behaviors
|
[
"Proactive personality",
"Competence",
"Personality",
"Organizational citizenship behaviour",
"Interpersonal conflict",
"Prosocial behaviour",
"Contextual performance"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nOrganizational citizenship behavior (OCB): How do workers keep the peace? The answer stems, in part, from their behaviors and the behaviors of other organizational members. While job performance research used to consider only task-based, in-role behaviors, research over the last several decades has lead to the recognition of extra-role job performance in the effective functioning of organizations. Organ (1977) and Borman and Motowildo (1993) developed the concept that there are two main domains of job performance: task (focal) and contextual performance (also called OCB). Research has confirmed that different variables predict level of performance in these two domains (e.g. Hattrup et al., 1998; Jawahar et al., 2008). According to Organ et al. (2006), a behavior is an OCB if it is \"discretionary, not directly or explicitly recognized by the formal reward system, and in the aggregate promotes the efficient and effective functioning of the organization\" (p. 3). OCBs strengthen the psychological and social core of the firm, allowing the firm to function at higher levels.\nStressors: Two models of stress are Hobfoll's (1989, 2002) COR theory and Goode's (1960) scarcity hypothesis. COR theory revolves around the notion of resources, i.e. objects, conditions, characteristics, and energies including but not limited to mastery, self-esteem, time, intimacy, and economic security that are valuable to an individual or that can help the individual obtain other resources (Hobfoll, 1989). COR theory maintains that people try to gain and safeguard resources and that real or threatened loss of resources are perceived as stressful (Hobfoll, 1989, 2002). Goode's scarcity hypothesis asserts that people have a fixed amount of energy and once spent, the energy is not available for other pursuits. Perceptions of competence add to one's resources whereas interpersonal conflict degrades resources. Accordingly, resources are central to both COR theory and the scarcity hypothesis.\nProactive personality: Many scholars (e.g. Barrick and Mount, 2005; Kanfer, 1990) argue the primary means through which personality affects job performance is through motivation. Contextual performance is a function of motivation (Borman and Motowildo, 1993; Organ, 1977, 1997) while task performance is a function of intelligence (Schmidt and Hunter, 1998). Given that OCBs are discretionary and a function of motivation (Organ et al., 2006), personality is more likely to influence contextual rather than task performance (Thompson, 2005).\nProactive personality as a coping resource: By definition, proactive individuals are more adept at identifying and acquiring resources than their less proactive peers. This means, at any given time proactive individuals will have more resources at their disposal than their colleagues. While some resources are needed to perform required job duties, extra resources are needed to engage in discretionary job behaviors, especially in stressful situations. Consequently, we assert that as stressors increase, engagement in OCBs will be less affected for proactive individuals than for individuals who are less proactive. We believe, however, that the type of stressor is likely to affect engagement in OCBs differently.\nMethod: Sample and procedure\nResults: Bivariate correlations and study variable summary statistics are reported in Table I. All scales exhibited acceptable internal consistency reliability coefficients. Results for tests of hypotheses are reported in Tables II and III. Most hypotheses received support. We discuss the hypotheses tested with simple correlations first and then proceed to those tested using hierarchical regression.\nDiscussion: The current study contributes to the literature both by providing support for previous findings and by extending knowledge regarding how proactive personality interacts with individual and situational factors in the prediction of OCB. Besides literature discussed in the introduction, our finding of a negative relationship between interpersonal (relational) conflict and engagement in OCBI was consistent with recent research by Lu et al. (2011). In addition, the significant interaction we found between proactive personality and interpersonal conflict (the opposite of their concept of harmony) in the prediction of OCB was consistent with recent research by Gan and Cheung (2010). The current study, however, goes beyond previous work to consider a more complex interaction of factors related to OCBs.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interaction between self-reported proactive personality, competence, and interpersonal conflict in the prediction of supervisor ratings of organizational citizenship behaviors directed at individuals (OCBI) and organizations (OCBO).\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from 165 full-time subordinate-supervisor dyads. Employees self-reported personality and control variable information in wave 1 and competence and interpersonal conflict information in wave 2. Data regarding employee OCB performance were collected from supervisors in wave 3.\nFindings: Results suggest that OCBs are performed less frequently in stressful circumstances but that proactive personality appears to assuage the effects of stress. Significant two- and three-way interactions suggest the interplay of personal and situational characteristics are more complex in predicting OCBO than OCBI, likely due to its more distal nature.\nPractical implications: Results of the current study suggest steps managers may want to take to increase employee performance of OCBs, specifically, selecting proactive individuals, creating training programs to bolster employees' competence, and minimizing interpersonal conflict at work.\nOriginality/value: The current study confirms and extends extant research. The current study goes beyond previous work to consider a more complex interaction of factors that are related to employee engagement in OCBs.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Estimating umbrella-branding spillovers: a retailer perspective
|
[
"Store brands",
"Spillover",
"Umbrella branding",
"Market share attraction model"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: How much is the performance of a brand in one category affected by its performance (i.e. market share) in another category? This is essentially our research question. In a sense, this paper responds to the call made long ago by Chintagunta and Haldar (1998) who highlighted the need for analyzing cross-category effects at the brand level rather than at the category level.\n2. Market-share models: To measure umbrella branding, we extend develop an extended market-share model to account for cross-category dependencies. See Cooper and Nakanishi (1988) for a comprehensive coverage of market-share models.\n3. Empirical illustration: To illustrate the type of insight provided by our model, we give an empirical example. The data set, which was made available by IRI (Bronnenberg et al., 2008), concerns two oral-hygiene product categories (toothpaste and toothbrushes) for a drug-store chain in the San Francisco market. Although these products are available in many types of outlets, choosing a drugstore channel seems natural for a hygiene product category. (Note that chains offering a private-label toothpaste is a rarity.) Also, data show that drugstores invested more in developing their store brands in the categories of interest. Next, we filtered on drugstores that offered a private label, with a market share of at least 2 per cent in both toothbrush and toothpaste categories during a sufficiently long enough period (4-5 or 6 years). For the selected chains, we made sure that no new brand (for either PL or NB) was introduced or removed during the observed period, that is, no abrupt change in market structure occurred. The selected store chain should have available information for more than one store to allow some generalization of the results. Further, we made sure that the stores of a same chain were geographically close enough (same city/close districts) to have homogeneous marketing strategies (price level, ads) between stores. This process ended with three options, and we picked the chain for which we had available information for four stores in San Francisco area.\n4. Concluding remarks: Although there is a large literature dealing with branding issues (e.g. branding extensions, umbrella branding) and cross-category relationships in terms of, e.g. complementarity and substitutability effects, this study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to develop and estimate a market-share model with the aim of measuring brand-category spillover effects. Based on a competitive structure and using data pertaining to the toothbrush and toothpaste categories, with several brands offered in both categories, we obtained that such spillover effects are significant. The framework used and our results call for some straightforward comments.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The starting conjecture is that the market share of a brand in one category benefits from its performance in another category, and vice versa. The purpose of this paper is to assess the umbrella-branding spillovers by investigating the presence of synergy effect between categories when a retailer and/or a manufacturer decide to adopt/use the same name for his products. In fact, besides the cross-category dependency due to substitutability or complementarity, products can also be linked through their brand name in presence of an umbrella-branding strategy.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors propose an extended market-share model to account for the spillover effect at the brand level. The spillover is modeled to be generated by the brand's performance and not specific to marketing instruments, as done in the literature. They adopt a multiplicative competitive interaction (MCI) form for the attraction function. Based on aggregated data of two complementary oral-hygiene categories, the authors estimate the umbrella-branding spillover parameters using the iterate three-stage least squares (I3SLS) method. They contrast the results in three scenarios: no spillover, brand-constant spillover and brand-specific spillover.\nFindings: The ensuing results indicate that umbrella-branding spillover is (i) significant and positive, i.e. the brand performance is boosted by its performance in a related category, through the so-called brand-attraction multiplier; (ii) asymmetric, i.e. the spillover is not equal in both directions; and associated to the market strength of each competing brand; (iii) variable across brands. The results show that not accounting for umbrella-branding spillover leads to misestimating the parameters and has a considerable impact on price-elasticities computation.\nResearch limitations/implications: Because store brands and some national brands exist in many categories, and thus because consumers make inferences when they face a large number of brands in different categories, spillover effects cannot be labelled as simply complementary or substitution-related. Future research may provide insight about the spillover phenomenon in a more general framework that would consider the spillover occurring between more than two categories.\nPractical implications: Providing accurate assessment for umbrella-branding spillovers governing the competing brands, the results offer a relevant and straightforward method for decision makers to precisely assess the impact of a marketing effort in one category on the retailer's global performance. The findings provide better forecasts of market response in terms of sales and profit, within a cross-category perspective.\nOriginality/value: This study develops and estimates a market-share model with the aim of measuring brand-category spillover effects. The literature dealt with cross-category interactions in terms of substitutability or complementarity between the products offered in the two or more categories under investigation. Here, the focal point (and contribution) of the authors is the link at the brand level. Indeed, the authors only require that a minimum of one brand is offered in at least two of the categories of interest. Further, the spillover considered is not specific to marketing instruments, but is generated by the brand performance (attraction or market share), which is the result of both the firms marketing-mix choice and competitors marketing policies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Predicting adolescents' apparel brand preferences
|
[
"Adolescent",
"Apparel",
"Brand",
"Congruence",
"Self concept"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: An executive summary for managers and executive readers can be found at the end of this article.\nTheoretical framework: Self-image congruity theory provided the context for understanding brand-self relationships. This theory has been used to predict consumers' brand preferences (Ericksen, 1996; Sirgy et al., 1997), positive evaluations (Graeff, 1996; Quester et al., 2000), and purchase intentions (Heath and Scott, 1998). Self-image congruence theory posits that consumers prefer and buy a particular brand over others within a product category when they consider the brand to have an image similar to their own self-concept (Aaker, 1997; Sirgy, 1982). Investigations using undergraduates have demonstrated that congruency between a brand and self concept impacts both brand preference (Dolich, 1969) and satisfaction with a branded product (Jamal and Al-Marri, 2007). In addition, researchers investigating undergraduates have documented that they plan to purchase brands that are congruent with their actual self-concept (Azevedo and Farhangmehr, 2005) and tend to recommend these brands to others (Jamal and Goode, 2001).Several components of self-concept were utilized to test and expand application of the self-image congruency relationship. These components included actual self (who an individual thinks they are), ideal self (who an individual aspires to be), social self (i.e. who an individual thinks others believe they are), and ideal social self (who an individual wants others to think they are) (Dolich, 1969; Graeff, 1996, 1997; Landon, 1974; Sirgy, 1985).\nReview of related studies: The impact of congruent relationships between brand and different aspects of self-concept (i.e. actual, ideal, social self-concept) has been examined with undergraduates and findings are not consistent across product categories. Investigating toothpaste and beer products, researchers found undergraduates preferred brands that had images similar to their actual self-concept but not necessarily their ideal self-concept (Dolich, 1969; Martin and Bellizzi, 1982). Investigating jean brands, undergraduates agreed that different brands of jeans had different images. Researchers found a significant relationship between actual self-concept and preferred jean brand but not between participants' social self-concept and their preferred jean brand (Feinberg et al., 1992). Similarly, Sung and Choi (2010) found undergraduate participants held significantly positive attitudes towards apparel and accessory brands when they linked the brands to their actual self-concept. The self-brand relationship was stronger for American participants, compared to Korean counterparts. However, a previous researcher found that even though undergraduates preferred both a beer brand and an athletic shoe brand that was similar to both their actual and their ideal self-concept (Graeff, 1996), their preference was strongest for brand linked to ideal self concepts.Even though findings are not consistent concerning which specific component of self-concept is the link between brand and self, there is consistent evidence that some aspect of self is identified by undergraduate consumers in the brand and that link is credited with explaining brand preferences. We attempted to expand understanding of brand-self congruency relationships by examining these relationships with adolescents and by adding the component of ideal social self to an investigation of connections between apparel brands and actual and ideal self-concept. The addition of ideal social self was appropriate because during adolescence, social acceptance by others is important (Erikson, 1968; Grant and Stephen, 2005). Adolescents may be interested in apparel brands to create or communicate a positive ideal social self concept (i.e. shape how others perceive them) rather than simply communicate their actual or ideal self-concept. Therefore, the following research hypothesis was developed:H1. Adolescents will link their favorite apparel brand with their actual self-concept or ideal social self-concept rather than their ideal self-concept.\nFactors related to consumers' brand relationships: Variables that influence consumers' brand relationships can be classified into two broad categories: internal and external variables. Variables that are linked with an individual's characteristics are internal variables and everything else is an external variable. Examples of internal variables include self-monitoring and materialism. An example of an external variable is social group membership including membership in peer and family groups. What follows is a discussion of these internal and external variables and how they might influence the brand-self concept relationship.Self-monitoring\nMethod: Sample\nResults: Preliminary data analyses\nImplication and limitations: Most participants listed several apparel brands that they liked but named one favorite brand. Participants also indicated the meanings that the brand denoted. While there was some consensus to the meaning of certain well-established brands, there was also a lack of agreement on other brands targeting adolescent consumers. Although brand managers attempt to create particular and consistent meanings for their brands, our findings indicate that their attempts are not always successful with adolescent consumers because meanings ascribed to the same brand could vary broadly.Sirgy (1982) speculated that consumers preferred a brand that was similar to their self-concept. The responses of our participants were consistent with this reasoning in that they did view their favorite apparel brand as connected to their actual self-concept. Our finding is consistent with that of previous researchers (Azevedo and Farhangmehr, 2005; Dolich, 1969; Grubb and Hupp, 1968; Jamal and Goode, 2001; Martin and Bellizzi, 1982). As adolescent consumers are interested in brands that reflect their actual self concepts, brand managers need to clearly communicate and differentiate the image of their brands so adolescents can quickly and easily identify which brands reflect their self-concepts.Unexpectedly, self-monitoring was not related to the number of preferred apparel brands or did not exert an influence on brand-self congruency relationships. Similar to Hogg et al. (2000) we were unable to replicate a relationship between self-monitoring and brand self congruency in a quantitative study. These non-significant findings may be due to the low overall level of self-monitoring of our participants'. Perhaps a larger sample of adolescents with a broader range of self monitoring would yield different results.Participants who were high in materialism had a high number of preferred apparel brands and linked their favorite apparel brand to their ideal self-concept. Materialistic individuals view branded products as carrying symbolic meanings such as success and status (Richins, 1994). That favorite brands were linked to ideal selves for materialistic individuals is consistent with research. Chan (2008) found adolescents who made social comparisons of their material possessions with their wealthier friends tended to buy branded apparel to convey their ideal self-concept, who they wanted to be.Researchers have found that adolescents tend to become more materialistic as they age (Goldberg et al., 2003). Thus, it is possible that some of our participants are reacting toward brands in a manner similar to adults. Just as adults in employment settings are counseled to dress for the position they aspire to rather than the one they hold (Hewlett, 2011), materialistic adolescents may be using brands to experiment and try on various aspirational self-concepts.Whenever participants indicated they were influenced by peers in their decision making concerning apparel brands, they connected their favorite brand to their ideal self-concept. When participants were influenced in their decision making about apparel brands by family members, they connected their favorite brand to their ideal and ideal social self-concepts. Why did responses differ? When influenced by peers in decision making, an underlying motivation for why an apparel brand is a favorite may be peer support. Perhaps, participants' peers were just supportive to their desire to achieve who they want to be. When influenced by family members in decision making, an underlying motivation for why a brand is preferred may be due to family members' beliefs about the importance of using brands to manage appearances to achieve specific ends (Martin and Bush, 2000).\nLimitations of the study and possible future research: The data were collected in one high school located in suburban area in the Midwest. The participants were rather homogeneous sharing many characteristics such as ethnicity. Participants reflecting diverse ethnicities may have impacted the congruency of relationships between brands and self-concept as well as the influence of social groups on these relationships.Even though we do not know that a brand-self congruency relationships always precedes a purchase decision from our data, our data document that adolescents make connections between their favorite brand and components of their self and we can assume that this connection does influence purchase decisions concerning apparel brands at some point after it has been made. Based on our results, there are several future research opportunities including understanding whether this brand-self connection is an antecedent to purchase or an outcome of purchase. The latter possibility suggests that the adolescent may have changed their self-concept as a result of brand ownership or may have recognized some hidden or unknown self thoughts as a result of brand ownership. Future researchers might also want to consider how adolescent apparel brand preference is motivated by attempts to avoid a negative self-concept.\nManagerial implications: Understanding the self-brand congruity relationship is critical because consumers' attitudes toward a brand, preference, satisfaction, loyalty, and purchase intention are greatly influenced by the fit between their self-concept and brand image. The question remains whether a similar relationship holds when the consumer is an adolescent rather than an adult? And does this relationship change with characteristics of the adolescent consumer?Using a sample of adolescent consumers from 14 to 18 years of age, this research documented that adolescents were able to assign meanings to brands; they had several preferred brands but typically only one favorite brand. The meanings assigned to the same brand targeting adolescents varied broadly. Although brand managers attempt to build unique and consistent meanings for their brands, our findings indicate that their attempts are not always successful with adolescent consumers.Adolescents indeed link their favorite apparel and accessary brands with aspects of their self-concept. Adolescent consumers connect their favorite brands with their actual self-concept (i.e. who they are) and almost all of them own their favorite brand of products. This relationship was particularly important for materialistic adolescent consumers. Materialistic adolescents link their favorite apparel brands to their ideal self-concept (i.e. who they want to be). Particularly, adolescents who are influenced by their peers or family members when they purchase their apparel brand and style also tend to link their favorite brands to their ideal or ideal social self-concepts.Perhaps, adolescents use apparel brands to maintain, reinforce, or control their self-concept. This finding supports the importance of brand images and identities for apparel brands targeting adolescents and the establishment of unique and specific brand identities to facilitate brand-self connections that may eventually impact purchase decisions.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper was to assess how adolescents' favorite apparel brand was related to congruency between brand image and three components of self concept (actual, ideal, ideal social). Predictors of the brand-self concept congruency relationships were also examined.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A questionnaire distributed to 300 high school students yielded usable data from 137 students. Participants' ages ranged from 14 to 18 years.\nFindings: - The highest level of congruency was found between adolescents' favorite apparel brand and their actual self concept followed by ideal social and ideal self concept. Adolescents who indicated that their apparel purchases were highly influenced by their peers or family members linked their favorite brand with their ideal social or ideal self concept. Materialistic adolescents also linked their favorite apparel brand to their ideal self concept.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Focusing on congruency between brand and self concept is an important strategy in marketing targeting adolescents. Family and peer group influences played an important role in congruency adolescents identified between self and apparel brands.\nOriginality/value: - This research demonstrated application of self-brand congruency theory to adolescents and to apparel products. Adolescent consumers, like adults, identify a preference for apparel brands that they can link to some aspect of self.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Some remarks on self-interest, the historical schools and the evolution of the theory of public goods
|
[
"Economic history",
"Consumer behaviour",
"Economic theory"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The German historical schools have regained some popularity over the last two decades. According to Shionoya (2001a, p. 1) this development reflects the increasing acceptance of evolutionary and institutional thinking among economists. In this paper, however, I shall demonstrate that revisiting the historical schools may also be warranted on the grounds that the theory of public goods could benefit from (re-)incorporating some aspects that were originally suggested by leading representatives of the historical schools or economists associated to the latter.The remainder of the paper is organised as follows. The next section briefly reconsiders the role of self-interest in the historical schools. Particular attention is given to the notion that economic activities of individuals may not be motivated by their self-interest alone. The following section then demonstrates that at least some of these non-selfish motives were incorporated in the voluntary exchange theory of public economy. Next it is shown that during the evolution of the theory of public goods these non-selfish motives were lost and that the modern theory of public goods rests entirely on the self-interest hypothesis. But over the last two decades results of public goods experiments have cast considerable doubt on the pure self-interest hypothesis. Yet, to the author's best knowledge, this recent development has so far not been linked to the historical schools. Finally, section four concludes and sketches a research agenda.\nSelf-interest and the historical schools: Methodology and the fact that ethics do play a role distinguish the historical schools from classical economics. Virtually all other differences follow from that. In this paper, however, methodological aspects are entirely disregarded. Rather, this paper is devoted to the central question of what motivates man in his pursuit of economic activities. The reason for concentrating on this question is twofold. First of all, it is the answer to this question that links the historical schools with the evolution of the theory of public goods. Second, the answer to this question also matters for a role of ethics and psychology in economics. If man is motivated by self-interest alone, as ascertained by classical economics, then there is no role for ethics or psychology. But if man is motivated not only by self-interest, as argued by representatives of the historical schools, then a role for ethics and psychology in economics may emerge. As a general consequence economic policy recommendations and the role of the state would differ fundamentally. In the first case laissez faire would be recommended, whereas in the second case an active role would be assigned to the state. For example, the fact that ethics played a role in the older and younger historical schools prompted their representatives, in particular Gustav von Schmoller, to pose and address the social question, i.e. what social reforms are needed to overcome poverty. In this context, it is interesting to see that during the evolution of the theory of public goods the emphasis on the purely selfish motivation of man has led neoclassical economists to promote an active role of the state with respect to the provision of public goods.The following subsection deals with the views of representatives of the older historical school. Next, the work of the Austrian economist Emil Sax (1845-1927) is revisited. Although Sax cannot be regarded as a representative of the older historical school, he does develop a motivational structure of man that is fairly close to the latter. Moreover, Sax plays an important role in the evolution of the theory of public goods. Finally, the third subsection sketches the contributions of the leading representative of the younger historical school on same.The older historical school on self-interest and Gemeinsinn\nSelf-interest and the evolution of the theory of public goods: Despite the early treatment of public economics by German economists, the modern theory of public goods is rooted almost exclusively in the writings of Emil Sax, Knut Wicksell, Eric R. Lindahl, Howard R. Bowen and a number of Italian writers. Part of this work was coined by Richard A. Musgrave (1939) the \"voluntary exchange theory of public economy\". In the following subsection it will be demonstrated that the voluntary exchange theory is to some extent still linked to the discussion presented in the preceding section. Next the modern theory of public goods will be briefly revisited. It is shown that during the period from 1954 to the 1980s the theory was entirely based on the selfishness of individuals and the few attempts to reincorporate some non-selfish motives with respect to the provision of public goods all failed. The third subsection then revisits the contribution of experimental economics to the theory of public goods. It is shown that public goods experiments have cast considerable doubt on the self-interest hypothesis and that in recent years the debate on non-selfish motives of man has regained considerable drive. However, it seems that this modern debate has so far not been linked to the discussions presented in the previous section.The voluntary exchange theory of public economy\nConcluding remarks: In this paper I have linked recent issues in public goods theory to a specific aspect advocated by representatives of the historical schools and other economists of the nineteenth century, that is, the notion that man in his pursuit of economic activities is not motivated by his self-interest alone. Although the scope of the issue and limited space did not permit an in-depth analysis, the preceding sections have established that recent results from public goods experiments do warrant a revisiting of the historical schools. In fact, the modern debate on the motivation of subjects regarding the voluntary provision of public goods may benefit from appropriate experimental designs that test the conjectures of representatives of the historical schools on the non-selfish motives of man in his pursuit of economic activities. Of course, this would require not only a closer inspection of the contributions made by the authors mentioned in the section \"Self interest and the historical schools\", but also an inspection of the contributions of lesser known members of the historical schools and economist's who jointed the historical schools with respect to this particular notion. Moreover, the scope of the issue is by no means confined to the aspects dealt with in this paper. Rather, several important and relevant aspects did not receive any treatment whatsoever. To illustrate this point, I shall give just four brief examples:1. Are classical economist's and representatives of the historical schools really that much divided on the issue of selfish and non-selfish motives of man? As noted, Schmoller (1920) already refers to Smith's Moral Sentiments and in a recent paper Sudgen (2002) has elaborated Smith's notion of \"fellow feeling\" in some detail. But where exactly is the border line between \"fellow feeling\" and \"public spirit\" or a \"sense of community\" (Gemeinsinn), if there is one at all. Alternatively, is there a continuum of feelings that ranges, for example, from \"fellow feeling\" (Smith) over \"family feeling\" (preceding subsection), \"community feeling\" (Hirshleifer, 1983, pp. 382-4; historical schools; and others), \"national feeling\" (historical schools) to some sort of \"global mankind feeling\"? If so, are we exposed to such feelings in general or just under very specific circumstances?2. Modern mainstream public economics has combined the Samuelson-Musgrave approach with the public choice approach in many areas and new fields of research have emerged from this process. Winer and Shibata (2002), among others, offer a discussion on differences and common elements of the two stances. Consider mechanism design as just one example. A principal is assumed to choose the mechanism that maximises his or her utility, subject to an \"individual rationality\" constraint and an \"incentive compatibility\" constraint. But what would happen in such a setting if individuals are guided by both selfish and non-selfish motives?3. The issue of bounded rationality has gained much prominence in recent years (see Kahneman, 2003; Selten, 2001; among others). Psychology plays an important role in this concept. As noted, representatives of the historical schools also assigned an important role to psychology. Can the modern debate on bounded rationality be linked to the historical schools in much the same way as this was done in this paper with non-selfish motives of man and findings from public goods experiments?4. Finally, addressing the \"social question\" was a prime objective of representatives of the historical schools. At the time, this desire resulted form a concern about the social consequences of a major transformation process, i.e. the industrialisation of a rural Germany. Today, the globalisation process often causes similar concerns. Kaul et al. (1999, 2003) have recently launched an attempt to address the globalisation issue with an appropriate adaptation and development of the theory of public goods towards the provision of global public goods. Again, issues like justice, morals, Sitte, Gemeinsinn, etc., or non-selfish motives in general may have an important impact on the provision of global public goods, or in other words, on addressing the social question of the twenty-first century.Yet, the questions posed in this section and at the end of the preceding section sketch an agenda for future research on the historical schools and their concepts of non-selfish motives of man in his pursuit of economic activities.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper is devoted to the question of what motivates man in his pursuit of economic activities. Particular attention is given to the notion that economic activities of individuals may not be motivated by their self-interest alone.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Using literary analysis, the paper first reconsiders the role of self-interest and non-selfish motives in the historical schools. Then it is demonstrated that at least some non-selfish motives were incorporated in the voluntary exchange theory of public economy. Next it is shown that during the evolution of the theory of public goods these non-selfish motives were lost and that the modern theory of public goods rests entirely on the self-interest hypothesis. However, over the last two decades results of public goods experiments have cast considerable doubt on the pure self-interest hypothesis.\nFindings: - A major finding of this paper is that several non-selfish motives of man that show up in recent public goods experiments were already discussed by representatives of the historical schools.\nResearch limitations/implications: - An agenda for future research on the topic is sketched in the final section.\nPractical implications: - Practical implications include that the allocation of many goods, not just public goods, may improve if agents pay more attention to non-selfish motives of man.\nOriginality/value: - The paper adds to the existing body of related writings by linking developments in the evolution of theory of public goods, in particular recent findings from public goods experiments, to a specific aspect already advocated by representatives of the historical schools, that is, the notion that man in his pursuit of economic activities is not motivated by his self-interest alone. To this extent, the paper is of interest for researchers working on public goods theory, experimental economics and the history of economic thought.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Determining the viability of rental price to benchmark Islamic home financing products: Evidence from Malaysia
|
[
"Benchmarking",
"Rental value",
"Loans",
"Islam",
"Property finance",
"Malaysia"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Overview: The Islamic banking and finance industry has witnessed a rapid and spectacular expansion since its inception in the last three decades. The number of Islamic financial institutions worldwide has increased from one in 1975 to over 300 today, operating in more than 75 countries (El-Qorchi, 2005). These financial institutions are mainly concentrated in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with increasing presence in Europe and the USA. The total assets of the banking and non-banking financial services being offered based on shari'ah principles throughout the world are estimated to be in the range of US$800 billion to more than US$1 trillion which is almost fivefold of its magnitude five years ago. Islamic finance is said to be among the fastest growing financial segments in the world with an estimated annual growth rate of 20 percent (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2008).Against the backdrop of a burgeoning growth of the Islamic banking and finance industry, it is not surprising that voluminous studies have been conducted on various aspects of the industry. Among the recurring issues are shari'ah-compliancy of Islamic banking products, development of new Islamic banking products and services, measurement of the Islamic banks' performances, and evaluation of the social and macroeconomic implications of developing the Islamic financial system. Of these issues, the one that is given due attention is the Islamic home financing as offered by Islamic banks throughout the world. In general, Islamic home financing constitutes around 60-90 percent of total financing offered by Islamic banks in some parts of the world.The most commonly practiced mode of Islamic home financing in Malaysia is based on the murabahah (cost-plus arrangement) combined with the bai-bithaman-ajil (BBA) (payment of price is deferred to a future date) contracts. Although BBA-murabahah is a very popular mode of financing offered by Islamic banks all over the world (particularly in Malaysia), the implementation is argued to be similar to that of a conventional home financing. According to Obaidullah (2005), it is merely a profit rate or mark up for the interest rate, hence, leads to the convergence of both the Islamic and the conventional home financings. The issue of shari'ah permissibility on the BBA-murabahah is still a subject of debate among the Muslim scholars, with scholars in the Middle East disapprove of the implementation of the BBA-murabahah concept in home financing, whereas in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei; its implementation is widely acceptable on the premise that it helps to kick-start and develop the industry.An alternative mode of Islamic home financing developed in the recent years is the Musharakah Muthanaqisah partnership (MMP) which is based on a diminishing partnership contract. MMP is deemed to be more shari'ah-compliant by many scholars and is more commonly practiced in the Middle Eastern countries, Canada, the USA, and Australia. According to Meera and Abdul Razak (2006), apart from being consensus shari'ah-compliant, it can be implemented to avoid riba (interest) totally since the MMP uses rental index or house price index. At the same time, the MMP is argued to be able to reduce the cost of financing the property and the duration of the financing. Based on the MMP, both the client and bank co-own the property with an initial pre-determined share of ownership, such as 10 percent (client) and 90 percent (bank). The client will gradually redeem the bank's share throughout the financing period until the property is fully owned by the client.In determining the rental rates in MMP, home financing offered by some Islamic banks all over the world (such as American Finance House LARIBA and Islamic Bank of Britain) are still tied to the implied or indicative conventional interest rates. Although benchmarking against the conventional interest rates is permissible, Muslim scholars urge that Muslim scholars (economists, in particular) should seek an alternative which is not dependent on the conventional interest rates. In this regards, this study hopes to contribute to the literature in establishing some empirical link between the property sector and the Islamic banking sector based on the Malaysian case during the period 1990-2006. In the quest of modeling an alternative benchmark for Islamic home financing, the paper hopes to shed some light on the possibility of rental price (RP) as an alternative to the conventional interest rates in benchmarking the Islamic home financing products.This study therefore seeks to model an alternative benchmarking for the Islamic home financing based on the Malaysian case. It attempts to examine the determinants of retail property rents in order to come up with the rental values to be benchmarked against the rate of profits of Islamic home financing. The study hopes to shed some light on the possibility of equilibrium rental values as an alternative benchmark against the conventional interest rates (such as LIBOR, KLIBOR, or EURIBOR). Despite the wide literature collection on estimating, predicting, and identifying the significant variables of property sector, studies on the relationship between the housing prices and rents and the financial sector are still inadequate considering the vast development in the financial sector. In fact, studies on the link between dynamic pricing of property sector and Islamic financial system are meager.The rest of the study is organized as follows. The next section reviews the literature on the relevant factors influencing the property rental values, the methods undertaken to empirically determine the property rental values, and the Islamic home financing as offered by the Islamic banks in Malaysia. The following section discusses the methodology undertaken in this study including the empirical models and data issues. Subsequently, the results are presented and finally, the last section concludes.\n2 Literature review: In efforts to understand the relevance of RP as a pricing mechanism for home financing, this section reviews the major factors determining property rental values as mentioned in the existing literature. Subsequently, it highlights the major empirical methods undertaken to determine the rental values. The reviews on these aspects of rental values would provide the basis for the variables included and method employed in this study.2.1 Factors determining property rental values\n3 Methodology: 3.1 Autoregressive distributed lag approach\n4 Results and discussions: 4.1 Results of ARDL approach\n5 Conclusion and recommendations: In efforts to determine the suitability of the RP to replace the conventional LR to benchmark Islamic home financing product, this study compares two models comprising the RP and LR as the dependent variables and selected macroeconomic variables, namely GDP, TBR, CPI, and REER as the independent variables, and analyses the short- and long-run dynamics among these variables. Based on the long-run ARDL estimates, the study shows that the RP is significantly affected by the interest rate and income level, while the LR is significantly affected by the interest rate and exchange rate.The significance of the interest rate (TBR) in affecting the RP is consistent with the fundamental theory of demand that income and substitution effects influence the RPs for the properties or houses. The TBR is regarded as an alternative investment for buying a house. An increase in the TBR negatively affects the RP such that when interest rate rises, the return to investment in interest-bearing instrument increases, thus reducing the demand to rent and own houses. These findings lend support to fundamental economic theory which states that income and substitutes affect the demand for houses and in turn affect the rental values. Meanwhile, the significant relationship between TBR and LR is obvious, since by convention, all types of interest rates tend to move in tandem overtime. The results also showed that RP is significantly affected by GDP, while the LR is significantly affected by the exchange rate, suggesting that the RP is more reflective of the real economic activity in the long run compared to the LR.Next, the short-run bi-variate causality analysis suggests a significant causality running from GDP to the LR, while there is no significant causality running from any of the macroeconomic variables to RP. The significant short-run causality suggests that the LR is rather volatile in the short run, while the RP is relatively stable. Moving on to the long-run multivariate causality based on the VECM, the findings suggest that all the macroeconomic variables are significant in causing the RP as reflected by the significant ECT, while none of the macroeconomic variables are significant in causing the LR in the long run. This finding suggests that the macroeconomic variables adjust towards a long-run equilibrium when RP is the dependent variable, implying that, the RP is a relevant indicator to predict the real economy in the long run.The short-run stability of the RP and its long-run sensitivity to changes in the macroeconomic conditions compared to the LR suggest that the RP could be an ideal and relevant indicator to price the Islamic home financing product. The results of the study has shown the merits of using the RP to benchmark the Islamic home financing product due to its short-run stability and close relation to the macroeconomic conditions in the long run.The negative relationship between the RP and interest rate (TBR) in the long run has major implications. Our results suggest that when the cost of borrowing is high, demand for houses is low as reflected by the low RP. In the context of this study, it is obvious that rental rate that we are proposing as a benchmark for Islamic home financing product is truly depending on cost of borrowing which is interest rate. A major deduction from this finding is that as long as the economic system depends on interest rate to determine the cost of borrowing, the demand for housing will continue to depend on the interest rate. On another note, with regard to benchmarking Islamic home financing product, our results suggest that the RP is able to substitute the conventional interest rate which is the current practice of benchmarking the Islamic home financing. Second, from an investor perspective, the RP reflects the return by investing in properties, while TBR is the return from investing in interest-earning instruments, such as bonds. In this case, TBR is regarded as an alternative investment from buying a house.The practical implementation of the findings, however, seems to be costly. If the Islamic banks were to adopt the RP to benchmark their home financing products, there is a need to have a special valuation department at the bank level to accommodate the request for specific segment of home financing. While benchmarking on the conventional interest rate can be conveniently applicable to all types of houses, the application of RP to determine the price for the home financing can be cumbersome. The bank needs to do a survey of the applicable RP for properties of the same characteristics to come up with the average RP for a particular property. In view of the additional costs to be incurred, banks might hesitate to adopt this approach.At the same time, a wide-scale implementation of adopting the RP to benchmark the Islamic home financing product also need the support from the demand side or the consumer side. In this regard, consumer education plays a critical role in ensuring that the new Islamic home financing product will be well received by the customers. The authority, in particular the central bank and the commercial banks need to introduce the concept and explain thoroughly to the consumer the merits that this system is providing. Consumer education is also important as part of Islamic banks' risk management. There is a possibility that the customers opt for cheaper home financing products which are based on the conventional LR when the interest rate environment is low. As being shown by the study, while the RP is sensitive to the macroeconomic conditions in the long run, in the short run, it is rather stable. The time lag needed for the RP to reflect changes in the macroeconomy could be a weak point of this system and should be well communicated to the customers.Despite this, it is important to caveat that thus far, we have assumed that the data for the dependent and independent variables are measured without errors. Thus, in the regression of rental rate on macroeconomic variables, we assume that the data are accurate and they are not guess estimates, averaged or rounded off in any manner. When there are errors in the dependent variable (i.e. rental values and LRs), the estimates are unbiased as well as consistent but they are less efficient. On the other hand, if there are errors in the independent variables (i.e. macroeconomic variables), the estimates are biased as well as inconsistent. This study employs only the average rental values which incorporate the heterogeneity of several types of houses in Kuala Lumpur. More comprehensive analysis to better estimate the rental values by conducting survey to gather for primary data in some selected geographical areas in the country is recommended. This would therefore enhance the rigor of rental values being used as an alternative benchmarking. Owing to the very complex nature of the housing market, the study might provide bias and inconclusive results.The results of this study have opened a wide variety of possible extension and areas that warrant further research. First, a multidimensional framework which adopts the hedonic model that includes the physical, locational, and economic attributes of the property. This model is a well-established technique which has been widely applied for pricing of residential housing market and commonly used in the valuation of property in the USA and the UK. Second, for a more rigorous analysis on the rental values, we propose the use of rental index for Malaysia to be incorporated. Unlike more developed economies, Malaysia currently relies on rental values rather than rental index to reflect the performance of the property sector. The construction of rental index which incorporates the heterogeneity of the houses and better estimates the performance of the property sector is very much needed in this quest of modeling an alternative benchmarking. Perhaps, more deliberations and concerted efforts among the practitioners in the property sector, bankers as well as academicians would bring more favourable results.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to analyze the possibility of relying on the rental rate to price Islamic home financing product.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - By comparing two models consisting of either rental rate or lending rate (LR) and selected macroeconomic variables that could influence property value, the study focuses on the Malaysian data covering the period from 1990 to 2006. The study adopts several econometric time-series analysis, such as the autoregressive distributed lag estimates, bi-variate Granger causality, and multivariate causality based on the vector error-correction model.\nFindings: - The study finds consistent evidence that the rental price (RP) is a better alternative than the LR to price Islamic home financing product. In particular, the rental rate is found to be resilient to short-term economic volatility, while in the long run, it is truly reflective of the economic fundamentals.\nPractical implications: - This feature of the RP renders it as a fair pricing mechanism for the Islamic home financing product. Results of this study contribute towards finding an alternative benchmark for the Islamic home financing product which is currently using the conventional interest rate as its benchmark.\nOriginality/value: - To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first of its kind which provides empirical evidence for the possibility of relying on the rental rate to price Islamic home financing product.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Conceptualising talent in multinational hotel corporations
|
[
"Hotels",
"Multinational corporations",
"Talent management",
"Talent identification",
"Multilevel case study",
"Talent conceptualisation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: While talent has been identified as a critical source of competitive advantage by both practitioners and academics, organisations often appear to struggle to articulate the actual meaning of talent (Strack et al., 2013). As a result, talent management (TM), in practice, often appears to be \"ad hoc, unstructured and fragmented\" (Jones et al., 2012, p. 399). Organisations seem to apply a \"practical and pragmatic\" approach to TM which focuses on short-term needs (Cooke et al., 2014, p. 234) rather than treating it in a more strategic way. TM can be defined as \"the process through which organizations meet their needs for talent\" (adapted from Cappelli and Keller, 2017, p. 28) with two strands dominating the discourse (McDonnell et al., 2017). The first strand focuses on key individuals or talent (Dries and Pepermans, 2012; Bjorkman et al., 2013; Tansley and Tietze, 2013). The second strand focuses on the deployment of policies and procedures for managing these individuals (Vaiman and Collings, 2015; Cappelli, 2008; Collings and Mellahi, 2009). We argue that the development of an understanding what talent means and an appreciation of its importance are essential precursors to establishing an effective TM system. Scholars have asserted that research needs to address urgently how organisations in a particular setting actually understand talent (Thunnissen et al., 2013). However, the extant literature reveals a lack of clarity, conceptualisation and theorisation, along with a significant lack of empirical evidence with regard to the notion of talent (Festing et al., 2013; McDonnell et al., 2017).\nUnderstanding \"talent\": The term talent has had many different meanings over the centuries (Tansley, 2011). While described as a denomination of weight and a monetary unit in antiquity, the meaning changed from an inclination in the thirteenth century to a treasure in the fifteenth century and to a special natural ability in the seventeenth century. Terminological ambiguity around talent is evident in current debates, as it can refer to all people, a subset of people or a wide or narrow set of characteristics.\nIndustry context: Commensurate with the growth of tourism and the increased competition that hotel organisations face today is the need to find adequate talent to succeed (Bharwani and Butt, 2012; D'Annunzio-Green and Teare, 2018). As part of this process, a range of micro and macro factors must be considered, most notably a significant talent shortage of approximately 10 million people worldwide in the hospitality industry (Jayawardena et al., 2013). A considerable gap between the supply and demand of talent has been identified in both developed and emerging economies (Sheehan et al., 2018). This is a key concern in the industry as people have been identified as a critical source of competitive advantage, particularly in the luxury hotel sector where staff are expected to provide exceptional customer service (Bharwani and Butt, 2012; Horner, 2017).\nMethodology: The paper adapts a qualitative research design involving multiple case studies. To select the participating organisations, this paper reviewed the Top 30 World Luxury Index of the most sought-after luxury hotel brands in 2014, which included both luxury and upper upscale brands (Digital Luxury Group and Laaroussi, 2014). These brands were managed by 18 firms. The study applied the following criteria to identify the case study organisations:\nFindings: Case A: American Hotel Group\nDiscussion: This paper contributes to the conceptualisation of talent literature through an in-depth analysis of how talent is viewed by key stakeholders in the hospitality industry. It addressed the question of how corporate and business unit leaders conceptualised talent in multinational hotel corporations. By presenting a range of theoretical approaches to conceptualise talent in the literature section, we analysed the formal talent policies established by the three case study organisations and compared and contrasted these with the perspectives of interviewees at the headquarters and business units.\nConclusions and implications: This paper investigated how leaders across corporate and business unit levels conceptualised talent in multinational hotel corporations. By doing so, the paper addressed the empirical gap on the understanding of talent in practice, and the findings add to the limited knowledge of TM conceptualisation in hotel organisations.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: To identify, develop and retain talent, an important first step is to ensure that key stakeholders in the talent management (TM) process have a shared view of what is meant by talent within the organisation. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise how talent is defined in the context of the hospitality industry and to examine the degree of (mis)alignment among corporate and business unit leaders.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper uses a qualitative approach consisting of 73 interviews with stakeholders at corporate and business unit levels in three multinational hotel corporations. In addition, documents were collected and analysed to support the interview data.\nFindings: Each organisation had a formal approach to conceptualising talent at a corporate level. Both inclusive and exclusive views on talent as well as a broad set of characteristics that make up talent were reported with the importance of organisational values being prominent. However, despite formal global policies being in place, considerable divergence in practice was found across organisational levels.\nPractical implications: A lack of clarity on what talent means in an organisational setting may lead to an inconsistent talent identification process which may lead to negative perceptions of fairness among employees. This may, in turn, bring about disgruntled employees and increased turnover.\nOriginality/value: This paper provides empirical evidence to the limited body of knowledge on the conceptualisation of talent. The display of organisational values emerged as important to being labelled talent, a factor that has received scant consideration in the literature.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Modernizing retail grocery business via knowledge management-based systems
|
[
"Empowerment",
"Knowledge management",
"United States of America",
"Retailing"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Grocery retail chain dynamics: the case of Giant Eagle\nKnowAsisTM knowledge management portal system: Modeling the need for knowledge management systems\nChanging the corporate culture: Resource based view of the firm\nBenefits moving towards benefits: Empirical section\nGeneral conclusions and implications: In the recent past, the promise of e-commerce enticed many companies to establish a major web-based presence. Unfortunately, the vast majority of dotcoms became unprofitable, partially because they did not provide quality service and product. As a result, few companies are pure Internet plays (that is solely online providers of goods and services). The grocery retail business may flourish on the Internet, but GE is doing well by employing a more brick-and-mortar approach, through the extensive use of KnowAsis. The Internet could offer a venue to do business in the future, but one should be careful when considering that \"website visitors are no longer measured by quantity, but by their inheriting qualities\" (Smith, 2005, p. 150). One may recall a few years ago, during the peak of the Internet boom, how companies trying to get a share of the action on the hot stock market of the late 1990s were touting the number of hits their web sites were recording. While open text aids in recording content management, upper management has added MeetingZone(tm) in order to support virtual conferencing across GE's corporate locations, reducing travel costs and recording proceedings of meetings to encourage greater collaboration among its management and employees.The impression was that they were going for traffic only as a measure of their success; however, looking retrospectively, many companies were unable to survive based only on that measure of success. Many corporate leaders probably realized that through CRM-based principles, something had to be done in order to capture and maintain customers that were actually doing business with them instead of concentrating on getting new customers. The knowledge-based management system at GE concentrated on CRM-related tactics, such as customer tracking, preferences, competitive pricing, special purchases, and other customer incentives to retain existing customers. Activities that promote customer loyalty were very important to businesses, especially in the highly competitive grocery environment. Providing rewards to customers for repeat shopping, maintaining a fresh web site that is user friendly, getting visitors to allow e-mail communications, to name a few, are very important for retaining customers.By strategically leveraging KnowAsis, GE's management is poised to capture more market share in the grocery business, increase its profits, and grow in the future. Currently, they are saving millions of dollars by utilizing the full potential of the Intranet and its web-based intranet portal offers an opportunity to collect data, analyze it, and use to the full extent to satisfy its stakeholders. GE traditionally has been an early adopter of efficient data-gathering technologies, such as bar codes in the past. The implementation of a knowledge-management system, the early use of a finger print and eye retina identification technology used for proper identification in the check cashing process, and its early move into a different areas of business that support customer retention, such as gas stations with discounts for its frequent shopper programs and its Advantage Card. GE by being a pioneer with the adoption of technologies that accurately serve the needs of its business, GE could significantly improve its financial future allowing it to grow in the existing markets and expand into new ones.In the conclusion, companies that properly use and employ a strategy of early adapting technologies that collect, store and properly manage best business practices via sharing lessons learned that are promoted and used by employees at the operational level that are poised to reap the most benefits. A knowledge-management system that has characteristics of ease-of-use and provides proper training and troubleshooting should positively impact their profitability strategies. The future would certainly bring more technological progress, but the essence of success is in the appropriate business decisions that companies have to make now with their stakeholders.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to provide practitioners of management a sense of how a major grocery retail business may flourish on the internet, but by employing a more brick-and-mortar approach, through the extensive use of a knowledge-management system, namely KnowAsis(tm).\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper is a review of the applied literature on practices and actual examples of companies' practices through personal interviews and basic empirical analysis of managers located in Pittsburgh, PA.\nFindings: - Giant Eagle's new knowledge-based system utilizes interactive capabilities and attempts to standardize valuable knowledge in a properly stored format in order to made available to those employees that ot would benefit the most. Among other benefits of its knowledge-management system, data mining and support for the front-end personnel could be especially enumerated. It is recommended that the company should pay closer attention to the scalability of the system and the technologies involved, since it would be the key of successful future development. The primary feature is that the posted content is essentially owned and managed by the particular business area and reviewed on a periodic basis; thus the shared information through the various departments and knowledge shared is not permanent.\nPractical implications: - By investing heavily in its knowledge-management portal, Giant Eagle, a major grocery retailer in the US marketplace, is looking at improved financial competitiveness, efficiency of operation, and increased market share. The management at GE is hoping that by leveraging its digital-sharing system to promote the sharing of important ideas, best business practices, and lessons learned; the entire organization will become transformed by a new culture of knowledge sharing.\nOriginality/value: - The paper highlights the retail grocery industry is under immense pressure by external and internal stakeholders to remain competitive in a high volume transactional environment by sharing best business practices, policies, and procedures. Today, many of the most dramatic and potentially powerful uses of Internet-based technology involve networks that connect the people in a company, allowing them to share, manage and create data readily accessible by everyone in the company.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Does job embeddedness predict turnover intentions in SMEs?
|
[
"Job embeddedness",
"Small- and medium-sized enterprise",
"Group cohesion"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Consistent with resource-based theory (Barney, 1991), the performance of SMEs is often linked to the quality of its employees who contribute resources such as knowledge, skills, experience, judgement, risk taking propensity and creativity to the organisation (e.g. Lai et al., 2017; Sels et al., 2006; Schlosser, 2015; Sheehan, 2014; Way, 2002). Such human resource contributions improve the organisation's capacity to secure its economic viability, achieve a position of competitive advantage and respond appropriately to rapid and continuous change in the external environment (Heneman et al., 2000; Tocher and Rutherford, 2009). Despite the statistical dominance and economic importance of SMEs in national economies (Muller et al., 2015) and the contributions that employees make to their performance, limited research has addressed how SMEs can minimise dysfunctional voluntary turnover and improve retention of high-performing employees or those with skills that are in short supply (Baron and Hannan, 2002; Cardon and Stevens, 2004; Wagar and Rondeau, 2006).\n2. Theoretical framework and hypotheses: Much of the prior research on voluntary turnover in SMEs has focussed on the effects of HR practices on work-related attitudes (i.e. job satisfaction, affective organisational commitment) which are important antecedents of turnover (Allen et al., 2010; Holtom et al., 2008). There are two main strands of research within this research trajectory. One strand of research has examined the effects of a single or small number of HR practices on employee work-related attitudes and thence voluntary turnover (see, e.g. Kickul, 2001; Pajo et al., 2010; Cegarra-Leiva et al., 2012). However, several HRM scholars contend that \"bundles\" of interrelated HR practices, rather than individual practices, are the appropriate unit of analysis for studying the link to performance outcomes such a turnover (e.g. Delery and Gupta, 2016; MacDuffie, 1995). This is because it is systems of practices that create the mutually reinforcing conditions that shape employee attitudes and behaviours (Bowen and Ostroff, 2004). As MacDuffie (1995, p. 200) has noted, \"research that focuses on the impact of individual HR practices on performance may produce misleading results, with a single practice capturing the effect of the entire HR system\".\n3. Methods: 3.1 Sample and data collection\n4. Data analysis: 4.1 Descriptive statistics\n5. Hypothesis testing and results: Multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationships between links, fit, sacrifice and turnover intentions, thereby testing H1-H3. The composite mean scores of links, fit and sacrifice were used to estimate the regression model. The findings indicated that links (B = -0.17, p< 0.01), fit (B = -0.26, p <0.001) and sacrifice (B = -0.56, p < 0.001) were negatively and significantly related to turnover intentions. The squared multiple correlation (R2) of the model was 0.523. This indicates that the model explains 52.3 per cent of the variance in turnover intentions. Thus H1-H3 were supported.\n6. Discussion: This study is novel in that it is perhaps the first which tests the operation of the on-the-job embeddedness component of JE theory in SMEs located in two countries. Testing JE theory specifically in SMEs is important, because SMEs are fundamentally different to large organisations (d'Amboise and Muldowney, 1988; Josefy et al., 2015; Paolillio, 1984; Welsh and White, 1981). From a HRM perspective, SMEs tend to employ informal, non-documented HRM practices, while large organisations tend to adopt a relatively wider array of sophisticated, formal HRM practices (Kotey and Slade, 2005; Marlow et al., 2010). Given that JE theory does not focus on HRM practices in use, we contend that the theory provides an appropriate lens for examining retention in SMEs.\n7. Conclusion: This study is perhaps the first that examines associations between composite on-the-job embeddedness as well as each of its sub-dimensions and turnover intentions among SME employees located in two countries. Although SMEs and large firms are fundamentally different and the process of managing a SME differs from that of the large firm, the results of our study confirm the predictive validity of the JE theory in SMEs. We hope that our study will encourage further research that examines how firm size and other related variables such as HRM formality affect JE and thence employ retention.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: There is an absence of research examining job embeddedness in SMEs. Results of job embeddedness studies may not apply to SMEs, because the process of managing a SME differs from that of the large firm. The purpose of this paper is to examine relationships between on-the-job embeddedness, as well as each of its sub-dimensions, and turnover intentions; and group cohesion, on-the-job embeddedness and turnover intentions.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 147 employees in SMEs located in Perth, Western Australia and 350 employees from SMEs operating in four business centres in South Africa. After invariance testing, data from the two countries were combined to increase statistical power of the analysis.\nFindings: On-the-job embeddedness and each sub-dimension were negatively related to turnover intentions. Group cohesion was positively related to composite on-the-job embeddedness. Findings suggest that while group cohesion on its own does not reduce turnover intentions, it does contribute to development of on-the-job embeddedness that, in turn, reduces turnover intentions.\nResearch limitations/implications: Future research should control for the effects of external influences on turnover intentions. Findings imply that managerial actions related to antecedents of group cohesion could foster the on-the-job embeddedness of employees.\nOriginality/value: This study is perhaps the first that tests the operation of on-the-job embeddedness in SMEs located in two countries. The conceptual arguments for links between each of the sub-dimensions of on-the-job embeddedness and turnover intentions are based on distinctive characteristics of SMEs and can serve as a theoretical foundation for future research on embeddedness in SMEs.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
A conceptual framework for hybrid building projects
|
[
"Buildings",
"Construction industry",
"Project planning",
"United Kingdom"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Adaptation projects constitute a large percentage of work carried out by the construction industry in the UK. The range of building intervention classed under building adaptation include; Refurbishment: upgrading the aesthetic and functional performance of a building (Douglas, 2006), Rehabilitation: modernisation with some extension work which may comprise major structural alteration to the existing building; mostly housing (Douglas, 2006), Maintenance: work undertaken in order to keep, restore or improve every part of a building, its services and surrounds, to a currently accepted standard, and to sustain the utility and value of the building (Seeley, 1987), Retrofit or renovation: a process undertaken if the building is in a good condition but the services and technology within it are outdated (Langston et al., 2007), as well as adaptive reuse which occurs when a building is converted to accommodate new functions, e.g. an industrial building converted into apartments.\"Hybrid projects\" is a phrase, used for the benefit of this research, to define a type of adaptation project where new elements or buildings are combined with existing buildings to completely modify it in order to provide better functionality and meet increased spatial requirements. It is the adaptation of an existing building through a combination of refurbishment, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. A hybrid project process can therefore be defined as the organised structure with which a hybrid building is delivered. This process will include procurement, design and construction activities. This research focused predominantly on the design stages of this process.In contrast with new building; design, planning and construction within existing built contexts necessitates a more complex interaction with the existing building substance, ancillary infrastructure and their respective spatial requirements. Adapting an existing building could therefore present a number of difficulties, e.g. spatial constraints, code compliance and disruptions to building use. The key challenge is to achieve value at the end of the works, and not to lose value. Addy (2004) observed that loss of value occurs when briefs give no flexibility to the design team, inappropriately high quality standards, and delays in decisions perhaps due to poor information supply and unmanaged change. In addition to process issues, people factors can include: poor communication as well as conflicting agendas, fixed mindsets, recycling old solutions and more importantly, lack of collaborative working.The research presented in this paper started with the question of how as-built information can influence and improve the design decisions made during a hybrid building project. In exploring answers to this question, it was necessary to explore how relationships between the various players of the industry influence upon the design process. This was useful for assessing how to provide information sufficient for all key parties to collaboratively contribute towards, and evaluate standards, needs and resources. Frameworks such as the Generic Process Protocol (Kagioglou et al., 1998), the Refurbishment Process Model (Anumba et al., 2006), the RIBA plan of work etc. were explored. The RIBA Plan of Work organises the process of managing, and designing building projects as well as administering building contracts into a number of key work stages (RIBA, 2008). Research findings suggested that these frameworks were not entirely suitable in their current form for hybrid projects.\nMethodology: Both qualitative and quantitative (mixed methodology) instruments were used during the course of this research. Exploratory (quantitative) methods such as surveys allowed the further development of relevant questions, which allowed for any further inquiry in the long run (Yin, 2003). Qualitative methods such as participative observations and conceptual mapping were used to explore the subject area and assess research scope. The research commenced by exploring theoretical underpinnings surrounding the broad subject of building adaptations through literature review and translating this to further understand important characteristics of hybrid projects. This exercise created a knowledge base for the rest of the research.In order to reinforce findings from literature, case studies of a recently completed and a live hybrid project was carried out. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of one hundred RIBA registered architects. All findings were triangulated and it was found that the standard process protocols were either too generic or specific and do not ideally represent a hybrid building process.A theoretical or conceptual framework is defined as any empirical or quasi-empirical theory of social and/or psychological processes, at a variety of levels (e.g. grand, mid-range and explanatory) that can be applied to the understanding of phenomena (Anfara and Mertz, 2006). A number of theoretical approaches exist for social research, e.g. grounded theory and these are widely published. The theoretical framework used for this research was Bourdieu's Field Theory. This theory applies to a field as the common ground with boundaries where the action occurs by players in the field (Mutch, 2006;, e.g. Bourdieu, 1993). It stems from the Physical Sciences and is mostly applied in Socio-Psychology realms, describing change due to action and effects. It is particularly useful for explaining \"resultant\" change as opposed to \"causal\" change. This was highly applicable to this research because solutions are sought for when change is based on a building's adaptation processes rather than what caused the building to be adapted.Field theory is most applicable to this research for the following reasons:* Field theory does not attempt to give an explanatory account in terms of systems or causation (Martin, 2003), instead, it agrees with some readily understandable causal sequence that explains some theoretically accounted-for pattern (Lundberg, 1939, p. 375). This is also a key difference with other theories such as functional theory, etc.* The context of field gives the opportunity to detail the context in which the action is taking place and put boundaries around the place of action (Mutch, 2006).* Multiplicity of settings is not required. The setting or field remains constant and it uses change to define and explain differentials between actions and effects.* It provides scope for time: functional, periodical or evolutionary. Models can show a snapshot of time or changes over time (Mutch, 2006).* In field theory, explanation stops at the constitution of the field. The fact that the field at some place and time can be determined to be of a certain nature in no way implies that it must be this way - indeed, field theory, by never making explanation reach outside the field, must forswear any legitimating arguments that there is a reason why the field must be as it is (Martin, 2003). Although, this is considered a limitation for most, this is significantly beneficial to this research.* It disallows personal prejudices and allows distancing. Field theory has the notable advantage of forbidding us to apply our self-understanding wholesale, let alone to crown these prejudices with the title \"mechanism\" and congratulate ourselves on a truly scientific understanding (Martin, 2003).* Field theory still has a general quality of being intuitively progressive, logical and accessible.* It allows for the allocation of roles and tasks. Each agent is defined by his or her position in a field with its own themes and problems, at least so far as the field possesses autonomy (Bourdieu, 1969, p. 161f). Within the field, players have positions that have both roles to be enacted and status carried with them (Mutch, 2006).* It supports decision-making activities and the impact on processes (or actions within the field).* There is no need to show complexity within the framework: processes, roles are more or less defined because models can show positions and relationships. Therefore, in this context, changes to a building can be implemented through activities (actions and decisions relative to processes).Lastly, a structured interview was used to evaluate the framework. A group of 11 experts participated in the evaluation exercise.\nDeveloping the conceptual framework for hybrid projects: Findings from the review of existing literature, case studies and surveys cannot be fully discussed within the constraints of this paper but key findings are summarised as follows:* The architectural practice survey reinforced the importance of a process approach to design delivery. The findings from the survey questionnaire helped to fine-tune important work stages, roles of design professionals and design responsibilities. Specifically, the survey also helped to map design information: type, format against work stages. It also flagged that qualitative (performance) information is highly important for making design decisions in hybrid projects. The factors that could affect an effective information process were also identified.* The case studies highlighted the impact of procurement systems and client-led decisions/approach on a design information management process. It also provided an insight into building surveying processes and the impact on design decision making. Importantly, it was found that contributions towards client and user satisfaction can be achieved by a collaborative and integrated approach to information sourcing, communication and interpretation within the design. This can be achieved if important parties are allowed relevant degrees of participation during the early design-specific stages of the process.A defined building process helps to define tasks, actions, decisions and resources needed to implement the project. Having a process implies that information; actions and resources can be tracked throughout the spectrum of the project. The RIBA process was therefore a good point to commence the analysis of a hybrid building process.Using Field Theory as a theoretical approach facilitated a more systematic approach to analysing the hybrid project process more systematically and by combining information and materials with people and logistics, a clearer picture of a hybrid project process was derived (Figure 1). Theoretically, the main driver for a hybrid-building project is change implemented over time. People using information to derive a more functional finished project implement change throughout the process. The map shows the building as the context but also as a constant. The building changes but the site setting remains the same. At the core of the model is change, as a factor of people, product (the building) and process. Powering the change is information and function. Information is dynamic within and throughout the process. By comparison, to information, function is less dynamic because its dynamism is bound by variables that are determined at the beginning (from the brief) of the process, e.g. cost and almost fixed by design.The three main groups of people influencing and participating are the client group, the user group and building professionals. Their tasks and roles will vary according to process per time. Change can be divided into subsets of entities i.e. building layers (Brand, 1994; Duffy, 1993) which are not mutually exclusive. This is because the hybrid building can only be described by changes within its entities but not changes of \"all\" entities. That is, it ceases to be hybrid if nothing changes or if everything changes.Ideally, a detailed framework will also include roles, cost, tasks, players, time frames as well as responses and feedback loops. Although in this instance, Time (t) - the time allocated to the works, is considered insignificant compared to the building's life cycle - Time (T).The initial stages of a hybrid project usually comprises the building itself, its inherent information and key parties: the client, users and/or the design team. The challenge at this stage is to unlock the building's potential by utilising available resources. Information and communication technologies could potentially play a key role at this stage. As work progresses and with the interaction of more people, materials, information to achieve the end product, the hybrid building process and activities becomes more complex. Lack of quality information could lead to wrong decisions being made and things going contrary to plan so design information was also mapped within the process. The evolving map was then separated into sub-levels of information, parties, sub-processes, decisions and actions (Figure 2). The result, the conceptual framework represents important milestones in the hybrid project process defined from literature, case studies and the questionnaire survey. It integrates the various elements of a hybrid project with milestones redefined based on the RIBA Plan of Work, 2007 (Table I).There are eight milestones in the framework. The outline appraisal and development plan where a high-level appraisal is conducted by the client team to assess the potential of an existing building and determine the resources (including historical data) available for its transformation. The core team procurement stage is mostly designed for the early selection and contractual arrangement with important professionals. This stage is important for collaborative decisions to take place. Conceptual designs and preparations for planning permission and other legal requirements commence at this stage too. The third milestone is the building performance evaluation stage. At this stage, historical documents are brought up to date by integrating previous data with current data abstracted from the existing building itself. Historical data and as-built information are superimposed and layered to determine conflicts and resolve them collaboratively prior to commencement of work on site.Importantly, the buildability and adaptability of the building is also determined and the designs are revised to reflect the conflicts and constraints identified from as-built information. In addition, the brief is revised to reflect information from the appraisal and performance evaluation milestones. With all possible information acquired and communicated, the brief can be sealed at this stage. The next milestone - design activity does not represent the stage where design commences, but it is at this stage that design options are investigated, choices and decisions made collaboratively and the final design and specifications produced. Although the design is finalised at this stage, design decisions may still be required during the construction stages depending on how the framework was implemented. However, the expectation is that design changes will be minimal as all design uncertainties have been resolved prior to construction. Milestone 6 and 7 - planning/logistics and the construction stages were not evaluated as they were outside the scope of the research. After construction, all building information for design and construction monitoring, building operation and maintenance can then be consolidated in the last milestone.The design subset of the hybrid building process\nEvaluation: The aim of evaluating the framework was to explore the accuracy and extent by which it describes and facilitates an improvement of the hybrid building process. Eleven design and construction professionals; 2 architects, 2 engineers, 1 building surveyor, 1 development manager/employer agent, 2 collaboration managers and 1 design consultant reviewed the framework and provided perceived feedback on its coverage, efficiency and functionality. Each evaluator had a working knowledge of hybrid projects with the exception of one engineer who was working on his first hybrid project. The evaluation session commenced with a discussion of the research objectives and an introduction to the framework. The participant is then allowed time to evaluate the framework and ask questions. After which they were required to answer pre-set questions by rating variables based on the Likert scale (1=low and 5=high). Each session lasted at least 45 mins. Time and logistical constraints limited the use of workshops or stakeholder forums.The evaluation was, however, limited by the number of participants involved and the limited client representation. Feedback from clients and other stakeholders would have been highly beneficial for the research.Discussion of findings\nSummary: This paper presented a conceptual process framework for the delivery of hybrid projects. Findings from evaluating the framework showed that it realises its objective and provides a high-level guide for facilitating informed, yet collaborative, design decision making. The framework is explicit in defining processes, parties, information, decisions and actions required at each stage of a hybrid project. It also promotes concurrency in design, planning and construction activity, which could be reiterated depending on the peculiarity of each individual project. There are subjective issues, which are not highly visible within the framework. Factors such as cost, time/delivery, legal and contractual issues were mentioned but not emphasised within the framework, since the research focus was information, design/design decisions. Nonetheless, these issues have been raised by evaluators to be of equal importance and will be worth investigating in future research projects.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to focus on hybrid projects as a type of building adaptation work. It seeks to discuss the hybrid building design process in subsets of information and resulting decisions by highlighting the relationship between them. It also aims to present a conceptual framework which was developed by refining, or customising the RIBA Plan of Work.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Field theory formed the theoretical basis for the approach to mapping the hybrid project process. The conceptual framework itself evolved from a comprehensive literature review, case studies and a practice survey. In total, 11 design and construction professionals evaluated the framework and their comments and feedback are also discussed.\nFindings: - The discussion presents an approach which can be used to manage the delivery of hybrid projects, although it was found that the proposed framework can be applied to a wider spectrum of construction projects.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The evaluation of the framework was limited by the number of participants involved and the limited client representation.\nOriginality/value: - The paper makes an original contribution by further exploring an increasingly relevant area of construction activity; building adaptations. Although the research focused specifically on the design-specific stages of hybrid project delivery, findings contribute towards process improvement by emphasising the need for early information acquisition, early and precise definition of design intent, and collaborative design decision making. These three factors contribute highly to client/user satisfaction (value) and effective project delivery.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Governance and social capital formation in buyer-supplier relationships
|
[
"Uncertainty management",
"Social capital",
"Supplier relations",
"Governance"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: Global competition, rapidly changing technologies and increasing customer expectations have seen supplier relationships become a vital contributor to competitive advantage (Chen et al., 2004; Spekman and Carraway, 2006). In particular, social capital formed with suppliers may constitute a valuable asset for the firm, and an enduring source of advantage (Granovetter, 1992; Moran and Ghoshal, 1999). As a stock of goodwill which accrues as a result of behavioural exchange, social capital has been associated with improved performance within a firm's supplier relationships and across its supply chain (Krause et al., 2007; Lawson et al., 2008).Forming close supplier relationships often requires high levels of relationship-specific assets and routines, generating exchange hazards against which the organisation must protect itself. However, little attention has been paid to the choice of different governance mechanisms on social capital development within buyer-supplier relationships. Much of the prior research has focused on the transaction cost elements of the relationship, viewing governance as a cost minimising tool which protects against known exchange hazards (Williamson, 1985). However, a focus on transaction costs limits the ability to explain social and relational characteristics which define the exchange process within long-term supplier relationships (Ghoshal and Moran, 1996; Rindfleisch and Heide, 1997). Sociology scholars such as Granovetter (1985) have argued for increased recognition for the role played by socially embedded relationships in economic exchange. The relational governance literature argues that supplier relationships do not fit neatly on a market-hierarchy continuum, but instead, operate in an \"embedded logic of exchange\" (Uzzi, 1997) and are shaped by the structure of social relations (Gulati and Gargiulo, 1999).Our paper focuses on two types of governance structures, relational and contractual governance, used in the context of buyer-supplier relationships (Ness and Haugland, 2005; Poppo and Zenger, 2002; Roath et al., 2002). Contractual governance relies on the use of formalised, legally binding agreements to govern the buyer-supplier relationship, while relational governance is represented through the development of behavioural norms of flexibility, solidarity and information sharing (Macneil, 1980; Poppo and Zenger, 2002). In the context of buyer-supplier relationships these norms indicate mutuality of interest and essentially prescribe stewardship behaviour between both buyer and supplier in relation to the conduct surrounding the exchange (Heide and John, 1992). We identify an additional key distinction between relational governance and social capital. Relational governance, and the associated norms of behaviour, refers to the on-going social processes which aid the control, coordination and monitoring of supplier relationships (Yu et al., 2006; Zaheer and Venkataraman, 1995), while social capital refers to the stock of goodwill built up from past experience between the buyer and supplier (Tsai, 2000). We add to this literature by theoretically demonstrating the separable effects of contractual and relational mechanisms of governance in developing supply chain social capital. Further, by exploring the effects of supply chain uncertainty this paper contrasts the circumstances under which each governance mechanism is more appropriate in developing social capital between buyers and suppliers.Moreover, firms have long sought to establish inter-organisational relationships in an attempt to control uncertainty (Beckman et al., 2004; Burt and Doyle, 1994; Pfeffer and Salanick, 1978). Much of this work has focused on technology and market uncertainty in alliances (Cummings, 1991; Kumar and Seth, 1998) or industries as a whole (Badri et al., 2000; Beckman et al., 2004), with relatively little attention paid to uncertainties embedded within an organisation's supply chain. As a result, insights into the impact of uncertainty on buyer-supplier relationships remain largely unknown. Uncertainty, however, is likely to play a key role in the effectiveness of attempts by the actors to build supply chain social capital. Our goal is to integrate the impact of environmental uncertainty in governance choice between buyers and suppliers, and examine the impact on social capital development. To do so, we untangle two interlinked yet conceptually distinct types of uncertainty associated with supply chain management: customer product demand uncertainty and supply market uncertainty. We propose that these particular types of uncertainty pose the greatest risk of opportunism for each party in a buyer-supplier relationship, and they are thus likely to impact on the ability to develop social capital within the relationship.A conceptual model, based in social capital theory (SCT), is developed to investigate the moderating effects of different types of uncertainty on the relationship between governance structures and the development of social capital between buyers and suppliers. We propose that relational governance is robust in creating social capital under conditions of supply uncertainty, but subject to opportunism when customer product demand is uncertain. In conditions of high demand uncertainty, formal contractual mechanisms will be more effective in building social capital. Our propositions provide new insights into the development of social capital in buyer-supplier relationships, suggesting that the area is multi-faceted and complex, with considerable scope for further research.The remainder of the paper proceeds as follows. The next section develops the literature in relation to buyer-supplier relationships, SCT and governance structures. We then build a series of propositions and a conceptual model linking these variables. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations for future research and managerial implications.\n2 Literature review: 2.1 SCT and buyer-supplier relationships\n3 Conceptual model and propositions: Our conceptual model incorporating governance structures, uncertainty and social capital development is shown in Figure 1. We argue that both relational and contractual governance structures are positively associated with social capital development between buyer and supplier. In addition, we develop a series of propositions highlighting the effect of uncertainty on this relationship. We propose that relational governance mechanisms will be robust under conditions of supply uncertainty, but more susceptible to violation and opportunism when customer product demand is uncertain. Conversely, it is suggested that contractual mechanisms are appropriate under conditions of demand uncertainty. Subsequently, we propose that this type of governance is less appropriate under conditions of supply uncertainty.3.1 The effect of governance mechanisms on social capital development\n4 Discussion: The goal of this paper was to explore the effect of governance mechanisms on social capital development under conditions of uncertainty. By separating uncertainty into demand and supply uncertainty, and considering their effects on both contractual and relational governance, this paper illuminates the link between governance options and social capital development. We proposed that both contractual and relational forms of governance are effective in enhancing the development of social capital between buyers and suppliers. Contractual governance was argued to be a relatively more effective means of governance (compared to relational governance), when demand uncertainty was high. In this situation, contingencies are clearly specified in the contract, and the process of adaptability is laid out. Relational governance, on the other hand, was more strongly associated with social capital development (compared to contractual governance) when supply uncertainty was high.Contractual and relational governance structures have made rich contributions to our understanding of the nature of governance. In relation to buyer-supplier relationships, there is a need for further exploration and theoretical development. This paper goes part way to addressing this issue. We highlight the importance of exploring the effect of environmental and exchange characteristics (i.e. demand and supply uncertainty) on governance in a buyer-supplier context. A developed understanding of the source of supply chain uncertainty is important as this will influence the governance form which is used to safeguard the relationship. At the same time, this research helps illustrate the limits of usefulness of two forms of governance, providing deeper insights into relationship behaviour and the contingent factors which can influence the nature of governance.4.1 Implications for theory\n5 Conclusions: Our paper has developed a conceptual framework incorporating elements of governance structures, uncertainty and social capital development within buyer-supplier relationships. We proposed that relational and contractual governance each play an important role in the management of supplier relationships. We also argued that uncertainty also has a major role in determining the effectiveness of these governance structures, with both supply market uncertainty and product demand uncertainty shown to have differential effects on governance effectiveness and social capital. Future research should take into account these different types of uncertainty in buyer-supplier relationships. This conceptual work helps shed light on the larger picture of the ways in which buyer and supplier relationships are built, managed and maintained.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - Building social capital within buyer-supplier relationships is often associated with high performing supply chains. However, little research has examined the mechanisms by which social capital is formed. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of relational and contractual governance mechanisms on the formation of social capital under varying levels of demand and supply uncertainty.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A conceptual framework is developed, grounded in the literature on supply chain management and social capital theory (SCT).\nFindings: - A series of propositions showed that relational governance leads to the formation of social capital under conditions of supply uncertainty, but is subject to opportunism when customer product demand is uncertain. By contrast, in conditions of high demand uncertainty, contractual governance is associated with social capital formation.\nPractical implications: - The paper illustrates the need for managers to consider both the way in which their choice of governance mechanisms (contractual and relational) contributes to social capital, as well as highlighting the contingent nature of these mechanisms depending on the environmental context.\nOriginality/value: - This paper is a novel contribution, applying SCT to the literature on supply chain management.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
A model for the selection of transportation modes in the context of sustainable freight transportation
|
[
"Fuzzy multi-objective linear programming",
"Intuitionistic fuzzy numbers",
"Multi-mode freight transportation",
"Sustainable freight transportation system"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Freight transportation system (FTS) integrates a number of complex operations in order to fulfill the end-customer's demands worldwide (Muerza et al., 2017). The performance level of freight transportation (FT) is measured through the service time involved to meet customers' demand. One of the key components of FT that has direct impact on the service levels is a \"mode\" by which freight moves from shipper to receiver. The modes of transportation include road, rail, sea and air, which also determine the transportation costs, environmental emissions and social risks to a large extent (SteadieSeifi et al., 2014). Each transportation mode possesses different characteristics that provide certain benefits as compared to the others. However, these benefits entail a trade-off for some other attribute as shown in Figure 1.\n2. Methodology: Fuzzy sets are generally used when the data are characterized with impreciseness and vagueness. Any element belonging to the fuzzy set comprises of a membership value for that fuzzy set. However, in majority of the real-world problems, DMs do not provide complete information due to lack of knowledge or hesitancy. Therefore, the existing concept of fuzzy sets was extended to intuitionistic fuzzy sets introduced by Atanassov (1986) that has the capability to manage impreciseness and hesitancy originating from qualitative information. Thus, an IFN generally comprises of three functions, i.e. a membership degree, a non-membership and a hesitation degree (Li, 2010).\n3. A case illustration: The effectiveness of the model has been illustrated through a case organization, which is a leading India-based logistics service provider (XYZ) with the turnover of approximately INR1,500 crores. It offers a wide range of innovative cutting-edge logistics services including express delivery and supply chain consulting. The firm provides services to various industries ranging from automobile, apparel, healthcare, FMCG and e-commerce. It serves over 610 destinations with more than 1,100 routes linked through hubs and mega hubs that are spread across all over the country.\n4. Multi-mode selection model: Following sets of assumptions are made while formulating multi-objective multi-mode selection model:\n5. Results and discussions: A sustainable FTS involves freight processes that are economically efficient, socially inclusive and environment friendly. Such system offers a profitable, affordable, reliable, low-carbon and safer FT ecosystem. From the weight vector obtained using GRA-IFP it can be observed that among the three dimensions of sustainability, economic criteria have been given higher importance by experts. Among economic criteria, costs of FT emerged out to be the most critical criteria for the firm while selecting mode followed by other economic criteria such as damage during transportation, shipping delays, speed of delivery. Environmental and social dimensions of sustainability measured by GHG emission and traffic congestion are least preferred criteria for the case firm.\n6. Scenario building and sensitivity analysis: In this section, we have carried out a set of sensitivity analysis to generate insights from the changing behavior of the asymmetrical model considering weights of economic, environmental and social criteria that influence the decision of selecting sustainable modes of transportation. This section of the study clearly depicts that modes are either complementing or competing each other under various set-ups. In this study, the performance of model is tested under three distinct scenarios. These scenarios are generated by focusing on three dimensions of TBL, i.e. economic, environmental and social perspectives.\n7. Conclusion: Mode selection is a crucial strategic decision for enhancing sustainability in the freight operations. In the present study, GRA-IFP and FMOLP methods are used to formulate a mathematical model for selecting best modes of transportation. This study has integrated GHG emissions as one of the goals in the objective function and carbon emission cap (Ccap) as one of the constraints to assess the environmental performance of each mode. Further, traffic congestion has been considered to simultaneously assess social performance of any logistics service providers. The proposed model is very useful as it brings out insights to improve the overall sustainable performance of freight transporters. A case study has been used to demonstrate the efficacy and implications of GRA-IFP and FMOLP for MMSP. The sensitivity analysis carried out in the study has shown that among all the four modes, road fits better on economic criteria. FT is considered to be the most environmentally damaging activity. Thus, to improve the environmental performance of freight operations, sea and rail are found to be the greenest modes of transportation. The social performance of freight transporters can also be improved by using sea and rail as the modes of transportation. To summarize, road and rail are the most sustainable modes of transportation to carry shipments from shippers to receivers.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: A sustainable freight transportation system involves freight processes that are economically efficient, socially inclusive and environment friendly. For enhancing sustainability in the freight operations, mode selection is a crucial strategic decision. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is selecting the best mode, or a combination of modes based on various criteria to carry shipments from origin to destination.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study has used an integrated grey relational analysis based intuitionistic fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making process (GRA-IFP) and fuzzy multi-objective linear programming model. Three scenarios have been developed for analyzing sensitivity of decision variables with the variations in parameters under relevant conditions. A real case of Indian third-party logistics service provider has been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model.\nFindings: The most relevant criterion emerged out in this study for multi-mode selection problem is costs. It can be concluded from the study that multi-modal freight transportation has the potential to improve the sustainability of freight transportation by reducing the costs, damages, emissions, traffic congestion and by increasing the speed of delivering the shipment. The sensitivity analysis further shows that road is the economical mode, whereas sea and rail together are the greenest as well as socially responsible modes of transportation.\nOriginality/value: This study provides an integrated tool, which can be used by freight transporters to decide upon the sustainable modes of transportation for their various shipments.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Exploring the commercial value of social networks: Enhancing consumers' brand experience through Facebook pages
|
[
"Marketing",
"Facebook",
"Virtual community",
"Extrinsic motivations",
"Intrinsic motivations"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Facebook, a social web site, provides a platform for people to interact, communicate and share with one another, enhancing human connectivity and sociability (Nie, 2001). Facebook is the most visited web site in most countries around the globe and according to a survey conducted by the company itself, over 0.4 billion global users are active on the web site every month. More than 20 million people connect to pages every day and more than five billion pieces of content (event, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) are shared each week (www.box.net/shared/24mkyggle9). The popularity of Facebook has attracted attention from the business world and inspired a wide range of marketing activities aimed at utilising the new platform. Facebook allows business users to create a custom page promoting their businesses. According to survey results produced by Pagemodo (www.pagemodo.com), having a Facebook page increases sales for small businesses and drives greater traffic to their web sites. Many businesses, especially small business owners, see Facebook as an easy way to develop marketing tools that can attract new customers and help them interact with existing ones. The survey results also show that there has been an increase in the number of companies adopting Facebook as a business tool. We are reaching a point where social media can be as much about business as it is about fun. There are many successful business pages on Facebook. For example, Pizza Hut's Facebook page contains an order form, making it easy for Facebook users to order a pizza. The Pringles Facebook page contains humorous video posts depicting people's experiences consuming their product which have proven popular with the public. The Victoria's Secret Facebook page contains a bikini builder, helping fans to find their perfect bikini after just a couple of clicks.\n2. Literature review and hypothesis: 2.1 Virtual brand community\n3. Methodology: We adopted an online survey method for data collection. The subjects we used for the study were Facebook users who have joined Facebook pages. The data were collected in Taiwan over spring 2011. Facebook has been extremely successful in Taiwan according to Facebook.com's traffic rankings (www.alexa.com/siteinfo/facebook.com). Subjects were chosen using a convenience sampling method, which developed into snowball sampling (Goodman, 1961) as more Facebook users recommended other users who were willing to participate in the survey. Convenience sampling generally assumes a homogeneous population and that one person is similar to another. In the case of our research this would be with reference to the user's online habits. While individuals are of course different from one another, the difference is seen to be probabilistic (Berk and Freedman, 1995; Cochran, 1977; Diamond, 2000), with users sharing habits more commonly than they differ in them.\n4. Research findings: 4.1 Path results for the proposed model\n5. Discussion and implications: Our empirical study supports the proposed model. Model test results established the relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and brand experience, brand Facebook page loyalty and E-WOM. These findings make important contributions in the following areas.\n6. Conclusions: Our study explored the use of Facebook pages as a marketing tool for companies. Primary data rooted in the geographical and cultural context of Taiwan were used and analysed. Consumer attitudes towards brand Facebook pages were examined through a survey based empirical investigation. The findings suggest that users are influenced by the technical characterises of a brand Facebook page, such as ease of use and usefulness, which might be combated by attempting to reduce customer effort when accessing Facebook pages. We conclude that customer effort influenced brand experience and consequently loyalty to brand Facebook pages and E-WOM. The study's contributions are both theoretical and practical, as it offers new insights into brand experience attitudes in an online environment and useful insights to companies willing to market themselves on Facebook.\n7. Limitations and future research: The limitations of this study relate to the investigation of consumer perspectives in a specific geographical context and time frame. We suggest that future studies investigating Facebook might collect data from various geographical settings and emphasise a variety of cultural perspectives. Additionally, we suggest that future studies might focus on a specific brand/case in order to obtain business data with a business rather than a consumer perspective. This study discusses intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors influencing brand experience and its results. However, factors of intrinsic motivation such as brand love, as well as extrinsic motivations such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and customer effort cannot be observed over a short period of time. Given that we adopted a cross-sectional research method in this study to collect data from a time segment, we suggest that future studies adopt a longitudinal research method to support the results of cause and effect.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to understand the factors which impact upon the consumers' willingness to utilise company Facebook pages and e-word-of mouth by proposing and testing a conceptual framework which is inspired by theories in marketing and information systems fields. The authors believe that only by applying both theories will provide a more complete understanding of the relationship between brand experience and Facebook. The research model attempts to illustrate the factors according to customers' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and their impact on brand experience, brand Facebook page loyalty and e-word-of-mouth (E-WOM).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors adopted an online survey method for data collection. The subjects the authors used were Facebook users. The data were collected in Taiwan over spring 2011. The authors then used the structural equation model to analyse the data collected.\nFindings: The findings suggest that users are influenced by the technical characterises of a brand Facebook page, such as ease of use and usefulness, which might be combated by attempting to reduce customer effort when accessing Facebook pages. The authors conclude that customer effort influenced brand experience and consequently loyalty to brand Facebook pages and E-WOM.\nResearch limitations/implications: The limitations of this study relate to the investigation of consumer perspectives in a specific geographical context and time frame.\nOriginality/value: The study's contributions are both theoretical and practical, as it offers new insights into brand experience attitudes in an online environment and useful insights to companies willing to market themselves on Facebook.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Mapping service processes in manufacturing companies: industrial service blueprinting
|
[
"Manufacturing industries",
"Process management",
"Operations and production management",
"Process mapping",
"Service organization",
"Manufacturing companies",
"Servitisation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: Over the course of the past few decades, manufacturing industries have encountered a changing business environment. The rising market power of global rivals has worsened the conditions for formerly well-established goods producers. As a result, these producers are increasingly revising their business model towards offering additional value-added services in the form of service-based business concepts (Davies, 2004; Oliva and Kallenberg, 2003; Stremersch et al., 2001; Wise and Baumgartner, 1999) to tap into new business opportunities. The terms \"servitisation\" (Vandermerwe and Rada, 1988; Rothenberg, 2007), \"integrated solutions\" (Davies, 2004), \"functional products\" (Alonso-Rasgado et al., 2004) and \"product-service systems\" (PSS) (Tukker, 2004) are, among many others, synonyms for this fundamental paradigm shift. Servitisation can be defined as a \"customer proposition that includes a [physical] product and a range of associated services\" (Johnson and Mena, 2008, p. 28). The benefits of this shift have been discussed comprehensively in the literature and research circles. The additional turnover that is generated by services increases and stabilises overall revenues (Oliva and Kallenberg, 2003; Alonso-Rasgado et al., 2004), while customer binding and loyalty are enhanced (Alonso-Rasgado et al., 2004). Furthermore, a servitised company can set itself apart from competitors and improve its knowledge about the utilisation phase of the physical products (Alonso-Rasgado et al., 2004).Interestingly, the transition from producer to solution-provider also poses several challenges to manufacturing companies:* Any attempt to servitise should include an economic reflection on servitisation because some scholars have detected a \"service paradox\", i.e. increasing company efforts for servitisation without adequate revenues (Gebauer et al., 2005) or even lower profits of servitised manufacturers (Neely, 2008).* Design principles for physical goods and service products are not appropriate for functional products (Alonso-Rasgado et al., 2004). To become successful, an integrated product-service offers \"needs to be designed at the systematic level and requires early involvement with the customer\" (Baines et al., 2007, p. 858).* In addition, supply chains need to be adapted to the newly arising requirements (Johnson and Mena, 2008).* Finally, the integration of services into the company is of particular importance. This poses a special challenge to management (Vandermerwe and Rada, 1988; Oliva and Kallenberg, 2003) because guiding principles, structures and processes for services have to be incorporated into overall strategy, marketing and development, as well as into the organisation itself (Baines et al., 2009).This last issue seems to especially be a shortcoming because the evolution from the traditional business concept of designing, manufacturing and selling physical products to offering integrated products necessitates the creation of a service delivery system and, subsequently, a redesign of the value chain so that it is capable of delivering the proposed added value to the customer (Windahl et al., 2004). In this case, it is necessary to more intensively integrate the customer into the process than in previous business concepts (Fliess and Kleinaltenkamp, 2004), especially with respect to the customer's role as a co-creator of value (Vargo and Lusch, 2004). Consequently, customers and potential third parties need to be considered, in addition to the internal divisions of the manufacturer. Effective servitisation requires the coordination of manufacturing systems, maintenance systems, spare parts supply systems and logistical systems. These individual operational processes need to be integrated (Slack et al., 2004). Hence, the modelling of these new processes is a challenge to manufacturing industries (Correa et al., 2007).Formerly, understanding the core task of operations management (OM) meant \"dealing with the broader managerial implications of decisions in productive systems\" (Buffa, 1980, p. 2). The term \"productive system\" is neutral and refers to the manufacturing as well as to the service sector (Armistead and Machin, 1997; Bayraktar et al., 2007). Based on the traditional distinction between goods and services also in the discipline of OM, two research approaches have emerged: traditional, manufacturing-dominated OM (Nie and Kellogg, 1999) and customer-centred service operations management (SOM). The upcoming trend of servitisation is located on the border between these two fields and, hence, involves a cross-functional approach that incorporates research results from both areas. In the transaction-based business model, the functionality that manufacturers deliver to their customers is tied to the product. As described above, due to increasing competition in the manufacturing industry, many companies have extended their offer of functionality through the creation of additional service opportunities; however, it has been recognised that these two components do not necessarily create value when they are simply added together.This paper does not intend to exhaustively investigate the distinctive characteristics of services and products, but rather it points out that the value of servitisation to customers as well as manufacturers lies in the way in which product-service bundles are compiled (Slack et al., 2004). Value-added industrial services have to complement individual product characteristics because the bundles that are sold to customers are composed of both products and services; however, the promised functionality can only be delivered through the interplay of both components. A unique point in the implementation of a business model that realises a sustainable benefit for the company is to thus create organisational structures that encourage increased interconnectedness.In both OM and SOM, tools, frameworks and management concepts have been developed to support manufacturing firms (Johnston, 2005) and service companies in the establishment of organisational structures and measurement systems to fulfil customer demands for the best outcome for each partner; however, an in-depth consideration of the requirements for integrated product-service offerings as a mixture of both strains of OM is missing. As Johnston (2005) states, although no fundamental shift is required in already existing structuring methods, an adjustment is needed to apply these methods to servitised manufacturers, and the newly arising interdependencies of service and production processes need special consideration. Furthermore, by compiling a comprehensive framework, Baines et al. (2009) show that the operations of servitised manufacturers (or product-centred servitised operations, as they call them) differ to a great extent from both product-focused and service-focused operations.This paper intends to contribute to the field of organisational change in servitised manufacturers, and therein, seeks to provide a systematic approach for manufacturing companies that need to adapt their well-established processes to the new challenges of providing holistic solutions to their customers.In Section 2, a short review of the existing literature regarding the organisation of servitised manufacturers is given. The special requirements for a modelling method that intends to support servitised manufacturers in the transition phase are defined and are related to a range of process-modelling methods from both OM and SOM. In Section 4, a method is introduced to assist servitised manufacturers. In Section 5, a test study is presented to show the tool's application in a machine-producing company. We conclude with a short summary and some remarks about further needs for in-depth research.\n2 Organisational impact of servitisation in the literature: The organisational implications of \"going downstream\" (Wise and Baumgartner, 1999) have been hardly discussed in the literature. Only within the last few years have some scholars published papers dealing with this issue. A chronological overview of existing servitisation literature with a focus on organisational issues is provided in the subsequent section.2.1 Literature review from 2000 to 2004\n3 Process-modelling requirements for servitised companies and how OM and SOM methods meets them: The requirements for product-service bundle process-modelling methods are, on the one hand, an aggregation of service characteristics and product-oriented organisation requirements, whereas on the other hand, new requirements evolve due to the hybrid character of product-service bundles.3.1 Requirements\n4 The concept of industrial service blueprinting: more than a blend of OM and SOM methods: Due to the shortcomings in the existing systems of process description methods for the modelling of processes in servitised manufacturing companies, Shostack's blueprinting technique has been revised and reoriented towards manufacturing companies that are in transition to solution-providers. The industrial service blueprinting (ISB) approach is an advance of the aforementioned blueprinting technique and was originally developed in an integrated research project that focused on product-related services (Rainfurth et al., 2005). This approach has been revised and adapted to the advanced requirements of servitised companies, is based on the flow chart system and has been extended by elements of EPC, blueprinting and newly developed components. This novel ISB method integrates elements of existing methods that were originally developed to focus either on material and goods or on immaterial services optimisation.The criteria derived from hybrid characteristics and their implementation within the ISB method is shown in Table II. One of its innovative features is that it directly addresses the need to graphically describe communication, interaction and interrelation in both the company and among customers and external partners. Furthermore, it uses a limited set of symbols and principles to balance the trade-off of uniformity and intuitive comprehensiveness, which is especially important because the method aims to support the strategic planning process of innovative hybrid offers by bringing together members of different departments of a firm with different professional backgrounds. The method was IT-supported via the software MS Visio so as to be available and affordable for firms of all sizes. It serves as a unique instrument that supports the efficient planning of service concepts, identifies necessary skills and information and establishes a framework for subsequent action.4.1 Mapping principles of ISB\n5 Prototypal implementation in a servitised manufacturer: Our study intended to test and validate the previously described ISB method by supporting the test study company in describing upcoming changes in traditional value chain processes that are used to deliver the promised service in a manner to maximize efficiency for the customer.5.1 The test company and its associated business model\n6 Conclusions and the need for further research: Our paper sought to develop a supportive instrument for manufacturing companies that are in transition from being primary capital goods producers to becoming solution-providers who offer PSS to their customers. The literature review presented in this paper provides a detailed outline of the challenges that manufacturing companies face in the adaption of processes to requirements of delivering value-added product-service bundles. Some basic organisational issues were presented, such as bridging the gap between a process structure that focuses on selling machines and one that focuses on the delivery of services. An overview of process-modelling methods was then given. The different ways of describing processes were scrutinised and examined to see if they satisfied the newly arising requirements of servitised manufacturer processes. Because none of these depicted methods could comprehensively fulfil these requirements, a novel approach referred to as ISB was introduced. This method was derived from Shostack's service blueprinting and was enhanced by the addition of other elements from existing modelling methods. This method addresses two types of companies. First, it is designed for manufacturing companies that already offer result- or use-oriented business models, but face obstacles in the operative delivery and, thus, are not realising the full profit potential of the expanded service offer. Second, the target group includes manufacturing companies that are planning to expand their service offers in the near future.Another challenge that is encountered by manufacturers in transition is the need to revise organisational structures. The newly emerging tasks of providing service concepts need to be incorporated into the hierarchy of the manufacturing company. Hence, decisions have to be made regarding how additional service-providing units are to be integrated. A variety of organisational alternatives can be utilised, e.g. project organisation and integration into existing divisions or outsourcing. In the future, these organisational alternatives should be examined and tested in manufacturing companies with regard to their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the risks and benefits that arise from their implementation.\n",
"role": "user"
},
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"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to propose a process-modelling method that is based on methods from both operations management (OM) and service operations management (SOM), which complies with the special requirements of servitised manufacturers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - After a comprehensive literature review of organisational change in servitised manufacturers, the requirements for modelling industrial services are established. In addition, existing business process-modelling methods from OM and SOM are classified and related to these requirements. A modelling method that is adapted to the needs of servitised manufacturers is proposed, and the practical advantages of this methodology are explored in an exemplary case study of a machine tool manufacturer.\nFindings: - This paper suggests that existing instruments that have been developed within OM and SOM need considerable adjustment to comply with the needs of servitised manufacturers.\nOriginality/value: - This paper contributes towards mastering the transition from the production of capital goods to the offering of entire solutions by outlining the special requirements of the process structure in a manufacturing company as it turns into a solution-provider.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The establishment of savings banks in colonial New Zealand 1840-1907
|
[
"New Zealand",
"Banking",
"Historical research",
"Financial history"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This article concerns the establishment of savings banks in New Zealand. Sometimes seen as similar in culture to Australia, New Zealand had and has a different culture. For a start, the majority of New Zealand settlement took place from the mid-1840s and within the context of a negotiated treaty with the indigenous population. Nevertheless, New Zealand, located 2,155 kilometres (1,338 miles) from Sydney, a good few days sailing away, still shared a common heritage in that they were both colonies of the UK. New Zealand in the 1840s was a newly formed colony. As such, it was in desperate need of infrastructure. This was apparent not only in the lack of physical infrastructure (ports, roads and buildings) but also in its financial infrastructure. New Zealand's only bank at this time was a small private bank, which had been established in Kororareka in 1839 (Sinclair, 1991), its formation followed in 1840 by a branch of the Union Bank of Australia (a British bank) in Wellington (RBNZ Staff, 1963). Both of these establishments served only the needs of a few businesses, not the needs of a growing population. For New Zealand to be a viable colony, and with an economy far removed from the UK, it needed banking services, a realm of activity where Britain's savings banks provided an attractive model.\nSavings banks in Britain, Australia and New Zealand: some literature and history: The following work is not the first to address the history of savings banks in New Zealand. However, it will become clear that this current work is the first to address the reasons why savings banks were established in New Zealand. To give context to the discussion surrounding the New Zealand savings banks that follows, it is important to indicate the commentary on the early experience of savings banks in both Britain and Australia. This is done to illustrate key differences in establishment of savings banks in New Zealand and Australia.\nMethod: Previous New Zealand savings bank histories have been undertaken to mark auspicious dates; see, for example, the book by McLauchlan (1991) concerning the Auckland Savings Bank, or the publication by Walter & TSB Bank (NZ) (2010), chronicling the Taranaki Savings Bank. These publications are, in general, a timeline with a regional focus and do not examine the underlying reasons for their establishment. In examining the context surrounding the establishment of savings banks, and not necessarily the history of one particular institution, we intend to add to the discussion surrounding the establishment of savings banks and their contribution to the development of New Zealand and ordinary New Zealanders. From the sources considered below, it becomes clear that Governor Grey initiated the establishment of savings banks in part to assist in generating revenue for the government through the investment by savings banks in government stock.\nThe colonisation and civilisation of New Zealand: The \"official\" settlement of New Zealand was carried out in partnership with the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, who were initially supportive of European settlers. European settlement was commercially orientated, first in the form of sealers and whalers. By the early 1820s, they had been joined by flax exporters, Kauri loggers and shipbuilders, particularly in and around the settlement at Kororareka (now known as Russell) in the north of the country (Sinclair, 1991). However, it was not until the third decade of the nineteenth century that systematic European colonisation of the country was considered by the British government (King, 2003; Temple, 2002). By 1840, the increasing number of European, North American, Australian and Asian settlers was resulting in tension, not only between the Maori and the newcomers but also among the settlers themselves. This prompted a call for the British Crown (King, 2003) to provide certainty of security. British authority was formalised when, on 6 February 1840 at Waitangi, a treaty between Governor Hobson, as the Representative of the British Monarchy, and several Maori chiefs, ostensibly representing all Maori, essentially ceded sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain.\nThe establishment of New Zealand savings banks: Governor Grey was only one of a number of notable citizens promoting savings banks in New Zealand. An advertisement in the Daily Southern Cross of 22 March 1845, (Staff - Wellington Independent, 1846, p. 3) asked the rhetorical question, \"what have the working classes of New Zealand done that they should be denied the national advantages and privileges of a savings bank?\" (as cited in McLauchlan, 1991, p. 5). In addition, Colonel Wakefield is said to have expressed a similar sentiment in his address to those gathered at the Barrett's Hotel in Wellington when mooting the establishment of the Wellington Savings Bank (WSB) (Staff - Wellington Independent, 1846).\nEstablishment of the post office savings bank in New Zealand: The POSB model established in 1861 in the UK offered the colonial New Zealand government a new model for generating funds; being a government-owned institution, the government could dictate how the funds of such a bank would be invested. In 1867 the New Zealand colonial government opened the POSB with a requirement that it invest in government stock. Immediately, this put the government in competition with the private savings banks, resulting in ongoing tensions between the government, the POSB and private savings banks. The investments made by the POSB provided much needed capital to assist the government in nation building as the young colony rapidly developed.\nDiscussion: Within only three years, the POSB had become the largest savings bank in the colony and was rapidly building in size. The associated benefit of such growth was an increase in government funds through investment in government stock by the POSB. This was a fortunate state of affairs as, by 1870, New Zealand had entered into a large public works building programme, investing in roads, rail and harbour facilities. Of course, this necessitated a great deal of funds. Government financing of such projects from 1870 to 1890 was complicated by a series of boom/bust cycles; cycles that were primarily related to property speculation, an activity which the banks of issue partook in, as well as lending to other land speculators. The POSB was insulated against this due to the requirement it could only invest in government securities (Cardow et al., 2011). The period also coincided with the rapid and on-going rise of the POSB in comparison to private savings banks. The POSB was proving to be a relatively easy way by which the government could obtain funding as other sources of capital were limited, as data from yearbooks indicate. For example, yearbook data for the financial year to 31 March 1893 (NZ Government Staff, 1893 to 2010) shows that government revenue was PS4,029,216. This was sourced from customs PS1,642,590; Stamps PS658,424; land tax PS297,181; income tax PS67,367; property tax PS17,126; beer duty PS59,388; railways PS1,174,099; registrations and other fees PS44,652; marine PS20,354; and miscellaneous PS47,735. In contrast, Table I shows that by 1908 the POSB held PS10,866,280 in government securities and a further PS934,295 in local bodies' securities. A full list of these holdings is detailed in Table II.\nConclusion: The early experience of savings banks in New Zealand has similar, as well as divergent, paths as those in the United Kingdom. For example, savings banks in New Zealand were established in a similar style to those in existence in the United Kingdom. They were born out of philanthropic ambition and a need to be seen to be providing for the economic well-being of the working class. They took small deposits and had very strict rules around the payment of interest and the level of funds upon which a depositor would receive interest. Evidence contained within New Zealand yearbooks from the late nineteenth century to the first decade of the twentieth century report that by 1910 approximately one-third of the population had savings accounts. The average balance of these savings accounts was PS30, equivalent to half a year's salary for a skilled worker, which equates to about US$30,000 in today's money.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper aims to highlight the reasons for the establishment of savings banks in New Zealand, with a primary thesis being that savings banks in New Zealand were intended to operate in a similar way to those in the UK. That is, to provide banking services to the working classes and supply revenue to a cash-strapped government. Savings banks were reasonably successful in meeting the needs of their depositors but provided little revenue to the government. This gives rise to a secondary thesis that, when the Government was presented with the opportunity to establish the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB), they did so with revenue in mind.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Contemporaneous scholarly discussion along with newspaper, primary sourced bank and government archives builds an interpretation of why savings banks were established in New Zealand. This interpretation is presented in the form of a narrative, which tells the story of the rise of private savings banks in New Zealand and their eventual stagnation when the POSB was introduced.\nFindings: Savings banks in New Zealand were initiated by Governor Grey primarily to provide an alternative source of development funding. New Zealand savings banks, initially modelled on UK and New South Wales variants, also appear to have been designed to meet the needs of the working classes, with deposits limited to PS50 a year and a maximum balance set of PS100 in total. However, as the requirement to invest in Government debt was removed from their founding legislation, they mainly provided mortgages to their local communities. To some extent, this situation was remedied in 1867 when the POSB was established, as it was required to invest as directed by the Government.\nOriginality/value: The narrative highlights the importance of savings banks and the POSB to both the people and government of New Zealand. This research adds to the discussion surrounding the purpose of savings banks and details the contributions made by both savings banks and the POSB in colonial New Zealand. As previous publications were in the main commissioned by various savings banks, this work provides an independent academic analysis of the first savings banks in colonial New Zealand in the period from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 until New Zealand became a dominion in 1907.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The event and festival life cycle - developing a new model for a new context
|
[
"Butler",
"Event life cycles",
"Event trajectories",
"Events and festivals",
"TALC"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This paper adapts the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model to the study of events and festivals. The events and festivals management literature has relied heavily on theories and models applied from the wider tourism field (Getz, 2002; Getz and Page, 2016). However, special events and festivals have unique characteristics; so, new theories and models need to be developed (Getz, 2008). Butler's (1980) TALC model is one of the most widely cited and applied theories within the tourism literature and has been used as a model linking the development cycle of tourism destinations to that of products in the product life cycle model.\nLiterature review: Need for new theories in event and festivals research\nMethods: This paper uses a case study approach to examine alternative event and festival life cycles and map these using the TALC framework. One inherent problem in applying the TALC is the lack of accurate trend data for most destinations. Empirical testing through case study presentation and analysis is offered as a way to extend its validity (Baum, 1998; Hovinen, 2002). The use of a case study research design is highly relevant and illuminating when exploring key issues and seeking to introduce new research areas (Yin, 2009). Case studies are particularly useful for generating theory, and they are considered the best means for examining why and how contemporary, real-life phenomena occur (Yin, 2009; Neuman, 2000). Case studies are also a commonly used method in event studies research as the context for each event or festival under investigation is vitally important. Jennings (2001) highlights the following advantages that are associated with case study research: in-depth data are collected via single or multiple cases, evidence is grounded in the research environment, study members can check for accuracy thus removing researcher bias and methodological triangulation can be used.\nFindings: The four case studies reported in this paper illustrate how and why different events follow different trajectories throughout their life cycles. Each event will be examined in turn before a cross-case analysis is used to query how the TALC can be adapted to the event context.\nDiscussion: These four case studies illustrate how an event - a temporal phenomenon rather than a geographical location such as a destination - can follow a range of trajectories as it moves through its life cycle. These case studies illustrate how events and festivals grow, develop and decline along the festival and event product life cycle (Butler, 1980; Beverland et al., 2001). However, they also reveal new pathways, which neither the TALC nor Beverland et al.'s adaptation incorporate.\nConclusions: This paper responds to the call for developing new theories and models for event and festival studies (Getz, 2008; Getz and Page, 2016) by extending the TALC to the events and festivals context. The TALC has been applied to events and festivals as products (TALC is based on the product life cycle); however, events and festivals as temporal phenomena have unique characteristics which distinguish them from destinations, which are fixed and geographical in nature.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The events and festivals literature relies on theories and models borrowed from tourism studies which may insufficiently account for the unique characteristics of events and festivals. Using four case studies from Australia, United Arab Emirates and the UK, this paper aims to analyse events and festival life cycles using the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) framework (Butler, 1980).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper is conceptual in that it theorises the range of event and festival life cycle trajectories; however, four event case studies are also used to illustrate this approach.\nFindings: Findings facilitate an extension of Butler's model to include additional trajectories and accompanying underpinning critical factors that better explain and predict the nature of events and festivals.\nResearch limitations/implications: The paper is based on four case studies from the cultural sector which is ideal for developing theory but limits the contexts examined in this paper. The findings are only applicable to recurring events and festivals.\nPractical implications: In the new model, seven different pathways, ranging from continued growth to cancellation, suggest potential opportunities and risks for events and festivals. The results are of particular relevance for event managers, who can use the case studies and trajectories as reference points for event growth and consolidation.\nSocial implications: The case studies reveal that successful events are seen to have strong ties to their local communities and are rooted in the destination.\nOriginality/value: The paper's originality is in both the context of utilising diverse international cultural festival and events as case studies and the proposal of seven alternative pathways for events and festivals, which extend Butler's TALC to the unique context of these temporal phenomena.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Integrating quality and reliability assessment into product development process: A New Zealand case study
|
[
"Product development",
"New Zealand",
"Process management"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Most technology related industries in New Zealand are small to medium size compare to companies in other countries. Most of the products designed and manufactured in New Zealand are in the niche market and therefore able to introduce new products fast with unique features is essential. The traditional approach to ensure that a product meets the quality and reliability requirements is to depend on data collected on the various tests performed on the first few batches of the newly designed product. It is common knowledge in many industries that a lot of problems, which show up in production and the use of products, find their roots in the design or development stage of these products (Stevens, 1993). This traditional approach is expensive and requires long cycle time to introduce a new product to the market. This gives rise to various techniques or methodologies such as design for quality (DFQ) and design for manufacture (DFM) concept (Booker, 2003). The main aim of these methodologies is to reduce the time for a new product to be introduced to the market and hence cost reduction and ultimately business improvement. Therefore, it is essential that new product design cycle be minimized for small companies in New Zealand to remain competitive.This article will be based on a medium size company in New Zealand producing electronic devices used in automotive and marine application, which has stringent product requirement to continually operate under harsh environment. For example, automotive application requires the product to be exposed to high temperature and subjected to high mechanical vibration or shock, whereas, marine application requires the product to be exposed to salty atmosphere, subjected to direct sunlight and high mechanical shock. Therefore, it is essential that the company introduce new product to the market place with short development time without jeopardizing the product's quality and reliability performance. It has been estimated that the company develops more than 24 new products annually. Initially, the company uses traditional approach by having two independent processes namely \"Product Validation and Qualification\" (PVQ), and \"New Product Development or Design\" (NPD) as shown in Figure 1. The PVQ is performed at the end of the NPD cycle where quality and reliability assessment and statutory compliance testing were performed. This traditional approach is costly as problems identified at the PVQ stage will be too late and resulted in product redesign or re-specification and prolong the time required to introduce new product to the market and hence loosing market opportunity.This work investigates how this company integrates the PVQ into the NPD process with the aim of reducing the overall development time required to introduce new products to the market and hence reducing development cost. Early detection of reliability problems using highly accelerated life test (HALT) technique will also be discussed. This is because reliability problems cause a majority of the quality problems in the market and studies revealed that a thorough reliability analysis is seldom used during product design (Brombacher, 1992). Recent research has shown that product reliability is positively correlated with customer confidence and profit margin (Josin, 1996). This new approach will reduce the overall development time and also ensure better understanding of the product's quality and reliability performance that will assist in future new product development.\nNew product development process: To be able to structure and control a product development process, the process is normally divided into a number of distinctive phases or stages. However, the exact division in stages is determined by the complexity of the product and the management structure of the organization. However, in general it can be divided into five stages (de Theije et al., 1998), namely the concept stage, specification stage, basic design stage, detailed design stage and finally engineering stage. However, this model did not to take into consideration the manufacturing stage. The NPD that has been implemented in this company was broken down into five different stages too but it has integrated the design, manufacturing and quality and reliability activities into one integrated NPD process as shown in Figure 2.Implementing a NPD process that integrates the design, manufacturing and quality and reliability activities is critical which is in line with the concept of DFM and DFQ. The concept of DFM is an important consideration as it ensures smooth production of a product that has been designed or developed. A design that proceeds without taking DFM into consideration is likely to cause problems at a later stage. It is not infrequent, for example, for a minor design fault to halt the complete production operation, and this can be extremely costly to the company. It must be remembered that a design defect at the drawing stage can be corrected with a few keystrokes on the computer. If such a flaw remains undetected until the production stage, the resulting production delays, together with the subsequent modification to tooling, jigs, fixtures, process set-ups and so on, will certainly have a much more significant and negative impact on the whole manufacturing operation (Wu, 1994). In addition, the integration of the DFQ concept into the NPD, ensures that critical characteristics that impact the product performance are identified. Failure to identify this or identifying this too late causes tremendous cost to the company (Swift et al., 1999).In this integrated NPD model shown in Figure 2 that was implemented by this company, there are \"Gates\" between stages 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each \"Gate\" allows the NPD team to meet together and review each stage. A checklist will be used to review if all tasks or activities were met before moving to the next stage. The details of the above five stages as shown in Figure 2 will be addressed as follows.Stage 1\nPre-production product validation: During the PPV process, various tests were conducted on few test samples (usually four samples) generated at the design stage of the NPD (stage 3). The main purpose of PPV is to:1. avoid unpleasant surprises that might occurs during mass production stage;2. determine if the prototype meets the design specification such as operating voltages, temperatures and etc;3. adequately define the worst-case \"Device Under Test\" (DUT) configuration for the PVQ process in stage 4;4. determine the design margin of the product as this will ensure that the manufactured product has sufficient robustness and hence attained sufficient reliability performance;5. assess the capability of the pilot production process when producing these prototypes, as these will be eventually transferred to the mass-production process; and6. assess if these prototype meets the necessary statutory compliance requirements.The PPV process is summarily illustrated in Figure 7.Some of the common PPV tests performed are listed as follows:1. Operating temperature range test. The main objective of this test is to determine the operating temperature range of the test samples in which they will continue to operate properly.2. Operating voltage range test. The objective is to determine the operating voltage range where the test samples continue to operate and perform properly at the two temperature extremes determined at the operating temperate range test.3. Mechanical vibration test (sinusoidal or random vibration on three different axes). This is to detect for any gross mechanical failures due to poor components mounting, casing design and fixtures integrity and etc.4. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) pre-compliance (possibly to include immunity). The objective is to detect for any high or significant electromagnetic emission (EMI). The main objective is to detect and suppress this high EMI via redesign in order to reduce the chances of failing the EMC testing at PVQ.5. Highly accelerated life test (HALT). This is an accelerated method that uses stresses higher than the field environments to expose weakness and then improve the design and process. The concept of HALT is shown in Figure 8.Since, the company uses HALT as the main test in PPV process, it will be discussed in detail in the following section.\nHighly accelerated life test (HALT): Accelerated reliability engineering is becoming a popular industry alternative to on-going product quality and reliability testing. HALT is an intensive method that uses stresses higher than the field environments to expose and then improve design and process weaknesses. HALT offer faster, cheaper and more accurate results than traditional reliability testing techniques (Hobbs, 2000) using only few test samples. Conventional testing methods to demonstrate the long-term reliability of a product can be too time consuming in a world of constant innovation and short product lifecycles. A traditional reliability evaluation taking weeks or months is unlikely to uncover all potential failure modes and will not yield a statistically significant number of failures unless many test samples were used. The HALT technique is designed to accelerate life-testing process and eliminate the delays associated with traditional evaluation. (Harris, 2003).HALT uses thermal and mechanical stimuli, applied together to determine the product's operating and destruct limits. It is particularly valuable at the prototyping stage and when coupled with power cycling and product specific stresses, has been proved to expose design flaws within hours or days instead of weeks or even months using traditional method.A modified HALT technique is implemented to suit the available facilities and also the environment in which the product will be subjected during actual usage. The operating temperature and voltage ranges used during the HALT testing will be based on operating temperature and voltage ranges tests performed at PPV. The humidity is set to 95 percent relative humidity (RH). With temperature and voltage cycling parameters determined and humidity setting fixed, the only varying parameter is the vibration level, which in real life depends on the road or sea conditions. A random vibration profile is commonly used, as these will be similar to the application in real life situation. The random vibration level on each orthogonal axis is increase after every temperature and voltage cycle from 1 grms (based on the profile of 5 Hz to 1 KHz) until a point where the product starts to fail. Failures were analyzed and information will be feedback to the respective group for corrective actions if necessary. Once fixes were in place HALT will be rerun to verify that the fixes will improve the robustness or operating margin of the product. In many instances, fixes were not necessary as the vibration level that caused the failure is very high and has provided sufficient margin.\nProduct validation and qualification: The PVQ process is similar to the PPV process as shown in Figure 7 except that a larger quantity of test sample will be used to yield statistically significant result. The testing at this stage is important as it determines the marketability of the product to different market segments, i.e. automotive or marine applications. There are two stages in this PVQ process, namely the compliance testing and reliability testing. For the product to be marketable it has to comply with all statutory requirements such as EMC directives, electrical safety requirements, customer's reliability requirements and relevant standards requirement. The reliability testing tests the ability of product to operate under various severe conditions, which is essential to ensure continued operation over a period of time.A product has to meet the entire testing requirement listed in the PVQ test plan in order to move to stage 5 (full production) which means that it has met all the EMC statutory requirements, statutory electrical safety requirements and quality and reliability requirements.The flowchart shown in Table I is a sample listing of the reliability tests commonly used in PVQ at stage 4 for products used in automotive and marine application. Table I is not a comprehensive list and some of the test might not be necessary as the product could be a derivative of a previously tested product. The product validation Engineer or Manager will make the final decision and any reason(s) to skip any particular required test will be documented in the test plan.In order to obtain the most information with regards to the reliability of the product, the sequence of reliability tests in the PVQ is important as preceding tests provide a cumulative stress effect that could induce failure in subsequent tests. Figure 9 shows a list of typical reliability tests and their sequence in the PVQ process.In real-life application, the device or product will be subjected to various stresses simultaneously, but due to availability of the test equipment, each stress has to be exerted separately. This test sequence attempts to simulate the stress that the device will be subjected to in real life. The stress magnitude has been designed to provide reasonable stress to ensure that the early life and useful life reliability performance of the product are within the desired quality and reliability level. In addition, the test sequence ensures a consistent reliability test procedure and results reporting.The outcome of the PVQ process would determine if the product were fully qualified for full production, or conditionally qualified (some conditions has to be satisfied before qualified for full production) or failed to qualified and redesign or modification is needed and the PVQ is rerun.When the product fails any of the tests, corrective action(s) has to be implemented and the test rerun to validate that the fixes were effective. However, in some cases the complete test sequence has to be rerun because the test sequence has an effect on the final test result.The PVQ process is an intensive process where numerous reliability tests were performed. In most cases the stress levels and tests limits were based on industrial standards such as those dictated in International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) standards and, etc.\nQuality improvement process: When the samples in the PVQ passed all the required testing, and completed the \"Gate D\" review process, the product will then be qualified to be manufactured in mass quantity for revenue. However, quality improvement process (QIP) is in place to ensure that the quality and reliability performance of the qualified product is maintained or improved. A product-grading scheme is use as a means to quantify the quality and reliability level of qualified products. A product will be classified as grade C when it was initially qualified for mass production. However, the ultimate goal is for the product to reach grade A. The criteria to move from grade C upwards to grade A is based on the manufacturing yield, customer-returns rate, quality inspection rejection rate and finally the on-going reliability monitoring data. However, a product can be demoted when it fails to maintain the requirements of the respective grade. Figure 10 shows the QIP implemented for qualified products that is in stage 5 of the NPD process.\nConclusion: This company has successfully integrated quality and reliability elements into their new product development process. This is essential to ensure that the product development cycle is kept to a minimum while guaranteeing the quality and reliability of the products sold in the market. Ensuring short product development cycle is essential due to the volatile nature of current business environment. This integrated new product development process provides greater quality and reliability consciousness to product development engineers and has increases the quality awareness among the employees. In addition, the company has successfully implemented the QIP to ensure that products that are qualified for mass production stage maintains its quality and reliability performances. With the introduction of this process the field returns from customer has reduced tremendously which in turn reduces the warranty claim cost.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - To provide a case study of a medium size New Zealand electronic equipment maker striving to compete globally with implementation of an integrated new product development process.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This is based on my work performed in this New Zealand company. Due to confidentiality, detailed information and the name of the company were to be omitted in this article.\nFindings: - In the course of this work, it was found that New Zealand has great potential in electronics sector. However, as New Zealand is a latecomer as an electronic equipment maker, it needs to produce products for a certain niche market instead of competing with low cost electronic producing countries. Therefore, the ability to produce unique product quickly with required quality and reliability is essential for New Zealand electronic companies.\nOriginality/value: - This paper discussed how New Zealand being a country remote from the rest of the world is able to participate in producing electronic equipment. This paper discusses the innovativeness of the company in developing their own version of new product development process.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Minimizing the business impact on the natural environment: A case study of Woolworths South Africa
|
[
"Sustainability",
"Sustainable business practices",
"Retailing",
"South Africa"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Global warming and climate change is an issue that is receiving a great deal of attention by governments, businesses, consumers and the mass media due to its publicised impact on human society, biodiversity, water supply, infrastructure and desertification (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, 2001, pp. 489-90). Spence (2005, p. 28) states that in recent years Africa has experienced increasingly severe droughts as a result of climate change in parts of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa and Sudan. In 2003, climate change was blamed for the unseasonable heavy precipitation that occurred in some countries in Africa including Kenya and Somalia. According to an IPCC report published in 2001 and 2007, the continent of Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change since many African Governments are perceived to lack the capacity to act proactively to the changes experienced as a result of global warming (IPCC, 2001, p. 491, 2007, p. 48). This case study demonstrates that businesses in developing countries in Africa can be sustainable and they can take the lead towards a sustainable future. This article describes how Woolworths, a major South African retail chain, voluntarily seeks to minimise its business impact on the environment over time.The paper is organised as follows: a brief introduction describing the methodology that was used and the reasons why Woolworths was chosen for this study. Woolworths is a retail chain that uses a multipronged approach toward sustainability and this is demonstrated by discussing this retail chain's sustainable business practices using the headings proposed by the sustainable business model by Wagner and Svensson (2010). The paper then concludes with a brief discussion on the implications and lessons learnt in this case before presenting some concluding remarks.\nA case study of woolworths: The case study is based on the content analysis of Woolworths' comprehensive 2008 and 2009 annual reports and their press releases for this period. Communication with this retailer's Manager: the Good Business Journey based in Cape Town was carried out when issues raised in the annual reports and press releases required further clarification. This retail chain was selected due to the fact that it is well-known in South Africa, it targets the premium market segment and it has been able to demonstrate that businesses can be profitable while simultaneously protecting the natural environment and being sustainable. This is particularly significant in South Africa where many businesses tend to see issues relating to the natural environment as an added expense. Woolworths in South Africa sells a wide range of products that include clothing, food and general merchandise.Multipronged approach to sustainability\nImplications and lessons learned: Sustainability in business is becoming an increasingly critical factor in a world that is currently facing the threat of global warming. Sir David King, the British Government's Chief Scientific Advisor states that in his view, climate change is a more severe problem facing the world than is the threat of terrorism (Lambert, 2005, p. 45). For a country such as South Africa, the threat of global warming is particularly critical as the 2001 IPCC report states that at a national level, global warming in South Africa will have an impact on water supply, biodiversity and food security (IPCC, 2001, p. 498). As stated earlier, this issue is particularly critical in a continent that is perceived to be vulnerable to climate change since many African Governments are seen to lack the capacity to act proactively to the changes that are experienced as a result of global warming (IPCC, 2001, p. 491, 2007, p. 248).The Woolworths experience demonstrates that even though a business may operate in a developing country such as South Africa, it can do business in a sustainable manner and it can be profitable in the process. What is required in this instance is top management's commitment and leadership to ensure that it happens. Similarly, this case demonstrates that developing sustainable business practices will enable a business to save money which it may invest in more efficient technologies that will provide it with future benefits and savings, while enabling it to enhance its brand in the eyes of the target market and society at large. This case has also shown that in order to develop sustainable business practices, a business needs to investigate and evaluate all aspects of its operations as all these have an impact on the natural environment. Although Woolworths is not yet operating in a completely sustainable manner, it seeks to continually improve its sustainable performance by constantly examining its business, in order to find ways of becoming more sustainable.\nConclusions: Global warming is an accepted scientific fact and there is no doubt about climate change. Spence (2005, p. 45) states that the evidence is clear and science is certain that climate change is happening. According to Cox (2007, p. 115), there is no question about the fact that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases such as methane, the CFCs and nitrous oxides are causing the earth to warm and human activity (Dessler and Parson, 2007, pp. 75-6) since the 1950s is responsible for the rapid warming experienced on the planet since this time. As a result, global warming and its consequences are here to stay and pressure will placed on governments, businesses and consumers to assist in mitigating climate change. This case study demonstrates that businesses can work toward mitigating their contribution to global warming and climate change profitably even in a developing country such as South Africa.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the sustainable business practices of Woolworths, a major South African retail chain.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A content analysis of Woolworths' comprehensive 2008 and 2009 annual reports and press releases was done in order to identify and describe the different sustainable business practices of Woolworths itself. Contact was established with the Good Business Journey Manager of Woolworths when issues in the publications needed further clarification.\nFindings: - Sustainable business practices are often regarded as a statutory expense in order to meet government legalisation requirements. This case study demonstrates that a business can voluntarily decide to be sustainable and it can use this approach to drive innovation, build its brand image and increase efficiencies and cost savings within the business.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Businesses can be sustainable even in developing countries.\nPractical implications: - Business can implement sustainable business practices, save money and still make a profit.\nOriginality/value: - The paper highlights the sustainable business practices undertaken by a major South African retail chain.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Lean thinking in the luxury-fashion market: Evidences from an extensive industrial project
|
[
"Lean thinking",
"Value stream mapping",
"Lean toolkit",
"Luxury-fashion market",
"Visual management"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Due to new technologies and globalization, satisfying customers is more and more challenging and, in order to be competitive in an ever changing marketplace, enterprises are urged to rethink their business models and to decline it from the strategic to the operational level (Voss, 1995; Li and Tan, 2004; Raymond and Croteau, 2006). In a word, the capability to overcome the traditional tradeoffs among costs, quality and time (i.e. flexibility) has become a must (Bertolini et al., 2013).\n2. A framework for lean introduction in the luxury fashion industry: As noted in the Introduction, a general framework for lean implementation does not exist. Although a comprehensive set of lean tools has been widely described in technical literature (Hines et al., 2004) the majority of them can be applied only in specific sectors or, at least, they need being reconfigured depending on the business and market conditions, product and company characteristics (Turner and Auer, 1996; Lewis, 2000). Also, and perhaps more important, the luxury-fashion industry is one of the market where lean could be more difficult to implement, due to a series of critical elements that will be detailed later on. For this reason, in order to properly contextualize lean tools to the specific requirements of the investigated market segment, we decided to follow an empirical approach. Specifically, the framework for lean implementation in the luxury-fashion industry was developed on the field, during a lean project that involved several facilities owned by a famous Italian fashion brand, whose name cannot be revealed for reason of confidentiality and that, hereafter, will be referred as Italian Fashion Company (IFC).\n3. Case studies: In order to show the potentialities of the proposed framework, both in production and logistics areas, in the following part of the paper we will describe the main results obtained in a manufacturing facility and in the central warehouse of IFC.\n4. Conclusions and future developments: The paper pointed out that lean has emerged as new managerial paradigm capable to boost operational performance and to fulfill customers' needs in a more thorough way. However, the paper also noted that declining these paradigms into operating processes remains a challenging task. A universal framework does not exist and lean principles must be re-interpreted, dependently on the system under analysis.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The capability to overcome tradeoffs among costs, quality and time has become a must in high-margin businesses too. Lean thinking may be a solution, but applications in the luxury-fashion market are still rare. In order to shed light on this apparent contradiction, the purpose of this paper is to identify the key features of the luxury-fashion market that may act as barriers for the adoption of lean principles. Next, based on the results of this preliminary analysis, the paper tries to verify, if and how, lean principles can be properly reinterpreted, so as to properly fit the requirements of this market.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Due to the operating nature of lean, an empiric approach was followed. From the evidences gathered during a lean project of a world-wide company, critical elements of the luxury-fashion market were identified and used as criteria to select, among lean tools, the most appropriate ones. Lastly, selected tools were integrated in a structured framework (for lean implementation) that was used to analyze and to improve many logistics and manufacturing processes.\nFindings: Developed solutions were implemented as pilot projects, with outstanding preliminary result. Results are case specific and trying to infer general considerations may be hazardous. Nonetheless, due to the relevant dimension of the project, they can be considered more than a clue concerning the robustness of the framework and, most of all, concerning the real potentialities of lean in the luxury-fashion market.\nPractical implications: The framework is extremely operational and, together with the proposed industrial cases, can be used as a guideline to support practitioners during the implementation of similar projects.\nOriginality/value: Lean thinking is relatively new in the luxury-fashion market, where the focus on operational costs has been traditionally considered as a marginal issue. Thus, the application of lean principles in this market is the innovative element of the paper.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The central role of knowledge management in business operations: Developing a new conceptual framework
|
[
"Job performance",
"Organizational commitment",
"Knowledge management",
"Job satisfaction",
"Satisfaction from the knowledge management process"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Nowadays, given the transition from an industrial society to a knowledge society, the role of knowledge as the most important strategic asset has been widely understood (Ragab and Arisha, 2013; Johannessen et al., 2001). Moreover, the ability of a company to take advantage of its organisational knowledge is the most significant success factor in today's business environment (Bishop et al., 2008; Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995), since \"knowledge management\" affects the performance of companies through the development of their intellectual capital and the enhancement of these organisational resources that are a source of competitive advantage (Ndlela and du Toit, 2001). More specifically, both practitioners and researchers argue that the appropriate implementation of knowledge management (KM) can create important strategic benefits for organisations; increasing firm productivity (Chang and Gurbaxani, 2012), generating shareholder value (Brown and Perry, 1994), fostering customer loyalty (Lin et al., 2006), enhancing innovation (Darroch, 2005), facilitating e-business adoption (Lin and Lee, 2005), increasing market value (Choi and Jong, 2010), developing intellectual assets (Rastogi, 2002), increasing organisational performance (Choi et al., 2008; Fugate et al., 2009; Lee and Choi, 2003; Malhotra, 2005; Tanriverdi, 2005; Zack et al., 2009), etc.\n2. The proposed conceptual framework: The proposed conceptual framework has been designed in order to spherically examine the KM process, introducing a four-step approach: knowledge antecedents, KM process, satisfaction from the KM process (which is considered as an appropriate KM outcome) and individual (employee) outcomes (also see Figure 1). All factors (constructs) used in the present study derive from an extensive review of the relevant literature. Thus, the proposed conceptual framework, which is comprised of 11 factors, is actually a critical synthesis of previous empirical work conducted in the field.\n3. Research methodology: 3.1. Sample and data collection\n4. Results: The empirical testing of the proposed Conceptual Framework was conducted using the \"Structural Equation Modelling\" approach. This particular multivariate approach was mainly used because of its ability to simultaneously examine a number of depended linear relations, where one or more constructs are both dependent and independent according to the relation they belong to (Hair et al., 1995; Kelloway, 1998).\n5. Conclusions: The present study investigated the impact of KM on the environment of Greek banks. The research focuses on the development of a new conceptual framework which consists of various factors that cover a wide range of organisational processes. To the best of the authors' knowledge and based on the information obtained though an extensive literature review, no previous research has adopted such an expanded rationale.\n6. Managerial implications: The outcomes of the present empirical study may offer guidelines to banking employees of all ranks and levels (higher executives and managers, lower executives and clerks). Moreover, results and implications maybe generalised to other sectors with similar characteristics (knowledge-intensive organisations, learning organisations, service sector companies, etc.).\n7. Further research: The present study made an analytical effort to develop and test an innovative conceptual framework that included individual-level (employee) measures in the centre of its analysis. Since this is one of the first KM studies to adopt such an approach, it would be strongly advised to conduct replication research in order to validate the findings of the present study in other settings (sectors, countries, etc). Moreover, future studies may use alternate individual-level (employee) factors for measuring KM outcomes. The same applies for KM antecedents (for more details see: Chen et al., 2010; Janz and Prasarnphanich, 2003; Lin and Huang, 2008; Singh and Sharma, 2011; Zheng et al., 2010). Finally, the proposed factor \"satisfaction from the knowledge management process\" could be used in future studies in order to fully test its organisational impact.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: Knowledge Management (KM) is a contemporary research field of high interest for both academics and practitioners. For more than 15 years, successful companies have used KM as their most valuable source of competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is attempt to extend the existing empirical approaches (research models), by focusing on the process of KM and its diffusion throughout the organisation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The present study proposes a newly developed conceptual framework that adopts a four-step approach, highlighting four areas of interest that have never been simultaneously examined before: knowledge antecedents, KM process, KM outcomes (satisfaction from the KM process) and individual (employee) outcomes. The proposed conceptual framework is tested, using a structured questionnaire, in a sample of 211 bank employees. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire were thoroughly examined, while research hypotheses were tested using the \"Structural Equation Modelling\" technique.\nFindings: The results revealed that companies with enhanced innovative culture and an organisational climate that facilitates cooperation between employees tend to promote and ultimately maximise knowledge diffusion. Moreover, a contribution of the present study is the empirical confirmation of the relationship between the proposed factor \"satisfaction from the knowledge management process\" and both organisational commitment and job satisfaction.\nResearch limitations/implications: A limitation stemming from the adopted methodology is the use of self-report scales to measure the factors (constructs) of the proposed model. Moreover, the present paper lacks a longitudinal approach, since it provides a static picture (snapshot) of the application of KM within enterprises.\nPractical implications: The paper highlights-specific areas (factors) that companies should enhance in order to harvest the potential benefits of KM. According to the empirical findings, organisations should focus on their human capital when managing their knowledge processes. After all, employee satisfaction from the KM process is found to be crucial for enhancing their job satisfaction and job performance.\nOriginality/value: The paper proposes an enhanced conceptual framework that incorporates critical issues concerning the successful implementation of KM, thus, providing valuable tools for decision makers and academics. Its originality lies in the nature of its approach. More specifically, the present study examines the impact of KM on individual-level (employee), something that rarely appears in the relevant literature. Additionally, it incorporates \"satisfaction from the knowledge management process\" as a significant outcome of the KM process, thus, enriching the literature of the field. Finally, it investigates the impact of three contextual factors (innovative culture, organisational climate, inter-functional coordination) on KM process (externalisation, internalisation, socialisation, combination), adopting an approach that acknowledges KM as a function (factor) that transmits contextual influence onto individual effectiveness. The results of the study may be generalised in other sectors with similar characteristics (knowledge-intensive and learning organisations, service sector companies, etc) and in other developed countries whose financial institutions face similar challenges as the ones in Greece.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Power, resource dependencies and capabilities in intercultural B2B relationships
|
[
"Capabilities",
"Power",
"Relationship quality",
"Cultural orientation",
"Ethnocentricity",
"Inter- and intra-organisational relationships"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Increased proliferation of offshore outsourcing in the information technology and business process outsourcing (IT/BPO) industry calls for a better understanding of business-to-business (B2B) service relationships within diverse intercultural contexts that invariably involve complex governance regimes. This is critical to comprehend, as little is known about how to nurture quality service relationships between organizations across diverse national and inter-cultural service contexts in which success is often characterised by elevated trust, commitment and satisfaction in both B2B and service contexts (Athanasopoulou, 2009; Chu et al., 2016; Vieira et al., 2008). Since managing such partnerships requires a deeper understanding of the buyer and vendor's culture, routines, capabilities, national culture and business systems (Heaton, 1998; Lacity et al., 2010), this research thus aims to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by IT service firms operating in the culturally diverse global marketplace.\nTheoretical underpinnings of the study: Relationships between parent firms and their subsidiaries within international markets are highly complex in nature (Ferdows, 2018; Kostova et al., 2016). As we are dealing with multiple dualities of differences between how the subsidiaries and/or third-party service providers organize their resources and develop routines for delivering high performance and better relationship quality relative to the resources and routines of the parent or the client firm needs understanding, such analysis requires an understanding of the relationship from multiple theoretical perspectives. Accordingly, we draw upon the resource-based view of the firm (Barney, 1991) for understanding the key resources and capabilities such firms need, the resource dependence theory and power perspectives (Pfeffer and Salancik, 1978; Salancik and Pfeffer, 1977) for understanding the dynamics and inter-play between power, ethnocentricity and resource dependencies in developing and/or sharing key resources and capabilities between the parties, and, finally, from a transactional cost economics (Williamson, 1985) perspective, enhance our understanding of governance mechanisms between the contracting parties (parent/subsidiary and client/service provider) and the extent to which key resources and capabilities are asset-specific. Together, this allows for an appreciation of the relational dynamics between the parent-subsidiary or client-provider dyads - especially when the power imbalance is high or when aspects of ethnocentricity come into play. The corollary being that firms must ultimately deliver value to themselves and the overall relationship efficiently (i.e. between parent firms and their subsidiaries) through their resource base implying further that there must be efficient governance mechanisms for predictable service delivery put in place. Indeed governance mechanism between firms operating across international boundaries is sparse (Burkert et al., 2012) suggesting the intercultural aspects of governance are also poorly understood.\nLiterature and conceptual model development: Relationship marketing literature within B2B settings has traditionally viewed quality relationships from the perspective or elevated levels of trust, commitment and satisfaction between parties (Athanasopoulou, 2009; Vieira et al., 2008) and regards these as important determinants of relational success (Kingshott and Pecotich, 2007).\nResearch methodology: To answer study's research questions and guiding propositions, a qualitative case study design is adopted (Yin, 2003). Case study research is an established research strategy in business, marketing and social sciences for undertaking exploratory, explanatory and descriptive research designs, using a deductive, inductive or a combination of approaches such as an abductive design (Dube and Pare, 2003; Eisenhardt, 1989; Van Maanen et al., 2007; Welch et al., 2011). Use of a priori constructs is common in qualitative case study design as it helps in shaping the focus of the study and strengthening construct validity (Eisenhardt, 1989; Miles and Huberman, 1994; Yin, 2003). Following Yin (2003), a multi-case site selection was deployed as it fits to help achieve literal (one that predicts similar results) and/or theoretical replications (one that predicts rival results but for understandable and predicted reasons). A maximum variation purposive sampling technique (Eisenhardt, 1989; Miles and Huberman, 1994; Yin, 2003) was used herein as it allows the phenomenon of interest in this research to be explored in diverse settings (Ethiraj et al., 2005; Heeks, 1998) and the following case selection criteria:\nData analysis: Since the characteristics of relationship quality, power and ethnocentricity were not directly measured in this study, data exploration focused on analysing these theoretical concepts through the most and least relevant themes on the concept map. Three themes of employees, different and clients show clearly that in an offshore outsourcing context, managing people and their expectations in a diverse set of cultural and geographical boundaries can be quite challenging. Exploration of these three major themes - in conjunction with other themes and concepts - provided an account of how, for example, the theme of client was related to the themes of cost and different skills and processes that were needed for delivering on a range of projects and processes. Similarly, the theme of \"different\" was related to the adjunct themes of team working, training and learning for employees and integrating key knowledge and data between the client and service provider or between the parent and its subsidiary firm.\nFindings: Based on the above analysis, our findings are organised into broad thematic areas:\nDiscussion: The study found support for propositions P1, P2a, P2b and P2c. BPOCO, PRODCO and KPOCO reported growth in firm performance and better relationship quality than SOFTSERV, which showed a decline in both the relationship quality and firm performance. Overall, expert power has a positive impact on relationship quality and firm performance. Furthermore, expert power reduces the adverse influences of an ethnocentric orientation of the client or the MNC. There was support found also for the adverse impacts of dispositional nature of power on relationship quality and firm performance. This was particularly evident in SOFTSERV and KPOCO. When MNCs are operating in new institutional environments, they must trust and allow some leeway to their subsidiary operations and expect some degree of cross-vergence rather than mere convergence of their best practices (Ralston 2008). Furthermore, the ethnocentricity and power imbalance between the client and parent MNCs on the one hand and the service providers and subsidiaries on the other, was effectively managed by BPOCO and PRODCO through their expert power and specialist capabilities to achieve overall positive relationship quality and performance outcomes.\nConclusion: Through this study, we develop a conceptual framework for theoretically understanding the relationship between power dependencies, firm capabilities, relationship quality and its impact on firm performance in a relatively new B2B service context (Zahra, 2007). The importance of expert power and strength of and access to internal and external organisational capabilities are critical in improving relationship quality and firm performance. In particular, presence of market-sensing, learning and quality management capabilities helped improve relationship quality by offering novel solutions. A practical understanding of what worked in the past and whether it will work in another client's contextual environment was critical in gaining the trust and commitment of buyers and consequently, led to better firm performance. Managers should therefore invest in client-specific, quality management and market-based organisational learning capabilities to manage complex inter- and intra-organisational relationships in offshore outsourcing contexts. Finally, attention to task inter-dependence may prove advantageous for subsidiary operations, provided the subsidiaries' complementary resources and organisational capabilities are reasonably developed.\nLimitations and future research: First, results of the study need to be interpreted in the context of the Indian IT/BPO services industry. This research setting and national context need to be examined across other industries and national boundaries to examine the role of cross-cultural interactions and relationships between factors defined herein to affect relationship quality and overall firm performance. Second, since the study is a qualitative exploratory case study, clear caution needs to be exercised. Qualitative studies seek generalisability of the findings to the theory rather than the wider population as such we cannot claim any generalizability of the proposed model to the wider population. Thus, to address these two limitations, through that assess, and to validate the strength of these relationships, further ex post facto research is needed in similar and diverse organisational settings. Finally, due to the sensitivities associated with collecting the data, this limited firm performance to be examined using employee growth as the proxy. While this has merits within an Indian context, the robustness and potential validity of this performance measure may not hold within other national and industry contexts, so a suitable measure (or measures) would need to be included in any further research designed to capture firm performance.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This exploratory study aims to analyse the influence of organisational resources and capabilities on relationship quality and firm performance in the context of high-technology offshore outsourcing service vendors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative case study design, data from four offshore business process and information technology outsourcing firms were analysed.\nFindings: Findings highlight that resource dependence, cultural orientation and the vendor's resources and capabilities strengthen relationship quality and affect firm performance.\nOriginality/value: The distinctive contribution of this study lies in identifying key organisational mechanisms that improve relationship quality and firm performance, as well as help to understand the adverse effects of ethnocentricity and power faced by vendors and subsidiaries within diverse intercultural contexts. Study limitations and future research directions, along with implications for theory and practice, are also discussed.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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Employees' eldercare demands, strain, and perceived support
|
[
"Role conflict",
"Family",
"Work-family issues",
"Family life",
"Family roles",
"Older workers"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Due to demographic changes in many countries, such as increased longevity and a greater participation of women in the workforce, a growing number of employees provide care for elderly relatives (Shoptaugh et al., 2012). For instance, approximately 2.38 million people in Germany received long-term care in 2010. About 7,40,000 of these people lived in nursing homes, whereas the remaining 1.64 million people were cared for by relatives (German Federal Ministry of Health, 2011). The aging of the baby boomer generation will render eldercare an even more significant work-family issue for many employees and organizations (Allen and Shockley, 2012). While a large body of research exists on the benefits of perceived childcare support, the work-related resources of employees caring for elderly relatives have received less attention (Calvano, 2013).\nTheoretical background and development of hypotheses: The theoretical frameworks used by Zacher and Winter (2011) are not sufficient to explain the relative effects of different forms of perceived support for eldercare. We therefore base our hypotheses on conservation of resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 1989), which can explain: first, a positive relationship between eldercare demands and strain; second, negative relationships between different forms of perceived support and strain; third, moderating effects of different forms of perceived support on the eldercare demands-strain relationship and, in combination with arguments by Ng and Sorensen (2008) on the differential value of perceived support resources, also, fourth, the relative effects of different forms of perceived support.\nThe value of different forms of perceived support for eldercare: Based on COR theory, we expect that all three forms of perceived support for eldercare, on their own, are negatively related to strain and weaken the positive relationship between eldercare demands and strain. However, when examined simultaneously, we expect that POES has relatively stronger main and moderating effects than perceived supervisor and coworker support because employees should consider POES a more valuable resource for two reasons. First, employees should view POES as a more effective resource in the context of eldercare than supervisor and coworker support (Ng and Sorensen, 2008). POES operates on the basis of a global framework or policy that is created and enforced by upper-level management and the human resources (HR) department. Employees are likely to believe that the organization has a broader and more effective set of structural means available to support employees than individual supervisors and coworkers. For instance, the organization and its representatives, such as HR managers, usually make final decisions about flexible work and leave arrangements.\nMain effects of eldercare demands and different forms of perceived support on strain: Based on COR theory, we propose that high eldercare demands deplete the psychological and physiological resources of employees which, in turn, leads to the experience of strain. Caring for an elderly relative with multiple disabilities is a more time- and effort-consuming activity than caring for a relative who can still take care of many activities of daily living him- or herself (Zacher et al., 2012). For instance, Lee et al. (2001) showed that employed caregivers who worked more hours providing eldercare reported poorer mental health than caregivers who worked fewer hours. In addition, high eldercare demands are more likely to be in conflict with responsibilities in other life roles, such as childcare and employment, than low levels of eldercare demands. Conflict between the caregiver role and other life roles has been found to lead to strain (Barling et al., 1994; Stephens et al., 1994):\nThe moderating role of different forms of perceived support for eldercare: Finally, based on COR theory, we propose that POES as well as perceived supervisor and coworker support represent personal resources that, on their own, weaken the relationship between eldercare demands and strain. Specifically, we assume that employees with high levels of perceived support possess additional psychological resources that help prevent strain particularly when eldercare demands are high and valued resources are threatened. Based on Ng and Sorensen's (2008) propositions regarding the differential value of resources, we further expect that POES has a stronger moderating effect on the eldercare demands-strain relationship than perceived supervisor and coworker support when the moderating effects of these perceived support resources are examined simultaneously:\nMethod: Participants and procedure\nResults: The descriptive statistics and correlations of the study variables are shown in Table II. Providing preliminary support for H1, eldercare demands were positively related to strain (r=0.25, p<0.05). Table II further shows that strain was negatively related to POES (r=-0.32, p<0.01), perceived supervisor support for eldercare (r=-0.26, p<0.01), and perceived coworker support for eldercare (r=-0.29, p<0.01), providing preliminary support for H2a, H2b, and H2c. POES was positively related to perceived supervisor support for eldercare (r=0.25, p<0.05) and perceived coworker support for eldercare (r=0.36, p<0.01). Perceived supervisor and coworker support for eldercare were also positively correlated (r=0.63, p<0.01). Of the potential control variables, only the existence of a partner, number of children, and the living situation of the care recipient were significantly correlated with the core study variables and were thus included as controls.\nDiscussion: This study aimed to investigate the effects of three forms of perceived support among employees with eldercare responsibilities. We found that, on their own, POES as well as perceived supervisor and coworker support were negatively related strain. When the three forms of perceived support were examined simultaneously, only POES negatively predicted strain. In both separate and simultaneous analyses, POES weakened the positive relationship between eldercare demands and strain. In contrast, perceived supervisor and coworker support did not have moderating effects.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: In many countries, both the number of older people in need of care and the number of employed caregivers of elderly relatives will increase over the next decades. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which perceived organizational, supervisor, and coworker support for eldercare reduce employed caregivers' strain and weaken the relationship between eldercare demands and strain.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Survey data were collected from 100 employed caregivers from one organization.\nFindings: Results showed that eldercare demands were positively related to strain, and perceived organizational eldercare support (POES) was negatively related to strain. In addition, high POES weakened the relationship between eldercare demands and strain.\nResearch limitations/implications: The cross-sectional design and use of self-report scales constitute limitations of the study.\nPractical implications: POES is a resource for employed caregivers, especially when their eldercare demands are high.\nOriginality/value: This research highlights the relative importance of different forms of perceived support for reducing employed caregivers' strain and weakening the relationship between eldercare demands and strain.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
What's the right game? Time-to-market vs "coopetition" in the Myanmar mobile market
|
[
"Cooperation",
"Myanmar",
"Coopetition",
"Mobile diffusion",
"New markets",
"Competitor networks"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The mobile phone is arguably the most successful consumer gadget ever. More than 7.2 billion mobile subscriptions were in service worldwide by December 2014. Mobile penetration, defined as the number of mobile subscriptions divided by population, remains low only in a few isolated markets such as Myanmar. While worldwide mobile penetration crossed 99 per cent in 2014, Myanmar's mobile penetration was just over 13 per cent[1]. Unlike other countries with low mobile penetration (e.g. North Korea and Cuba), Myanmar has taken steps to award additional mobile licenses, and the stated intents of its Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) are to increase overall teledensity, give consumers the ability to choose their communications services and foster overall economic development[2]. The opening up of the mobile communication sector is one of the developments that have led to Myanmar being dubbed as Asia's last frontier economy[3]. The diffusion of mobile communication in the country is an interesting topic of study as it represents a rare example of a \"greenfield\" opportunity (as opposed to opportunities arising from deployment of newer technology generations or expansions of capacity) for the fairly mature mobile industry.\nBackground: Past research\nThe SD model: Following Pierson and Sterman (2013), Table I lists the important exogenous, endogenous and excluded variables in the SD model. Figure 1 is a causal loop diagram which shows some important aspects of the model.\nSimulation setup and results: Model data\nImplications: The simulation results establish the relative merits of the time-to-market and coopetition strategies.\nConclusions: This Case of mobile diffusion in Myanmar can be extended in several ways. While we have presented four scenarios, it is also possible (with some modifications in the model) to perform Monte Carlo simulations to show differing outcomes under a range of tenancy ratios and population coverage possibilities. Our intention was to illustrate the dynamics of coopetition vs time-to-market, and the present work is sufficient for this.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to illustrate, from a Myanmar mobile operator's point of view, the trade-off between trying to trying to get to untapped towns and villages faster than competition (\"time-to-market\" strategy) and cooperating with competition through network sharing to reduce costs (\"coopetition\" strategy).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The system dynamics (SD) model shows the business results of a Myanmar mobile operator under two different scenarios, one in which the focus is on time-to-market, and the other in which the focus is on coopetition.\nFindings: An operator motivated by time-to-market advantage expects better margins by capturing market share ahead of competition. However, when every operator follows this individual agenda, its time-to-market benefit depends on whether it is actually faster than competition. In contrast, coopetition eliminates costs by design and provides assured margin improvements.\nPractical implications: The paper establishes that coopetition has a clear economic rationale. Adopting coopetition improves the business case of the mobile operator and helps it to contribute to the socio-economic development of Myanmar.\nOriginality/value: The paper applies SD modelling, which is under-represented in marketing, to a study on coopetition in the mobile industry, in the context of Myanmar, a market which is rarely studied in marketing research.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
The impact of innovation strategies on the relationship between supplier integration and operational performance
|
[
"Operational performance",
"Innovation strategy",
"Supplier integration",
"Multi-group analysis"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The importance of supplier integration (SI) and its impact on firm performance has been widely studied in the literature of supply chain management (SCM) (Kulp et al., 2004; Koufteros et al., 2005; Cousins and Menguc, 2006; Swink et al., 2007; Flynn et al., 2010; Lau et al., 2010; Huo, 2012; Danese, 2013), suggesting a positive impact on performance in most of the cases. Although this positive association is clear, the literature provides few suggestions on how to further improve the SI-performance relationships and the related business drivers (Wong and Boon-itt, 2008). In particular, fewer advancements have been made with respect to how these relationships can be enhanced by the adoption of certain innovation strategies. This lack of research continues to pose a crucial question for firms, which always look for strategies that make their supply chain (SC) work more efficiently. Thus, the goal of this paper is to take one step toward filling this research gap.\nTheoretical background and hypotheses: Studies vis-a-vis companies' adoption of SI practices have emerged in recent years. Many motivations can push firms to integrate with their suppliers. The strategic integration between IBM and Apple, Google and Luxottica, and Spotify and Uber has led to a substantial performance increase in all of these companies (see Greenwald, 2014). Lee (2004) provides an excellent example of SI significance with the infamous accident at the Philips factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2000. The incident affected two mobile phone manufacturers, namely, Nokia and Ericsson. While Ericsson struggled to source another supplier, Nokia used its SI advantage by involving its backup suppliers to fill the demand.\nResearch methodology: To test our research hypotheses, we choose SEM over other methods because of the complex relationships among the concepts we investigate. SEM allows us to analyze the relationships existing between these latent variables and test our hypotheses.\nDiscussion of the findings and contributions: The results of all hypothesis tests are summarized in Table IX. The preliminary findings have several implications regarding the research described in Table I and managerial strategies in the SCM literature.\nConclusions and future extensions: In this paper, we analyze the role of certain innovation strategies to enhance the influence of SI on OP, which is further classified into internal (IOP) and EOP. We investigate whether there exists an innovation strategy through which firms can better exploit the integration established with suppliers. First, our findings confirm that SI has a significant positive impact on IOP, whose sign is also established in previous research (Kulp et al., 2004; Devaraj et al., 2007). Furthermore, our results show no significant impact of SI on EOP, contrary to prior studies that report positive effects (Boon-itt and Wong, 2011). Our results also find no statistical support for the mediating effect of IOP on the SI-EOP relationship, differing from previous literature (Colicev et al., 2016). Second, our findings indicate that adopting an incremental product innovation strategy significantly influences the effect of SI on OP, although the strategy does not have a direct impact on SI due to its focus on improving certain product features. Finally, our findings suggest that parallel implementation of a portfolio of innovations strategy only partially results in a better SI-OP association. This implies that the impact of SI on IOP does not depend on the number of innovations enacted.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether implementing certain innovation strategies and adopting a portfolio of innovations improve the relationship between supplier integration (SI) and operational performance (OP).\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors test several research hypotheses by using a data set of 173 firms. Data were collected by interviewing managers, presidents and directors, from ten European countries and across nine different industries. The authors use structural equation modeling to estimate the relationships between SI and OP. The authors apply multi-group analysis to test the effects of certain innovation strategies and a portfolio of innovations on these relationships.\nFindings: The authors show that SI improves internal OP but has no direct effect on external OP. The latter can only be improved through well-performing internal operations. The adoption of an incremental product innovation strategy improves the relationship between internal and external OP and leads to more effective SI. Other types of innovations do not help in improving the impact of SI on OP. Finally, the adoption of a portfolio of innovations does not enhance the influence of SI on OP. Thus, firms should focus on a small number of innovations rather than expanding their innovation portfolio to improve the effectiveness of SI on OP.\nPractical implications: When firms aim to improve the impact of SI on OP, they should concentrate on incremental product innovations. Other strategies obtained by combining process, incremental and radical innovations are not adequate for that purpose. An expanded portfolio of innovations does not improve the effect of supplier innovation on OP.\nOriginality/value: This research suggests how the impact of SI on OP can be improved by adopting certain innovation strategies and without diversifying the portfolio of innovation projects.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Designing new business models: blue sky thinking and testing
|
[
"Design",
"Innovation",
"Case study",
"Business model",
"Business model canvas",
"Meta-models"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Globalization has created a business landscape where firms are experiencing a significantly higher rate of change. In these uncertain, complex and fast-moving environments, strategies are as much about insight, rapid experimentation and evolutionary learning as they are about the traditional skills of planning. This new business environment has also amplified the need to consider not only how to address customer needs more astutely but also how to capture value from providing new products and services. In traditional equilibrium-oriented views of the strategy process, there is an assumption that there will be relatively little change in the constraints management operate within. However, the findings of this research suggest that approaching business models through a dynamic, design-driven lens can create new perspectives, by looking beyond known assumptions, barriers and constraints. Key to this is the practice of business model experimentation and prototyping.\nBusiness model innovation: Industry leaders now look to business model innovation as a principle source of differentiation and competitive advantage (Brown, 2008). The discipline of innovation has emerged within business due to companies needing new discoveries and strategies to drive growth and survival. Morris (2009, p. 194) states, \"Any enterprise that intends to survive must somehow innovate, because innovation itself is the only defense against innovation\". The ability to innovate requires a company to evolve, adapt, be flexible and constantly improving to survive and thrive (Keeley et al., 2013). Companies often rely heavily on either technology or products to provide differentiation; however, these are easily copied and rapidly surpassed (Morris, 2009). Keeley et al. (2013) explain that companies that focus only on products are most likely to fail, as successful innovation requires many types of innovation.\nBusiness model prototyping and experimentation: The significance and benefits of early prototyping have long been recognized in the field of product design. Design can be used to describe a holistic and multi-disciplinary problem-solving approach that takes user needs, desires and capabilities as its starting point and focus (Brown, 2009). It is seen in the innovation field as the human-centered, prototype-driven approach, using design processes and frameworks to solve problems (Brown, 2009). Indeed, the value of design is a different way of thinking, doing things and tackling problems from outside the box; however, there is a lack of knowledge on how to prototype with business model design, opposed to products and services.\nThe case of Packright: five business meta-models: To illustrate how to experiment and prototype business models, the Business Model Canvas (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2010) has been used as the base model for this study. This was based on two key factors, first, the nine business model building blocks featured in the canvas provide a holistic view of an organization's individual components and strategy, comprising elements found in most other business model frameworks. Second, the canvas has been widely recognized by both scholars and practitioners, as it has been established on a systematic ontological analysis of existing business model conceptualizations and empirically validated by experts (Boillat and Legner, 2013; Osterwalder, 2004). The five meta-models with differing foci will be explained through the hypothetical luggage manufacture Packright.\nImplementation: By using these meta-models and the Packright example as a guide, quick prototypes of new business models and the foundations for new organizational strategies can be easily produced. This tool is an integral part of the prototyping phase, as it encourages divergent thinking and produces a diverse range of outcomes. These outcomes can be used to test an idea, to form the basis of further research and development, or just to stimulate new directions in a team environment. The purpose of these meta-models is to complement Osterwalder's Business Model Canvas within an activity specific framework, centred on an experimental approach. The five different foci provide a range of starting points from which to quickly prototype new and innovative business models. The intent is not to propose one \"right\" model, but rather generate as many different and diverse concepts as possible. Following the numbered order of the meta-models and disregarding other constraints within the current business, rapid prototypes based upon blue sky thinking rather than current restrictions and constraints can be designed.\nSummary: In what is going to be an uncertain and rapidly evolving global economic landscape, it is clear that firms will have to become more adaptive and responsive to changes within their marketplace. To do this, businesses will not only need to engage in business model experimentation but also look to embrace business model innovation as a core competency and a means for sustained competitive advantage.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: In what is going to be an uncertain and rapidly evolving global economic landscape, it is clear that firms will have to become more adaptive and responsive to changes within their marketplace. To do this, businesses will not only need to engage in business model experimentation but also look to embrace business model innovation as a core competency and a means for sustained competitive advantage.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper outlines how a design process of experimenting and prototyping can apply to the design of business models through the case study of hypothetical luggage company Packright.\nFindings: Five meta-models with differing foci are illustrated as an accessible and provoking framework that provides a new logic to classifying, experimenting and prototyping business model designs.\nPractical implications: These five meta-models provide a tangible starting point from which a business can begin to explore different perspectives and gain insights into the internal and external capabilities of their company.\nOriginality/value: This paper builds upon the emerging research and exploration into the importance and relevance of dynamic, design-driven approaches to the creation of innovative business models.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
BAE Systems Virtual University: e-learning in action
|
[
"Distance learning",
"Knowledge management",
"Learning methods"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nAbout BAE Systems: BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionic, C4ISR, electronic systems, guided weapons and a range of other defense products - many with internationals partners. The company has a major presence internationally, particularly in Europe and the USA, as well as the Middle East, Australia and Asia Pacific.\nThe challenge: cost effective, consistent and global learning to maintain industry leadership: BAE Systems is constantly striving to enhance its existing status as a world-class systems, defense and aerospace industry, and needs to ensure that its extremely high standards are maintained and built upon. The company sought a learning solution that would provide all its employees with the right skills at the right time to drive creativity and business performance. With more than 100,000 employees all over the world, the chosen solution had to be capable of delivering consistent, high-quality learning to many different geographical locations, cost effectively.In addition, BAE Systems needed to consolidate its existing learning resources to provide employees with a single, easily accessible and centralized resource for learning. The company was using over 50 different learning content providers. Not only was this expensive but it also meant a lot of the content was duplicated and was not effectively targeted to BAE System's needs. Access to the learning was also restricted, due to a CD-ROM lock-down culture at 50 UK-based Learning Resource Centres. BAE Systems therefore required a learning provider that could offer a wide portfolio of courses that would underpin the core learning requirements, and that could be deployed via various methods to ensure learning could be easily accessed by all employees, regardless of location.BAE Systems also wanted to implement a knowledge management system to enable employees across the organization to effectively share knowledge to help create competitive advantage. Furthermore, the ability to access learning-on-demand was a requirement to ensure rapid and effective skills acquisition.\nThe solution: a virtual university: BAE Systems decided to implement a global virtual university (VU) providing access to learning, know-how and research. The VU was established in 1998 with the objectives of building a self-sustaining culture of learning and continuous improvement right across the company, to enhance performance and to improve the financial results of the company. An e-learning infrastructure underpins the VU since online learning was recognized as the only feasible method of delivering training consistently and cost-effectively to employees across a vast geographical region.The VU provides employees with 350 online courses from Thomson NETg's Integrated Learning Solution. These courses cover professional skills such as leadership and communication, as well as IT professional and IT desktop training. All of BAE Systems' employees worldwide can access the VU, including staff at some of the companies with whom the company has established joint venture partnerships.With so much information available on the VU, content management and governance is of primary importance. BAE Systems is working with a company called GateWest New Media to deliver the VU's content management system and web infrastructure. GateWest's content management solution, Echo, has been implemented to effectively manage the learning assets residing on many different systems with different owners.Working in partnership to create a tailored solution\nResults: high usage of learning helps to maintain competitiveness and ensures BAE Systems is an employer of choice: The BAE Systems Virtual University is a center of excellence for all the company's training and development needs. Such timely access to learning helps the organization to achieve its business goals and maintain competitiveness. Around 28,000 employees visit the VU regularly and there is an average of 12,000 web site hits a day. Over 27,500 courses were undertaken in 2003 (via the intranet, NETgLearning.com, the Learning Resource Centres and a home CD-ROM loan service), and more than 1,000 family members have used the Passport to Learn service since its launch two years ago.The company is also benefiting from significant cost savings. In comparison to traditional instructor-led training, the use of e-learning is helping to achieve a 67 percent cost reduction per training intervention due to reduced travel, accommodation, room and tutor costs. Furthermore, with the integration of all its learning resources, BAE Systems is saving over PS1.5 million per year.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - To show how e-learning has contributed to organizational learning.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The article explores how BAE Systems has used a virtual university to develop learning opportunities for its staff.\nFindings: - Cost savings have flowed from using e-learning as well e-learning extending the reach of learning activity.\nPractical implications: - The article shows how e-learning can be put into practice and the value of an organization-wide approach.\nOriginality/value: - The article will be of value to company trainers and developers who are looking at the use of e-learning.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Benchmarking construction industry, company and project performance by participants' evaluation
|
[
"Performance measurement",
"Quality improvement",
"Benchmarking",
"Client satisfaction",
"Project management",
"Project participants’ satisfaction"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Construction organizations are rethinking their business and project processes under growing competitive pressure. Many initiatives aimed at improving productivity, quality and client satisfaction require information on operational and industrial performance. Since 1990, there has been a growing awareness of performance measurement, such as benchmarking (BM), among the majority of construction organizations (Mohamed, 1996). However, productive improvement and performance measurement have been a challenge in construction and the industry has been found to be not as successful in improving productivity and performance as the manufacturing sector (Nasir et al., 2012). This is merely because, unlike manufacturing, construction is a project-based industry with various locations and although many of the basic processes are repeated from project to project, the specifics of application are always changing (Pheng and Ke-Wei, 1996). It has also been said that in the construction industry, there is lack of methods and standards on how to implement and adapt BM (Fisher et al., 1995; Lema and Price, 1995) and difficulties in collecting and utilizing relevant BM data (Mohamed, 1996).\nPerformance measurement and BM: In general, companies should use multiple tools to measure their ability to develop and monitor products and services to improve their performance and management (Garvin, 1993). Also the construction industry needs performance information collection and utilization systems that are fitted to its project-based, multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder structure. However, the nature of the industry, its projects, participants and methods of execution differ widely from the manufacturing sector, making traditional BM models developed for manufacturing difficult to adapt (Lee et al., 2005). Furthermore, it is difficult to apply the concepts and principles of BM to construction due to the project-based activities such as different locations, the temporality of each project and the large portion of works carried out on site (Hellard, 1993; Ball, 1988).\nClient and project participants' approach: Client satisfaction is a key success area and, for example, Barrett (2000) states that client satisfaction is the ultimate measure of construction quality. Client satisfaction could be determined by the extent to which a physical facility (product) and a construction process (service) meet and/or exceed a customer's expectations (Karna, 2009). It is also one of the essential attributes of total quality management (TQM), which construction firms are adopting in their quality improvement efforts (Lahndt, 1999; Burati et al., 1992). However, it has been noted that the construction industry has lagged behind other industries in implementing TQM, because of its inability to accurately determine client requirements and successfully transform these requirements into a completed facility (Ahmed and Kangari, 1995). BM is one central element of TQM, which promotes the principle of continuous learning with the help of an internal and external BM (Fisher et al., 1995). In construction it is suggested that BM should cover the entire supply chain (Yasin, 2002).\nMutual project evaluation: The challenge to the construction industry is to develop and adapt an effective method for gathering and utilizing project participants' mutual performance evaluation to make project organizations and companies aware of operational problems and conflicts. On the other hand, the method should also support development and learning from past experiences. Multi-organizational project evaluation and BM in the construction industry, which is recommended in the study, is an essential tool for several reasons. Construction project success depends on the ability of multiple organizations to work together (Lehtiranta et al., 2012) and to manage risks and learning (Cherns and Bryant, 1984). Typically, people with different roles and backgrounds who have not collaborated before are involved in the project organization. The objective of the mutual evaluation is to enhance the prerequisites of collaboration in the project and the participants' abilities to create value for one another and the project. Therefore, project evaluation should cover the most important parties in the supply chain.\nMulti-company BM in Finland: Methodology and main features of the BM system\nObservations from the BM data: As discussed in the study, a multi-firm project BM supports the efforts of construction companies to establish industry BMs and to improve performance on various organizational levels. Performance measurement and BM should be used as a way to generate value for companies and stakeholders to increase the levels of effectiveness and efficiency. However, they also support development efforts in the whole branch of industry. This extensive national database has been used for research activities for many purposes. Industrial performance has been investigated from the viewpoint of the performance of the different types of construction projects (Karna et al., 2013), and risk management (Lehtiranta, 2014). Also, Finnish BM data have been used to explore the role of multi-firm satisfaction in construction project success (Lehtiranta et al., 2012) and to examine the concept of customer satisfaction in construction (Karna, 2009).\nConclusions: The paper introduces a multi-company project BM tool and presents national BM levels for the main participants in the Finnish construction industry based on seven years of multi-directional performance measurements. BM is a process of organizational adaptation where the focus is on learning how to improve organizational performance. Thus, it is a powerful concept with a change agent impacting on behavior modification and developing new ways to manage business. Recent project success literature suggests that project participants' satisfaction is one of the key factors affecting it. As part of the complex and dynamic construction industry, multi-directional project evaluation responds to the needs of performance measurements and corresponds to wider perceptions of project success, including satisfaction with the process.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The construction industry needs effective methods for gathering and utilizing performance information on industry, company and individual project levels. Such benchmarking (BM) information can be collected from project participants' bi-directional evaluations of each other's performance during construction projects. The purpose of this paper is to present the method and discuss the features of a multi-company project evaluation system as a BM tool. Also the accumulated results, based on the extensive BM database in the Finnish construction industry, are investigated.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The web-based project evaluation tool was established in 2007 as a joint research project between the Helsinki University of Technology, construction organizations and main associations widely representing the construction industry in Finland. The evaluation method is based on soft, subjective measures, such as client satisfaction and project participants' satisfaction. The empirical observations of the study are based on over 5,500 evaluations during which the BM system was used in the Finnish construction industry.\nFindings: The use of the evaluation is presented as a multi-level BM tool to evaluate the performance of different discipline groups on project, company and industry levels. The Finnish case shows an example of the industry-level performance BMs of project consultants, main contractors, sub-contractors and architects/designers. The BM categories include project management, staff, collaboration and project goal accomplishment. According to the results, the participants are satisfied with each other's performance. However, main development targets in the Finnish industry are related to risk management and managing design. Also, the development of sub-contractors' selection procedures will contribute to the performance of the industry.\nResearch limitations/implications: The industry-level feedback is linked to the Finnish construction industry. Similar studies in other countries would enable international comparisons.\nPractical implications: Client satisfaction and project participants' satisfaction have been identified as one of the key factors affecting project success. With the help of mutual project evaluation, different BMs enable organizations to monitor their performance and to improve their operations in various areas. They also make it possible to position an organization's performance in comparison to the competitors and help to perceive black spots in the process on project level. As a common system for the parties in the industry, the project evaluation BM system promotes quality improvement, customer orientation and collaboration between participants.\nSocial implications: Project evaluation between the project participants' enhance collaboration and mutual learning.\nOriginality/value: Multi-company project evaluation is a new and promising topic in performance measurement which holds potential for performance improvement through the utilization of network information and team dynamics. The study presents its wider utility as the basis of national, company and project BM.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems: Complementary or disjoint phenomena?
|
[
"Social economy",
"Entrepreneurship",
"Social enterprise",
"Social entrepreneurship",
"Entrepreneurial ecosystems",
"Startup communities"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Entrepreneurship is increasingly viewed as a driver of economic growth, development, and prosperity (e.g. Acs et al., 2008). As a type of market actor, the entrepreneur fulfills several important functions, including \"undertaking\" risk and uncertainty (Cantillon, 1931; Knight, 1957), shifting resources from areas of low to high productivity (Say, 1964), and recognizing and creating opportunities through innovation (Kirzner, 1979; Schumpeter, 1942). Regardless of the specific function emphasized by prior scholars, entrepreneurship is a phenomenon viewed as essential to modern economies because of its ability to stimulate wealth creation, influence established organizations and institutions, and disrupt the status quo (e.g. Maguire et al., 2004).\nLiterature review: Entrepreneurial ecosystems\nTheory development: The impact of entrepreneurial ecosystems on social entrepreneurship\nDiscussion: Entrepreneurial ecosystems and social entrepreneurship are receiving growing scholarly attention. Despite the increased interest in these phenomena, prior work has examined the topics in isolation. Arguments have been presented that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in which a social entrepreneur founds his or her venture can play a critical role in the venture's success. In addition, it is argued that social entrepreneurs can influence the ecosystems in which they are founded in several ways. This theory has implications for the academic literatures on social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems and for practitioners and policymakers.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The formation of entrepreneurial ecosystems is recognized as an activity that can produce economic development and community revitalization. Social entrepreneurship is also an activity that is receiving growing attention because of its potential for addressing social and economic problems. However, while scholars have focused on how the participants in entrepreneurial ecosystems, such as investors and support organizations, influence ecosystem functioning, it is not clear what role social entrepreneurs can play in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Nor is it known how the entrepreneurial ecosystems in which social entrepreneurs are located can influence the founding and operation of their ventures. The paper aims to discuss these issues.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In this conceptual paper, theory is proposed to explain the interrelationship between entrepreneurial ecosystems and social entrepreneurship.\nFindings: It is theorized that entrepreneurial ecosystems will influence the operations and effectiveness of social entrepreneurs through mechanisms such as the ecosystem's diversity of resource providers, support infrastructure, entrepreneurial culture, and learning opportunities. In turn, social entrepreneurs can shape the entrepreneurial ecosystems in which they are situated by influencing the heterogeneity of ecosystem participants, garnering attention for the ecosystem, and increasing its attractiveness to stakeholders.\nOriginality/value: Scholars examining entrepreneurial ecosystems have not studied the role of an increasingly important market actor: the social entrepreneur. At the same time, work on social entrepreneurship has not emphasized the community of social relations and cultural milieu in which social entrepreneurs found their ventures. The theory developed addresses both of these omissions and has important implications for practitioners focused on spurring entrepreneurial ecosystems and social entrepreneurship.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Knowledge-based dynamics of regional development: the case of Basilicata region
|
[
"Regional development",
"Knowledge transfer",
"Knowledge management",
"Italy"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: It is widely accepted that knowledge is one of the most important resources for competitiveness and development in today's economy. Nowadays, people, companies and territorial systems depend increasingly on their ability to master and develop knowledge resources. This issue has been largely investigated in the last decades (Dolfsma et al., 2008; Carrillo, 2006). Moreover, it has been largely recognised that knowledge resources play a fundamental role and relevance for regional development dynamics (Bounfour and Edvinsson, 2005; Budd and Hirmis, 2004; Dakhli and De Clerq, 2004; European Commission, 2005, 1999; Gardiner et al., 2004; Huggins and Izushi, 2007; Kitson et al., 2004; Pike et al., 2006). However, although in the last years many studies have investigated the knowledge factors grounding local development (Sanchez Medina et al., 2007; Bontis, 2004; Pasher and Shachar, 2005; Pulic, 2005; Smedlund and Poyhonen, 2005), there is still a need for the definition of the theory pillars of a knowledge-based perspective of regional development dynamics.To fill this gap, this paper analyses the knowledge dimensions grounding regional development dynamics. For this reason, the authors adopt the concept of knowledge assets (Boisot, 1998; Grant, 1991; Hall, 1993; Marr and Schiuma, 2001; Marr et al., 2004; Teece, 1998, 2000). The authors first provide a knowledge-based interpretation of regional development and afterwards identify the knowledge assets categories at the basis of the value creation dynamics at regional level. The conceptual implication of this analysis is adopted to interpret the development of an Italian region. The authors focus on the case example of Basilicata region to provide empirical evidences of how to plan and implement policies aimed to activate and support regional strategic development by focusing on knowledge assets dimensions.The paper is organised as follows. In the next section the authors present the region as unit of economic analysis and discuss about the relationships between regional development and knowledge-based resources. Then, the knowledge assets categories at the basis of the regional development dynamics are pointed out. Finally, the case study of Basilicata region is presented in order to show how the identification, exploitation and valorisation of the regional knowledge assets may support the successful implementation of a regional development strategy. The authors conclude outlining the directions for future research.\n2. Regions and regional development: The \"new regionalism\" is considered an important issue of the actual academic, political and economic debate (Bassand, 1993; Cooke et al., 1997; Fritsch and Stephan, 2005; Harvie, 1994; Tomaney and Ward, 2000). The roots of the \"new regionalism\" can be traced back in different sets of factors grounding on political and institutional changes (Caravita and Cassetti, 2004), economic transformations (Cooke and Morgan, 1998; Moulaert and Sekia, 2003) and socio-cultural breaks (Giddens, 1998). According to the \"new regionalism\", the discourse in regional sciences research streams has been characterised in the last decade by two key concepts: regional competitiveness as key-topic to analyse and understand the regional development (Boschma, 2004; Budd and Hirmis, 2004; Huggins, 2003; Pike et al., 2006) and the role and the relevance of knowledge as source of regional development (Bontis, 2004; Edvinsson, 2002; Schiuma et al., 2007; Tallman et al., 2004). The first was triggered by the emergence of powerful regional economies in the new competitive scenario, which has moved the attention from the nations to the regions: \"it is cities and regions and no longer nations that are critical drivers of economic development\" (Roberts and Stimson, 1998, p. 469, in Sanchez Medina et al., 2007). The second is due to the recognition that region's success is not longer based only on \"hard\" productivity, but a fundamental role is played by softer dimensions. These studies draw on the common rationale that the best sources for an innovation-based globalising economy lie into the localised learning processes and \"sticky\" knowledge (Asheim, 1999; Maskell et al., 1998; Morgan, 2004). These two research streams have the common goal of understanding the strategic resources at the basis of regional development. They stress that decision-makers have to systematically identify, manage and exploit the spectrum of the resources grounding regional development (Pike et al., 2006).\n3. Regional development: a knowledge-based perspective: Since the beginning of the 1970s, the most advanced economies in the world have been undergoing structural changes, turning them from industrialised economies, based on labour, tangible capital and material resources, into economies based more and more on the creation, diffusion and exploitation of knowledge resources (Bell, 1973; Handy, 1989; Mandel, 2000). Accordingly, researchers have argued about the emergence of a so-called \"knowledge-based economy\" (D'Aveni, 1995; Hitt et al., 1998). Specifically, it indicates a new phase of economic development in which knowledge represents a key-strategic source and resource for innovation processes, competitiveness and value creation. This new attention about the role and the relevance of knowledge-based resources has involved also the local and regional development debate (Maskell et al., 1998; Asheim, 1999; Storper, 1995). To denote the strategic knowledge resources grounding regional development dynamics, we adopt the notion of knowledge asset. The concept of \"asset\" is aimed to stress the strategic relevance of a set of resources. Therefore, knowledge assets are those critical and strategic knowledge resources affecting the performance and the value creation dynamics of a specific organisational and territorial system (Teece, 1998; Marr and Schiuma, 2001; Marr et al., 2004). For the purposes of this paper, on the base of an analysis of the regional and knowledge-based literature (Bounfour and Edvinsson, 2005; Budd and Hirmis, 2004; Kitson et al., 2004; Pike et al., 2006), we identify three main knowledge assets categories affecting regional development dynamics. The identified categories are human capital, structural capital and relational capital (Dakhli and De Clerq, 2004; Huggins and Izushi, 2007; Sanchez Medina et al., 2007; Bontis, 2004; Pasher and Shachar, 2005; Pulic, 2005). This assumption is coherent with the position of the intellectual capital research stream which has identified them as main categories of intangible resources supporting value dynamics (Bounfour and Edvinsson, 2005; Lerro and Carlucci, 2007; Bradley, 1997).\n4. Understanding the knowledge assets categories grounding regional development dynamics: In order to define an interpretative framework to analyse the knowledge-based dimensions of regional development dynamics, in the following the authors discuss the positive and significant role of the identified knowledge assets categories: human capital, structural capital and relational capital. Each knowledge assets category plays a fundamental role in activating and sustaining development dynamics. However, it is necessary to highlight that none of the successful regions will attribute their positive and significant performance about development to just one dimension, because superior development paths are due to the combination of several knowledge assets that complement and strengthen one another. Therefore, human, structural and relational capital are intertwined and from their combination derives the construction of a region's development pattern. This involves that, although we investigate the links between each knowledge assets category and the regional development dynamics, their systematic combination and effects have to be considered in defining the sustainable patterns of development of a region.4.1. The knowledge dimension of human capital for regional development\n5. A case example of knowledge-based regional development: the strategic knowledge dimensions of Basilicata region: In this section the authors reflect on the specific knowledge-based dimensions of a regional development strategy carried out by Basilicata region from 1996 to present. It is presented how the Basilicata region from being a not-performing south Italian region has gained benefits from investments on knowledge assets to drive regional development. Accordingly, Basilicata region moved from the status of \"Objective-1\" to \"Phasing-out\" stage of the EU Communitarian Programs[1]. The purpose of this case example is to provide empirical evidences to be integrated with the proposed theoretical framework. For this reason, Basilicata represents a case example because explicitly, since 1996, the governments' policy has been driven by the vision and the strategy of creating an information and knowledge society in order to activate and support the regional development dynamics based on the exploitation of the knowledge assets categories. Moreover, the authors got a direct interest and commitment from relevant policy-makers of the region to the aims of the research.In a first step, the Basilicata region case example was developed mainly using publicly available data, prior studies and press articles. Then, the authors carried out our on-field research through three main stages. First, the authors conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews in order to gather data about the Basilicata region development strategy. At this stage, the authors were interested to obtain a complete picture of the regional development strategy and just to reveal the role played by the knowledge-dimensions. Afterwards, combining the analysis of the information collected by the first round of interviews with secondary data resources, the authors performed a second round of semi-structure face-to-face interviews aimed to explore the main knowledge dimensions of the regional development strategy. At this stage, using the knowledge assets categories as an interpretive framework, the authors asked questions about the knowledge assets levered, transformed and exploited during the regional development strategy implementation. Finally, during dedicated workshops, the authors asked policy-makers to check our interpretations, to give comments as well as amendments, and finally to agree with the analysis. In the next sections, first, a short introduction to the structure and characteristics of the Basilicata regional system are addressed. Subsequently, an interpretation of the knowledge dimensions at the basis of the regional development strategy is proposed. In particular, the authors identified and analysed a set of knowledge-based policies, initiatives and actions grounding the regional development strategy.5.1. Overview of Basilicata: the regional development strategy\n6. Conclusion: The main aim of this paper has been to provide a conceptual knowledge-based perspective of the dynamics of regional development. Human capital, structural capital and relational capital have been identified as fundamental categories of knowledge assets of a region. Each form of capital has been analysed, focusing mainly on related definitions, components and strategic role for the regional development dynamics. Then the authors presented insights of a case example aimed to provide empirical evidence of the regional development dynamics based on the valorisation and exploitation of the knowledge dimensions of the regional system. The analysis of the case example shows in particular that Basilicata region has been able to engage regional development mechanisms in which the creation, the development, the distribution and the exploitation of knowledge-based sources have driven virtuous dynamics of growth, employment and more generally of value creation.The conceptualisations provided in this paper can represent useful insights for further research and studies. This empirical work is based on an interpretation of the knowledge dimensions levered and developed within the Basilicata region development strategy. Its nature is mainly explorative and intends to provide an interpretive platform for understanding the role and relevance that knowledge assets play in regional development dynamics. However, one case study can just provide insights for developing other more in-depth empirical studies. In particular, the authors believe that particularly useful would be the development of research projects aimed at exploring the stages of the definition, implementation and assessment of a regional development strategy and policies which take explicitly into account the region's knowledge dimensions as factors for carrying out the transformation journey. The authors also call for further research to investigate the interdependence among knowledge assets dimensions. Even if each knowledge dimension plays a strategic role in a successful regional strategy, all knowledge components have to be considered inextricably combined and leveraged together in order to drive a regional development strategy. This corresponds to further understanding about how to identify and quantitatively test how knowledge-based factors affect, selectively and dynamically, regional development dynamics. Furthermore, the authors call also for studies to support regional decision-makers to identify, understand and assess regions' knowledge assets ownership in order to define and implement effective long-term policies oriented to the exploitation of knowledge assets to develop innovation capacity and value creation at regional level.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the knowledge dimensions grounding regional development dynamics.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper first provides a knowledge-based interpretation of regional development and afterwards the knowledge assets categories at the basis of value creation dynamics at regional level are discussed. The aim is to define a conceptual framework addressing the knowledge assets categories affecting the development dynamics of regions and territories. To support these arguments, the paper integrates the conceptual framework with the analysis of a case study of an Italian region. The paper provides the case example of Basilicata region, which has planned and implemented policies aimed to activate and support regional strategic development by focusing on knowledge assets dimensions. The paper combines a deductive approach with an inductive one. The knowledge assets dimensions grounding regional development dynamics are identified through a review of the literature. Then, the conceptual framework is integrated by the analysis of a case study aimed to enrich the proposed conceptual arguments with empirical evidences.\nFindings: - The paper highlights the strategic relevance of knowledge capital in sustaining and driving regional development dynamics. The knowledge assets dimensions grounding regional development are discussed, providing insights for both research and practice.\nOriginality/value: - This paper contributes to further develop the knowledge-based view of the regional development dynamics. The paper provides implications for future research and useful insights for policy making.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Multilevel transformational leadership and management innovation: Intermediate linkage evidence
|
[
"Transformational leadership",
"Management innovation",
"Firm-level empowerment climate",
"Multilevel evidence",
"Unit-level trust"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: How can the performance of the banking sector be enhanced? An important competitive advantage of the banking sector lies not only in the offering of new products and services, but also in the transformation of current management practices, processes and structures to create valuable resources for organizations (Yu et al., 2013). While scholars have traditionally focussed on product and technological innovation, there has been growing attention paid recently to management innovation (Birkinshaw et al., 2008; Vaccaro et al., 2012). Management innovation refers to \"the generation and implementation of a management practice, process, structure or technique that is new to the state of the art and is intended to further organizational goals\" (Birkinshaw et al., 2008, p. 829). Management innovation can benefit organizations by enhancing their performance and long-term competitive advantage (Hamel, 2006; Mol and Birkinshaw, 2009). This evolving line of study has also shown that management innovation is affected by the organizational empowerment context, a trusting relationship within the business unit and transformational leadership (TFL) (Conger and Kanugo, 1988; Mol and Birkinshaw, 2009; Vaccaro et al., 2012).\n2. Literature review and hypotheses development: 2.1. Multilevel TFL and unit-level management innovation\n3. Methods: 3.1. Sample and data\n4. Results: Table I presents descriptive statistics and correlations.\n5. Discussion: In this study, we theorized about the multilevel effects of TFL on management innovation and the intermediate mechanisms that caused these effects. We found that both unit- and firm-level TFL were positively related to unit management innovation. Firm-level TFL was positively related to the firm-level empowerment climate. The firm-level empowerment climate partially mediated the relationship between firm-level TFL and unit management innovation. Unit-level trust partially mediated the relationship between unit-level TFL and unit management innovation. Finally, unit-level trust mediated the effect of the firm-level empowerment climate on unit management innovation. Overall, several contributions emerge from the findings.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to extend management innovation theory and research by going beyond analysis at a single level. Focussing on management innovation at the lower level in the organizational hierarchy, the authors develop a multilevel framework; in doing so, the authors answer earlier calls for a study of the effects of multilevel transformational leadership (TFL) on management innovation and innovation in general.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study collected multisource and multilevel data from 169 managers, 423 employees of 141 units from 21 banking service firms in an emerging economy.\nFindings: The results from hierarchial linear modeling analysis reveal that unit-level TFL was positively related to unit-level management innovation. Furthermore, firm-level TFL was positively associated with firm-level empowerment climate, which in turn enhanced unit-level management innovation. In addition, firm-level empowerment climate strengthened the relationship between unit-level TFL and unit-level management innovation. Finally, the unit-level trust mediates the relationship between firm-level empowerment climate and unit-level management innovation.\nPractical implications: Firms operate more effectively when they generate management innovation. To help ensure the effectiveness of management innovation, it is essential that firms, especially those from the banking sector, encourage their managers to engage in TFL behaviors. The managers must consider how to utilize their TFL behaviors to create trusting relationships in order to achieve the organizational goals. Firms can also take steps to develop a supportive climate of higher levels of autonomy, delegation, freedom and task accountability, in order to promote higher levels of trust at the lower levels of the organizational hierarchy.\nOriginality/value: The current study develops and tests a mediation model that links firm-level TFL to unit-level management innovation, and identifies unit-level trust as the intermediate outcome. With this theorizing and the findings, the authors deepen the current knowledge regarding the organizational implications of TFL behaviors for management innovation.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Where is the love? Investigating multiple membership and hotel customer loyalty
|
[
"Customer relationship management",
"Relationship marketing",
"Behavioral loyalty",
"Hotel loyalty programs",
"Loyalty program memberships",
"Reciprocal relationships"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: From the simplest stamp-based program to the first official loyalty program, AAdvantage introduced by American Airlines in 1981, marketers seek to enhance their customer relationship management (CRM) strategies through loyalty programs, which are more sophisticated than ever. Loyalty programs are prevalent in marketplaces such as airlines, retail, credit cards, car rentals, hotels, etc. According to the industry report by COLLOQUY (an organization devoted to the global loyalty marketing industry) in 2010, > 2 billion memberships were identified yielding 18 memberships per household in the US market. What is more, the total market value of the points/miles issued to members and sold to third parties approaches about $47.9 billion (Hlavinka and Sullivan, 2011). However, such high numbers of loyalty program memberships does not appear to equate to high levels of customer loyalty. Problems such as a low level of active member engagement (Ferguson and Hlavinka, 2007) or non-active memberships (\"zombie\" memberships) are commonly found in these loyalty programs. In fact, the 2011 COLLOQUY report suggested that less than half of the loyalty program memberships were active (Hlavinka and Sullivan, 2011). That is, more than half of all loyalty memberships have not demonstrated any activity in a 12-month period. This situation posits a serious dilemma for companies trying to leverage consumer loyalty through such programs.\nLiterature review: The concept of customer loyalty has received extensive research. Oliver (1997, p. 392) described loyalty as:\nMethod: measures: An online survey was developed to gain insights into customers' perceived value of loyalty programs and their subsequent behaviors after joining the programs. Measurement of customers' perceived value of loyalty programs and behavioral loyalty intentions are based on previous literature. Specifically, the value perceptions of loyalty programs measurement is based on O'Brien and Jones (1995) and Kim et al. (2003). As mentioned in the literature review, O'Brien and Jones (1995) proposed five elements that determine a general loyalty program's value, including value of rewards, redemption options, aspiration from special rewards, ease of use and reward-redemption likelihood. Kim et al. (2003) adapted such elements of loyalty programs in the hotel and airline industry context. Ten variables were developed and tested in their study including entry barrier (i.e. enrollment fee and enrollment bonus), expiration policy, miles and points pooling, miles or points purchase, rewards from other industries, award-transfer policy, award threshold, affinity card and elite-level qualification. Based on the specific hotel loyalty program context, variables regarding entry barrier, airline miles and award-transfer policy from Kim et al. (2003) were not included. Finally, six variables were adapted (Table I), including the ability to purchase points (Kim et al., 2003), redemption extension (Kim et al., 2003; O'Brien and Jones, 1995), many reward options (Kim et al., 2003; O'Brien and Jones, 1995), special rewards (O'Brien and Jones, 1995), expiration policy (Kim et al., 2003) and ease of achieving rewards (O'Brien and Jones, 1995).\nSampling: The sample frame includes approximately 30,000 travelers who have previously requested travel information from different Convention & Visitors Bureau locations in the USA; 6,000 travelers were randomly selected from this sample frame. The survey was administered over two weeks during late January, 2011, including the initial survey deployment, two reminders and a thank-you note. Two Starbucks gift cards (each valued at $25) were provided as the incentives for participation through a drawing. At the end, 139 valid responses were gathered (2.3 per cent response rate). Although this usable response rate is considered to be low, it is not unexpected. In fact, response rates have declined significantly over the past decade, especially when using the Internet to conduct surveys (Park and Fesenmaier, 2012). For example, the response rate in a gambling destination perception study was 5 per cent (Boo et al., 2009). Because there can be a non-response bias issue with a low response rate (Byrd et al., 2009), low response rates have been considered as a major problem in hospitality research using surveys (Keegan and Lucas, 2005).\nResults: Preliminary analysis of the data showed that, on average, participants belonged to two to three hotel loyalty programs, which is consistent with the 2006 COLLOQUY Survey (Ferguson and Hlavinka, 2007). Participants were asked about their most loyal membership from 11 popular hotel loyalty programs identified from a special report on hotel loyalty programs (Crowell, 2010). Of the participants, 19 per cent indicated Choice Privilege, followed by Best Western Rewards (15.5 per cent) and Marriott Rewards (15.5 per cent); 15.5 per cent selected \"I am not loyal to any hotel loyal program\", despite holding one or more loyalty program memberships. Participants who identified their most loyal membership had an average relationship of 5.4 years with the identified membership program.\nDiscussion and implications: The introduction of loyalty programs into the hotel industry has brought many benefits and challenges. Loyalty programs can help hotel companies attract and retain valuable customers only if the programs are well designed. However, with many doubts as to the effectiveness of loyalty programs, the question turns to how to make loyalty programs work. O'Brien and Jones (1995) suggested that the potential benefits of loyalty programs are realized only when customers become sustainably loyal. Nevertheless, one dilemma that is faced by hotel companies is that customers may hold multiple hotel loyalty program memberships and disperse their loyalty behaviors. Such a situation can induce decreased loyalty program effectiveness, such as inactive memberships. In fact, this study noticed a group of members (23.5 per cent of all participants) who were not able to recall their membership status in the loyalty program which they claimed to be most loyal to, indicating very little engagement in the program. When customers become indifferent to various hotel loyalty programs and companies begin to \"buy\" customer loyalty by offering more perks, loyalty programs have the potential to turn into a dispensable and ineffective burden on the industry. One may argue that the solution to this problem lies in establishing unique loyalty program offering benefits that are difficult to be matched. However, this solution is vague and vulnerable when other hotel companies can imitate or match such benefits easily. When there is a new program that can match or offer more benefits, members may still keep their membership in current programs, but switch their business to the new program in pursuit of a quick and effortless reward.\nLimitations and future research: Although loyalty programs have been recognized as the \"must-have\" to attract and retain valuable customers in the hotel industry, it is important to manage loyalty programs as a profit center, rather than a financial burden. The results of this study suggest that more attention should be paid to building and sustaining reciprocal dynamics between members and programs to achieve true value for both hotels and customers. However, readers should also note several limitations of this study. First, in a desire to understand the polygamous program loyalty problem for hotel loyalty programs, this study is considered to be exploratory in nature. The discriminant analysis applied in this study can only yield insights in what program features can best distinguish customers who hold no membership, one membership and multiple memberships. Other research designs, such as experiments, can be implemented to look into the possible causal relationship between value dimensions and specific loyalty behaviors. Structural modeling techniques with more rigorous measurement scale development can also be used in future studies to test how different value factors, such as financial value, functional value, emotional value, etc., contribute to members' loyal intentions. In addition, future research can use actual member behavioral data instead of the current self-reported data to decrease common method bias. The financial performance of companies with loyalty programs should also be investigated to validate profitability of loyalty programs.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore polygamous program loyalty in hotel loyalty programs and the relationship between members' behavioral loyalty and their perceptions of the program effectiveness.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Descriptive statistics, discriminant analysis, ordinary least square regression and one-way ANOVA methods.\nFindings: This study suggests that the flexibility to purchase points in a loyalty program is significantly associated with the polygamous program loyalty. Members will stay in only one program if they perceive such flexibility. Although members tend to emphasize purchasing accommodation from the loyalty programs' hotels, they do not necessarily advocate or pay price premiums for the brand. Compared with basic members, elite members exhibit higher levels of loyalty behaviors in general, but not in terms of paying price premiums.\nResearch limitations/implications: The results suggest that how customers value a loyalty program can differentiate the number of membership(s) they have. Increasing the flexibility of point purchase in hotel loyalty programs encourages customers to stay in only one program. With a majority of the participants in the study being senior travelers, the results and implications should be generalized only in the senior market. A larger and more diverse sample is recommended for future research.\nPractical implications: If loyalty programs seek to keep members from joining other loyalty programs, they should increase members' likelihood to achieve their expected benefits such as increased flexibility of point purchase. In addition, loyalty programs should encourage, recognize and incentivize members' reciprocal behaviors based on the norm of reciprocity to build a reciprocal chain in loyalty programs. However, in seeking sustained loyal behavior, loyalty programs need to demonstrate value beyond transactional rewards.\nOriginality/value: This paper explores the reason why customers join multiple loyalty programs (i.e. polygamous program loyalty) and identifies a broken reciprocity link in hotel loyalty programs. Many members primarily focus on the utilities of loyalty programs rather than contributing back to the program; therefore, the norm of reciprocity is suggested to improve loyalty program effectiveness.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Practitioners are from Mars; academics are from Venus? An investigation of the research-practice gap in management accounting
|
[
"Research-practice gap",
"Management accounting research",
"Diffusion theory",
"Australia"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Apprehension about the extent to which academic research engages with and contributes to practice has been repeatedly voiced across the academic literature. This concern has been expressed in special issues in leading academic journals, editors' forums and conference themes, by scholars in various fields where some interaction between researchers and practitioners takes place (Van de Ven and Johnson, 2006; Shapiro et al., 2007; Rynes et al., 2001). The accounting community has not been immune to such concerns. In the words of Laughlin (2011) and in the spirit of this papers' title, it may be that academia and practice are \"worlds apart\" - so much so, that some observers are sceptical about whether a closer relationship is possible (Garland, 1999), or even desirable (Earley, 1999).\n2. The research-practice gap: a prevalent concern: As observed by Scapens and Bromwich (2010), the nature and extent of the gap between academic research and practice raises fundamental questions not only about the relationship between academics and practitioners, but more generally about the role of academic research in society. It is therefore unsurprising that concerns relating to how effectively academic research engages with practice have been voiced by scholars across a diverse range of applied, or \"practiced-based\" disciplines (Van de Ven and Johnson, 2006; Short et al., 2009). For example, calls to more effectively link research to practice have been made in medicine (Denis and Langley, 2002); public health (Philip et al., 2003); organizational psychology (Hodgkinson et al., 2001); social work (Kondrat, 1992); speech pathology (Fey and Johnson, 1998); nursing (Fink and Thompson, 2005); education (Abbott et al., 1999); human resources (Keefer and Stone, 2009); management (Shapiro et al., 2007; Vermeulen, 2005); economics (Ormerod, 1994); finance (Trahan and Gitman, 1995), and management information systems (Lee, 1999).\n3. Diffusion of innovations theory as an informing lens: Diffusion is the process through which innovations - new ideas, beliefs, knowledge, programs, technologies or practices - are communicated over time among the members of a social system (Rogers, 2003). Diffusion of Innovations theory (diffusion theory) holds that innovation diffusion is \"a general process, not bound by the type of innovation studied, by who the adopters [are], or by place or culture\" (Rogers, 2003, p. 16). Thus, the processes by which innovations are diffused are likely to share similarities across a range of contexts (Murray, 2009). Diffusion theory has been used extensively since early this century as an analytical framework in quite diverse disciplines including sociology, medicine, psychotherapy, social work, nursing, education, communication, and public health, for describing how, why and at what rate such innovations may be converted to adoption and integrated within standard practice (Green et al., 2009).\n4. Research methods: The data for this study were obtained from questionnaire responses and subsequent interviews undertaken with respondents to the questionnaire. The questionnaire sought to identify the more dominant barriers or impediments as advanced in the research-practice literature, that are perceived by respondents to prevent research more adequately informing practice. Using the results of the survey as a point of departure, the subsequent interviews afford the opportunity to further explore respondents' opinions, beliefs and perspectives based on their experience with members. This qualitative component of the current study is intended to provide deeper insights about prevailing attitudes impeding the greater engagement between management accounting research and management accounting practice beyond those of the questionnaire survey.\n5. Quantitative results and qualitative findings: In this section, our quantitative results and qualitative findings are presented in terms of the central aims of this study; first, to investigate and explicate the nature and extent of the claimed division between academic research and practice in management accounting and second, to identify and gain insights into the relative significance of barriers that may contribute to this perceived gap.\n6. Discussion and implications: Concerns about the gap between research and practice have been repeatedly voiced by senior management accounting academics. These concerns have provided a motivation for the current study by establishing a platform for both the empirical investigation of the research-practice gap, and the use of a theoretical vantage point through which to interpret this evidence.\n7. Conclusions and reflections: The findings of the current study and its implications have both theoretical significance and practical importance. The theoretical contribution has been to recognise and advance diffusion theory as a fruitful yet largely unexplored theoretical perspective in providing insights on the research-practice gap in management accounting. Not only does it provide a succinct classificatory framework for reasons advanced for the gap, but it has also been used in other applied academic disciplines to identify key barriers involved in the conversion of research to practice. Its use in this study thus serves to expand our understanding of the research-practice gap by using the synergy that exists across disciplines to study complementary issues (Atkinson et al., 1997), and in particular, applying innovations from other disciplines to important accounting issues (Kaplan, 2011).\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The aim of this paper is to identify and gain insights into the significance of barriers contributing to the purported \"gap\" between academic management accounting research and practice.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Drawing on diffusion of innovations theory, this study collects and analyses data from a questionnaire survey and follow-up interviews with 19 representatives of the four principal professional accounting bodies in Australia.\nFindings: Professional accounting bodies perceive the gap between academic research and practice in management accounting to be of limited concern to practitioners. The two most significant barriers to research utilisation by practitioners are identified as: difficulties in understanding academic research papers; and limited access to research findings. In acting as a conduit between the worlds of academia and practice, professional bodies have an important role to play by demonstrating the mutual value to both academics and practitioners resulting from a closer engagement between MA research and practice.\nResearch limitations/implications: As one of the few empirically-based, theoretically informed investigations exploring the research-practice gap in management accounting, this study provides insights rather than \"answers\". Its findings therefore serve as a foundational basis for further empirical and theoretical enquiry.\nOriginality/value: This study contributes to the conversation about the \"research-practice gap\" in management accounting by adopting a distinct theoretical vantage point to organize, analyse and interpret empirical evidence obtained from Australian professional accounting bodies about management accounting practice.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Perceptions of HPV vaccine amongst UK university students
|
[
"Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)",
"Vaccine",
"Cervical cancer",
"Students",
"Knowledge",
"Attitudes"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes genital warts, the most commonly reported viral STI in the UK (HPA, 2006, 2008). It is also the main causative agent in the development of cervical and anogenital cancers (Zimet et al., 2008; Friedman and Shepeard, 2007; Schiffman et al., 1993). Two vaccines have been developed to prevent HPV infection. Cervarix prevents against the types 16 and 18 while Garadsil, also covers types 6 and 11, which cause 90 per cent of genital warts. In September 2008, the UK government rolled out an immunisation programme to prevent the two most common types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cervical cancer. Routine HPV vaccination with Cervarix is now offered to all girls aged 12 to 13 years and there was a \"catch up\" programme for girls up to the age of 18 which finished in 2010 (Marlow et al., 2009). Males are not included in the campaign for cost-effective reasons (Newall et al., 2007). It is estimated that a vaccination programme will prevent 400 deaths from cervical cancer per year in the England and Wales (NHS HPV Immunisation programme, 2008).Like other STIs, the majority of HPV cases are reported by those aged 20 to 24 years (HPA, 2008; Dunne et al., 2007). While the vaccine is more effective in those who have yet to initiate sexual relations, it can still be of benefit to women up to the age of 26 (Adams et al., 2009). However, these women are not included in the catch-up programme and furthermore, they fall below the age limit for the UK cervical cancer screening programme. To date there is limited literature on the knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccine amongst UK women and men (Devereux Walsh et al., 2008). Most studies have been conducted in the US and where research has been done in the UK, it has focused on parental attitudes (Brabin et al., 2006; Noakes et al., 2006; Waller et al., 2006). Perceptions of men and women between 20 and 24 years have not yet been captured.The aim of this small-scale study is to explore the impact of the introduction of HPV vaccine on attitudes towards HPV, cervical cancer and sexual risk-taking amongst university students aged 20 to 24 years. The primary interest is whether or not the students saw the HPV vaccine as an STI vaccine. In the past, concern about the social stigma attached to STIs has led to vaccines, such as the Hepatitis B vaccine, being promoted without reference to the sexual transmission of the disease (Boehner et al., 2003). Arguably, the same can be said of the emphasis on cervical cancer in the HPV vaccine campaign. There is some evidence from US studies on university students that they are amiable to having STI vaccines, including HPV and a hypothetical genital herpes vaccine. Indeed, presenting the vaccine as preventing sexually related as opposed to reproductive problems was not seen to be a deterrent to acceptance, it was a preference (Boehner et al., 2003; Lewis et al., 2000; Hoover et al., 2000; Rosenthal et al., 1999). In the USA, where the Garadsil HPV vaccine has been licensed for men, male college students have expressed that they would have the vaccine to prevent genital warts rather than to protect their partners from cervical cancer (Liddon et al., 2010). Given this context, this study set out to explore the views of UK university students.College students are at the beginning of what is termed their \"sexual career\" (Wellings et al., 1994). This is a period for some of high rates of sexual risk-taking and when protective behaviours are developed. Yet, knowledge about STIs has been found to be low amongst students (Chaudary et al., 2008) and apart from chlamydia screening, this age group tends not to be targeted in sexual health promotion campaigns. A purposive sample of male and female students from one of the UK's largest universities, University of Leeds, was utilised to make an initial assessment of views on the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer and genital warts. It is intended that this pilot would inform larger pieces of research and help develop a health education campaign on HPV and genital warts for this audience.\nMethods: Design\nResults: Thematic analysis of the data revealed five inter-related themes:1. distancing of HPV from genital warts;2. acceptance of HPV vaccine as a cancer vaccine;3. STI vaccine would lead to sexual complacency;4. reinforcement of sexual health as a female responsibility; and5. sexual health promotion not sex education.Distancing of HPV from genital warts\nDiscussion: Marginalised audience\nConclusions and recommendations: This study has identified a number of issues that can be explored in larger studies and which can be used to tailor health education campaigns to target the sexual health needs of this population. UK university students should receive information about the HPV vaccine in conjunction with a reaffirmation on the importance of smear tests. Emphasis that HPV is both a male and a female sexual health problem is also recommended. Misconceptions about STIs being \"women's diseases\" may have implications for men accessing sexual health services. At risk males may not perceive themselves at risk and therefore may not modify their behaviours putting themselves and their partners at risk. Sexual risk reduction activities such as consistent condom use (particularly with overlapping partners or with multiple casual partners) and reducing number of sexual partners should be emphasised. As expressed by the participants, this age group are amenable to a media campaign, which could be done locally through colleges and universities, or through national media to raise awareness about HPV.\n",
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"content": "Purpose: - The aim of this small-scale focus group study is to explore the impact the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine has on attitudes towards HPV, cervical cancer and sexual risk taking amongst university students in the UK.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Participants were recruited through advertisements placed on notice boards throughout the campus of the University of Leeds. The study sampled purposively to obtain two groups of ten men and two groups of ten women. A total of 34 people attended the sessions. The missing participants gave no reason for the absence. Those who agreed to take part were aged 19-24 and were from a range of academic courses. Ethical approval was sought and approved by the Medical School Ethics Committee at the University of Leeds.\nFindings: - Participants saw HPV as being distinct from genital warts. This led to a duality in their view of the vaccine, which they saw as a cancer vaccine for schoolgirls and as an STI vaccine in relation to people of their own age, and thus believed it would cause sexual complacency among young adults. There was a fear that the HPV vaccine would reinforce gender bias, reinforcing the idea that females are responsible for sexual health. They maintained that mass media campaigns were more effective than sex education for improving sexual health knowledge and practices.\nOriginality/value: - With the exception of chlamydia screening, this age group tends to be ignored in sexual health promotion campaigns. This small-scale study provides insights that can inform larger studies and help tailor future health education campaigns on HPV for this audience.\n",
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How are XML-based Marc 21 and Dublin Core records indexed and ranked by general search engines in dynamic online environments?
|
[
"Dublin Core",
"MARC 21",
"Indexing",
"Ranking",
"Dynamic online environments",
"Classification",
"Search engines"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In line with recent developments in information and communication technology, we are witnessing an increasing growth and improvement in different dynamic online information databases. Such databases contain content objects and up-to-date scientific sources in different branches of knowledge. Therefore, librarians and information professionals have always recognized the significance of knowledge and information classification. As a result, numerous research programs have been conducted on the development of metadata initiatives and standards based on the needs of various domains. In other words, the need for the application of metadata standards is now unavoidably associated with ongoing developments in digital libraries and dynamic online information databases.MARC metadata format is one of the most important metadata schemes which have been made compatible with dynamic environments, with the capacity to identify, classify, and retrieve web resources and content objects. Dublin Core (DC) metadata initiative is another main and international metadata initiative which was originally created for the application in identification, retrieval and classification of web content objects. However, in order to take full advantage of metadata schemes in the web environment, a few challenges should be resolved. One important issue is the ability of general search engines such as Google to index metadata elements and retrieve content objects using their embedded metadata elements.Another major issue in identification and effective retrieval of content objects that contain metadata elements relates to their semantic environment and the interoperability between different platforms and applications. The use of extensible markup language (XML) in DC and MARC 21 is because of the high capacity of XML in increasing the interoperability. One advantage of using XML in these two metadata schemes is that the indexing software of search engines can index XML-based elements in static information environments (Taheri and Hariri, 2011). However, retrieval of information in dynamic online information environments remains an issue that should be addressed. Hence, the present study examines the indexing quality and ranking of content objects consisting of the XML-based MARC 21 and DC metadata elements in dynamic online information environments by two general search engines, Yahoo! and Google.As most of the information and scientific content objects are in dynamic online information environments, the importance of this research lies in unveiling the quality of indexing of content objects containing DCXML and MARCXML elements in dynamic online information environments by Yahoo! and Google. The findings can show the efficiency of each of these two popular search engines in indexing XML-based metadata elements.\n2. Research questions: This research sought answers to the following seven questions:1. What is the indexing quality of content objects containing XML-based DC metadata elements in dynamic online information environments as performed by Yahoo! and Google search engines?2. What is the indexing quality of content objects containing XML-based MARC 21 metadata elements in dynamic online information environments as performed by Yahoo! and Google search engines?3. What is the difference between the indexing quality of three main elements (title, author and subject) of content objects containing DC and XML-based MARC 21 metadata elements in dynamic online information environments as performed by Yahoo! and Google search engines?4. What is the difference in the ranking procedure of content objects containing XML-based MARC 21 and DC metadata elements in dynamic online information environments as performed by Yahoo! and Google search engines?5. What is the reaction of Yahoo! and Google search engines to content objects of dynamic online information environments containing XML-based metadata elements with flat structure (DC) and hierarchical structure (MARC 21)?6. What is the reaction of Yahoo! and Google search engines to metadata initiatives with language-based tags (DC) and without language-based tags (MARC 21)?7. Which one of MARC 21 and Dublin Core metadata initiatives is more suitable for classification of XML-based content objects in dynamic online information environments in regard to access through Google and Yahoo! search engines?\n3. Literature review: Turner and Brackbill (1998) looked at the ways in which access to (hypertext markup language (HTM) documents could be improved using HTML meta-tags. They found out that assigning the \"description\" meta-tag alone was not able to improve the retrieval of the document in general search engines; however, the \"keywords\" meta-tag did improve the access.Sokvitne (2000) conducted research on the web sites of 20 Australian large educational and government organizations aimed at identifying the ability to retrieve key elements such as title, publisher, author, and subject in DC. The results of the study revealed that because of inconsistencies in the content records' formats, elements such as author, publisher and co-author which could be useful in searching and retrieving objects, remained useless. Since the \"subject\" was not used properly and the \"title\" content was the same as the HTML title's tag content, these elements are not effective in the retrieval process.Henshaw and Valauskas (2001) conducted experimental research on some selected pages of First Monday's electronic magazine. Two groups of pages were included in this research including a control group with no metadata element and a test group with DC metadata elements as well as HTML keywords and description meta-tags. Results of the study revealed that metadata alone did not have any impact on increasing the probability of indexing the resources and giving them top ranks in search engines' results.Zhang and Dimitroff (2004) in a study entitled \"Internet search engines' response to metadata Dublin Core implementation\" examined the function of seven main search engines which were categorized into two groups: a target group and a control group. The target group consisted of the subject element of the DC metadata scheme as well as the HTML \"keyword\" element. The control group lacked any such elements. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of visibility for search engines; i.e. six out of the seven search engines responded positively to metadata elements.Quevedo-Torrero (2004) looked for ways to improve search quality and retrieval of web pages by inserting keywords in HTML meta-tags as metadata. The research used a selection of search results rendered by search engines like Google and AltaVista. Some strategies were formulated and suggested for improvement in ranking of search results by using HTML meta-tags as metadata, and clustering web pages according to their link structures.Zhang and Dimitroff (2005a) examined the effect of web page content features on their visibility and inclusion in search engines' results. This research aimed at finding answers to the question: \"how could the ranking of a page or a site in a search engine result be improved in view of authors or developers of pages or web sites?\" The results revealed that repetition of keywords in the title as well as in the full text body improves the visibility of pages in search engines' results. Factors like colour and font size appeared to have no effect on the visibility.Zhang and Dimitroff (2005b) conducted another experimental study to examine the effect of implementing metadata on the visibility of web pages in search engines' results. For this purpose they introduced 40 test web pages to 19 search engines. The results of the study showed that metadata is an appropriate and effective mechanism for increasing the visibility and ranking of web pages. Moreover, keywords extracted from web pages, especially from the title and full-text body, proved to be very effective in ranking.Mohamed (2006) investigated the effect of metadata usage on the ranking and retrieval of web pages. This research was conducted in two parts. In part one, the effect of metadata initiative on the access to content objects was considered and examined. In part two, by adding metadata elements to web pages, the extent of their indexing was measured as well as the effect of metadata on page ranking. The results showed that description elements and keywords have a significant role in page ranking.Also, a couple of relevant studies have been conducted in Iran. Safari (2005) in research on 16 articles that were published on the web version of the Iranian International Journal of Science studied the effect of DC metadata elements (four out of 15 elements) on the ranking of web sources by Google, AltaVista and Lycos. His results showed no significant differences between the ranking of pages that contained DC metadata elements and those pages that did.Taheri and Hariri (2011) conducted a comparative study on the indexing quality and ranking of content objects containing DCXML and MARCXML metadata elements by general search engines. His findings showed that there was no significant difference between the indexing quality of content objects containing DCXML and MARCXML elements as performed by Google and Yahoo! Also, there was no significant difference between content objects ranking containing the two metadata initiatives in Google search engine; however, there was a significant difference in the ranking status of content objects containing the two metadata initiatives in Yahoo! search engine.\n4. Methodology: A total of 100 content objects (i.e. e-books) were selected from a California digital library source set. They were selected using the URL www.archive.org and focusing on the subject \"theory of knowledge\". The e-books were divided into two groups. The first group contained DCXML elements, and the second group contained MARCXML elements. Both groups were mounted on www.marcdcmi.ir and introduced to Yahoo! and Google search engines from late July 2009 till June 2010. The data were collected in April 2010. The mentioned web site was introduced to Google search engine by \"Webmaster Tools\" through \"XML Sitemap\" option and \"Suggest a site\". Introduction to Yahoo! was done using \"Yahoo! Search URL Status Review Form\" and \"ROR & Text Sitemap\" with the same condition. Google search engine could retrieve all the content objects fully by DCXML and MARCXML metadata elements; however, Yahoo! search engine, despite many follow-ups, did not respond at all. Therefore, we had to rely only on Google results.The data were collected by means of a checklist which was devised on the basis of, and according to, research questions and requirements. Searches were done in Google using the query: [\"keyphrase\" site:marcdcmi.ir\"] and the results were analyzed using the checklist. The data that were collected by means of the checklist were transferred to worksheets in which \"+\" and \"-\" signs were assigned as indications of \"being indexed\" or \"not being indexed\" respectively. Each of these positions received \"1\" and \"0\" values respectively for calculation purposes. The sum of these values were then used in analyses and answering the research questions.\n5. Findings: As mentioned above, Yahoo! search engine never responded to metadata elements retrieval during the study and it was omitted from the research. What we present here is only the findings of the test on Google.Table I answers the first two research questions. The findings indicate that Google has been able to index DCXML elements (nine elements) as well as MARCXML elements (ten elements). Therefore, XML-based content objects which were embedded in the research dynamic online information environment proved to be retrievable. In fact, the indexing quality of the selected elements by Google search engine is suitable.Table II illustrates the indexing quality of Google search engine in regard to title, author and subject elements both in DCXML and MARCXML. The content of Table II answers the third research question. Findings show that Google search engine is able to index title, author, and subject content elements in DCXML and MARCXML. Therefore, there is no difference between these elements in this regard.Table III is used to answer the fourth research question regarding the rank quality. Out of 50 content objects containing MARCXML metadata elements, Google placed only 25 objects higher than content objects containing DCXML elements. In other words, the ratio of XML-based content objects containing metadata elements is equally 25 out of 50 for both metadata schemes.To answer the fifth and sixth questions, the contents of Table II are useful. The data in Table II show that Google search engine indexing software does not discriminate between content objects with a flat structure and with a language-based tag and those with a hierarchical structure and without a language-based tag.Finally, the seventh research question aims to determine more suitable metadata initiatives for organization of the XML-based content objects in dynamic online information environments in terms of accessibility by Google search engine. Answering this question, one would conclude that none of the XML-based Dublin Core metadata initiative or MARC 21 shows any preference over the other in this regard. In other words, both metadata schemes are appropriate for organization of XML-based content objects in dynamic online information environments, as far as accessibility by Google is concerned.\n6. Discussion and conclusion: Review of the literature tells us that a few researchers such as Zhang and Dimitroff (2005b), Mohamed (2006) and Safari (2005) studied \"ranking\" in relation to the application of metadata elements. Taheri and Hariri (2011) tackled exactly the same issue, but in regards to static environments, and Henshaw and Valauskas (2001) focused on indexing. Our findings lend support to the findings of Taheri and Hariri (2011), as both showed that there is no significant difference between the quality of indexing and ranking of general search engines in regards to content objects containing XML-based DC and MARC 21 metadata elements.Based on the findings, one could conclude that XML, as the syntax ground for implementing the metadata elements of DC and MARC 21, in comparison with HTML, can be effective both in static and dynamic environments. This might justify the preference of XML over HTML because it maximizes the interoperability between search engines and the metadata initiatives. Therefore, both metadata initiatives can be regarded as appropriate for making different content objects accessible in dynamic online environments via Google. On the other hand, none of the two metadata initiatives proved to have clear superiority over the other in terms of indexing capabilities.Regarding the ranking of the content objects under study, it was found that Google does not discriminate between the two metadata initiatives. This means that Google follows a similar pattern and policy in indexing and ranking of the content objects containing these two metadata schemas.Also, from the answer to the third research question it was clear that the structure, whether flat or hierarchical, does not impact on the quality of indexing of the content objects. Google does not treat differently metadata initiatives with and without language-based tags (DC against MARC 21 respectively). That means Google indexes both types of content objects in XML-based dynamic online information environments.Therefore, all in all, it can be concluded that both DC and MARC 21 are suitable for organization of XML-based content objects in dynamic and static online information environments. Designers of the relevant software, therefore, could benefit from the results of the present study to improve the quality and reliability of search engines they develop.\n",
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"content": "Purpose: - The aim of this paper is to examine the indexing quality and ranking of XML content objects containing Dublin Core and MARC 21 metadata elements in dynamic online information environments by general search engines such as Google and Yahoo!\nDesign/methodology/approach: - In total, 100 XML content objects were divided into two groups: those with DCXML elements and those with MARCXML elements. Both groups were published on the web site www.marcdcmi.ir in late July 2009 and were online until June 2010. The web site was introduced to Google and Yahoo! search engines. The indexing quality of metadata elements embedded in the content objects in a dynamic online information environment and their indexing and ranking capabilities were compared and examined.\nFindings: - Google search engine was able to retrieve fully all the content objects through their Dublin Core and MARC 21 metadata elements; Yahoo! search engine, however, did not respond at all. Results of the study showed that all Dublin Core and MARC 21 metadata elements were indexed by Google search engine. No difference was observed between indexing quality and ranking of DCXML metadata elements with that of MARCXML. The results of the study revealed that neither the XML-based Dublin Core Metadata Initiative nor MARC 21 demonstrate any preference regarding access in dynamic online information environments through Google search engine.\nPractical implications: - The findings can provide useful information for search engine designers.\nOriginality/value: - The present study was conducted for the first time in dynamic environments using XML-based metadata elements. It can provide grounds for further studies of this kind.\n",
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Consideration of break in modeling of construction processes
|
[
"Construction systems",
"Simulation",
"Modelling",
"Time study"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: As an important problem-solving methodology for the solution of many operational problems (Hamad et al., 1999; Banks et al., 1999), discrete-event simulation (DES), has also been applied to the construction field (namely construction simulation) for improving construction process planning (Halpin and Riggs, 1992). In addition to some general-purpose simulation tools such as SLAM II (Pritsker, 1997) and GPSS/H (Schriber, 1990) and some construction simulation tools have been developed, including CYCLONE (Halpin, 1976), COOPS (Liu and Ioannou, 1992), CIPROS (Tommelein and Odeh, 1994), STRBOSCOPE (Martinez and Ioannou, 1995), and ABC (Shi, 1999).Most construction operations should be executed in daytime other than overnight due to legislation (e.g. the ban of noise-making construction at night). In addition, coffee or lunch break may take place during work. Hence, the activities should be interrupted during a break and resumed later. On the other hand, however, some non-preemptive activities such as concreting operations are not allowed to stop once in progress; they should be either rescheduled to avoid such a break or executed on schedule and completed using overtime. If the simulation tool cannot consider a break, the direct simulation output (e.g. project duration) is generally transformed so as to reflect night or lunch break based on all activities being preemptive and simultaneously interrupted during break and resumed later. Obviously, such transformed results may be unreasonable or incorrect. Therefore, break as well as preemption/no-preemption should be taken into account together by construction simulation so as to model the construction process effectively and produce more reasonable simulation results.While most of the existing simulation tools cannot model break and preemption, some have been equipped or improved with such a capability. COOPS (Liu and Ioannou, 1992) used to associate a calendar to control the work-break schedule or availability of a resource, so that the break time would be considered for the affected activity. STRBOSCOPE has been tried to consider break through a 24-hour cycle and defining useful variables (Martinez and Ioannou, 1995). Gil and Tommelein (2001) also adopted STRBOSCOPE to consider preemption in modeling design process through updating the future event list (FEL). In addition, GPSS/H (Schriber, 1990), a general purpose simulation system in manufacturing, allows definition of time-related variables as a part of execution rules, as a result preemption due to resource availabilities could be considered.The above simulation-based methodologies such as COOPS and GPSS/H consider activity break or preemption through tracing or controlling resource availabilities, and do not directly reflect the break (e.g. lunch or night break) that some activities will absolutely face no matter whether the resources are available or not. In addition, the general cyclical break, including that with variable numbers or variable break-duration for different activities as well as that with irregular appearing cycle (e.g. other than 24-hour), has not been focused. Moreover, it may be time-costly or difficult for general users to define time-related variables to consider break or preemption with simulation languages for STRBOSCOPE or GPSS/H. Even though project scheduling under break has been studied through critical path method (CPM) (Christofides et al., 1981; Fisher and Jaikumar, 1981; Baker, 1983; Soloman, 1987; Dumas et al., 1991) or flow shop sequencing model (Chan and Hu, 2002), the resultant methodologies are not applicable to simulation because they do not consider either resource requirements in determination of the scheduled activities, or variances in the number of breaks (i.e. break-frequency) or in the break-duration. Besides, the above CPM-based approaches do not take into account preemption/no-preemption together with break.In this paper, a simulation-based methodology to handle directly the cyclical break that is destined to happen for certain activities without considering resource availabilities is introduced. Variances in break-frequency or in the break-duration for different activities, as well as preemptive/non-preemptive cases and overtime use will be taken into account. Based on the concepts of time-cycle and time-window, an algorithm to determine the start and end times of the activities under break is proposed. Then the proposed algorithm is incorporated into an activity-based simulation through an activity scanning (AS)-based strategy, enabling construction simulation to consider the cyclical break in modeling of a construction process, without defining the time-related variables using simulation languages.\nAnalysis and formulation for the break problem: In light of the characteristics of the cyclical break, preemption/no-preemption or overtime use for activities, as well as the advancement mechanism for general DES, the background and definition for the solution scheme are presented.Problem background\nAlgorithm to determine the start and end times of activities under break: Unlike some project scheduling approaches (e.g. CPM) that merely depend on the logical feasibilities, traditional DES including construction simulation considers both the logical feasibilities and the resource availabilities in determination of activities' start times TS(i), which can be denoted as follows: Equation 2 where TA(i,j) represents the available time of resource j or logical feasibility j. J represents the total of the required resource units and the logical feasibility units (i.e. the total completion number of the logically dependent activities). When the start time of an activity is obtained, its end time TE(i) can be determined by adding its duration D(i) to the start time: Equation 3 When the activity i faces the predefined cyclical break during its progress, the start and end times of the activity from the above formulae may not be the actual ones. Based on the corresponding assumptions and description of the time-cycle or time-window, the algorithm to adjust the actual start and end times of the activity under the cyclical break will be proposed. First, some necessary variables need to be defined:OT(i,k) overtime the activity i is allowed to be progressed when its normal working-time k is exceeded.\nIncorporation into an activity-based simulation: The proposed algorithm will be combined with an activity scanning (AS)-based simulation strategy, so that an activity-based simulation with graphical modeling interface is equipped with the capability to handle the predefined cyclical break in modeling of the construction process.Combination with an AS-based simulation strategy\nComputational analyses: In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the activity-based simulation based on the proposed algorithm for modeling a construction process, a ten-floor building construction process is modeled. The high-rise building construction is a repetitive project in which ten activities are performed repetitively at different sections. The continuous production composed of the activities can be somehow maintained by dividing the typical floor construction into four sections, i.e. A, B, C and D. The high-rise building construction and the sequence of fulfilling the four sections are demonstrated in Figure 5. It is also stipulated that one floor's A section will begin as soon as the preceding floor's A section is completed. A simplified bar chart (Figure 6) for the cyclic progress of the building construction is used to illustrate the sequence for each floor.This repetitive building construction process with ten activities can be represented by the activity-based graphical model (Figure 7) of the developed simulation system, where required resources (i.e. crane and steel wall form (SWF)) and logical feasibilities are shown. The simulation model also reflects the above planned sequences for each floor or section, and the stipulation that the completion of activity \"Transfer and fix wall form\" of the last section initiates the next section (starting from the activity \"Install precast facade\") to execute. For logical feasibilities marked at the activity element's centre line, the number before \":\" indicates the required cycle number of the predecessor and the number after \":\" indicates the initial number to start the activity when this activity is the firstly started activity of the modeled system. For instance, \"Install precast facade\" can be started when both \"Concrete to slab\" and \"Transfer and fix wall form\" are completed one cycle. 4 cycles completion of \"Concrete to slab\" and 1 cycle completion of \"Transfer and fix wall form\" are initially assigned to \"Install precast facade\", the firstly started activity of the modeled system. The indicated logical feasibilities among \"Install precast facade\", \"Concrete to slab\", and \"Transfer and fix wall form\" reflect the planned sequence for each floor. For resource requirements marked at the activity element's bottom line, the number before \":\" indicates the required quantity and the number after \":\" indicates the initially allocated quantity of the resource. Except for the activities considering involvement of SWF or cranes, other activities are assumed to depend on only the logical feasibilities. Sharing of SWF by \"Transfer and fix wall form\", \"Concrete to wall\", and \"Strip and transfer wall form\" can reflect the sequence for each section. The total operation count of each activity (marked at the top-right corner) in the simulation model is the number of the section times the number of the floor, i.e. 4x10=40.In comparison with the CPM network requiring describing each repetitive activity of all locations or sections, or the CYCLONE model requiring describing each entity flow, the activity-based graphical model is simpler and is easier for the user to build, especially for the repetitive process or project (Zhang et al. 2002).Constant durations (Table I) and uniform-duration breaks (Table II) for all activities are used so as to simplify the illustration and concentrate on analyzing the breaks. Three cases are considered for simulation experimentation. Case I considers no breaks. Case II considers the cyclical breaks and that all activities should be interrupted (i.e. preemptive) if the breaks appear and will be resumed afterwards. Case III is the same as Case II except that \"Concrete to wall\" and \"Concrete to slab\" cannot be interrupted (non-preemptive) when they are in progress. Three time-window formulations for both Case II and Case III are: (3, 1, 4, 16), (3, 1, 4.5, 15.5), and (8, 16). (3, 1, 4, 16) means the working times of a workday: 9-12 am and 1-5 pm, with breaks from 12 am to 1 pm and from 16 pm to 9 am (3, 1, 4.5, 15.5) means the working times of a workday: 9-12 am and 1-5.5 pm, with breaks from 12 am to 1 pm and from 15.5 pm to 9 am. (8, 16) means the working time of a workday: from 9 am to 17 pm, with only one break from 17 pm to 9 am. The duration of a time-cycle (i.e. DCP(i,m)) for the project is 24 hours and the working duration of each time-cycle (i.e. working hours one day) for the three breaks is 7 hours, 7.5 hours, and 8 hours, respectively.Table II shows the overall project duration, one type of simulation results, from the simulation experiments based on the above model (Figure 7) for the three cases. In consideration of the time-cycle duration (i.e. 24 hours per-day) and three different working hours one day for the three cases, the project duration listed in Table II can be transformed to the ones in term of days plus additional hours (Table III); for Case I, its project duration is transformed using the working-hour/day corresponding to the three breaks. From Case II, it is noted that the additional hours greater than three for the first and the third time-window formulation, meaning it contains 1-hour break because the working period for the first and the third time-window formulation is only three hours. Therefore, it is shown that Case I can generate the simulation results actually the same as the ones from Case II. Traditional DES or construction simulation sometimes adopts such a transformation to obtain the results so as to reflect the breaks with assumption that all activities in progress can be interrupted when the breaks appear and definitely resumed when a next working period comes.For Case III, the two non-preemptive activities must not be started if their durations are considered to contain one or more breaks until a future working period in which they can be continuously performed for completion. Accordingly, the project duration from Case III should be longer than the ones from Case I and Case II. Therefore, the results from Case III cannot be obtained through transforming the results from Case I. It is concluded that:* the traditional DES tools cannot consider the breaks; and* although the results from traditional simulation can be sometimes transformed so as to reflect the breaks, such a transformation is incorrect when some non-preemptive activities are involved.Considering that the non-preemptive activity (i.e. \"Concrete to wall\" or \"Concrete to slab\") is allowed to start if it can be completed with the current working period plus the assigned overtime, the impact of overtime to the project duration is illustrated through a series of simulation experiments based on Case III. The results for the eight overtime formulations (Table IV) show that the project duration may be shortened when overtime during a break is used and that the longer overtime will lead to more obvious reduction of the project duration.\nConclusions: Based on some assumptions on the cyclical break with variable break-frequency and break-duration for different activities as well as the concepts of time-cycle and time-window and, an algorithm to determine the start and end times of the activity under the cyclical break is proposed, where three cases are classified in views of preemptive/non-preemptive features or overtime use. The algorithm is combined with a modified AS strategy, so that the activity-based simulation able to consider the cyclical break in modeling of a construction process is developed. The considered breaks for each activity are inputted through the activity-associated dialog box, other than special simulation languages. The computational analyses demonstrate that the improved activity-based simulation can consider the cyclical break in modeling a construction process, which cannot be achieved by the traditional simulation tools, especially when non-preemptive activities are concerned. It is also shown that the overtime use for the non-preemptive activities can lead to reduction of the project duration when the cyclical break is considered.The proposed simulation-based methodology is an alternative means to deal with the cyclical break that is destined for some activities and irrelevant to resource availabilities in modeling of a construction process. Further studies will focus on dynamic allocation of the resources when the activities are interrupted during the cyclical break, as well as the break related to the resource availabilities or the stochastic break.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper proposes introducing how to consider the break which cyclically happens and has nothing to do with resource availabilities in modeling of a construction process through an activity-based simulation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - In consideration of the variable break-frequency and break-duration for different activities, concepts of time-cycle and time-window are discussed. Then an algorithm to determine the execution of the activities facing the cyclical break is proposed, in which pre-emption or non-pre-emption cases and overtime are taken into account together. This algorithm is incorporated into an activity-based simulation so that the improved construction simulation is able to consider the cyclical break and model the construction process more reasonably. Computational analyses are presented to address the effectiveness of the improved activity-based simulation.\nFindings: - The computational analyses demonstrate that the improved activity-based simulation can consider the cyclical break in modeling a construction process, which cannot be achieved by the traditional simulation tools, especially when non-pre-emptive activities are concerned. It is also shown that the overtime use for the non-pre-emptive activities can lead to reduction of the project duration when the cyclical break is considered.\nOriginality/value: - The proposed simulation-based methodology is an alternative means to deal with the cyclical break that is destined for some activities and irrelevant to resource availabilities in modeling of a construction process.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
I need you, you need me: a model of initiated task interdependence
|
[
"Collectivism",
"Team working"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Team member interdependence is a desired characteristic of high performing teams. It can positively affect the level of cooperation and collaboration within a team, conflict management, member satisfaction, and team performance (Van der Vegt and Van de Vliert, 2002). In their meta-analysis, Johnson and Johnson (1989) concluded the benefits of interdependence included improved learning, achievement, cognitive complexity of thought, and interpersonal relations. In most previous research, team member interdependence has been considered a function of the task (e.g. Campion et al., 1993; Campion et al., 1996; Wageman, 1995) and \"required, rather than optional\" (Kiggundu, 1981; p. 501). However, interdependence may also be considered a emergent phenomena that is motivated by an individual's characteristics, beliefs, and values.\nTeam member interdependence: Task and outcome interdependence are two basic forms of interdependence that operate simultaneously within a team (Van der Vegt and Van de Vliert, 2002). They have been studied at both group and individual levels. Task interdependence is a characteristic of the work that is inherent in the task. All the teams in this study were designed to be relatively high in task interdependence. That is, each member within a team was required to share materials, information, and expertise with peers in order to achieve the desired output.Outcome interdependence is the degree to which group members are presented with group goals or provided with group feedback. Outcome interdependence is high when member motives can only be satisfied if the team performs well. For the teams in this study, management used team goals and feedback to increase coordination and cooperation among group members. In doing this, group members' attention and effort was directed to collective performance instead of individual performance (Locke and Latham, 1990; Mitchell and Silver, 1990).At the group level of analysis, task interdependence has been found to have a positive impact on group outcomes, including job satisfaction, team satisfaction, and group performance (e.g. Campion et al., 1996; Mohr, 1971; Van der Vegt et al., 2001). Similarly, at the group level, outcome interdependence has had positive effects on motivation, learning, achievement, cognitive complexity of thought, and interpersonal relations (e.g. Johnson and Johnson, 1989; Wageman, 1995).We decided to focus at the individual team member level of analysis because at this level the findings have been less conclusive (Van der Vegt et al., 2001). Some studies have found member task interdependence to be positively related to job involvement and job satisfaction (e.g. Kiggundu, 1983). Others have found a negative relation (e.g. Brass, 1985) or no relation at all (e.g. Billings et al., 1977) to exist between individual task interdependence and internal motivation, performance, and job satisfaction. In their study of engineering teams, Van der Vegt et al. (2001) found that team member task interdependence was positively related to both job and team satisfaction only when the degree of goal interdependence in the work team was high. Van der Vegt and Van de Vliert (2002) conclude that the inconsistent findings in individual level studies may be due to the moderating role of variables at the group or organizational level. We build on Van der Vegt and Van de Vliert (2002) by examining the moderating role of a group collectivism composition.Initiated and received task interdependence\nAntecedents of initiated interdependence: The degree of task interdependence may vary from person-to-person (e.g. Brass, 1985; Kiggundu, 1983). Yet, little is know about what influences the degree to which one team member perceives that the activities of peers depend on him or her for material, information, and support.Self-efficacy for teamwork (H1)\nConsequences of initiated interdependence: The importance of team composition has not been widely investigated for its impact on member or team performance (Campion et al., 1993; Guzzo and Shea, 1992). Examining collectivism, which reflects a preference for teamwork, as a team composition variable may be useful in understanding what members of a team expect from one another. We examined a specific form of team collectivistic composition, the proportion of team members with a high collectivistic orientation (referred to as team collectivistic composition; see Barry and Stewart, 1997). It is expected that within a team, as the proportion of members who report a high collectivist orientation increases, so will the acceptance of initiated interdependence.With respect to person-group (PG) fit, Kristof-Brown et al. (2002, p. 985) state that \"when an individual is compatible with coworkers, good PG is experienced\". Fit of an individual's values to the values of a larger social group predicts individual satisfaction, commitment, turnover, and performance (Chatman, 1991; O'Reilly et al., 1991; Jansen and Kristof-Brown, 2005; Kristof-Brown et al., 2002). The PG fit theory suggests that collectivists will have positive performance when their team provides an environment compatible with their personal characteristics. If the team is largely composed of individualists, we suspect that interdependence would be less valued and, subsequently, the behavior of team members who are lower on initiated task interdependence may be considered by their peers to be a better fit to the team. Fit may impact assessments of performance in that better fit results in higher performance ratings.H3. Peer ratings of individual effectiveness will be an interactive function of the team collectivistic composition and an individual's initiated task interdependence. The relationship between initiated task interdependence and individual effectiveness ratings will be strongest when the team has high team collectivistic composition.\nMethodology: Participants and procedure\nResults: Zero-order correlations and descriptive statistics are in Table I. Path analysis using LISREL 8.14 was conducted to examine relationships in Figure 2.Measurement model (stage 1)\nDiscussion and conclusions: In this study, team members depended on one another for successful completion of production tasks. We found that initiated task interdependence was more than just job design - 23 percent of the variance in initiated interdependence in this study was accounted for by self-efficacy for teamwork, received interdependence, and belief in the value of teamwork. We also found that individual member effectiveness was in the eyes of the beholder - teams composed of collectivists rated individuals high in initiated interdependence as being more effective than did teams composed of individualists.This study underscores the importance of considering individual dispositions, beliefs, values, and experiences when constructing interactive teams. We found that initiated interdependence is influenced by three sources. Team members make an assessment of their individual capabilities in the process of forming a self-efficacy for teamwork belief (see Bandura, 1997). They also make an assessment of the extent to which they depend on their peers, received interdependence. Each of these assessments influenced initiated interdependence. In addition, our findings suggested that initiated interdependence is influenced by individuals' belief in the ability of teams to accomplish work more effectively than when employees work alone.Although task interdependence is generally considered a positive outcome, the interdependent behavior exhibited by a team member may not always be perceived by peers as effective behavior. This is evidenced in this study where member effectiveness ratings varied with team collectivist composition. Our results show that the same individual initiating similar interdependence behavior may receive differing ratings of effectiveness from peers in different teams, due to the collectivism-individualism orientation differences of the members who compose their team. Team member effectiveness, to some extent, is therefore a socially constructed phenomenon specific to each team. It follows that the most effective individuals across a variety of teams may be those who can accurately assess the expectations of peers and who can adjust their initiating interdependence behavior accordingly. This requires further research.Our findings on the moderating role of peer collectivist composition are consistent with Van der Vegt et al. (2000) who showed that a fit between high individual task interdependence and high group-level outcome interdependence was found to produce more positive affective responses than \"low-high\" and \"high-low\" mismatches. High collectivist composition in the teams in our study may have increased outcome interdependence. This is supported by research which has shown that collectivists place greater emphasis on maintaining group harmony, and are more ready to sacrifice their personal goals in order to further the goals of the group (Triandis, 1989; Triandis et al., 1988). In collectivist teams, drives for uniqueness or independence are likely to be viewed as immature (e.g. Kim and Markus, 1999; Triandis, 1995). On the other hand, teams composed largely of individualists will prioritize personal goals over collective goals (see Triandis, 1989; Triandis et al., 1988) should experience low outcome interdependence.McAuliffe et al. (2003) argued that, traditionally, collectivist behavior is perceived as synonymous with what is considered to be \"good\" and acceptable group member behavior, whereas individualist behavior is seen as deviation from group norms. However, they found that preference for collectivist behavior was attenuated, or even reversed, when group members were motivated to conform to group norms that prescribed individualism. Specifically, when norms prescribed individualism, they found that preferences for collectivist behavior over individualist behavior was attenuated. Again, this is consistent with our findings because we would expect individualist norms and lower interdependence when teams are composed of mainly individualistic members.That individual effectiveness was highest when collectivist composition was high, a significant main effect for collectivist composition, suggests that collectivism is more positively evaluated overall than individualist behavior. While tolerance for low peer dependency on a member for material, information, and support (i.e. initiated interdependence) seems only moderate in high or low collectivist composition teams. However, intolerance for high initiated interdependence is great in groups composed mainly of individualists. The present research further demonstrated that a relatively high collectivist composition is important in fostering acceptance of initiated interdependence. Previous research has demonstrated that there are strict limits on acceptable (in)group member behavior (e.g. Abrams et al., 2000; Marques et al., 1998). Finally, our results provide evidence that low initiated interdependence need not be inconsistent with ideas of appropriate group member behavior. For example, some organizations might use individual incentives and individual enterprise bargaining agreements to promote a sense of interpersonal competitiveness within their culture. By actively promoting a norm of competitive individualism, such organizations reason that the collective output can be maximized through strong individualism. In sum, the study presented in this paper provides support for the idea that collectivist and individualist team composition influences the manner in which members evaluate initiated task interdependence.When an organization needs to increase task interdependence, one training effort could be aimed at impacting team member self-efficacy for teamwork, which in turn may impact initiated interdependence behavior. Initiated interdependence is also partly a function of received interdependence. Thus, problems related to an individual's interdependent behavior, or felt responsibility for the performance of peers, may also be a result of received interdependence perceptions. If a team member believes (s)he has experienced low received interdependence, then interventions may need to address the behavior of peers or the misperceptions about peer behavior. Low amounts of initiated task interdependence may also be the result of a person not believing in the benefits of teamwork. Again, this may represent a training opportunity.In terms of selection, the use of structured interviews may be a strategy to uncover candidates' past experience with working in an interdependent team environment, which informs self-efficacy for teamwork beliefs. In addition, structured interviews may assess perceived efficacy for teamwork. Collectivist orientations can be assessed through paper-and-pencil instruments and may be used to select and assign employees.With respect to performance appraisals, person-group (PG) fit could be considered in future studies. The findings reported here suggest that there are benefits associated with assessing each team member to get an indication of likely team dynamics. A high initiated task interdependence member is unlikely to receive a relatively high effectiveness rating from a team composed of individualists. This person should not necessarily be dismissed by the organization as being a poor team player, but could potentially be poorly matched to a particular team. Thus, a critical assessment prior to determining interventions may involve determining PG fit, where fit is influenced by the collectivism composition of the team. Resolving poor PG fit could involve choosing acceptable degrees of interdependence for task accomplishment and then establishing norms that maintain that degree of interdependence.Limitations and future research\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this study is to address two gaps in the existing literature. The first is why some team members have peers depend on them for material, information, and support (referred to as initiated task interdependence) more so than do others, ceteris paribus. The second is the appropriateness of initiated interdependence given a team's composition.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - In an ex post facto field study, task interdependence in 267 members of 18 intact teams were examined. The teams worked on complex and inherently interdependent tasks in a high-technology manufacturing organization.\nFindings: - Whether team members perceived initiated task interdependence was explained by the degree to which members themselves depend on their peers (received interdependence), team members' belief in the value of teamwork, and team members' self-efficacy for teamwork. As predicted, both collectivism and past job performance were associated with self-efficacy for teamwork. The relationship between initiated interdependence and individual effectiveness was moderated by the team's collectivist orientation, such that team members were considered relatively effective by their peers when they were high in initiated task interdependence and when their team was composed of collectivists; or when they were low in initiated interdependence and when their team was composed of individualists.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Although a one-factor test suggests that common method bias is not an overriding concern in interpreting our findings, the possibility of common method bias inflating the associates tested cannot be rules out. Also, we cannot say with certainty that exogenous variables \"caused\" changes in endogenous variables.\nPractical implications: - Study findings suggest ways to resolve a lack of task interdependence and the importance of team composition when considering peer performance ratings.\nOriginality/value: - This paper offers a significant contribution to the literature on task interdependence and person-group fit.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Identifying barriers, perceptions and motivations related to healthy eating and physical activity among 6th to 8th grade, rural, limited-resource adolescents
|
[
"Focus groups",
"Middle school",
"Nutrition",
"Adolescents",
"Physical activity",
"Socio-Ecological Model"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In the past three decades or so adolescents in the USA and other western countries have experienced a shift in their behavior that includes consumption of foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt, and increasingly sedentary lifestyle (Stevenson et al., 2007). One of the fallouts of such shift has been the increase in the prevalence of obesity among this group. Over the last 30 years, overweight in adolescence has doubled in the USA, from 15 percent in the 1970s to 30 percent today, and obesity in adolescence has tripled, from 5 to 15 percent. Currently, approximately 17 percent of (or 12.5 million) children and adolescents (aged 2-19 years) are obese, with the poor and minority populations impacted the most (Ogden et al., 2012).\nMethods: Focus group recruitment\nResults: Individual influences\nDiscussion: The findings from this study shows that adolescents' knowledge with regards to nutrition seems to be inadequate, which further indicates that nutrition education is in need. Knowledge about nutrition is considered to be beneficial not only for right food choices, but also for long-term health (Jenkins and Horner, 2005). However, the adolescents in the focus groups fell into a pattern of categorizing fruits and vegetables as the only \"good\" things for their health and they rarely mentioned other sources of nutrition such as whole grains, dairy, protein, etc. As opposed to viewing the diet as a whole, the adolescents viewed healthy eating as located within particular food categories.\nConclusions: This study provided information about sixth to eighth grade adolescents' perceptions of factors influencing their food choices and physical activities. Factors viewed as most important in influencing food choices included the food's appeal, availability, and convenience. School lunches were perceived as unappealing most of the days, and the students went hungry many days because of this reason. The availability of unhealthy snacks combined with the unavailability of healthy options in the school vending machine and the convenience store was one of the major factors in the poor choices the adolescents made with regards to food.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to enable community members to discuss their perceptions of eating habits and physical activity in relation to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, and reveal facilitators and barriers to healthy eating behavior and physical activity engagement.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Nine focus groups, which included six groups from sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, two parents' groups, and one teachers' group, were conducted in a middle school in southwest Kansas. Individual influences, social influences, and larger contextual influences on early adolescent health were assessed by discussing behaviors, personal characteristics, and environmental factors, based on the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM).\nFindings: Adolescent participants' knowledge regarding healthful foods was limited. Taste and appearance were the two leading factors that contributed to food choices. Responses from adolescents, parents, and teachers all indicated difficulties when introducing new and healthful food items into adolescents' diets. Besides physical education (PE) and school-related sports, the sources for physical activity were limited. Certain video games were specified as facilitators of physical activity by adolescents. Peer pressure was a predominant theme motivating most adolescents' physical activities as well as food choices. These findings suggest numerous interrelated factors associated with healthy lifestyle in the population of this study.\nOriginality/value: By involving adolescents in the in-depth open-ended discussion through the focus groups helped reveal their unique attitudes, perceptions, and motivations toward practicing healthy lifestyles. Interventions targeting both behavior change and environmental change are needed.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Paradigms of manufacturing strategy re-visited
|
[
"Corporate strategy",
"Operations and production management",
"Competitive strategy"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: In the 1995 paper, alternative paradigms for manufacturing strategy, the history of the development of manufacturing strategy was reviewed and it was concluded that three paradigms had emerged: competing through manufacturing; strategic choices in manufacturing, and best practice. Looking back on this work, these three paradigms are remarkably robust. However, there has been considerable development in the intervening years both intellectually and in practice that needs to be considered when reviewing this paper. Let us consider each paradigm in turn.\nCompeting through manufacturing: This has probably evolved the most, and there are a number of developments that have had a major impact on this paradigm. These include an expansion of the context within which manufacturing strategy is examined and a new theoretical lens.Expanding context\nStrategic choices: In the 1995 paper choices in manufacturing strategy were seen as being in two areas - process and infrastructure. Whilst these two main categories remain unchanged, the above trends have widened the nature of strategic choice. First, in previous decades, most attention had been paid to choice of process, with Hill's (1993) view of infrastructure being contingent on process type dominating. Whilst this is still valid, increasing attention is being paid to the choices of where we make it and where we source. A key trend behind this has been the growth in the importance of outsourcing. Companies have always outsourced and the make versus buy decision has always been part of the choices in any manufacturing organisation. Today, whether and what to outsource is seen as the major strategic choice in manufacturing strategy. In addition, outsourcing is not just a choice for products and manufacturing processes, but also for infrastructure processes. This is still a rapidly developing area and still lacks a clear view of what contingencies may lie behind choices. The growth of servitisation has also widened the scope of this paradigm. As Slack et al. (2004) indicate:The ability to do this requires the co-ordination of manufacturing systems, maintenance systems, spare parts supply systems, logistics systems, and so on. These individual operations processes need to be integrated in the same way as the physical systems that make up its products have been integrated.Thus the scope of the structure and infrastructure choices has widened considerably.Best practice\nConclusions: The main conclusion from revisiting the 1995 paper is that the three paradigms have remained robust, but there has been considerable development in practice and theory that both broadens the content and informs the nature of each paradigm. One of the arguments of the original paper that I feel is still valid, but neglected, is that manufacturing strategy is not a progression through ever better states such as Hayes and Wheelwright's four stages, or a \"journey to lean\", but is an iterative process in which each of the three paradigms is visited regularly. If we were to label each today we might wish to call them competing through the manufacturing network, strategic choices in manufacturing and service, and best and appropriate practices.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - Seeks to provide observations on a paper published in 1995.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The approach is a review and observations about the 1987 work.\nFindings: - In the 1995 paper, \"Alternative paradigms for manufacturing strategy\", the history of the development of manufacturing strategy was reviewed and it was concluded that three paradigms had emerged: competing through manufacturing; strategic choices in manufacturing, and best practice. Looking back on this work these three paradigms are remarkably robust. However, there has been considerable development in the intervening years both intellectually and in practice that needs to be considered when reviewing this paper.\nOriginality/value: - Shows that the three paradigms have remained robust, but there has been considerable development in practice and theory that both broadens the content and informs the nature of each paradigm.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Studies on the potential application of various blends of essential oils as antioxidant and antimicrobial preservatives in emulsion based chicken sausages
|
[
"Natural products",
"Food preservation",
"Storage stability",
"Microbial quality",
"Chicken meat",
"Chicken sausages",
"Essential oils",
"Anti-oxidant activity"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The poultry sector has emerged as an organised, scientific and one of the fastest growing sector of livestock economy. Poultry meat has become a very popular food commodity around the world due to its low cost of production, low fat content, high nutritional value and distinct flavour (Kumar et al., 2015). Consumption of processed chicken products has also dramatically increased over the last decades, namely, patties, sausages, nuggets, meat balls, etc. (Bianchi et al., 2009; Sharma, Talukder, Sharma, Goswami and Giriprasad, 2015). As a result, extension of shelf life of perishable chicken products is a major concern for poultry industries. Lipid oxidation is one of the main causes of chemical deterioration in food. The food oxidation produces a rancid flavour and decreases the sensory and nutritional quality of the products making them unacceptable by consumers (Belitz et al., 2009; Kumar et al., 2017). Effective anti-oxidants are incorporated in such products to retard or minimise oxidative deterioration. Anti-oxidant application is the simplest technique for reducing lipid oxidation (Olmedo et al., 2014). Synthetic anti-oxidants, such as BHA, BHT and propyl gallate, are used in many foods to decrease the oxidation process. However, consumers reject the addition of synthetic compounds to food because of the potential harmful consequence of these compounds (Shearn et al., 2011). Meat perishability is also one of the major concerns for meat industries which is due to its chemical composition leading to the growth of undesirable micro-organisms to an extent that could cause spoilage of meat. Spoilage of stored meat is mainly because of the psychrophilic micro-organisms, yeasts and moulds. Their enormous growth causes production of off-flavours, off-odours, discolouration and slime production thereby, leading to the decreased shelf life and acceptability of the product. To overcome this problem, food manufacturers have used anti-microbial agents such as food preservatives which not only prevent the growth of undesirable growth but also extend the shelf life of meat products. However, the use of essential oils (EOs) for meat preservation has been explored and promoted by several researchers (Burt and Reinders, 2003; Araujo et al., 2003; Delaquis et al., 2002). EOs exhibit their anti-microbial activity owing to small number of terpenoid and phenolic compounds (Karapinar and Aktung, 1987). Lipophilic character of EOs is mainly responsible for anti-bacterial property of EOs. Therefore, there is a need of identifying new, natural anti-oxidants that would serve as alternatives to synthetic compounds.\n2. Materials and methods: 2.1 Experimental design\n3. Results and discussion: 3.1 Moisture content\n4. Conclusion: Application of EOs in meat and meat products has paved the way for effective utilisation of natural anti-oxidants for the enhancement of their shelf life. Incorporation of blends of EOs showed decrease in pH of control and treatment products, whereas TBARS of control and treatment products increased throughout the storage period. Total phenolic content of control products decreased at rapid rate than treatment product. DPPH activity was observed higher in Blend-2 followed by Blend-1 products. Microbial counts were well below the permissible limit of frozen meat products. Regarding sensory scores, Blend-1 and Blend-4 had higher sensory scores for most of the attributes. Thus, it can be concluded that incorporation of different blends of EOs attributed to the enhanced anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activity to emulsion-based chicken sausages.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: Oxidative rancidity is a major problem in chicken meat because of its higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides this, microbial contamination is also one of the major problems of chicken meat which leads to deterioration in quality during storage. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects of various blends of essential oils (EOs) on the quality of emulsion-based (ready-to-eat) chicken sausages.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Sausages were incorporated with optimum level of four different blends of EOs containing six different EOs (Clove oil, Holybasil oil, Thyme oil, Cassia oil, Ajowan oil and Beetel oil), namely, Blend-1 (0.25 per cent), Blend-2 (0.25 per cent), Blend-3 (0.25 per cent) and Blend-4 (0.125 per cent); vacuum packaged and stored at -18+-1degC for 60 days. Duplicate samples were taken for each parameter, and three trials were conducted for each experiment, total being six observations (n=6) for consistency of the results.\nFindings: Significant decrease (p<0.05) in pH of control products was observed at each interval of storage period; however, in case of treatment products, significant decrease (p<0.05) was noticed from day 30 onwards. Blend-2 was observed with significantly lower (p<0.05) thio-barbituric acid reacting substances followed by Blend-1. Significantly lower (p<0.05) total phenolics content was observed in Blend-4 products as compared to other treatments. Regarding DPPH activity, control products showed significant decrease (p<0.05); however, in case of treatment products, DPPH activity showed significant (p<0.05) decrease after day 15 of storage. Microbial count increased with progressive storage period; however, the counts were well below the permissible limit of frozen meat products. All the blend incorporated products received very good sensory scores in consistent manner.\nPractical implications: The work under this study would be very useful for the meat processing industries dealing with the perishable meat products. Use of natural anti-oxidants will also restore faith towards the consumers who are becoming more health conscious day by day.\nOriginality/value: The research work is original.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Mobile shopping motivation: an application of multiple discriminant analysis
|
[
"Mobile shopping",
"Shopping motivations",
"Mobile shoppers",
"Consumer behaviour",
"Mobile communications systems"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The ubiquitous characteristic of a mobile phone reaching a user anywhere and anytime enables retailers to offer shopping services to customers on the move by promising an omnipresent shopping experience. Consumers use their mobile devices to browse or research products or services across multiple retailers when they are on the move. Consumer purchasing via mobile phones is expected to grow 39 percent a year from 2011 through 2016 (Forrester Research, Inc, 2011). This indicates that the mobile shopping channel has emerged as an influential medium for connecting customers with retailers and ultimately in generating sales.The impact of advanced mobile technology and services on the retail industry has changed retailers' interaction with customers in delivering optimal shopping services at customers' finger tips and increasing individual customer engagement. A limited understanding of consumer behavior in the mobile technology-mediated shopping environment hinders retailers' ability to develop appropriate shopping services in this embryonic stage of mobile shopping. Furthermore, the unique characteristics of mobile shopping encounters (e.g. small screen, limited data processing capability, ubiquity, various types of mobile apps, and different platforms) create different consumer needs and wants than other shopping channels (e.g. in-store, catalog, and PC online shopping). Since consumers shop with different shopping motivations which could result in dramatically different shopping patterns, a theoretical and practical study identifying the underlying motivations in using the mobile shopping channel would assist retailers in proactively designing their mobile shopping services. Thus, this study aims to identify driving shopping motivations for consumers to use the mobile shopping channel. In order to identify mobile shopping motivations, this study examines mobile shoppers' shopping motivations compared with those of non-mobile shoppers (i.e. potential adopters).Due to the infancy stage of mobile shopping, there is minimal research comparing the two shopper segments' (mobile shoppers vs non-mobile shoppers) motivations. By comparing two groups, this study attempts to answer the following two research questions:RQ1. What shopping motivations distinguish mobile shoppers from non-shoppers?RQ2. What shopping motivations are more important than others in predicting mobile shoppers?This study will contribute to increasing our understanding of the characteristics of mobile shopping services that drive consumers to use the mobile shopping channel and providing practical implications for developing more appropriate mobile shopping services that increase the use of mobile shopping channel.\nConceptual framework: Various types of consumer shopping motivations exist across different retail shopping formats (Westbrook and Black, 1985; Elastick and Feinberg, 1999; Parsons, 2002). Shopping motivations may vary according to the characteristics of a specific shopping channel and explain why consumers prefer to shop through a particular shopping channel (Arnold and Reynolds, 2003; Scarpi, 2005). With that regards, shopping motivations have been employed to segment a market and to develop appropriate marketing strategies for a specific retail format (Westbrook and Black, 1985; McGoldrick, 2002). The mobile shopping channel is different from typical online shopping because it provides services regardless of temporal and spatial constraints, enabling consumers to shop when they are on the move (Heinonen and Pura, 2006). With the unique characteristics of mobile shopping (e.g., ubiquity, personalization, localization), consumers may exhibit different shopping motivations in using the mobile shopping channel from other traditional shopping channels.Shopping motivation\nMethods: Instrument\nResults: Sample description\nDiscussion and implications: The study applied existing shopping motivation scales to the mobile shopping channel and contributed to generating multi-dimensional mobile shopping motivation consisting of; idea, efficiency, adventure, and gratification motivations. The multi-dimensions of mobile shopping motivation are significant determinants in explaining why consumers use the mobile shopping channel. Specifically, mobile shoppers are savvy and active shoppers because they utilize the advantages of the mobile shopping channel in search of better shopping ideas and information while enjoying exploring the innovative shopping tools and services offered.Each mobile shopping motivation provides insight into understanding mobile shoppers and implications for developing more appropriate shopping services that satisfy consumer needs. Idea shopping motivation suggests that shoppers enjoy browsing to obtain product information as an end in itself (Bloch et al,. 1989). The mobile shopping channel is a place to get information about new trends, fashion, and product/ price information. Consumers can search shopping information when they are on the move and can customize mobile shopping applications for receiving opt-in shopping information based on their personal preferences.Related to efficiency shopping motivation, mobile shopping services enable consumers to save time finding a store location and browsing products across multiple retailers. Consumers can use GPS functions on their mobile phones to find store directions or the store closest to their current location. Moreover, several functions and mobile applications are now available in the mobile shopping channel aimed at enhancing shopping efficiency. Mobile coupons that enable consumers to save money by scanning the mobile coupon at an in-store checkout system is a good example of satisfying the efficiency shopping motivation of consumers. In addition, price comparison mobile sites can increase shopping efficiency by providing information about prices across multiple retailers.Mobile shoppers motivated by adventure shopping are likely to try new functions and features of shopping services which may entertain them during their shopping trips. Consumers can explore a mobile site in a store to get product reviews or they may try new stores and products that are recommended by others. Since mobile shopping is a new shopping channel in a different environment from traditional shopping encounters, consumers with a high level of adventure motivation would enjoy exploring services and options in the new shopping medium.The result of the study also supports that gratification shopping is significant in the mobile shopping channel. Since mobile phone is an extremely personalized device that users carry most of the time, retailers can send personalized and individual messages or promotions. With GPS function being a ubiquitous characteristic of mobile devices, location-based mobile shopping services are available to consumers regardless of temporal and spatial constraints. When consumers receive personalized shopping information based on a specific location, they would be likely to feel the special treatment from retailers and engage with the retailer or brand.Regrettably, role, achievement, social, and value shopping motivations produced a negative value in the present study, meaning that these characteristics of shopping motivations may not be significant in the mobile shopping channel. These four shopping motivations offer an opportunity for enhancing mobile shopping functions and features. For example, role shopping could be promoted when mobile shopping sites and applications provide shopping features for gift ideas on special occasions or assist customers in finding the right product based on expert advice. Achievement shopping motivation could be created when customers are able to complete their shopping task in a mobile site and satisfy the shopping process. For increasing achievement motivation, retailers could prompt customers to use a store card in placing their order on their mobile sites (e.g. Starbucks reward card mobile application).Social shopping motivation can be significant when the mobile shopping channel offers communication and social interaction features to consumers. Retailers can add social shopping features such as shop with a friend or a recommend function (e.g. \"Like\" on Facebook, \"Tweet\" on Twitter) for increasing social interaction. Further, shopping features and applications for finding bargain information with minimal effort could increase the value shopping motivation among potential mobile shoppers.Moreover, the demographic profile of mobile shoppers suggests that male consumers with college degree between the ages of 21-30 years old are major mobile shoppers. They are in the middle income range and use their mobile phones exclusively for private purposes. Thus, retailers could target this consumer group in developing mobile shopping services/applications that emphasize idea, efficiency, adventure, and gratification shopping benefits.\nConclusions: Retailers have an opportunity to examine their mobile shopping functions and features and seek to position them as push factors to drive consumers to shop in the mobile channel. Based on the study results, mobile shopping services/applications need to be designed and positioned with various consumer motivations in using a new shopping channel. Idea, efficiency, adventure, and gratification shopping motivations are suggested as main mobile shopping motivations for the current mobile shoppers. Mobile shopping service features that designed with those shopping benefits will gain popularity among the current mobile shoppers and motivate the potential mobile shoppers to use the services.One limitation of this study is related to sampling. Since this study sample is primarily of US consumers and the largest group of respondents is ages 19 to 30 years old, the result may have a limited application to other countries and other age groups. There are many other diverse avenues for further research suggested by our results. Future research is encouraged to categorize mobile shopping service characteristics in relation to shopping motivations to generate a better understanding of how mobile site design can meet individual consumers' preference and needs. An extension of our segmentation approach to more countries and especially non-western cultures promises interesting results. Furthermore, researchers are encouraged to expand segmentation variables to allow an even more specific fine-tuning of the main shopping motivations identified in this research. For example, a deeper understanding of mobile shoppers and their lifestyle differences would be extremely useful. Knowing more about how shopping motivations evolve and change over time would also be beneficial. Thus, more longitudinal studies focusing on mobile shopping processes are needed. Do some mobile shoppers become more hedonic or utilitarian as time progresses? We hope this study will stimulate the interest of a few researchers to pursue these issues in their future efforts.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This study aims to examine mobile shoppers' shopping motivations compared with those of non-mobile shoppers (i.e. potential adopters) and to identify driving motivations for consumers to use the mobile shopping channel.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A sample of 400 mobile service users was drawn from a purchased consumer panel who completed a web-based survey. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to analyze the data.\nFindings: - The results indicate that idea, efficiency, adventure, and gratification shopping motivations are significant determinants of mobile shoppers, implying that those shopping motivations are push factors of mobile shopping.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The sample of this study consists primarily of US consumers with the largest group of respondents aged 19 to 30 years old; thus, the result may have a limited application to other countries and other age groups. Future research is encouraged to categorize mobile shopping service characteristics into shopping motivations and value.\nPractical implications: - The results suggest that idea, efficiency, adventure, and gratification shopping motivations need to be incorporated into the development of mobile shopping service functions and features to satisfy consumer needs and wants for the mobile shopping channel.\nOriginality/value: - Due to the infancy stage of mobile shopping, there is minimal research comparing the two shopper segments' (mobile shoppers versus non-mobile shoppers) motivations. This study contributes to generating multi-dimensional mobile shopping motivation in explaining why consumers use the mobile shopping channel.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Incentive structures in multi-partner project teams
|
[
"Optimization",
"Methodology",
"Project management",
"Decision support systems"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: A multi-partner project team (MPPT) is defined as a team composed of multiple workers (agents) with complementary expertise and technical skills, who collaborate with one another to perform a variety of interdependent project activities (Mishra et al., 2015). Due to recent increase in project complexity and technological advancement, MPPT has become one of the dominant topics in project management; it has been discussed in the context of high-tech projects (Kotha and Srikanth, 2013) and other multi-tasking development projects (Yu et al., 2018). In several large and complex construction projects (e.g. the construction projects of Qinghai-Tibet railway, Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge and Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway), joint efforts by multiple partners are routinely required for tackling technical difficulties during the design and construction stages. An MPPT offsets the deficiency in the professional expertise of a single agent as it allows agents with complementary skills to share their knowledge and thereby enhances the probability of solving difficult construction problems. On the negative side, it increases the complexity of project management as well as the probability of project failure (Kotha and Srikanth, 2013) thereby posing new challenges to project management.\n2. Related literature: We divide our literature into three parts, namely, the impact of the incentive contract on project performance and team cooperation, the structure of the incentive contract, and studies of the MPPT.\n3. Modeling: 3.1 Model assumptions\n4. Model analysis and discussion: 4.1 The impact of the incentive structure on the agents' efforts\n5. Conclusions: This paper presents a stylized model of MPPT in which agents are inequity-averse and their total effort expenditures are exogenously bounded. Generalization of the model to n>2 agents presents no major theoretical problems but increases considerably its complexity. We compare to each other two types of contracts, namely, group-based and individual-based incentive contracts, and study their effects on the agents' effort expenditures and project performance. We also study the effects of the information conditions, project attributes and agents' level of inequity aversion on the agents' effort expenditures and project performance. Appendix 2 presents an extensive example that illustrates numerically and graphically these effects. The results of this paper may be applied to projects with multiple partners which require inter-organizational collaborations such as large and complex construction, R&D, NPD projects and construction projects with IPD mode.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of incentive contracts in multi-partner project teams (MPPTs) on the agents' effort expenditure and project performance, analyze how the agents allocate their efforts between production and cooperation and offer suggestions for project managers on how to design incentive contracts.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper proposes a model of MPPT in which agents are inequity-averse and their effort expenditures are exogenously bounded. An extensive numerical example is presented in online Appendix 2 to illustrate the theoretical results.\nFindings: The paper suggests that if the potential benefit of the agents' cooperation in MPPT is high or if both agents exhibit inequity aversion and the efforts' marginal costs are low, then group-based incentive contracts outperform individual-based incentive contracts. It also shows that the impact of the incentive contract on the agents' effort expenditure and project team performance is correlated with several critical project attributes.\nOriginality/value: Fulfilling a need to study the design of incentive structures in MPPTs, the paper complements the existing literature in three ways. First, in contrast to single-partner project teams, it considers projects with multiple partners where cooperation between them enhances the project outcome. Second, rather than focusing on individual production problems, it considers multi-task projects with constrained efforts that must be allocated between production and cooperation. Third, it analyzes the effects of changes in the project attributes, incentive intensities and information transparency on the effectiveness of the contract.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment: An exploratory analysis of 41 less developed economies
|
[
"Working practices",
"Industrial relations",
"Informal economy",
"Conditions of employment",
"Contingent workers",
"Disadvantaged groups"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: From the middle of the twentieth century, a view predominated that the informal economy was purely a developing country phenomenon and represented a pre-modern mode of production that was steadily disappearing with the advent of modernisation and economic development (Geertz, 1963; Gilbert, 1998; Lewis, 1959). Since the turn of the new millennium, however, there has been growing recognition that informal employment prevails in developed as well as developing economies and is growing in many global regions (Slavnic, 2010; Webb et al., 2009; Williams and Lansky, 2013). Indeed, in many developing countries, the majority of non-agricultural workers are in informal employment (ILO, 2013; Dibben and Williams, 2012). The result is that there is a need for scholarship on human resources and labour economics to broaden its scope beyond formal employment to explaining the scale of informal employment (e.g. Darwish and Singh, 2013; Lopes and Teixeira, 2013). In this paper, the aim is to contribute to the advancement of knowledge on this expanded view of human resources and labour economics by evaluating critically the competing explanations for the cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment across less developed economies.\nInformal employment: definitions, measurements and explanations: Defining informal employment\nMethodology: examining cross-national variations in the level of informal employment: To estimate the variations in the level of informal employment across less developed economies, the ILO surveys of informal employment conducted in 41 countries are here analysed. The main advantage of using these surveys is that they use the same common broad definition of informal employment as discussed above and also employ a very similar survey methodology when collecting data on the extent of informal employment using either an ILO Department of Statistics questionnaire sent to countries or information from national labour force or informal sector surveys (for further details, see ILO, 2012).\nFindings: cross-national variations in the level of informal employment: Examining the findings for the 41 countries for which data are available on the level of informal employment, Table II reveals that the simple unweighted average is that the majority (53.9 per cent) of non-agricultural workers in these less developed economies are in informal employment as their main job. However, and given the variable size of the workforce across countries, a weighted average figure is here employed that takes into account the variable size of the workforce in each country. The resultant finding is that across all 41 countries, just over one-third (34.4 per cent) of non-agricultural workers are in informal employment as their main job. Informal employment, therefore, is not some minor leftover of little importance. As the main occupation of over one in three of the non-agricultural workforce, this is a sizeable realm that employs a significant proportion of the labour force in these less developed economies.\nAnalysis: evaluating the competing theories: To explain the above cross-national variations in the level of informal employment, a preliminary analysis of the validity of each of the three theoretical perspectives is here conducted. First, and to evaluate the validity of the modernisation perspective that the share of informal employment is lower in \"developed\" wealthier economies and greater in \"less developed\" economies, the correlation between such employment and GNP per capita is analysed across these 41 less developed economies. As Figure 2 reveals, and again using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient due to the non-parametric nature of the data, there is a strong significant relationship between the level of informal employment in a country and its GNP per capita (r\nConclusions: To explain the cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment, an exploratory analysis has been conducted of the validity of three competing theoretical perspectives in relation to less developed economies. These variously assert that higher levels of informal employment are correlated with economic under-development (modernisation theory), corruption, higher taxes and state interference (neo-liberal theory) and inadequate state intervention to protect workers from poverty (structuralist theory). Analysing data from direct surveys conducted in 41 less developed economies by the ILO, the finding is that just over one in three (34.4 per cent) of the non-agricultural workforce participate in informal employment as their main job across these less developed economies, although there are marked cross-national variations, ranging from 83.6 per cent in India to 6.1 per cent in Serbia. Informal employment in consequence, is not some small segment of the labour market. In 59 percent of the less developed economies surveyed, the majority of the non-agricultural workforce is engaged in informal employment.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the competing explanations for the cross-national variations in the scale of informal employment which variously correlate higher levels of informal employment with economic under-development (\"modernization\" theory), corruption, higher taxes and state interference (\"neo-liberal\" theory) and inadequate state intervention to protect workers from poverty (\"structuralist\" theory).\nDesign/methodology/approach: To do this, data on the prevalence of informal employment collected by the International Labour Organisation using a common survey method across 41 less developed economies are analysed and compared using bivariate regressions with World Bank development indicators.\nFindings: Some 34.4 per cent of the non-agricultural workforce is in informal employment across these 41 countries, with the share in informal employment ranging from 83.6 per cent in India to 6.1 per cent in Serbia. Evaluating critically the competing explanations, a call is made for a synthesis of the modernisation and structuralist theoretical perspectives in a new \"neo-modernisation\" theory that tentatively associates higher levels of informal employment with economic under-development, smaller government and inadequate state intervention to protect workers from poverty.\nResearch limitations/implications: Based on 41 cases, a multivariate regression analysis was not possible to determine how important each characteristic is to the final outcome whilst controlling for the other characteristics.\nPractical implications: This paper tentatively displays that wider economic and social policies, such as social protection, are significantly correlated with the level of informal employment.\nOriginality/value: This is the first paper to use a direct survey to analyse and explain cross-national variations in informal employment in less developed economies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Routing of supply vessels to petroleum installations
|
[
"Delivery services",
"Problem solving",
"Optimization techniques",
"Storage management"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In terms of logistics, the production of oil and gas is divided into two parts: upstream and downstream logistics. The activities aiming towards bringing oil and gas out to the end customers are known as downstream logistics while the activities aiming towards supplying the offshore installations with needed supplies is named upstream logistics.The issue treated in this paper is related to upstream logistics in the oil and gas industry in Norway. More specifically, we consider forward and backward flows of cargo between the installations at Haltenbanken and the onshore supply base in Kristiansund on the northwest coast of Norway. Haltenbanken is Norway's second biggest area for oil and gas production and is located in The Norwegian Sea, about 130 km from the Norwegian coastline. The production started in 1993 and today several oil companies are operating various offshore installations in this area.Even though upstream logistics in the oil and gas industry must be regarded as an important issue for the industry, not much research has been done within this field. To the best of our knowledge Fagerholt and Lindstad (2000) is the only exception. They explore some of the challenges related to the supply of offshore installations and their main objective is to determine an efficient routing policy for the Norwegian Sea considering the effect of not allowing installations to be closed for service during night periods.The amount of money involved in the oil and gas industry is enormous. Transportation between the base and the platforms is expensive as well. Renting and operating a supply ship costs approximately EUR18,000 per day and it is, therefore, important to try to minimize transportation costs as much as possible by planning the routes for the supply vessels in an efficient way. On the other hand, if the platforms do not have the necessary supplies, they may have to close down the production or drilling operations. The costs of such close downs will be very large. Hence, there will be a trade off between an efficient planning of the supply vessels' routes and the probability of close downs due to lack of supplies or congestions of return goods. Operational planning of supply vessels is very complex due to uncertainties regarding demands and weather conditions. An added complexity is that the offshore installations in general have very limited free space for storing containers and equipment on the platform deck. This complicates the routing planning even more and has to the best of our knowledge not been described in the literature before.Taken together, this makes the problem of routing of supply vessels an interesting research subject. In particular, today's routing and dispatching of the supply vessels are done almost only manually without any use of routing optimization tools. Hence, large savings may be obtained by improving today's practice by trying to optimize the routings of the vessels. The aim of this paper is to provide a mathematical formulation of this routing problem as a mixed integer programming model. The model takes into account such aspects as delivery and pickup demands, vessel capacity, and free storage capacity at installations. In addition, it opens up for non-classical solutions where an installation can be visited twice. However, it will not include stochastic aspects. As in practice the planning is done for only one vessel at a time, the model is formulated for a single vessel. These simplifications and the size of the real-life applications make it possible to solve the model to optimality. A comparative analysis of vessel routes achieved under different assumptions based on realistic data is performed. It corroborates the necessity of inclusion in the problem formulation, the possibility for each installation to be visited twice; once for delivery and once for pickup. The classical approach of insisting on one visit does not guarantee optimality of routes and may lead to an infeasible route.The rest of this paper is organized as follows. First, a detailed description of the real problem is presented. Next, follows a review of existing literature on related problems before a mathematical model for the simplified problem is presented in the following section. Thereafter, the model solutions for several data instances under different assumptions are discussed. Finally, in the last section concluding remarks are given and some issues for further research are discussed.\nCase and problem description: The routing problem for the supply vessels that serve the installations in the Norwegian Sea is a very complex problem which involves deterministic, stochastic and dynamic aspects. The goal is to design a sequence of installations to be visited by each supply vessel in such a way that the supply demands are delivered, the pickup demands are collected, total transportation cost is minimized while satisfying the operational constraints on the capacities of supply vessels and installations.Problem characteristics\nRelevant optimization problems in the literature: The problem of routing supply vessels belongs to the class of Vehicle Routing Problems with Pickups and Deliveries (VRPPD) where deliveries to and collections from a set of customers are made with a fleet of vehicles based at the depot. In the problem considered all deliveries originate at the depot, and all collections are destined to the depot. This is different from the more general VRPPD involving deliveries between customer locations; see review in Cordeau et al. (2006). The VRPPD is an NP-hard optimization problem with many applications. The VRPPD arises naturally in the planning of reverse logistics operations (Dethloff, 2001; Tang and Galvao, 2002, 2006). Other real-life applications encountered in the beverage industry are described in Halskau and Lokketangen (1998) and Prive et al. (2006).Most known solution approaches for the VRPPD including models and algorithms have been developed in contexts where the solution is constructed under the assumption that each customer is visited only once (Nagy and Sahli, 2005) for an elaborated overview. In such traditional solutions every route has the shape of a cycle. Another type of VRPPD solution with a predetermined shape is a lasso solution, a term introduced by Gribkovskaia et al. (2001), which generalizes the traditional solution. In a lasso solution, every vehicle first makes deliveries to a subset S of customers, then visit other customers on its route to perform a combined delivery and pickup, and finally visit the customers from set S a second time to perform collections on the way back to the depot. Setting (S)=0 for every route yields a traditional cycle route. For some routes it may be advantageous in terms of cost to perform two visits at some customers located close to the depot having a large pickup demand compared to their delivery demand.Recent research by Gribkovskaia et al. (2006) and Hoff et al. (2006) shows that it is even more advantageous to design models and heuristics capable of constructing general solutions where some customers may be visited once while others may be visited twice, and no a priori shape is imposed on every route in the solution. Moreover, in such solutions customers visited twice can be visited by two different vehicles, where one performs a delivery while another performs a collection, and a precedence relation between these two services is not specified. General VRPPD solutions are less restricted than other solution types, and the set of feasible general solutions encompass traditional and lasso solutions as subsets. A general solution approach allowing customers to be visited once or twice gives more routing alternatives, but may require more time because one additional setup time period may be needed. In the problem under consideration the setup periods are very small compared with travel time periods.We define the real-life problem considered in this paper as a VRPPD with one additional characteristic, namely limited free storage capacity at customers. Gribkovskaia et al. (2001) use the terms delivery-feasibility, pickup-feasibility and load-feasibility when characterizing a feasible solution for the classical VRPPD problem. We find it convenient to use a new term storage-feasibility ensuring that there will be enough free storage space at any customer whenever the customer is visited on the route. As far as we are aware, VRPPD problems with limited storage capacities at customers have never been described in the literature on vehicle routing. The term \"storage capacity at a customer\" can be found in the inventory routing literature (Christiansen et al., 2004; Campbell and Savelsbergh, 2004), but the meaning of this term is different from the one used in this paper. In inventory routing storage capacity at customer is the difference between the maximal storage capacity and the present inventory level. In our definition, storage capacity at installation is the free storage space on the platform deck plus the space taken by containers that are going to be picked up.\nMathematical formulation of the problem: As described, the original problem is too complex to attack directly. In this paper, we do not attempt to include in the optimization model all the aspects described in second section, but rather formulate a simplified model including constraints reflecting storage feasibility requirements. First, some assumptions and simplifications are made in order to identify the core of the problem. Second, the simplified basic problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming problem. We introduce constraints allowing up to two visits at each platform, imposing load feasibility, storage feasibility, and requirements to perform combined services. Then, the sub-tour elimination constraints and the objective function are presented.Assumptions and simplifications\nComparative analysis of optimal solutions: The model described in the previous section was used to solve real-life sized instances with CPLEX. The data used is based on the reports from June 2004 provided by the Norwegian oil company Statoil. In this section, we illustrate on two examples the effect of introducing storage feasibility and service feasibility requirements on solutions. We also compare solutions under different assumptions on a number of visits.Specification of parameters\nConclusion and further research: In this paper, we have described a real-life routing problem for supply ships serving offshore installations from the supply base and provided a mathematical formulation of this routing problem as a mixed integer programming model. Because of the complexity of the problem, some assumptions and simplifications have been made to formulate the basic model including several core aspects of the problem such as delivery and pickup demands as well as the limited free storage capacity at platforms.The interest of the formulation is that it includes restrictions on storage capacity at customers. This has never been done in the vehicle routing literature before. Further, to be able to identify all feasible solutions to the real problem, the model allows two visits at some customers. With this assumption the model is capable of producing optimal routes of different shapes which encompass known shapes as cycles and lassos. The classical approach of insisting on simultaneous service at every visit will neither guarantee optimality nor feasibility of solution.The small size of the real-life instances made it possible to feed the model directly into a standard optimization software for mixed integer programming. We used CPLEX 9.0 to solve real-life sized instances to optimality. The examples show that the cost and the shape of the optimal route for a vessel can be very sensitive to the input data. Since, the use of supply vessels is very expensive, even a small increase in the utilization of these vessels can yield large savings. The main advantage of finding optimal solutions for the mathematical problem described above is gaining insight about possible shapes for the routes. Such insights can be important to have, when one wants to address and solve extended and more realistic cases. The gap between two different solutions in the real problem can be substantial, measured in monetary units.The real problem introduced in this paper is very complex and several extensions must be included in the basic model before it completely represents the real-life problem. Some of these aspects are discussed below and they will be relevant subjects for further research.In the present model only the container commodity is treated. Bulk commodities will not represent a difficulty as long as routing planning is done for only one vessel at a time. However, if the routing is done for several vessels in a dynamic way, and the bulk demands from the platforms exceed the tank capacities for a single vessel, bulk commodities must be included in the model.Six of the total ten installations in the Norwegian Sea can be served 24 hours a day, while the remaining four are closed between 07:00 p.m. and 07:00 a.m. (closed at night). The reason for this practice is that it is usually not necessary for installations that only produce, to receive supplies during night hours. An installation closed during the night needs fewer crane operators which represents a cost saving. So for these four installations, time window constraints have to be added.In routing planning only customers with some (positive) demand are considered. In the problem discussed in this paper, the vessel capacities and the limited free storage space at the platform decks cause major problems. It is important to have some free space in order to make efficient routes. It is possible to create free space on a vessel when visiting a platform that does not have present demands, but does have a free storage space, by temporarily storing some units of demand destined for another platform. Such possibility for intermediate storing is an issue for further research.In this paper, only splits of services are considered, i.e. a supply vessel is allowed to visit an installation twice, doing first a delivery and thereafter a pickup. Split deliveries involving the use of several vehicles have been treated in the vehicle routing literature (Brenninger-Gothe, 1989). If the routing planning in the present problem is done for more than one vessel, splitting of both delivery and pickup demands between different vessels can be considered. Such an approach may reduce the overall costs and create more free space on the vessels.As mentioned in the beginning of the paper, a single supply vessel is not large enough to service all the installations on one trip. Hence, in practice more than one supply vessel is needed. Vessels arrive at and departure from the supply base at different times. Routing decisions concerning one vessel will most likely influence the routing of the other vessels as well. The vessel routing problem in this dynamic setting can be considered as a \"multitrip vehicle routing problem\" (Brandao and Mercer, 1998; Taillard et al., 1996). Additionally, it is usually enough to visit an installation two or three times a week. In this context, the problem can be looked at as a \"periodical vehicle routing problem\" (Cordeau et al., 1997).To be able to solve extended models that include some or all aspects mentioned above, in the future we are going to develop efficient heuristic algorithms. For the model presented in this paper we will develop a tabu-search heuristic able to generate solutions for larger sized instances.The model presented in this paper is deterministic. However, there are many stochastic elements surrounding the routing of supply vessels. These are briefly discussed in the sections \"Demands\" and \"Supply vessels\". Incorporating stochastic parameters will necessitate a very different approach than used in this paper. However, a stochastic approach could make a more robust planning of the routes and over time decrease the costs.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - In the Norwegian oil and gas industry the upstream logistics includes providing the offshore installations with needed supplies and return flow of used materials and equipment. This paper considers a real-life routing problem for supply vessels serving offshore installations at Haltenbanken off the northwest coast of Norway from its onshore supply base. The purpose of the paper is to explore how the offshore installation's limited storage capacity affects the routing of the supply vessels aiming towards creating efficient routes.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A simplified version of the real-life routing problem for one supply vessel is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model that contains constraints reflecting the storage requirements problem. These constraints ensure that there is enough capacity at the platform decks and that it is possible to perform both pickup and delivery services.\nFindings: - The model has been tested on real-life-sized instances based on data provided by the Norwegian oil company Statoil ASA. The tests show that in order to obtain optimal solutions to the pickup and delivery problem with limited free storage capacities at installations, one has to include in the formulation the new sets of constraints, the storage feasibility and the service feasibility requirements. In addition, two visits to some platforms are necessary to obtain optimality.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The main limitation is the present inability to solve large cases.\nOriginality/value: - The contribution of this paper is to provide a better insight into a real-life routing problem which has a unique feature arising from the limited deck capacity at the offshore installations that complicates the performance of service. This feature has neither been discussed nor modeled in the vehicle routing literature before, hence the formulation of the problem is original and reveals some interesting results.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Political connections and banking performance: the moderating effect of gender diversity
|
[
"Political connections",
"Gender diversity",
"Bank performance",
"ECB",
"GMM"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The composition of corporate Boards of Directors has received increasing attention from both investors and shareholders (Tanaka, 2019; Wang et al., 2018). This issue has received particular notice following the financial scandals of recent decades (namely, WorldCom bankruptcy and 2008 financial crisis) being also driven by the need to improve the effectiveness of these boards (Nyamongo and Temesgen, 2013; Reguera-Alvarado et al., 2017). Boards are composed of elements with diverse attributes, characteristics and knowledge, which contribute to the group as a whole (Walt and Ingley, 2003). Two of these characteristics have received particular attention in recent literature:\n2. Literature review: The links between the business world and governments are not new to the 21st century, with a continuing interference of politics and governments on business activity, even as customs barriers, deregulation and privatization fall (Hillman, 2005). These links are designated by the scientific community as political connections and correspond to a social relationship aiming at authority or power gain (Wong and Hooy, 2018). Following the established literature, an element has political connections if he/she is an ex-government official (Carretta et al., 2012; Garcia-Meca and Garcia, 2015; Hung et al., 2017), i.e. someone who worked as a bureaucrat/advisor in a ministry and/or a politician who is elected an was a former minister. These connections are ubiquitous (Banerji et al., 2018) and can be considered a type of \"invisible corruption\" (Domadenik et al., 2016). Companies, where these political connections occur, are termed \"politically connected\" (Chen et al., 2018; Saeed et al., 2016). The existence of these connections can be explained by the theory of resource dependence, which states that organizations need to acquire and exchange resources, leading to the dependence between companies and external units such as governments (De Cabo et al., 2012). Such dependence creates risks and uncertainty, which can be reduced by establishing political connections (Hillman, 2005) that enable companies to obtain a stronger resource base to increase their value (Wong and Hooy, 2018). In addition, these links also take us to agency theory. According to this theory, proposed by Jensen and Meckling (1976), the separation between shareholders and managers generates information asymmetries (agency problems), constituting an incentive for boards' members with political connections to use their political resources for their personal interest, to the detriment of shareholders' interests, which may lead to the expropriation of the shareholders' wealth (Bebchuk and Fried, 2004).\n3. Variables, sample and model: 3.1 Sample used in the study\n4. Results: 4.1 Correlation analysis\n5. Conclusion: The present study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the effect of gender diversity on the relationship between political connections and banking performance, allowing for linear and nonlinear relationships between variables in the period following two ECB directions - the imposition of gender quota and curriculum assessment and suitability of members of significant banks' boards. The study is a contribution to the relevant literature on this subject, namely, with regard to the banks of greatest interest in the Eurozone.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of board gender diversity in explaining the effects of board members' political connections on banking performance in the Eurozone.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper analyses panel data on 83 banks supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB) for the period 2013-2017, using a generalized moment method-type estimation methodology.\nFindings: Results suggest that when gender diversity is high, there is a U-shaped nonlinear relationship between political connections and banking performance. Empirical evidence also indicates that differentiating characteristics of women, such as greater ethical concern and risk aversion, help mitigate the negative effects of political connections on banking performance, safeguarding the institutions' interests from the adverse effects of personal agendas. In addition, these results also suggest that a minimum of 14% of gender diversity can contribute to greater social justice and beneficial structural change.\nResearch limitations/implications: The period studied may not yet fully reflect the impact of the assessment of the board members' suitability.\nPractical implications: The paper contributes to the growing literature on political connections and gender diversity, providing greater insight into their role as determinants of banking performance. The study also suggests the benefits and possible limitations of the regulator's two impositions - gender diversity quotas and members' repute (members' political connections).\nOriginality/value: The effect of gender diversity on the impact of board members' political connections on banking performance has not been studied, as these relationships have not been analysed separately for banks directly supervised by the ECB.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
How do national cultures impact the operations strategy process?
|
[
"Operations strategy",
"National culture",
"Hofstede’s cultural dimensions"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Cross-cultural studies have been considered increasingly important for international management. When country idiosyncrasies are not properly recognized, they represent critical challenges to managers. One of the current questions for research still relies on how to manage network operations when plants are located in different countries. Other questions that have a considerable practical impact in operations management (OM) include internationalization, global supply chains, and international outsourcing, among others. These aspects involve a level of decisions that inevitably extend beyond ordinary managerial choices. The delimitation of eventual variances between countries, which is attributable to geographic, historical, sociological or any other national factor, highlights the importance of this matter, not only for managers but also for scholars.\n2. Literature review: The present investigation draws from the conceptualization on enablers and elements of the OS process to understand the extent to which different patterns may be explained by cultural idiosyncrasies. In this sense, the constructs selected for this study (leadership for cross-functional integration, functional integration, manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy and formulation of manufacturing strategy) have been presented since the seminal articles of Skinner (1969), Wheelwright (1984) and Hayes and Wheelwright (1985). These three studies emphasized on the rule of operations managers in the strategy formulation process, the need for integration between operations and other functional areas, like marketing, and the idea of alignment of operations decisions with business strategy. While leadership for cross-functional integration and functional integration are relevant for the success of OS as a communication development that needs to involve different functions within the organization, formulation of manufacturing strategy and manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy are comprehended within the processual approach of OS discussed by Rytter et al. (2007), relating to the formulation and implementation of OS, respectively.\n3. Hypotheses development: The first set of hypotheses refers to the power distance dimension and its relationship to the aspects related to the OS process. Hope (2004) sought to understand the influence of national culture in OM in the hotel industry, as represented by the adoption of \"best practices.\" She found that practices involving teamwork, empowerment and communication were largely affected by high levels of power distance between the staff. Chakrabarty (2009) argues that economies with a high power distance index are those in which wealth and opportunities are also available, but unequally distributed. At the same time, Nielsen and Nielsen (2011), also basing their analysis on Hofstede's cultural classification, found that both international experience and the nationality diversity of top managers have impacts on strategic decision making. In their study of different leadership styles across six different countries (USA, Russia, Germany, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan), Ardichvili and Kuchinke (2002) concluded that cultural differences indeed played a strong influence on the perceivable leadership style in each country. Other studies (e.g. Smith et al., 2002; Dorfman et al., 1997) have also pointed out the prominence of power distance over all other cultural dimensions as far as its influence on leadership styles.\n4. Empirical research and method: 4.1 Countries analyzed and national culture\n5. Results: A total of 20 ANOVAs, 20 post hoc tests and four t-tests were run, with each OS element construct being assessed for the six distinct data groupings. The study showed that there are significant results that suggest the relationship between National Culture dimensions and the OS aspects that were studied. Results are summarized in Table V.\n6. Discussion: Several authors have attributed a great deal of importance to social networking and indigenous management concepts or approaches, stating that they are a fundamental basis for comprehending the development of managerial practices in emerging economies (e.g. Horak and Klein, 2015; Minbaeva and Muratbekova-Touron, 2013; Smith et al., 2012; Motta and Alcadipani, 1999). Such an understanding might also be helpful for explaining the main differences between China and Germany regarding OS. Guanxi has been portrayed in literature as a \"pervasive relationship lubricant that helps to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of daily business operations\" (Luo et al., 2011, p. 140). At the same time, some authors characterize the Chinese leadership as a paternalistic leadership that combines authoritarianism, benevolence and moral leadership (Farh and Bor-Shiuan, 2000). In this sense, even though China has high power distance index levels, its indigenous culture would favor relationships and networking, which may explain higher values of leadership for cross-functional integration in the country. On the other hand, Germany carries a higher level of uncertainty avoidance, which was expected to be reflected in lower levels of leadership for cross-functional integration.\n7. Conclusion: In addition to analyzing the extent to which national cultures explain the differences in diverse elements of the OS process, from a more generalist perspective this study aimed to achieve a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between these two apparently disconnected topics. In that sense, as discussed throughout the text, the relevance of the research relies on providing empirical evidence for filling some gaps around how national culture may impact on the formulation, implementation and maintenance of OS. Such an effort was conducted by assessing the HPM project's fourth round data and Hofstede's cultural classification.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent to which different patterns of cross-functional integration and the operations strategy (OS) process may be explained by national cultures differences.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Perceptual survey data from 105 manufacturing plants in four countries were used to validate the constructs and to test the hypotheses. The plants are located in two Western and two Eastern countries with different industrialization and development backgrounds (Brazil, China, Germany and South Korea). CFA validated the constructs, and ANOVA and t-tests evaluated the differences between levels of four Hofstede's elements (i.e. power distance, individualism vs collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and long-term vs short-term orientation) on the OS process enablers (i.e. leadership for cross-functional integration and functional integration) and elements (i.e. manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy and formulation of manufacturing strategy).\nFindings: Results suggest that different OS and OM processes are present in different national cultures. Leadership for cross-functional integration and manufacturing strategy linkage to corporate strategy differ between levels of power distance, individualism vs collectivism and uncertainty avoidance. Functional integration and formulation of manufacturing strategy also present differences according to the degree of individualism vs collectivism and long-term orientation.\nOriginality/value: Results indicate that national culture is a key aspect for the OS process. Prior studies usually do not consider cultural aspects. Therefore, the OS process varies in different countries and contexts. Managers need to adjust their OS process when they are developing a global OS.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Engaging the staff in a real relationship: Are employees genuinely motivated - or merely satisfied?
|
[
"Surveys",
"Change management",
"Organizational performance",
"Training",
"Employee attitudes",
"Lean production"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n\"We're doing fine\": For a very rough guide to employment engagement, bosses could do a lot worse than taking into account the prevalence of the \"We\" factor.It's probably true to say that the higher up employees go - and therefore the greater their financial rewards - the greater the probability that they will refer to the company by a personal pronoun. But, at all levels, contented employees are more likely to associate themselves closely with the company by speaking of it as \"We\", rather than simply \"the firm\"; it indicates both a sense of pride in the organization and self-esteem that employees are part of the set-up.Staff surveys are one way of establishing employee engagement. They have been around for a long time and, as Lucie Carrington acknowledges in her article, their origins in the US lay in providing an alternative voice to the unions. In the UK, she suggests, their value has been doubtful because of their limited terms of reference. Many worked on the assumption that if the workers could be shown to be satisfied, the corollary was that they must be motivated and therefore productive.Such surveys, often one-offs, produced no obviously useful results, such as establishing significant links to the way firms performed. Things changed in the late 1990s; the skills shortage meant that organizations were keener to retain talent while increasingly smart IT systems gave firms the opportunity to conduct similarly sophisticated employee surveys which told them more about their people. As Carrington puts it, \"surveys became a means of both measuring employee engagement and understanding what was driving it.\"Staff surveys could become a victim of the current financial turmoil. It would be easy for many firms to take the option of throwing out something, which, some might argue, is of marginal importance.\nSurveys time has come: However, Geoffrey Matthews, vice-president, of the HR centre of excellence at Merck Serono, Switzerland believes that this would be \"madness\". Now, he argues, is precisely the time when such surveys can come into their own, and failing to carry them out could send employees a dangerous message: that they only want their views during the good times. The pharmaceutical company ran its first employee engagement survey last year and plans to make it an annual \"fixture\".An interesting feature of its survey was an inquiry - using a major employee survey consultancy - into how competitors were doing, benchmarking its own results against those of rivals. Matthews was able to discover that Merck Serono is about 10 per cent ahead of businesses going through similar changes, while others with whom they compare less favourably provide something to aspire to. Actions plans have been lined up and should soon, it is confidently predicted, filter through to better performance.Linda Holbeche, director of research and practice at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK, says that many modern staff surveys are reaching higher ground. She cites a Standard Chartered Bank survey, which was able to distinguish between management styles and improve performance by targeting areas of business highlighted in the study.Surveys are being used increasingly to some effect in the public sector. Sixty-two per cent of the UK's Greater Manchester Police employees responded to the Force's first all-staff survey for five years. The survey has moved beyond the police's traditional emphasis on crime and disorder to reflect what Cathy Butterworth, people and development director, calls a \"balanced scorecard approach\". This takes in leadership effectiveness, the trust and confidence that the public has in the police, and should have an impact on the organization's culture.The test will come when all these organizations try to maintain the momentum created by these enterprising surveys. Continuity can be a problem, particularly if a senior HR executive who has championed the initiative leaves. It's important, too, that in assessing engagement rather than merely satisfaction, such surveys measure behaviours and not just attitudes.For the American firm SCC Soft Computer, its area of expertise provides a head start in analysing employee engagement. Margery Weinstein refers to the \"microscope-like focus\" that the company puts in employee development, and the specialized medical software plays its part.\nGetting \"on board\": SCC prides itself on employee engagement from the moment recruits arrive, beginning with what it calls an \"onboarding program\" and continuing with tailored, individualized plans for learners at all stages throughout the organization. Don Keller, the company's vice-president of global education and training, says that the \"onboarding experience\" during the first three months has boosted hire retention rates as well as laying important ground work for employee empowerment, giving them the tools to take an active role in their own long-term development.A process called competency modelling has helped to identify the personal characteristics that can be the catalyst to better performance. The project has led to each business unit getting new training plans of various lengths for new recruits, as well as selection guides for use in interviewing job candidates. Keller observes that the core model enables everyone to be focused on the same factors required for success. The impact is already being felt in customer satisfaction, and both employee morale and retention.SCC sees employment engagement as the key to limiting turnover, and Keller can find plenty of evidence to suggest that allowing staff a bigger say in their personal development has helped both in the US and in its Eastern European-based operations.The company's proprietary task management system, meanwhile, has been developed substantially over its 25-year life, and can now be used to measure return on investment and the effectiveness of training initiatives. Questions relating to the quality of staff recruitment are also being addressed by training managers, in order to define the skills and qualities employees will need. Candidates are being brought in who, Keller says, are a \"much better fit\". \"We've seen a significant drop in turnover during the critical first 90 days,\" he says. And with the new recruits then better placed to develop their own careers at SCC after that critical period, it represents a double triumph for the company.When Boots Manufacturing in the UK embarked on a process of introducing lean production, the exercise helped to transform the Toiletries department into a clean, uncluttered and safe environment. It also provided an opportunity, through a new employee engagement survey, to measure the impact on staff. Because the survey had been used regularly, it was possible to track the change process in relation to its effect on staff. The questionnaire covered five areas in which employees were asked, on a Likert scale (which gives them five options from strongly agree to strongly disagree) how they felt about: my job; myself; team working; improving my job; the working environment. As Dr John Lucey observes in his article, the low scores for \"team working\" and \"improving my job\" suggested that staff had not really taken on board Boots Manufacturing's lean ambition.\nRobust strategies: Several difficulties had been encountered, not least caused by the impossibility of an operational manager combining two roles: implementing change while trying to run the department. Once he was liberated from the second of these responsibilities, the process accelerated. After ten weeks, the exercise was completed and the department achieved its highest monthly production output of all time. Correspondingly, the employment engagement score rose. While the significance of these statistics can be overstated, it is compelling evidence of moving in the right direction, especially in relation to a clear improvement in staff morale. As Lucey observes, the employee engagement survey \"proved to be a robust way of establishing a benchmark and being able to measure the impact of subsequent initiatives and strategies\".For ENSR in the USA, better employee engagement proved to be an effective way of re-connecting with staff, following a period of success, which had come at a price. The company started out in environmental research 40 years ago and grew into a set-up whose portfolio included a broad range of consulting and engineering work. The price was the high turnover rate that the company suddenly became aware of in 1998. In giving clients top priority, the company had begun to overlook the importance of its commitment to employees. The result was a growing number of departures, as staff felt undervalued, and the high turnover rate and lost expertise had a detrimental effect on numerous projects.The company decided that it had to become an \"employer of choice\" and set about the task of transforming the corporate culture through regular assessments of goal setting, communication, evaluation and realignment. A new mission statement put its obligations to the workforce at the top of the list: \"Hire, retain, and reward talented and dedicated people\", even above that of the need to \"build enduring client relationships.\" The implicit message was that the first led on naturally to the second, rather than vice versa.ENSR's senior leadership, including Kelleher who was then senior vice president of HR, took the message quite literally around the world, to 50 offices in the 19 countries in which the firm was established. Following this initiative, ENSR became far more open in its dealings with staff: the CEO launched a monthly communication outlining results and business strategy.Evaluation methods included tracking the progress of staff, exit interviews and annual employee surveys which dug deep to find \"soft spots\" relating to failures to live up to the desired company culture. This enabled ENSR to get the focus right in improving that culture, starting in 2001 with an emphasis on better training and moving on the following year to development and performance of employees. Staff were given greater recognition for their achievements and the process left ENSR better equipped than many rivals to weather the financial storm which was first felt in the aftermath of 9/11.\nBadge of honor: In 2005, Los Angeles-based AECOM, bought ENSR. Jim Royer, AECOM's chief operational officer, said that ENSR's investment in employee engagement, had been a \"significant point of interest\" in attracting his firm. The culture of employment engagement has been maintained and Kelleher is now AECOM's chief human capital officer. He observes: \"It says something to be a long-term ENSR employee - clients, know it, competitors know it, and employees wear it as a badge of honor.\"And, he might well have added, they are doubtless happy to talk about the company as \"We\".This review is based on \"The big ask (employee surveys),\" by Carrington (2009), \"SCC's key to success (training at SCC Soft Computer, USA)\", by Weinstein (2009), \"Action research case study in transacting a major change at ace,\" by Lucey (2009, and \"Employee engagement carries ENSR through organizational challenges and economic turmoil,\" by Kelleher (2009).Staff surveys have been around for a long time in various, not always useful, forms. Carrington provides a useful insight into the need to make them really count for something, to ensure that companies can learn from them rather than merely using surveys as window dressing.Weinstein provides a concise piece outlining the way one organization has developed employee engagement, emphasizing the head start it has as a software specialist, which can make use of its expertise as art of that process.The dividing line between successful and unsuccessful business initiatives is often a narrow one. Lucey's article provides an interesting example of how just a slight change of focus to make all the difference, in this case to the process of lean implementation.Perhaps the most compelling evidence of successful employment engagement is provided by Kelleher. While he is writing as a company insider, it is clear that the ENSR initiative won over company cynics.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.\nFindings: - For a very rough guide to employment engagement, bosses could do a lot worse than taking into account the prevalence of the \"We\" factor. It's probably true to say that the higher up employees go - and therefore the greater their financial rewards - the greater the probability that they will refer to the company by a personal pronoun. But, at all levels, contented employees are more likely to associate themselves closely with the company by speaking of it as \"We\", rather than simply \"the firm\"; it indicates both a sense of pride in the organization and self-esteem that employees are part of the set-up.\nPractical implications: - Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.\nOriginality/value: - The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Why do consumers procrastinate and what happens next?
|
[
"Procrastination",
"Delay decision-making",
"Price uncertainty",
"Consumer emotions",
"Consumer complaint"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Many consumers experience buying an item at a price and later observing others bought the same item from the same company for a much cheaper price as a result of downward price adjustment. Research indicates that in such situations, firms' most valuable customers may feel antagonized and stop purchasing from the company resulting in significant loss of revenue (Anderson and Duncan, 2008). While research has explored the implications of downward price adjustments, the reverse situation, or the upward price adjustment, has received limited attention, even though it is also common. What happens if a consumer decides to delay a purchase when an item is on sale and later sees the firm is charging a higher price for the same item? Would he/she feel any regret or anger? Would he/she become hostile? Why did he/she decide to delay the purchase in the first place? In this research, we focus on understanding antecedents and consequences of consumer's intentional delay of a purchase which will be referred to as \"consumer procrastination.\"\nAntecedents of consumer procrastination: Past research identifies two sets of antecedent factors that lead to consumer procrastination: situational (e.g. market-related) and individual. Examples of situational causes are: lack of time, aversive shopping tasks, performance and financial risks of the purchase, the need for advice, the need for further research and fear of price changes (Greenleaf and Lehmann, 1995). Individual causes of procrastination on shopping tasks may include indecision or lack of energy (Ferrari, 1993). This research uses the temporal motivation theory (TMT) to provide an overarching framework for categorizing situational and individual variables that have been shown to explain consumer procrastination and provides new insights into their joint influence on procrastination. TMT is a theory of motivation in social psychology that has been found to be useful in explaining procrastination (Steel, 2007). TMT proposes that four factors, expectancy, value, delay and sensitivity to delay, predict the motivation or desirability of a task according to equation (1):\nConsequences of consumer procrastination: Research has found that people anticipate more regret for negative actions rather than negative inactions (Kahneman and Tversky, 1982). This tendency is named omission bias (Baron and Ritov, 1994). Baron and Ritov (1994) expanded this idea to the conditions in which both actions and inactions entail some positive and some negative outcomes. In these \"tradeoff\" situations, the authors found subjects prefer inaction (omission) rather than action. The authors consequently predicted an interaction between action vs omission and better vs worse outcomes and the greater effects for the actions was named \"amplification effect.\"\nStudy 1: Experimental design and procedure\nStudy 2: Experimental design and procedure\nGeneral discussion and implications: Every day, consumers deal with a variety of choices involving uncertainties and continuously consider trade-offs to decide to purchase or delay a purchase (procrastinate). This paper examined the factors leading to and resulting from consumer procrastination under high price uncertainty. The results of this research have several implications for theory and practice.\nLimitations and future research: Consistent with past work (Simonson, 1992), we used a scenario-based approach over field experiments to study procrastination because it enabled us to have more control over the conditions and measure the behavioral intention more accurately. Despite these merits, future research is needed to test and validate these models in natural field settings using nonstudents. In addition, we acknowledge the limitation of using a one-item scale to measure consumer procrastination and suggest future research focus on developing and validating multi-item scales to measure this construct. Further, future research should also seek to replicate our results regarding sensitivity to delay using more direct measures, rather than indicators such as price consciousness and prestige seeking, particularly as some of our findings regarding these constructs were unexpected.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper aims to examine the factors leading to and resulting from procrastination under high price uncertainty and provide recommendations for how managers can reduce consumer procrastination, thus decreasing consumer regret, anger and retaliatory behaviors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Hypothesized relationships were tested through two scenario-based experiments using student samples. Data was analyzed using general linear model, path analysis and Wald chi-square test.\nFindings: Long time limits, price uncertainty and price consciousness, all increase the likelihood of procrastination. Prestige seeking reduces procrastination, but only when time limits are short. When one delays a purchase and later the price of the item gets increased or one makes a purchase and later the price gets further reduced, procrastination and purchase decision both equally can lead to anger, which then increases the probability of exit, voice or word of mouth (WOM); however, procrastination has a much stronger impact than deciding to purchase on self-responsibility and regret, which in turn increases negative WOM.\nResearch limitations/implications: This paper provides a greater understanding of antecedents and consequences of procrastination as well as the drivers of retaliatory behavior. Further, the findings highlight differential consequences of consumer regret and anger on consumption behaviors.\nPractical implications: This paper provides practical suggestions for reducing consumers' procrastination through leveraging the effects of purchase time limit and price uncertainty in general, and more specifically, for prestige-seeker and price conscious consumers. The findings provide evidence for a silent path from procrastination to retaliation and highlight the importance of possible remedies or interventions by the companies to mitigate consumer emotions resulting from procrastination.\nOriginality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research is the first to apply temporal motivation theory in the context of consumer behavior under price uncertainty, and examine consequences of consumer procrastination in terms of thoughts, feelings and retaliatory behavior.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Investors in People aids staff loyalty at Pauley Design: Staff provided with personal career-path plans
|
[
"Investors in People",
"Morale",
"Training",
"Induction"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: For those with little or no knowledge of the Investors in People (IIP) standard, the concept can appear bureaucratic and often unnecessary. The decision to undertake the process and seek accreditation will, of necessity, be taken at senior-management level. Few staff in an organization will be involved in this decision. Most of the participants will therefore start the process from a position of ignorance, with little understanding of IIP or its benefits. However, IIP by its very nature gives knowledge and empowers staff so that the results can be seen in the confidence and morale of the organization.\nOvercoming initial misgivings: It was his idea to seek IIP accreditation. He discussed it first with managers, suggesting to Sharon Adams that she could take responsibility for the process. \"He overcame our initial misgivings by explaining that we were half-way there already and announcing that Business Link would be able to give us a matched funding grant,\" she explained. \"Knowing that we didn't have to start from scratch and that we would have help with the costs was quite reassuring.\"Business Link provided the introduction to a specialist consultant, but Pauley Design was not obliged to accept the recommendation. As it turned out, everyone was happy with the match after an initial meeting. IIP accreditation is quite intrusive to a business and it was important that the managers, particularly Sharon Adams, felt comfortable with the consultant.\"I learnt at that first meeting that IIP isn't about pieces of paper; it is about people's attitudes, how they feel and their career aspirations,\" she said. \"We were to work through the process with the consultant's advice and he would help us to prepare for assessment. Then an IIP assessor would be invited to look at what we had in place and decide if we met the standard.\"Arrangements were made for the consultant to interview every member of staff. Sharon Adams recalls her nervousness. \"On the day we started the project I was feeling apprehensive. I expect everyone else was, too. It was like being summoned to an examination but without having any idea of the questions. During my session, I kept wondering, 'Am I saying the right thing?'\"She need not have worried. The IIP process is based not upon interrogation but on informal and friendly chats. There are no right answers. Each staff member, during these private interviews, was asked about his or her job, career, the direction he or she was taking and what skills he or she hoped to gain. For Nick Pauley, this included discussion of the company's business plan and how it related to staff issues and recruitment. How would the company recruit new staff? What induction procedures did it have? Pauley Design as a whole took a hard look at all elements of the business that concerned personnel and reviewed planning and how best to help staff to develop to their full potential.\nFeedback session: At the end of the first day, all staff gathered in the boardroom for a feedback session. This turned out to be very reassuring and most complimentary. Pauley Design's internal communication was assessed as excellent. A customer survey and how the results had been communicated received praise. The strength of the team was recognized and, in particular, how it shared the same objectives. Sharon Adams said: \"We all went home with big smiles on our faces.\"That was only the beginning. There was more work to do on the areas where shortcomings had been identified. All employees drew up career maps containing details of their personal aspirations. These noted what training they wished to receive and how they envisaged their own development plans.For Sharon Adams, the experience proved extremely rewarding. \"I have been with Pauley Design nearly two years now. After doing a marketing and law degree at Leicester I worked first for a software company and then in a marketing department of a hardware distributor. I had never mapped out exactly where I wanted my career to be heading. Putting it down on paper and examining hopes for the future have enabled me to see my own development much more clearly.\"The effect of the career mapping also enabled Nick Pauley to plan to meet his staff-recruitment needs. With a commitment on both sides to staff development, the management team could see a discernable strengthening of the team spirit.There were unexpected benefits, too. One of the latest recruits, in her one-to-one interview, expressed the wish to be an account director. She said how much she enjoyed spending time liaising with customers. This possibility had not occurred to the management team.\"We hadn't ever envisaged her in that role and, without the IIP process, I'm not sure she would have suggested it,\" said Sharon Adams. \"She is now directing accounts and shows enormous talent for good client communication. She has gained a new and rewarding role and we are delighted to have been able to promote an existing member of staff. That's where IIP really scores. It empowers people.\"\nNo trick questions: The day the assessor came felt very similar to the first interview. Sharon Adams admits there were butterflies in her stomach. \"But it was quite different this time. Instead of worrying about ourselves we were all concerned for the company. Would it do well, would it 'pass' the test?\"Nick Pauley was interviewed for about an hour, then the managers had a chat and finally all staff members had their turn. \"There were no trick questions,\" said Sharon Adams. \"Instead, the assessor said, 'Just tell me about your career path ...' or 'Explain how you introduce new employees to the company.' The assessment was very gentle and friendly.\"Again, the feedback was immediate and the staff were delighted to learn that their assessor would be recommending that Pauley Design receive the accreditation Investors in People. However, the champagne was not opened until the day that written confirmation arrived.Sharon Adams believes IIP will help Pauley Design to stay competitive by keeping its best talent on board. \"If everyone knows where the company is going, and individuals share with management their own aspirations for the future, there is no room for creeping resentment. It's often a lack of job satisfaction rather than salary that drives talent from an organization. With IIP in place, everyone knows what to expect and has a chance to shape his or her own destiny - again it's all about empowerment.\"The project demonstrated that Pauley Design staff actually want to come to work, they enjoy their tasks and being part of the team,\" Sharon Adams explained. \"That bond between us has been brought about by the open and honest way we share our hopes for the future. There is no 'us and them'. Nick and the management team have a personal-development program and training just as the rest of the staff.\"We have a common commitment and we all know where we're heading. Giving people a vision of what the future may hold and their part in it is so very powerful. And inevitably, if everyone gives their best effort, it shows in the quality of work and the satisfaction of our customers.\"\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - Describes the process of Investors in People (IIP) accreditation that has helped Pauley Design to develop and retain skilled staff.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Draws on the client-services manager's personal views of the process.\nFindings: - Describes how the IIP process was carried out, what was involved and the psychological effects on individuals. Highlights the benefits to staff morale.\nPractical implications: - Demonstrates the effect of the IIP process in maintaining staff confidence and personal and corporate morale at Pauley Design.\nOriginality/value: - Explains how Pauley Design management believes the IIP process and accreditation enables effective induction and training for all staff and gives them the incentive to stay with the company, minimizing the potential loss of skilled personnel.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Factors influencing willingness of customers of environmentally friendly hotels to pay a price premium
|
[
"Social identity theory",
"Value-belief-norm theory",
"Willingness to pay a price premium",
"Environmental concern",
"Environmental practices"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Global climate change, substantial levels of pollution, high consumption of resources and ozone depletion justify the concern over environmental problems worldwide. Hotels exert a high environmental impact by consuming a large amount of energy and water, and by generating a great amount of waste and CO2 emissions [United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 2008]. The growing awareness of this environmental damage has led hoteliers to increasingly develop and promote environmentally friendly practices (Kasim, 2006; Kim and Choi, 2013; Mbasera et al., 2016; Tang and Lam, 2017; Teng et al., 2018) and integrate environmental management into their corporate structures and organizational cultures (Chan, 2011; Rashid et al., 2014; Trang et al., 2019).\nLiterature review: Environmental concern and willingness to pay a price premium in eco-friendly hotels\nMethodology: Questionnaire design\nResults: Measurement model\nConclusions: This study investigates the influence of customers' environmental concerns, their perceptions of hotels' environmental practices, and these hotels' subsequent environmentally friendly images, on the consumers' willingness to pay a price premium to stay at these hotels. This research has been designed using social identity theory and VBN theory to fill a gap in the literature regarding the identification of factors that influence customers' behavioural pro-environmental behaviour intentions, defined here as their willingness to pay a price premium to stay at environmentally friendly hotels. The study explores the main effects of predictor variables, as well as the mediating effects derived from the research model. Although environmental concern has been widely measured by using the NEP scale (Johnson et al., 2004; Kang et al., 2012), this study adopts the VBN scale to measure environmental concern by assuming, according to VBN theory, that environmental concern is biased towards an individuals' value orientations.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of customers' environmental concerns, customers' perceptions of a hotel's environmental practices and of the hotels' environmentally friendly images, on customers' willingness to pay a price premium to stay at environmentally friendly hotels.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The theoretical framework comprises both social identity theory and value-belief-norm theory. The data were collected through a survey of 454 customers staying at eco-friendly hotels in Spain. The research model is tested by using a structural equation modelling approach.\nFindings: The findings illustrate that customers' environmental concerns have a greater explanatory value on their willingness to pay a price premium than do their perceptions of the hotels' environmental practices. Furthermore, these causal relationships are similar in magnitude when considering the mediating effects of the hotels' eco-friendly image and the environmental practices.\nResearch limitations/implications: The empirical findings provide managers with a better understanding of how customers' environmental concerns and their own sense of identification with environmentally friendly hotels influence customers' behavioural intentions towards willingness to pay a premium.\nOriginality/value: The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting those cognitive processes that influence the customers' willingness to pay a price premium to stay at environmentally friendly hotels. Hence, the study provides valuable information to hotel managers.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Self-protection vs opportunity seeking in business buying behavior: an experimental study
|
[
"Economics",
"Experimental design",
"Organizational buying behaviour"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: An executive summary for managers and executive readers can be found at the end of this issue.\nIntroduction: During the past decades, marketing research has significantly increased its focus on the study of buyer-seller relationships driven by practitioners' request for advice and a perceived theoretical challenge (Anderson et al., 1994; Hunt and Morgan, 1994). The growing importance of relationships in business calls for an attempt to explain how relationships develop and evolve. A commonly accepted explanation of this phenomenon is that relationships are established as a means to overcome the uncertainty as perceived by a potential customer in a market transaction. In this sense relationships are understood as an institution. New institutional economics provides the theoretical foundation for this approach to relationship research. This risk-based explanation has gained widespread acceptance and has been empirically tested several times (Heide, 1994; Buvik and John, 2000). However, some new research also points to limitations of the risk-based explanation and to the need to understand the functions of the firm beyond the simple goal of reducing uncertainty (Foss and Foss, 2000; Holmstrom and Robert, 1998).One possible approach to expand and complete our understanding of business relationships might be the entrepreneurial theory of the firm as articulated by the Austrian school of economics (Sautet, 2000; Lewin, 1999). Researchers working on marketing theory started to use this approach to explain and investigate dynamic market phenomena (Dickson, 1992; Hunt and Morgan, 1995). Entrepreneurial theory states that companies are built on arbitrage opportunities. Companies generate revenues by exploiting price differences between different market stages and value-add activities. In this framework, the emergence of relationships can be viewed as a way for a supply side market actor to actively influence his customer's arbitrage positions.Although both theoretical approaches are accepted in marketing literature, these theories may have contrasting implications for managers of industrial supply firms. If managers follow the paradigm of new institutional economics, they will focus on offerings which address the \"self protection\" need of their customers. On the contrary, market process theory claims that once competing suppliers offer superior value, entrepreneurial buyers will quickly act to take advantage of the added value. In this case the manager of the supply firm should focus on offerings that comply with the \"opportunity seeking\" need of his customer.In this paper, we will first contrast \"self protection\" behavior and \"opportunity seeking\" behavior as two alternative explanations for buying behavior in business markets. We will then introduce a context-based explanation that demonstrates the applicability of each approach in specific situations. Finally, we will present an empirical test for our framework and some evidence for its applicability.\nEconomic approaches to business buying behavior: Buying behavior research in business markets traditionally begins with an exploratory approach guided by inductive research methodology. Typically, the research process includes an investigation of the empirical buying processes, identification of recurring patterns, and based on these findings, formulation and testing of specific hypotheses. Prominent examples include the buying center model (Johnston and Bonoma, 1981) or choice of supplier models (Cunningham and White, 1973). These inductive studies provide us with real patterns of observed behavior but bear little explanation for the underlying motivation. Thus especially in the realm of business marketing, these approaches are complemented with economic theory in order to enhance efficiency of the research process.Generally, in the field of relevant economic theories, we can distinguish between neoclassical approaches and modern economic theories. The latter have recently received increasing attention and are described in more detail here. Market process theory (MPT) and new institutional economics (NIE) are considered to be very influential in the development of modern economic theories. Although MPT and NIE differ in their basic foundation, occasionally these approaches are seen to be complementary.In this section of our paper we shall develop potential insights into theoretical explanations of observable buying behavior derived from new institutional economics and market process theory. For each approach we will first present our basic premises and most important supporting statements. We will then apply these premises to business buying behavior. Finally a key finding of our experiment that results in contradictory implications for the explanation of economic motivations in buying behavior will be discussed.\nBusiness buying behavior according to new institutional economics: Basic assumptions of new institutional economics\nMarket process theory as a framework for business buying behavior: Basic assumptions of market process theory\nScope and limitations of modern economic theories for understanding business buying behavior: Obviously market process theory and new institutional economics come to conclusions that are somewhat contradictory (Table I). Only under very specific circumstances can economic actors pursue the rationale of complete self-protection and the rationale of alertness simultaneously. As long as this contradiction cannot be resolved, business buying behavior remains unexplained by these theories.If both theories were applicable, in general we would expect competition between self-protection and opportunity seeking behaviors. A market participant may either tolerate uncertainty in order to be alert, or he may prefer to take the relevant precautions to protect himself at the expense of profit opportunities. Empirical investigations of markets show evidence of both phenomena. However, if this is the case, we need to find an explanation for these seemingly contradictory phenomena.\nBusiness buying behavior in relation to prospect theory: In this section, we will try to overcome the contradiction illustrated above with the help of a third theoretical framework, namely prospect theory. In comparison to new institutional economics and market process theory, prospect theory is more descriptive in nature and is based on experimental research. Since prospect theory also belongs to the group of modern economic theories and differs in basic assumptions from neoclassical thinking, we believe combining prospect theory thinking with reasoning derived from market process theory and new institutional economics can be beneficial in providing further insight and explanation to dispel the contradictory behavior observed to date.We start with a general description of the basic premises of the theory. We will then apply this general theory to the specific context of business buying behavior. Based on this theoretical reasoning, we then state two hypotheses at the outset of our empirical research.Our approach of applying a research design based on prospect theory to hypotheses derived from new institutional economics may seem unconventional, even more when we consider the usual practice of applying game theoretic settings for this purpose (Dwyer and Oh, 1988; Parkhe, 1993; Sandler, 1999). Game theory focuses on endogenous uncertainty while prospect theory primarily deals with exogenous uncertainty. But recently some researchers have expressed their expectation of valuable contributions exactly from this shift of perspective (Raiffa et al., 2002; Raiffa, 2002; Simon et al., 1987). As a consequence, we cannot provide any new advancement within the framework of new institutional economics. We rather aim to identify a situational variable to denote whether new the application of institutional thinking is recommendable or not. Similar concerns might be brought up for our integration of market process theory, but we can present the same line of argumentation as in the prior case.\nBasic premises of prospect theory: Prospect theory draws on pioneering work by Kahnemann and Tversky (1979). The theory focuses on decisions of economic agents. Contrary to neo-classical microeconomics and the normative theory of expected utility, prospect theory does not aim at designing norms for optimal decision behavior. Instead, this approach focuses on empirical and observable decision behavior (Thaler, 1985). A prospect describes the complete range of possible outcomes of a decision and their respective probabilities. Kahnemann and Tversky (1979) define a prospect (x1, p1; ...; xn, pn) as a contract that yields outcome xi with probability pi, where p1+p2+...+pn=1.With several experiments the original authors were able to show irregularities of observed decisions pro or contra such prospects, which violated predictions from the normative theory of expected utility. Therefore, they developed prospect theory as an alternative framework that enabled them to explain these irregularities. Prospect theory assumes two stages of decision behavior of economic agents. First decisions and consequences are disassembled (\"editing\" and \"framing\"). The decision maker defines a point of reference for all possible outcomes of a decision and categorizes all outcomes as either gains or losses with respect to this point of reference. During a second stage (\"evaluation\") all consequences are evaluated. This valuation is based on gains and losses as well as their probabilities. Gains and losses are transformed by means of a value function, and probabilities through a weighting function. The value function transforms objectively measurable gains and losses into perceived values (see Figure 3). Three basic aspects characterize this function. First, the point of reference marks the crossing of the axes of the function. Secondly, in the gains area the function has a concave shape while it is convex in the losses area. This curve describes a common experience; namely that with rising gains or losses, the actor's sensitivity is reduced. The following example illustrates this phenomenon. Most of us will perceive the difference between $10 and $20 as more significant than the difference between $110 and $120, although in actuality there is no difference. Finally, the value function has a steeper slope in the losses area than in the gains area. This graphic depiction also reflects another common characteristic of economic behavior, mainly our general aversion to loss.A basic characteristic of the weighting function for transforming objective probabilities into perceived probabilities is that low probabilities are undervalued, whereas middle and higher probabilities are overvalued. However, most applications in marketing more or less ignore the weighting function and focus on the value function. Although this approach may be criticized, for the sake of simplicity we will follow this tradition of omitting the weighting function as well.Prospect theory has been applied extensively in a field of financial theory otherwise known as behavioral finance. In addition applications of prospect theory to the field of marketing (see Table II) have been numerous and beneficial. Our work further expands the application of prospect theory to the field of marketing, specifically focusing on business buying behavior.\nConsequences of \"self-protection\" and \"opportunity seeking\" behavior: As we have previously outlined, NIE thinking recommends defensive action, while MPT supports a more offensive stance for decision makers. New institutional thinking also advises the actor to apply institutions that remove risk and uncertainty, but which are costly at the same time. Market process thinking accepts risk and uncertainty, but also saves the economic actor from costly engagement in institutional arrangements. The marketing decision maker now faces the challenge of properly predicting the kind of behavior his customer will follow in particular market transactions. What should he assume as his customer's pattern of decision making? New institutional economics and market process theory themselves do not offer an answer to this question. Prospect theory on the other hand possibly does. The key variable from prospect theory will be the decision-making context, and namely whether it is characterized by gains or losses. Let us explain this proposal.In terms of prospect theory, any decision maker finds himself in a situation either below or above his individual point of reference. In a business situation the point of reference typically refers to the business performance. By business performance, we refer not only to a company as a whole, but also to any subdivision for which a given decision-maker is held accountable. Performance may be measured on a financial scale but also on any other scale deemed appropriate by the business participants. If a business or subdivision performs well, the decision-maker may consider himself in the gains area. For reasons of practicality, we will refer to this type of decision maker as an \"outperformer\". If the business performs poorly, he may be considered to be in the losses area and termed an \"under-performer\". The shape of the value function will now significantly impact how the decision-maker evaluates an offensive orientation versus a defensive orientation. The convex shape in the losses sector constantly leads to an overestimation of possible gains that would arise from offensively acting and an underestimation of the corresponding possible losses. The concave shape in the gains sector has the opposite effect. Possible gains from offensive decision-making will be undervalued and possible losses will be overvalued. In other words, under-performers are more sensitive to opportunities of gain and tend to act more offensively than out-performers. Respectively, out-performers fear the potential losses and emphasize protective behavior more than their counterparts on the losses side. Based on this proposed behavior, we have developed the following central hypotheses for our research:H1. All terms being equal, out-performers are more likely to show self-protection behavior than under-performers.\nEmpirical study: In this section we will first outline the design of this study. We will then present the results of a survey conducted on the basis of this design. Finally, some recommendations for industry application of our results are developed. We shall also discuss the limits of our study as well as suggestions for further research.Research design\nImplications and limitations of the study: Implications for marketing theory\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - Theories on industrial buying behavior differ fundamentally with regard to motivation and direction of industrial purchasing decisions. This becomes extremely in the case of new institutional economics, highlighting administrative aspects, and market process theory, focusing on entrepreneurial aspects of buying decisions. This paper aims to challenge these approaches by setting up an experimental design. Decisions of sales and purchasing managers were investigated with respect to their motivation of self-protection or opportunity seeking.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The contribution is based on an experimental design. The design is based on a prospect theory scenario. Prospect theory states that successful economic agents show a stronger tendency towards self-protection, whereas under-performing economic agents are willing to bear greater risks in search for opportunities.\nFindings: - The results suggest that indeed out-performers show a tendency to risk avoidance and under-performers are willing to bear more risks. The most important implication is that new institutional economics-based approaches to buying behavior are not universally valid. However, they apply to specific situations. In that respect the contribution shows a direction for the proper application of transaction cost-based concepts.\nPractical implications: - Managers are advised to take the economic performance of their customer companies into account. Outperforming companies are more responsive to measures for self-protection. Under-performing customers may be more tolerant towards risk if it is compensated with the expectation of better opportunities.\nOriginality/value: - The empirical research is new in so far as it is the first to apply a prospect theory framework to a business market environment. The results show clearly that the methodology, as originally applied in prospect theory, needs refinement when transferred to a business market context.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
User-centric work environments in modular healthcare facilities
|
[
"Design",
"Architecture",
"Design management"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Finland, among other western countries, is currently facing major challenges due to a significant reform of the social and healthcare sector, which aims to become more efficient and effective in several ways. In addition, the growing population, particularly that of ageing people, is creating pressure to offer quick, effective solutions to this challenge. Healthcare services are moving from institutions toward user-centric environments, and different functions will be combined, which will render old facilities dysfunctional. Patient care processes will eventually change from rigid activities based on the needs of clinical specialties into an effective flow, depending on client needs.\nMaterial and methods: Context of the study\nResults: Usability characteristics in modular and non-modular HCFs\nDiscussion: In order to improve the efficiency of the healthcare processes, discharge of patients has to be quicker, and treatment should continue at home through home care or by a visiting nurse. Comparing the average length of stay in 2015 with the situation in 2010, a large majority of the EU Member States observed a reduction in the average length of time that patients spend in hospital, most notably in Finland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria (Eurostat, 2017). Since the patients stay in HCFs for a shorter time, it is important that their care processes are efficient, and for the nursing staff it is essential that the patient care environment is functional and supports their work (Reijula et al., 2017, Aalto et al., 2017).\nConclusion: According to the present results, the healthcare personnel was mostly satisfied with both the modular and non-modular building solutions. The main usability characteristics of the work environment were functionality, healthiness, safety/security and comfort.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The challenges arising from the reform of the social and healthcare sector call for efficient, effective and novel processes in both public and private health and medical care. Facilities need to be designed to suit the new processes and to offer usable workspaces at different levels of healthcare services. Along with traditional construction, modular facility innovations could be one solution to these pressures. The paper aims to discuss these issues.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This case study analyzed the different usability characteristics of the work environment in modular and non-modular healthcare facilities (HCFs). The qualitative research method was based on semi-structured interviews of employees and observations of the case buildings.\nFindings: According to the results, the usability characteristics were divided into four main categories: functionality, healthiness, safety/security and comfort. The main differences between the modular and non-modular facilities appeared to be room size, soundproofing, safety issues and the utilization of colors and artwork, which were all perceived as better realized in the non-modular facilities. The staff highlighted functionality as the most important characteristic in their work environment. They even considered functionality as a feature of a comfortable work environment.\nOriginality/value: This paper presents new knowledge and a detailed description of the opinions and experiences of healthcare professionals concerning a user-centric, usable environment in the context of modular and non-modular HCFs.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
What goes on behind closed doors? How college dormitory residents change to save energy during a competition-based energy reduction intervention
|
[
"Students",
"Feedback",
"Energy conservation",
"Energy consumption",
"Competitions",
"Residential programming"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nBackground: Motivating people to behave more sustainably on college campuses can be challenging. In particular, students are occupied with various activities, ranging from coursework to social engagements, all of which can compete with considering sustainability in day-to-day choices. This can be particularly true for actions that have no tangible or visible impact on sustainability, which is a common challenge for energy conservation efforts (Fischer, 2008). Additionally, because most on-campus residents do not pay power bills, feedback on energy usage, associated emissions, and costs is unavailable. Social science approaches offer alternative routes for providing feedback on energy use behaviors and potentially motivating change. We focus on efforts to manage electric energy use, which are central to college campus sustainability and can potentially extend to other sustainability issues (e.g. water conservation).\nMethod: The study was conducted at a large, private university in Southern California. All study procedures were approved by the University's Institutional Review Board. Participation was voluntary and participants provided informed consent.\nMaterials and procedures: Below is an overview of the study timeline following building instrumentation:\nResults: Changes in energy consumption\nDiscussion: In summary, during a competition-based intervention that leveraged feedback, incentives, information and prompts, dormitory residents reduced their electricity use by an average of 6.4 per cent, a significant reduction that supported our first hypothesis. Although mean temperatures were roughly equivalent during the baseline and competition periods, this reduction was observed despite a heat wave and record high electric demand in the Southern California region during the competition period, which included six consecutive days with temperatures above 90F. In contrast, for Los Angeles in September (the month during which the intervention took place), the average daily maximum outdoor temperature is 83F (USA National Weather Service, 2015). As noted, during the competition, all-time record high electric demand of 6,196 MW was observed by the local power utility, followed by a new record of 6,396 MW the next day (on 9/15/14 and 9/16/14, respectively; NBC Los Angeles, 2014). In conclusion, findings contribute to a limited body of evidence that a competition-based intervention can motivate college students to save energy (Petersen et al., 2007).\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the impact of a competition-based intervention combining high-resolution electricity feedback, incentives, information and prompts on college dormitory residents' energy consumption and participation in demand response events. The authors also investigated changes in individual-level pro-environmental behaviors and examined psychosocial correlates of behavior change.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Residents of 39 suites in a freshman residence hall competed against one another to reduce energy consumption and win prizes as part of a three-week competition. Feedback was provided in near real-time at the suite-level via an interactive touch-screen kiosk. Participants also completed baseline and follow-up surveys.\nFindings: Electricity use among all suites was approximately 6.4 per cent lower during the competition period compared to baseline, a significant reduction. Additionally, participants reported engaging in various pro-environmental behaviors significantly more frequently during the competition relative to baseline. Changes in pro-environmental behavior were associated with changes in level of group identification and perceived social norms.\nPractical implications: In three weeks, dormitory residents saved 3,158 kWh of electricity compared to baseline - the equivalent of more than 3,470 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. The findings provide evidence that real-time feedback, combined with incentives, information and prompts, can motivate on-campus residents to reduce energy consumption.\nOriginality/value: The authors contribute to a limited body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of dorm energy competitions in motivating college students to save energy. In addition, the authors identified individual-level behavioral and psychosocial changes made during such an intervention. University residential life planners may also use the results of this research to inform student programming.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Native American literature in collection development
|
[
"Native Americans",
"Literature",
"Collections management",
"Public libraries",
"Academic libraries"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: In recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of minorities attending institutions of higher learning, and consequently there has been an increased need for minorities to use academic and public libraries. At the same time, there has been an increasing amount of research into the lack of titles concerning multiculturalism in academic and public libraries. This paper is on collection development needs for libraries in regard to Native American literature. This specific area has not been necessarily overlooked in the past, but has not received the same attention that African American and Hispanic collection development needs have received in recent years.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to discusses the importance of Native American literature in library collections.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This paper is based on research of recent articles.\nFindings: - The paper identifies many good titles on Native Americans that deserve to be in libraries so that the history and culture of Native Americans will be available to all users.\nPractical implications: - Libraries should identify good quality books on Native Americans and by Native Americans to add to their collections. Many are now available so that it is not difficult to find appropriate ones that reflect contemporary views of Native Americans.\nOriginality/value: - This paper pulls together a good deal of recent information on books by and about Native Americans as well as pointing to some excellent collections.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
What is ambition? Understanding women's changing views of career progression
|
[
"Gender",
"Women",
"Career motivation",
"Ambition"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nReview: Does ambition differ between men and women? This question is fraught with danger on so many levels, and perhaps as a result it remains rather a taboo issue. The traditional, patriarchal \"Mad Men\" view is that men are more ambitious than women and more successful, but that women are \"changing\" and transporting their competitiveness into the workplace. Thankfully things have moved on since then, although by how much is perhaps another moot point.\nNaked ambition?: But where does one start to understand specifically something as intangible as ambition? Well, this challenge is taken up by authors Charlotte Harman and Ruth Sealy in their research article Opt-in or opt-out: exploring how women construe their ambition at early career stages (2017). Their primary concern is to understand the ambition of women early in their careers as pressure rises on organizations to ensure increased diversity and opportunity in the workplace, and as a result see that women's ambition is supported appropriately.\nUnder the skin: In addition, the authors pointed out a lack of qualitative studies in the area of understanding ambition, with a preponderance of quantitative research dictating some theories with backing up from interviews with women at the start of their careers. To answer the main thrust of their research - how women understand their careers in the early stages - Harman and Sealy conducted a number of in-depth interviews with a random selection of young women who worked for a professional services organization.\nNew understanding: The themes they identified and the comments that inspired them include some of the following:\nKey takeaways: Many of the themes and sub-themes that arose from the research were in contrast to previous studies. For example, previous research had concluded that young women were uncomfortable sharing their ambitions, but this very much is not the case here. Indeed, ambition itself could perhaps have too much of male-oriented definition, and understanding it as part of \"an internal drive toward a subjective form of success\" (p. 382) might be more of a gender-neutral way of describing it.\nComment: The article Opt-in or opt-out: exploring how women construe their ambition at early career stages by Harman and Sealy (2017) presents a sobering picture of women and ambition in the workplace. Even at the start of their careers, they are careworn enough to understand the immense issues that persist and savvy enough to see how it will work out for them. This is at once dismaying, and it also presents hope as the more honest studies like these that are published, together with high-profile protests and workplace injustice; it is to be hoped that the progress that has been made can be accelerated.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.\nFindings: Does ambition differ between men and women? This question is fraught with danger on so many levels, and perhaps as a result it remains rather a taboo issue. The traditional, patriarchal \"Mad Men\" view is that men are more ambitious than women and more successful, but that women are \"changing\" and transporting their competitiveness into the workplace. Thankfully, things have moved on since then, although by how much is perhaps another moot point.\nPractical implications: The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.\nOriginality/value: The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information, and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Bridging metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education
|
[
"Training",
"Entrepreneurship",
"Education",
"Metacompetencies"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The aims of entrepreneurship education have been extending beyond business creation and management skills to students' preparation for work and life. Graduates' employability and success are of concern to universities and are often measured as indicators of educational value. This highlights a weakness of current research (Pittaway and Cope, 2007), which lacks studies linking entrepreneurship education to factors relevant to employability. Almost absent are discussions of educational endeavours that create more successful individuals or a better society. Hence, the primary challenge is to understand how students learn to become enterprising individuals (Fayolle and Gailly, 2008) or manage development in changing circumstances (Haynie et al., 2010; Moberg, 2013).\nLiterature review: Based on the aims of the paper following deeper literature background on constructs under study, metacompetencies--including metacognition, metaconation and meta-affection, together with entrepreneurship education changings aims, are given.\nMethodology: Research design\nResults: Metacompetencies reflected in entrepreneurship education\nConclusion: This methodologically complex empirical research explains successfully and reliably the research questions under study. The study process outlined all awareness-related expressions of metacognition, metaconation and meta-affection based on a theoretical discussion. This study has confirmed the concept of metacompetencies, demonstrating that metacognition, metaconation and meta-affection are interrelated, strongly correlated, in possession of high internal validity. An empirical model of the connection between metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education contributes to the theoretical discussion of metacompetencies' impact on changes in students' attitudes, motivation, emotions, interest and intentions towards entrepreneurship. It follows that, for the development of students' metacompetencies, the course programme should include the teaching models that support the development of all three metacompetencies.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of metacompetencies in entrepreneurship education through students' expressions of metacompetencies in their learning processes, aiming to provide assistance embedding metacompetencies in entrepreneurship education.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The empirical study is based on qualitative data retrieved from students' reflections throughout the course, and measures the constructs of metacompetencies in parallel with the acquisition of entrepreneurship course outcomes. The phenomenological analysis is coded to apply Bayesian modelling and statistical validation measures to establish interrelations between metacompetency components and conceptual validity.\nFindings: Different degrees of appearance of students' metacompetencies and significant correlations between all three components of metacompetencies are identified. An empirical model of connection between metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education is created, which shows a strong relationship between students' metacompetencies and changes in attitudes, emotions, intentions and interest towards entrepreneurship.\nPractical implications: Practical implications are connected with the entrepreneurship course design, supporting the development of students' metacompetencies and self-awareness.\nSocial implications: Social implications bring learners' physical participation in the courses into the spotlight, influencing students' attitudes towards entrepreneurship. Enhancing metacompetencies as a tripartite model assures that cognitive, conative and affective aspects of learning are in corresponding change.\nOriginality/value: This paper provides a step forward from theorising metacompetencies, putting this concept in the middle of practice. The empirical model establishes a direct connection between metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education, demonstrating how students' awareness creation through metacompetencies influences changes in interest and intention towards entrepreneurship.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Educational approaches to entrepreneurship in higher education: A view from the Swedish horizon
|
[
"Entrepreneurship education",
"Higher education",
"Entrepreneurial learning",
"Educational approaches",
"Educational models",
"FITA"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Entrepreneurship education has become highly topical both in Sweden and in the EU due to both societal interest and political initiatives. Following an OECD report on entrepreneurship education by Ball (1989), a national report by Johannisson and Madsen (1997) and the two complementary documents from the European Commission (2006a, b) and EU, the Swedish Government selected a strategy for entrepreneurship in the education system in 2009 (Government Offices of Sweden, 2009). It prompted an entry of the concept of entrepreneurship in the Swedish school curricula, which was introduced in 2011 (Skolverket, 2011a, b), thus focussing the strategy towards compulsory and upper secondary school whereas more concrete decisions of how to proceed with higher education are still to unfold.\nEntrepreneurship education: The first examples of university entrepreneurship education turn up in the 1940s in the USA and Great Britain (Carlsson et al., 2013), where entrepreneurship according to Kent (1990) is more or less equated with small business management. It is difficult to determine when Swedish education first started, since the word entrepreneur was used sparsely up to the 1980s, when it instead became a fashionable word used in more and more contexts throughout the world (Drucker, 1985), including in higher education.\nFITA - a taxonomy for entrepreneurship education: In connection with an increasing interest in the concept of entrepreneurship in relation to education, four overarching approaches in the area have been established. These are: FITA entrepreneurship. The approaches may be said to constitute a taxonomy for entrepreneurship education, which we have chosen in this paper to call FITA after the initial letter of each approach.\nEntrepreneurship education for business - the narrow perspective: As mentioned, early entrepreneurship courses in academia were focussed on a traditional theoretical understanding of entrepreneurship. In connection with the subject becoming increasingly popular, this orientation came to be changed. The change was chiefly due to student criticism of the first courses for being too theoretical (ABOUT entrepreneurship) in combination with the knowledge they had gained not being useful when the students tried to solve ill-defined, unstructured, ambiguous, complex, multidisciplinary, holistic and real world problems (Plaschka and Welsch, 1990). As a complement, pedagogical methods therefore were developed where the student should act as if he or she was an entrepreneur but also learn as an entrepreneur learns (Pittaway and Cope, 2007), which in the context of business focusses on supporting and developing the student's ability to create and effectuate business ideas (IN and FOR entrepreneurship). This also became the basis of what came to be called entrepreneurial learning, since the students often learned entrepreneurship THROUGH doing something that an entrepreneur does.\nEntrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning - the broad perspective: As a contrast to what has been addressed above, in what follows we will conduct a discussion of the broad perspective, where the Swedish Government have stated that \"we want to integrate entrepreneurship throughout the education system\" (Government Offices of Sweden, 2009), and by that have challenged the narrow perspective's limited ideas of how entrepreneurship can and will be interpreted in Swedish higher education. However, most Swedish research within the broad perspective is concerned with the compulsory school where the governmental strategy is now being implemented (through modified curricula and development actions from the Swedish School Agency), leading to new practices.\nWhat an entrepreneurial approach implies: To understand how an entrepreneurial approach can contribute to learning and development, the concepts of entrepreneur and entrepreneurship are central, where we at this point expand on these issues in relation to what has been covered previously with implications for both the narrow and broad perspective.\nReflections on what has been covered: In this section, we move on from presenting the two main perspectives towards discussing how we can understand them and develop models that can provide complementary analytical structures to better study, enact and reflect upon the role of entrepreneurship in higher education.\nConcluding remarks: From our study, we conclude that regardless of perspective, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning offer new opportunities for enhancing student learning in higher education, although it is premature to state which form will be dominant. The study instead suggests that any political or scholarly initiative must acknowledge the diversity of entrepreneurship education and chose different approaches depending on what is to be achieved. Still, if learning institutions, teachers and politicians want to enhance students' lifelong learning capacity, there are good reasons for taking a closer look into how different approaches to entrepreneurship can contribute in different ways. As long as these initiatives concern education ABOUT (and even FOR) entrepreneurship, whether it is traditional entrepreneurship education or traditional teaching about non-traditional entrepreneurship, there should not be much resistance in existing structures provided that they can accept the homelessness of entrepreneurship (Carlsson et al., 2013). The true challenge concerns modern entrepreneurship education not to say entrepreneurial education, which considers education mainly IN and THROUGH entrepreneurship. The broad perspective is in this way far more challenging to higher education than the narrow perspective, as it builds on an idea of challenging pedagogical practices to a greater extent than the narrow perspective's major concern with educating students for business. Both approaches, however, challenge existing structures of higher education (Frederick et al., 2010), forcing them to innovate, which is a potential threat for all those benefitting from the status quo.\nFurther research: Through this paper, we have attempted to clarify some of the differences in educational approaches that have developed in connection to entrepreneurship in different parts of the educational system, where we would like to stress the point that entrepreneurship does not have a natural home in academia. Still, academia is sectioned, sometimes into very specific fields with their own traditions and outlets where we ourselves represent three diverging fields encompassing pedagogy, technology and business. Finding a form and choosing references for this paper have been an ordeal; our different traditions have sometimes pointed in different directions. This has caused us to reflect upon whether there is such a thing as one field, or if it just looks like it as many academics use the same central terms but in different settings.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present and develop models of educational approaches to entrepreneurship that can provide complementary analytical structures to better study, enact and reflect upon the role of entrepreneurship in higher education.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A general framework for entrepreneurship education is developed by using theory as well as practical experiences from the fields of business, engineering and pedagogy. The paper is mainly conceptual where the unfolding Swedish practice is used as contextual backdrop.\nFindings: The FOR/IN/THROUGH/ABOUT (FITA) taxonomy is presented and used to develop three models of how to approach entrepreneurship in higher education depending on purpose. As there exists a didactical divide between entrepreneurial education for business and entrepreneurial approach to teaching and learning, educators and researchers ought to let their specific context influence the adoption of the taxonomy as well as the presented models.\nResearch limitations/implications: The differentiations suggested by the presented models can be used to both structure the designs and limit claims of future research. More heuristic research is called for.\nPractical implications: The use of FITA in the designing of entrepreneurship education offers new opportunities for enhancing complementary student learning in higher education.\nSocial implications: The study suggests that any political or scholarly initiative must acknowledge the diversity of entrepreneurship education and chose different approaches depending on what is to be achieved.\nOriginality/value: The multidisciplinary approach has made it possible to present and create models that denote a common ground for a productive discussion on how to better understand and make use of entrepreneurship in higher education.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Developing and evaluating guidelines for patient and public involvement (PPI) in research
|
[
"Evaluation",
"Guidelines",
"PPI in research"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In the UK, Department of Health (DH) staff value genuine service user engagement in all healthcare delivery areas, including research and knowledge exchange that has the potential to improve service delivery (DH, 2007). This is essential to ensure that services are responsive to what users want and need and are accountable to the local community . To this end, patient and public involvement (PPI) in health and social care delivery and related research in the UK has increased following governmental policies for improving health and social care quality (Cabinet Office, 2011; DH, 2007; House of Commons Health Committee, 2007). Policy adoption is aided by strategy changes to funder requirements such as the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR, 2012); publisher requirements, where publication can be dependent on evidencing active PPI in research and good practice guidance (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2008; INVOLVE, 2007).\nDeveloping guidelines for PPI in research: Guidelines for good practice regarding PPI in research (University of the West of England (UWE), 2010) were developed as a component in a joint project, which aimed to transfer expertise and skills between the academic, practice and service user communities through partnerships and continuing professional development (CPD) (Pollard et al., 2010). While many PPI guidelines for research (e.g. INVOLVE, 2013b; Kotecha et al., 2007) exist, the rationale for developing new guidelines resulted from a perception among academics and service users that many individuals engaged in research or evaluation within local services had difficulty engaging with PPI as a concept and as a process. While there was a general awareness that PPI was needed, implementation was weak, partly due to misunderstanding of what PPI actually entails and inappropriate organisational systems. Therefore it was felt that a local framework for PPI, developed and aimed at local stakeholders, including practitioners, service managers, academic researchers, service users and carers, might address this specific issue. It was anticipated that engagement with local guideline development would help create process ownership among stakeholders and thereby support appropriate PPI in research and evaluation projects. We felt that local guidelines would strengthen existing links between academia, National Health Service (NHS) and DH funders, service users and carer communities locally. Initial project planning involved two academics and three service users (CD, A-LD, CR) were recruited to the team through the institution mailing list circulated regularly to service users and carers interested in involvement in research. They came from different backgrounds, which promoted diversity within the team. Service user CD is a retired teacher who is involved in a several PPI activities with her local health services; CR is a younger stroke survivor with a journalism background. Only A-LD, a mental health survivor researcher and activist, had any substantial research experience. Their role was as \"service user research partners\" (hereafter \"research partners\"), an institution term for service users active in research.\nEvaluating the guidelines: The leadership programme was delivered to several frontline, supervisory and senior NHS managers (clinical and non-clinical) from a large hospital during 2009 and 2011. The programme was organised into four study days and several courses ran for two years. Cohorts were drawn from clinical, administrative, support and general management services, with leaders learning together (Moule et al., 2011a). Evaluation design involved academics and one service user (CR). Once funding was secured, other team members were recruited. The complete project team included two academics and one service user (CR) from the study in which the guidelines were developed, four other academics and another service user research partner (ML). Research partner ML had attended two workshops in the guidelines development project as a participant. The two research partners, both younger stroke survivors, were included in the team to bring a perspective uncoloured by a healthcare professional background.\nEvaluating guideline use: Methods\nFindings: The findings from the guideline assessment are presented through extracts from the mapping research partners' experience against the guidelines, additional issues requiring consideration and dissemination from the programme evaluation.\nDiscussion: The project to evaluate the leadership programme, involving substantial and active PPI, met its overall aim - identifying key learning to inform those delivering education to healthcare managers. The team was therefore effective in conducting the project and providing useful findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders (Moule et al., 2011a) and evaluating the guidelines for PPI in research (UWE, 2010). Developing these guidelines was aimed at providing academic researchers and research partners with a clear and systematic framework that identifies relevant issues and crucial areas. The assumption was that such clarity will aid all parties in conducting research and evaluation in a way that minimises tokenism, avoids exploitation and unrealistic expectations and provides benefit (in variable forms) to all concerned. Whilst general guidelines are available to support researchers implementing PPI (e.g. INVOLVE, 2013b), the guidelines were uniquely developed through an organic and systematic process involving academic researchers, health and social care practitioners and managers, service users, carers and the public (Pollard et al., 2010). The guidelines are consistent with recently identified patient and service user engagement (Shippee et al., 2013), namely, patient and service user initiation, building reciprocal relationships, co-learning process and re-assessment and feedback.\nConclusion: Whilst general guidelines are available to support researchers implementing PPI, there may be a conceptual and practical disconnect at local level. Developing PPI guidelines in partnership with local stakeholders, including service users and carers, aimed to address this issue. Including PPI in leadership programme evaluations enhanced its conduct and findings; allowing broader grounding for considering and interpreting emergent issues and results by including and validating service user perspectives and opinions. This grounding was reinforced by the research partners' active involvement from an early stage in the PPI guidelines development and evaluating the project design, producing and disseminating outcomes from both projects. While the academic members knew the potential financial restraints where PPI is concerned, they emerged from the two projects with greater awareness of the challenges posed by other PPI aspects such as meetings and events timing, accessibility and developing effective communication mechanisms. This experience showed that pre-planning is crucial to supporting engagement and it should be acknowledged that despite all efforts, ML and CR could only be involved to a limited extent in some evaluation activities. The leadership programme evaluation project also extended the academic researchers' understanding about engaging service users with challenging communication difficulties in the Knowledge Cafe events, an approach that relies on effective communication. This knowledge can be transferred to similar situations such as focus groups. Despite these difficulties, both research partners and academic researchers gained valuable learning from the experience. Additionally, the research partners identified unexpected personal benefits arising from their involvement in the evaluation project. Evaluating guidelines application throughout the project revealed that they were fit for purpose in the context in which they were applied.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: A growing literature reports the benefits and challenges of patient and public involvement (PPI) in research; nevertheless, understanding PPI in research design remains under-developed. The purpose of this paper is to report learning experiences from involving service users as research partners in two projects that developed and evaluated guidelines for good practice in this regard. The main objective was to evaluate these guidelines.\nDesign/methodology/approach: PPI research guidelines were developed through five workshops involving service users/patients, carers, health and social care professionals/managers and academics. Using a participatory qualitative approach, these guidelines were evaluated through mapping them against the two service user research partners' experience within another project.\nFindings: The guidelines were found to be fit for purpose, as they allowed problems to be easily identified and reassurance that required standards were being met. Both academic and service user research partners learned and gained relevant skills. Two service user research partners also found their daily living skills unexpectedly enhanced by project participation.\nOriginality/value: The PPI guidelines, the authors developed were produced by consensus involving several stakeholders. Service users involved as research partners in the project experienced unanticipated personal benefits.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies: Conceptual, methodological and contextual issues
|
[
"Emerging economies",
"Context",
"Comparative analysis",
"Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurship"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to address the question of the relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies. The rationale for this study is the following. First, considering the growing weight of emerging economies in the current world situation, and the growing innovative capability of some of these economies (\n2. Conceptual roots of comparative entrepreneurship and innovation: The conceptual foundations behind the comparative analysis of entrepreneurship have so far been only superficially examined (Baker et al., 2005; Marcotte, 2011), in comparison with the considerable empirical work done on the development of indexes. When specified, these foundations were usually described in relation to the presumably dichotomous Schumpeterian and Kirznerian approaches (Marcotte, 2012). These are indeed major conceptual roots in the development of the field of entrepreneurship, but it remains to be clearly demonstrated whether they are mutually exclusive or complementary. In fact, Kirzner (2009) insisted on the complementary nature of his approach with that of Schumpeter. A summary of his arguments will follow after a brief review of Schumpeter's theory.\n3. The measurement of Schumpeterian and Kirznerian entrepreneurship across countries: The main data set on entrepreneurial activity that has been predominantly used in the literature on comparative entrepreneurship is from the GEM Consortium (Reynolds et al., 2005). The GEM methodology includes large-scale surveys and interviews, with the data on early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) and on established business ownership having been published annually since 1999. The TEA indicator, which is the percentage of the 18-64 population who are either nascent entrepreneurs or owner-managers of a new business, is the one that has been most frequently used in research in the last decade. Over the years, GEM created other indicators such as the percentage of opportunity-driven entrepreneurs in contrast to those who create a new venture because they found no other option for work. Another sub-index is the TEA-innovation, based on the percentage of entrepreneurs who offer new products or services. However, these more refined sub-indexes have very rarely been used in research, and to our knowledge, never in combination. This is unfortunate since the definition of entrepreneurship in the GEM framework includes both opportunity-based entrepreneurship, akin to the OE concept used in this study, and high-impact innovative entrepreneurship, akin to the IE concept also used in our study (Reynolds et al., 2005):\n4. Contextual correlates of entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging economies: Emerging countries are characterized by a lower level of economic development in comparison with the levels attained by developed economies, and by higher rates of economic growth than that observed in other countries. Economic growth in emerging economies is generally accompanied by trade liberalization measures and rapid institutional change. However, their legal, political and financial institutions are not as mature as those prevailing in the industrialized regions of the world, which creates an ambiguous and uncertain business context. Institutional and policy changes, including policies on innovation which are part of national systems of innovation, frequently occur in a non-linear, unpredictable way in many of these emerging countries (Hoskisson et al., 2000; Peng, 2001, 2003).\n5. Method: Country and data selection\n6. Analysis and results: As previously mentioned, exploratory cluster analysis was used to reflect the bidirectional interactions between contextual and entrepreneurial variables and to detect common country profiles. Taking into account the potential interdependencies between context and entrepreneurship, a clustering approach was preferred to more common types of analysis aimed at finding unidirectional causal relationships. Moreover, the small sample size in this study would hardly lend itself to the statistical analysis of causal relationships.\n7. Discussion and conclusion: Contribution to theory\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: After presenting a brief review of the Schumpeterian and Kirznerian views on entrepreneurship, the purpose of this paper is aims to measure the two views within the economic and institutional contexts of emerging economies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Configurations of innovative entrepreneurship, opportunity entrepreneurship and contextual variables were assessed using cluster analysis on 16 emerging countries.\nFindings: Four profiles were found: innovative entrepreneurship of the Schumpeter Mark I type, innovative entrepreneurship of the Schumpeter Mark II type, opportunity entrepreneurship of the Kirznerian form and a fourth cluster described as a potentially emerging Schumpeter Mark II profile. The economic and governance indicators were favorable in the two innovative entrepreneurship clusters, whereas the contextual indicators of innovation were particularly favorable in the Schumpeter Mark II group.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study demonstrated the importance of aligning theory, methods and context in comparative entrepreneurship research. Profiling countries on theory-based entrepreneurial dimensions appears as a viable approach. However, the results also pointed to the need for more attention to the dynamic aspects of country entrepreneurial activity. Another limitation lies in the low number of emerging countries for which complete comparable data are available.\nPractical implications: For policy makers, it may be interesting to examine our results showing that the economic and governance correlates are more favorable in the two innovative clusters.\nOriginality/value: The study is one of the few recent attempts to clarify the relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation in the context of emerging economies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Collaborative business relationships: Helping firms to acquire skills and economies to prosper
|
[
"Strategic alliances",
"Cluster analysis",
"Joint ventures",
"Public policy",
"Small enterprises",
"New Zealand"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Collaborative business relationships including strategic alliances, joint ventures, clusters, and consortia are popular mechanisms for dealing with resource constraints, accelerating technological advancement, and heightened levels of competition in the global marketplace. Companies enter into such relationships in the hope of accessing resources, skills, or markets, and in doing so minimising the effect of their weaknesses or building or maintaining competitive advantages. These motives may be greatest for small firms who may lack the internal resources to respond to threats and take advantage of opportunities, and for companies based in countries with small domestic markets since internationalisation is an even greater imperative for them than for companies based in countries with larger domestic markets.Perhaps as a consequence of this, public policy makers in countries with small home markets, such as New Zealand, have tended to focus on the potential of collaborative business relationships to deliver economic benefits; whereas public policy makers in countries with larger domestic markets, such as the United States, have tended to focus on the potential anti-competitive effects of such relationships.Previous research (e.g. Gishlick and McCall, 2002; Hunt and Arnett, 2001) has examined whether collaborative business relationships really do reduce competition, and therefore whether public policy discouraging collaborative business relationships is justified. In this paper, we examine whether collaborative business relationships really do produce the promised benefits for firms and through them for economic development, and therefore whether public policy encouraging collaborative business relationships is justified. We do this by applying Hamel's (1991) determinants of inter-partner learning to in-depth case studies of six international collaborative relationships involving New Zealand firms.\nLiterature review: Collaborative business relationships as mechanisms for skill and resource enhancement\nMethodology: The cases examined in this paper are part of a larger study on the performance of collaborative business relationships in New Zealand. The University of Canterbury's database of collaborative business relationships served as the sampling frame for identifying cases. This database, which was compiled in 1997, contains details on hundreds of domestic and international collaborative relationships. Six collaborative relationships were selected for in-depth study using theoretical sampling. All of the collaborative business relationships studied involve a New Zealand firm and an international partner (or partners), but vary on three other criteria that may be associated with learning intent or outcome: technology use within the alliance (high or low), strategic logic (cumulative, which refers to relationships in which partners contribute largely similar resources, or complementary, which refers to relationships in which partners contribute distinct types of resources), performance (met objectives and didn't meet objectives). It's important to emphasise that no attempt was made to select cases based on whether or not they involved relationships in which learning was either an objective or an outcome. Selection was random as far as learning is concerned. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that the relationships studied are any more or less likely than the rest of the international collaborative relationships New Zealand firms are involved in to have learning intents or outcomes.A case study methodology was considered appropriate as it permits the study of \"real life\" collaborations (Parkhe, 1993)and allowed a deeper exploration of each collaborative relationship than other methodologies would have allowed. Eisenhardt (1989) also advocates the use of case research as a strategy that focuses on understanding the dynamics present within the case.Yin's (1994) guidelines for case study data collection have also been closely followed in this research. Specifically, multiple sources of evidence are used, a case study database has been created and a chain of evidence has been maintained. Data were collected from multiple alliance partners (depending on the number of organisations involved) and from multiple informants within each organisation (depending on the number of people from each organisation involved in the relationship) using a combination of in-depth interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, and perceptual mapping. Each interview lasted from one to two hours. This aided a deeper understanding of the relationship from the perspective of participating managers. In particular it facilitated a comparison of the perspectives of participants within and between the collaborating organisations. Secondary documents and archival records were used to support participant contributions. For example, information was collected and reviewed regarding the organizations involved in the relationship prior to the interviews. Subsequently, access was also gained to internal company documents. All interviews were transcribed, double-coded, and content analysed to highlight emergent themes.Case descriptions\nFindings: Competitive collaboration\nDiscussion: Learning in collaborative relationships\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to describe in depth case studies demonstrating that many small companies that participate in collaborative relationships are not realising the knowledge and skill acquisition benefits that policy makers envision when they formulate public policy that promotes creation of collaborative business relationships.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Hamel's theory of inter-partner learning is built upon to explain the possible reasons why firms fail to derive learning-related benefits from participation in collaborative relationships, and the implications for public policy, for firms participating in collaborative relationships, and for future research are discussed.\nFindings: - Key findings reveal that small companies are not realising the intended benefits of collaboration. Many New Zealand firms that participate in alliances are not using them to develop new skills and competencies.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Learning was neither an objective nor an outcome of most of the collaborative business relationships investigated in this research. The cases studied were selected from a large database of collaborative business relationships involving New Zealand firms, so there is no reason to believe that these findings are unique to the particular relationships examined; however, it would be useful to investigate the extent to which the findings generalise to other collaborative relationships in New Zealand and in other countries.\nPractical implications: - Policy makers should carefully consider the types of collaborative relationships that they promote as not all relationships generate public benefits. Firms should consider collaborative relationships as a possible option for acquiring new skills and, if they wish to learn through participation in such a relationship, then they should make this a specific objective.\nOriginality/value: - The paper shows that the adoption of a qualitative approach allows a more insightful examination of collaborative relationships and learning.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
A holistic approach to supplier evaluation and order allocation towards sustainable procurement
|
[
"Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process",
"Performance measures",
"Sustainable procurement",
"Sustainable supplier selection",
"Purchasing order allocation",
"Supplier ranking"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Nomenclature\n1. Introduction: Sustainable practices have become an integral part within broader supply chain management practices due to increasing demands of sustainability requirements (Kuik et al., 2011; Beske and Seuring, 2014; Ahmadi et al., 2017), organizations' sustainability efforts (Grosvold et al., 2014; Barve and Muduli, 2013) and external pressures from various sources (e.g. regulatory authorities, customers and stakeholders) (Seuring and Muller, 2008; Faisal et al., 2017; Ansari and Kant, 2017; Mani et al., 2018). However, the supplier selection process is significant in today's sustainable supply chain management (Yadav and Sharma, 2015; Sen et al., 2018) and sustainable procurement (Reuter et al., 2010). Recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, many global supply chain organizations are continuously aiming to improve their respective practices by enhancing overall processes including global procurement in large supply networks (Flint and Golicic, 2009; Azadnia et al., 2015; Ahmadi et al., 2017). To achieve sustainable performance, global supply chain decisions need to be directly related to consideration and analysis of economic benefits, environmental objectives and social/ethical conditions, referred to as the triple bottom line (TBL) perspectives.\n2. Literature review: Today, many supply chains are global and complex with increasing levels of diverse networks, processes and stakeholders. With this increased level of complexity, decision making is a major challenge for managers, in particular when these decisions are influenced not only by economic pressures but also by sustainability issues (Bowersox et al., 2013; Shalke et al., 2017). Among many decisions, strategic/tactical levels of planning (Dey et al., 2015; Nair et al., 2015), low carbon supply chain and associated supplier development (Shaw et al., 2012; Theissen et al., 2014; Mao et al., 2017; Jharkharia and Das, 2019), supplier evaluation and associated purchasing decisions within broader global sourcing have become key strategic considerations (Ting and Cho, 2008; Hashemi et al., 2015; Ahmadi et al., 2017) and get complicated when organizations become highly dependent on their suppliers (Jain and Benyoucef, 2008; Dey et al., 2015). Many research studies have reported various aspects of supplier evaluation and order allocation problem, including literature review on broader supplier evaluation aspects (Ho et al., 2010; Igarashi et al., 2013), supplier selection from analytical, multi-criteria and/or multiple perspectives approach (Govindan et al., 2015; Hashemi et al., 2015; Ghorabaee et al., 2017; Agarwal et al., 2011; Yang and Chen, 2006), lean/agile environment (Mokadem, 2017; Matawale et al., 2016), fuzzy environment (Ghorabaee et al., 2017; Sahu et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2006; Haldar et al., 2014), supplier selection from various industry perspectives (Rezaei et al., 2014; Alinezad et al., 2013; Sivakumar et al., 2015; Kumar et al., 2011), investigation of the importance of IS/IT criterion (Ageron et al., 2013) and purchasing strategies through supplier selection and purchasing (Ting and Cho, 2008). However, there is limited research on holistic approaches for supplier selection, validation and purchasing decisions incorporating broader sustainability perspective with empirical evidence.\n3. Research methodology: The research methodology for supplier evaluation and purchasing order allocation in a sustainable supply chain is a mixed method of case study and analytical approach. The overall approach consists of three stages: supplier evaluation and ranking using FAHP approach, purchasing order-allocation based on the selection of preferred suppliers using minimization of TCP subject to operational constraints as well as key environmental and social conditions and validation of preferred suppliers using judgements from multiple decision-makers of the selected case-study organization.\n4. Model illustration using a case example: The case organization is a cement manufacturing, a consumer product company in an emerging economy of South-East Asia. This cement manufacturing company has been producing about 8.5m tons of Portland cement annually for both local and export markets over many years. The company has participated in sustainable development through many levels of business practices and activities. A major initiative of the company concerning sustainability is to either eliminate or decrease the environmental harm caused by the production and consumption of its goods in the broader construction industry. This company is one of the environmentally friendly and ISO14001 certified organizations in South-East Asia.\n5. Discussion and conclusions: The supplier evaluation process, as part of global sourcing, is a key consideration for many manufacturing organizations when various multiple criteria are required to be considered (Igarashi et al., 2013; Shalke et al., 2017).\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a holistic approach for supplier evaluation and purchasing order allocation among the ranked suppliers who meet acceptable levels of economic, environmental and social measures.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A mixed research method of case study and analytical approach is adopted in this research. A fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (FAHP) is applied for ranking of suppliers. Supplier ranks are validated using judgements from multiple decision makers. Purchasing order allocation among the ranked suppliers is determined using cost minimization subject to multiple criteria of economic, environmental and social conditions. A cement manufacturing case example demonstrates and validates the proposed approach.\nFindings: The research shows that both economic and environmental considerations are significant when suppliers are evaluated for sustainable procurement within the best practice of supply management process. Ranking of suppliers, based on experts' opinions, indicates varying degrees of importance for each criterion. Adoption of sustainable procurement criteria for evaluating supplier in a cement manufacturing organization is explained by three organizational theories including resource-based, institutional and dynamic capabilities theories. Preferred suppliers from FAHP method are confirmed by judgements from multiple decision-makers. The analysis reveals that purchasing order allocation is different when suppliers are evaluated based on their relative importance and overall ranking.\nResearch limitations/implications: Currently, individual performance measures and decision-makers are selected from a limited set. The purchasing allocation among ranked suppliers, subjected to cost minimization, incorporates environmental objective of acceptable carbon dioxide emission and social perspective of health and safety of workers, and provides a new approach for dual supplier evaluation and purchasing allocation problem in cement industry. Adopting the proposed supplier evaluation and order allocation approach in practice needs to be guided by the operational principles and an overall methodology which is appropriate for the specific industry with sustainability objectives.\nPractical implications: This research enables decision-makers to incorporate sustainability analysis in the supplier evaluation as the basis for best practice with an industry-friendly holistic approach. Using organizational theories, the research re-enforces the importance of not only the energy consumption and environmental management systems of environmental dimension as driving forces/factors from Institutional theory perspective, but also pollution controls and prevention as purchasing capabilities from resource-based theory perspective. The proposed approach is expected to motivate decision-makers to consider sustainable perspectives in supplier evaluation and order allocation processes in a global supply chain and can become a benchmarking tool.\nSocial implications: Suppliers' information on health and safety of their truck drivers are used in order allocation, thus emphasizing the importance of social dimension and encouraging better conditions and benchmarking for delivery drivers.\nOriginality/value: This paper extends the contribution to the literature by providing guidelines for managers to set strategies, benchmarks and policies within broader sustainable supply chain practices and demonstrates the applicability of the approach using a cement-manufacturing scenario in an emerging economy.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Perceived organizational support and risk taking
|
[
"Trust",
"Structural equation modeling",
"Perceived organizational support",
"Risk taking",
"Social information processing"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: \"Here lies a company that died risk free\" (Keough, 2008, p. 19). According to Donald Keough, former president of Coca Cola, this is the epitaph of many companies, suggesting that risk taking should be actively pursued by organizations. Risk taking involves actions having an uncertain outcome, but with potentially high returns (Chiles and MacMackin, 1996; Wiseman and Gomez-Mejia, 1998). As global competition has increased, many organizations have responded by asking managers and their subordinates to innovate products and services that offer greater opportunities for profit but at an increased danger of financial loss if such initiatives fail. Sometimes such risk taking has been dramatically successful as illustrated by the way technology has changed how people commonly buy books, obtain news, and form casual social relationships over the Internet. In other cases, excessive risk taking has produced major failures for both managers and employees as exemplified by the bust of the dotcom bubble of the 1990's and the recent massive bankruptcies in the home mortgage and banking industries. This suggests that too little and too much risk taking are both dangerous for organizations' long-term welfare (Wicks et al., 1999). The degree of optimal risk may vary substantially by job type and organization, making it a \"conditional good\" (Molina-Morales et al., 2011, p. 118). For example, software design firms generally encourage more risk taking by employees responsible for creating new products than by accountants in the same firms. But whether firms and individual employees take too little or too much risk, risk taking has major implications for employee and organizational outcomes and is therefore an important, if understudied topic.\nPerceived organizational support and risk taking: According to organizational support theory (Eisenberger et al., 1986; Eisenberger and Stinglhamber, 2011; Rhoades and Eisenberger, 2002; Shore and Shore, 1995), employees who receive valued resources (e.g. pay raises, developmental training opportunities) develop their POS and feel obligated, based on the reciprocity norm (Gouldner, 1960), to strive to repay the organization by helping it reach its objectives. For example, employees with high POS have been found to reciprocate with increased in-role and extra-role performance (Eisenberger et al., 2001). Because POS incorporates the belief that the organization is concerned with one's well-being and values one's contributions, we expect that employees with high POS may trust the organization more to understand the uncertainties of risk taking, especially the likelihood of failure, and thus be more likely to engage in optimal risk taking.\nThe role of social information processing: The importance of a risk promoting organizational culture, in which employees perceive their superiors and co-workers to take risks and promote risk taking, for actual risk taking has been acknowledged (Bozeman and Kingsley, 1998). In such organizational cultures, leaders play a key role in modeling risk related behaviors in subordinates, by lending legitimacy to the acceptance or avoidance of risks (Sitkin and Pablo, 1992). Supervisors who perceive they are valued by the organization should have a high failure-related trust, and therefore model the failure-related trust of their subordinates through social information processing.\nMethod: Sample\nResults: Means, standard deviations, reliabilities, and the intercorrelations are shown in Table II. +Since our participants held a number of organizational functions, we first examined (MANOVA) whether there were differences between job types on employee failure-related trust and risk taking, our outcome variables. We did not find any significant differences between job types for employee failure-related trust, F(345, 17)=1.30, p > 0.05, or risk taking, F(345, 17)=1.02, p > 0.05.\nDiscussion: The present study is one of the few empirical studies on individual risk taking in organizations. Specifically, it examined the relationship between perceived organizational support and employee risk-taking behaviors through greater failure-related trust among employees and supervisors alike. Moreover, by using a social information processing approach (Salancik and Pfeffer, 1978), it drew attention to the role of supervisor's failure-related trust as a relevant source of information concerning the work environment, thus shaping the strength of the relationship between employee's POS and failure-related trust. We found that, as employees' POS increased, so did their failure-related trust, with consequences for risk taking. Additionally, we found that the interaction of supervisors' failure-related trust and employees' POS was positively related to subordinates' own failure-related trust, again with consequences for risk taking. That is, employees use their supervisor's attitudes toward the organization as guidelines for their own attitudes and behaviors. When supervisors strongly believed the organization was trustworthy in situations with a high likelihood of failure, employees' POS presented a stronger relationship with failure-related trust, and consequently with risk taking. On the other hand, when supervisors questioned the organization's trustworthiness in situations with a high likelihood of failure, employees' POS had a weaker relationship with failure-related trust and with risk taking.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of perceived organizational support (POS) for employee risk-taking through its association with greater trust among supervisors and subordinates that the organization will take into account the individual's intent to be helpful in the case of failure (failure-related trust).\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were obtained from 346 employee-supervisor dyads from diverse organizations. Employees and supervisors described their POS and failure-related trust. Supervisors also rated employee's risk-taking behaviors.\nFindings: Perceived organizational support (POS) was positively related to failure-related trust among subordinates and supervisors which, in turn, was related to subordinates' risk taking. Additionally, supervisors' failure-related trust moderated the relationship between subordinates' POS and failure-related trust, such that when supervisors strongly believed the organization was trustworthy in risk situations, employees' POS had a stronger relationship with failure-related trust, which in turn, was related to risk-taking.\nResearch limitations/implications: Understanding employee risk-taking has both theoretical, practical, and social implications. It advances our theoretical understanding of employee risk-taking and it shows the role played by managers in the promotion of subordinates' risk-taking behaviors.\nOriginality/value: This is one of the first studies to examine the antecedents of employee risk-taking behaviors in the workplace. Additionally, it provides evidence for the key role played by supervisors in modeling subordinate's risk taking through social information processing. Another strength concerns the use of data from dyads (subordinates and supervisors), which helps us to overcome problems related to common method bias.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Performance indicators for facilities operation and maintenance (Part 2): Shortlisting through a focus group study
|
[
"Performance",
"Assessment",
"Maintenance",
"Facilities",
"KPI",
"Commercial properties"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: As the preceding, companion article (Part 1) shows, a total of 71 indicators were found from the literature as applicable for evaluating the operation and maintenance (O&M) performance of engineering facilities in commercial buildings. These indicators fall into five groups: six in the physical group; 22 in the financial group; 30 in the financial group; six in the environmental group; and seven in the health, safety and legal group. As reviewed earlier (Lai and Man, 2017), the physical indicators can reflect how well the builder's work (e.g. walls, windows) and building services systems (e.g. air-conditioning, lighting) have performed. The financial indicators are related to expenditure and revenues of a building. Performance levels associated with matters like maintenance response, efficiency and availability of facilities can refer to the technical indicators. The environmental indicators, measuring energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and so on, are conducive to attaining a sustainable built environment. Indicators in the health, safety and legal group can show how well the O&M team have done in safeguarding the health and safety of building occupants and avoiding mishaps (e.g. power outage leading to business loss) that result in legal claims.\nData collection: A focus group meeting, with an ideal size of not more than ten participants (Krueger and Casey, 2008), enables direct interactions between the participants and the meeting facilitator, and the participants can realize the reasons of each other for holding certain views on issues being discussed, qualifying or modifying their views or agreeing to suggestions made by the others. A flowchart showing the process of the focus group study is shown in Figure 1.\nAnalysis and discussion: Of the 15 board members of the executive committee invited, seven agreed to participate in the focus group. Five of them worked in the private sector and the other two worked for some non-government organizations. With the same job nature - management of engineering facilities in buildings, the participants were highly experienced; their work experiences ranged between 14 and 31 years. In terms of job titles, two were directors and the rest were chief engineer, manager, etc. The types of commercial premises they looked after include office, retail, hotel and restaurant. The responses of the participants were analysed, as in the following.\nConclusions: The large number of performance indicators identified as applicable for evaluating the O&M performance of engineering facilities in commercial buildings, as reported in the preceding article (Part 1), are too voluminous for use in practice. The foregoing sections of the current article (Part 2) show that through a rigorous three-session focus group meeting, the participants, who are experts in the O&M field, provided useful responses for the selection of appropriate O&M performance indicators.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper (Part 2 of 2) aims to shortlist performance indicators which are used in evaluating facilities operation and maintenance (O&M) in commercial buildings.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A three-session focus group meeting, with the use of a customized questionnaire and audio recording, was convened to solicit opinions from O&M experts. Their quantitative responses (ratings on the importance of the indicators) and the qualitative ones (reasons for having the indicators selected or excluded) were taken for analysis, followed by mapping the shortlisted indicators based on the phase-hierarchy (P-H) model for facilities management (FM).\nFindings: From a total of 74 performance indicators (71 identified from the literature and three added by the focus group), 17 indicators were shortlisted, and time constraint was the most common reason for having those indicators excluded from the shortlist. Mapping the shortlisted indicators with the P-H model revealed that the performance evaluation focus of the experts was at the tactical level, on the output phase of facilities services delivery.\nResearch implications: The shortlisted indicators serve as a keystone for establishing a performance evaluation scheme for engineering facilities in commercial buildings. Research on other areas may follow the approach of this study to shortlist key performance indicators (KPIs).\nPractical implications: Professionals of the other building types (e.g. residential, industrial and healthcare) or sectors with diverse FM organizations may conduct a similar study to identify indicators for performance evaluation purposes. In particular, the process of shortlisting the O&M KPIs may be used to shortlist KPIs for the other FM services.\nOriginality/value: The focus group study demonstrates how to rigorously select KPIs for use in managing facilities.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Lifelong activism and women's entrepreneurship: how a social movement organization improves conditions for self-employed women in India
|
[
"India",
"Social movement",
"Union",
"Women’s entrepreneurship"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Emerging economies such as China and India present great business opportunities for both local and foreign firms (Paul and Mas, 2016). However, these economies feature weak or underdeveloped institutions (Meyer et al., 2009; Rottig, 2016; Tracey and Phillips, 2011), which hinder market functioning and development (Doh et al., 2017; Meyer et al., 2009), and prevent the disadvantaged, and notably women, from participating in the market (Mair and Marti, 2009). Indeed, in a number of emerging economies, women have less access to education, fewer job opportunities and less command over resources than men (Bhensdadia and Dana, 2004; Panda, 2018). High unemployment rates and social exclusion are a direct consequence of poorly functioning institutions, and women are among the most affected (Venkatesh et al., 2017).\n2. Literature review: 2.1 Women's entrepreneurship in emerging economies\n3. Research methodology: Our empirical investigation is based on a longitudinal case study of SEWA. We start this section with a short presentation of SEWA, our research setting, and then outline our method and the data we used.\n4. Findings: Below, we present SEWA's structure and different operations. As SEWA has grown into a large, complex organization with a number of sister companies, we are unable to provide a complete account of all its activities because of obvious space limitations. We therefore focus on those findings that we consider the most important to answer our research questions.\n5. Discussion: Despite the growing interest in women's entrepreneurship worldwide, not enough is known about how women can change their lives through entrepreneurship or how grass-roots organizations led by lifelong activists help women along the way to empowerment through entrepreneurship. To fill these gaps, this paper examines how a local trade union and social movement organization fights the deficiencies of formal institutions to improve the living conditions of self-employed women. We investigate the development of this organization over time.\n6. Conclusion: This paper investigates how a local, grass-roots organization in an emerging economy fights against the social exclusion of self-employed women. We add to the literature by highlighting this organization's actions to improve the conditions of its deprived community members. We also highlight the organization's evolution over time.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a local trade union improves living conditions for women entrepreneurs in India and how its activities have evolved over time.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a longitudinal case study of the self-employed women's association (SEWA) in India. Founded in 1972, this organization fosters and supports women's entrepreneurship. The approach of this study combines qualitative face-to-face interviews and secondary data analysis.\nFindings: The findings highlight the fact that SEWA, which combines the features of a trade union and a social movement, improves women's conditions in several different ways. The study shows that the organization's main role has evolved from creating a community to expanding it and finally to becoming an agent of societal change.\nOriginality/value: The study contributes to the literature by analyzing how locally grown organizations fight social exclusion and improve the conditions of deprived groups in emerging economies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Provision of supplementary materials in library and information science scholarly journals
|
[
"Library and information science",
"Journals",
"Bibliometrics",
"Scholarly publishing",
"Supplementary materials",
"Data sharing",
"Publishing"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Primary data are the basis of scientific research. Over the last few years the volume of and speed at which data are obtained and shared have increased enormously due to improved measurement instruments and the use by researchers of the internet for communication. As a result, scholarly communication is going beyond the publication of research reports in the form of journal articles, conference proceedings, monographs, etc. to include the capture, description and reuse of data.\nMethodology: The first step was to obtain a list of the 77 journals indexed by the ISI Journal Citation Reports in 2010 in the category \"Information Science & Library Science\". Five of these journals were excluded from the sample: Econtent, Library Journal and The Scientist are trade magazines that mainly include news, opinion pieces and description of tools, etc.; Informacios Tarsadalom was excluded from the sample since the present authors do not read Hungarian; and the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology was excluded because it ceased publication after the 2011 volume.\nResults: LIS journal policies regarding the provision of supplementary materials\nDiscussion: Most LIS journals are willing to accept supplementary materials for the articles they publish. Except for four journals from the same publisher which specifically state that they do not accept supplementary files, the remaining journals either have a policy on the issue, stating that they are willing to accept supplementary materials, or, even if they do not have a policy, nonetheless publish supplementary materials with their articles. These results are consistent with those of PARSE.Insight (2009), which stated that publishers of 94 per cent of all the toll and open access journals allow authors to submit research data accompanying their manuscripts.\nConclusion: Despite the increasing number of journals offering supplementary material features, few of them seem to have considered all the implications. Most policies regarding the publication of these materials are vague and focus mainly on file formats. However, further decisions need to be reached in order to avoid future problems regarding the management and preservation of these data. Indeed, in light of its interest to readers and its future usability by other researchers, journals must establish a policy on whether or not they will publish supplemental material. In establishing such a policy they should consider the typology of materials accepted for publication, the amount of supplementary materials accepted and the review or, at least, the editorial process these materials will be subject to. Journal publishers should also consider whether a link to a public web site or, ideally, to a repository providing a stable web site would be a better solution.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This study seeks to analyse the policies of library and information science (LIS) journals regarding the publication of supplementary materials, the number of journals and articles that include this feature, the kind of supplementary materials published with regard to their function in the article, the formats employed and the access provided to readers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study analysed the instructions for authors of LIS journals indexed in the ISI Journal Citation Reports, as well as the supplementary materials attached to the articles published in their 2011 online volumes.\nFindings: Large publishers are more likely to have a policy regarding the publication of supplementary materials, and policies are usually homogeneous across all the journals of a given publisher. Most policies state the acceptance of supplementary materials, and even journals without a policy also publish supplementary materials. The majority of supplementary materials provided in LIS articles are extended methodological explanations and additional results in the form of textual information in PDF or Word files. Some toll-access journals provide open access to any reader to these files.\nOriginality/value: This study provides new insights into the characteristics of supplementary materials in LIS journals. The results may be used by journal publishers to establish a policy on the publication of supplementary materials and, more broadly, to develop data sharing initiatives in academic settings.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The influence of political candidate brands during the 2012 and 2016 US presidential elections
|
[
"Branding",
"Brand image",
"Voting intentions",
"Political candidates",
"US presidential elections"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: You know the difference in Democrats and Republicans? In every presidential election, Democrats want to fall in love. Republicans just fall in line. - Bill Clinton, 2003\nIntroduction: Heavily contested presidential elections around the world in the past decade have highlighted the importance of marketing during an electoral campaign (Lees-Marshment, 2014; Van Steenburg, 2015). In fact, winning an election without marketing may be impossible (Cwalina et al., 2008). According to the Center for Responsive Politics (2016), the cost of the past three US election cycles has escalated from $5.3 bn in 2008 to $6.4 bn in 2016, with a cost close to $2.5bn on average for the presidential elections alone. In terms of political advertising, spending during the 2016 US presidential election hit an all-time record of $1.4bn (Miller, 2017). The effect of marketing activities on political participation and turnout is dramatic (Shachar, 2009). At the same time, political marketers must manage their candidate's image to overcome an opponent (Garzia, 2013). The recent US presidential elections seem to serve as a reminder of how the power of a political candidate brand image (Guzman and Sierra, 2009) and the media attention it gets (Dahl et al., 2017) can influence voter perception, intention and choice.\nLiterature review: Academic literature on political marketing emerged in the mid-1970s and became a serious research focus in the 1990s (Henneberg and O'Shaughnessy, 2007). Early political marketing literature, primarily developed in European countries where parliamentary systems are the norm, identified the political candidate as the product and the political party as the brand (Shama, 1976). Later iterations of this \"product\" approach to political branding research identified various combinations of the party image, party policies and leader image as the product offer (Harrop, 1990; Farrell and Wortmann, 1987; Worcester and Mortimore, 2005). Elaborating on this, Butler and Collins (1999) argued that these three components were simply one-third of the political product, with a voter's party loyalty and the ability of the product to evolve after an election making up the other two. The latter component was supported by Lees-Marshment's (2003) approach that the \"product\" was an ongoing effort by party leaders, policies, elected officials, their staffers and traditional branding elements such as party and candidate symbols.\nBrand relationship: Brand relationship theory has replaced the traditional short-term marketing paradigm (Dessart et al., 2015; Fournier, 1998; Fournier et al., 2015; Ruane and Wallace, 2015) as brands have become for consumers long-term relationship partners high in love, trust, and exclusivity (Fournier, 1998). Consumers are thus willing to engage with brands (Fuchs et al., 2013) - this being of critical importance to political marketers because it changes the focus from the marketing transaction to election day (Needham, 2006). Relationship marketing is vital when consumer purchases are spread out over time (Egan, 1999), making it appropriate in political marketing research when elections are years apart. In addition, a brand relationship approach offers functional/utilitarian and/or psychological/emotional meaning to the consumer (Fournier, 1998) who will proactively behave in ways to support and protect the brand's reputation (Taute and Sierra, 2014).\nHypotheses development: Voters, when considering their candidate options in an election, use shortcuts to process the vast amount of information (De Landtsheer et al., 2008; French and Smith, 2010; Guzman et al., 2015; Phipps et al., 2010; Schneider, 2004; Smith, 2009). Among these shortcuts, the political candidate brand image is used to synthesize the candidate's ideology and proposals (Guzman and Sierra, 2009). Definitionally, brand image is how consumers (voters) perceive a brand (Aaker, 1996) and relates to brand associations that consumers (voters) store in their long-term memories (Bian and Moutinho, 2011). In politics, brand image is built as voters have contact with the candidate through all of the candidate's brand touchpoints - advertising, news coverage, participation in debates, website, social media activity, etc. Furthermore, given that voters know candidates have perception motives, the perception of a candidate is influenced by persuasion knowledge (Campbell and Kirmani, 2000; Isaac and Grayson, 2017) - knowing that the politician is trying to influence you. Voters thus tend to rely on motivated reasoning (Kunda, 1990) and focus on what they want to hear, and ignore or forget public opinion polls and information that threatens an outcome opposite to their political preference (Dalton and Huang, 2014).\nMethodology: To test these hypotheses a 58-item survey was distributed online via a US-based survey firm. Two qualifying questions were asked at the start of the survey:\nResults and analysis - 2012 election: Among all voters in the 2012 election, voters' self-brand image was significantly correlated to both the Obama and Romney brand image at the 0.01 level, thus providing initial support for H1. These correlations indicate that voters are thinking about their self-brand image when they consider the brand image of the candidates. To further test the hypothesis, regression analyses were run to examine the relationships between self-brand image and candidate brand image. In all relationships, results were significant and positive. Self-brand image was significant for the Obama brand image [b = 0.265, R2 = 0.023, F(1,461) = 10.67, t = 3.27, p = 0.001] as well as the Romney brand measure [b = 0.393, R2 = 0.051, F(1,461) = 24.59, t = 4.96, p < 0.000]. The results provide additional support for H1. Analysis to test the hypotheses in H2, H4 and H6 occurred later when data were parsed by political party.\nDiscussion: In the 2012 election, it appears the Romney brand image was more of a factor than the Obama brand image when it came to voting intention, particularly for people considering voting for Romney. Voters considered both candidates' brand image when considering themselves (self-assessed brand image) in relation to the two candidates. This confirms existing research (Guzman et al., 2015) showing a relationship between self-brand image and candidate brand image as voters use a cognitive short cut to assess which candidate in an election appeals to them most based on which one is most like themselves. However, only when considering voting for Romney did voters evaluate their self-brand image - Republicans (p = 0.006) more so than Democrats (p = 0.064) - but in both cases the Romney brand image fully mediated the relationship between self-brand image and voting intention. In other words, as voters considered voting for Romney, they considered how in sync they were to the candidate's brand image. There was no such effect for the Obama brand image, nor was there significance for voters' self-brand image on voting intention for that candidate.\nResults and analysis - 2016 election: The 2016 election sample had a mean age of 42.25 (range = 18-82), was 53.9 per cent female (n = 250) and 76.1 per cent Caucasian (n = 353) - all in line with the actual electorate that year (CNN, 2016). The education and income of the respondents followed normal distribution. The candidate brand image scales again fell into two factors and proved reliable (Clinton a = 0.986; Trump a = 0.980). The self-image scale contained three factors, and was also reliable (a = 0.945). All other scales were single factor and met reliability requirements (Hair et al., 2009) with all alphas > 0.800. A Harman's single-factor test was conducted to check for CMB and the variance explained was 34.45 per cent, below the 50 per cent threshold (Chang et al., 2010; Podsakoff et al., 2003; Tehseen et al., 2017).\nDiscussion: As was the case in 2012, voters by political party in 2016 may have relied on candidate brand image when making electoral decisions. For example, there were significant relationships between the candidates' brand image and voting intention for those candidates amongst both Democrats and Republicans, with the relationship positive within the party (e.g. Democrats voting for Clinton) and negative when considering voting for the other party's candidate (e.g. Republicans voting for Clinton). Interestingly, there was a change from 2012 to 2016 amongst Democrats and Republicans in terms of the brand image of the candidate from the other party. In 2012, Democrats considered the brands of both candidates, and Republicans only the brand of their candidate. The opposite was true in 2016 as Democrats only considered Clinton in terms of brand image while Republicans considered both candidates. At the same time, the variance explained by Democrats evaluating the brand image of the candidates was relatively low for all models except when voting intention was for Clinton. This provides some evidence of brand affinity.\nConclusions: Examining the past two US presidential elections in terms of candidates and their brand image provides some interesting, and valuable, kernels of information. Perhaps most importantly, the losing candidate's brand image in each election was a significant mediator for all voters in the self-image/voting intention model. This certainly should not be construed as an election certainty as the system of using the Electoral College in US elections means a losing candidate can capture more votes than the winning candidate, which has happened five times including in 2016. In fact, Trump lost the popular vote by a greater margin than in any of the other occurrences. It is our hope that future research can determine whether this is simply a coincidence of these two elections, or whether brand image may cause a candidate to lose an election easier than it may help one win it.\nTheoretical and managerial implications: Perhaps the most important theoretical, and consequently managerial, implication is the discovery of the role brand image plays in mediating the relationship between self-image and voting intention for the losing candidate. That is, when voters considered who might best represent themselves, the brand image of the candidate enhanced the likelihood of voting for, or against, the candidate. Therefore, it is highly recommended that campaign managers not only understand the importance of their candidate's brand image to develop and maintain a positive image amongst supporters, but also understand how to highlight what their supporters view as the negative aspects of the opposing candidates' brand image to increase the lack of affinity.\nLimitations and future research: As the first empirical investigation into candidates as brands in US presidential elections, there are clearly limitations to the work. One important limitation is that the data were collected online and skewed Caucasian (84 per cent) in 2012, which may have affected the relationships between self-brand image and the Obama brand image. Although the percentage of Caucasian voters in 2012 was the majority (72 per cent) of all voters, the sample was not equivalent to the actual electorate. Secondly, data collection in the 2016 election took place the week immediately following the revelation of recorded audio of then-candidate Trump making sexually explicit comments regarding his approach toward women. This may have had an effect on respondents' attitudes toward the Trump brand image, particularly in consideration of potential social desirability bias. Some research (Pew Research Center, 2017b) seemed to indicate that voters were not particularly willing to admit they planned to vote for Trump. In fact, in this research, amongst all voters there is a significant difference (p < 0.000) between voting intention means for Clinton [M = 4.22, SD = 1.98, t(463) = 45.83] and Trump [M = 3.40, SD = 1.89, t(463) = 38.77]. While there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.000) in voting intention between Obama [M = 4.04, SD = 2.10, t(462) = 41.29] and Romney [M = 3.91, SD = 2.10, t(462) = 40.03] the differences were not as great.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether voters consider a candidate's brand image when evaluating election alternatives. That is, how prominent a role does the candidate brand image have in the decision-making process? As election outcomes are behavior-driven, the goal is to examine the potential relationship between the candidate brand image, the self-brand image and voting intention.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were collected for the third week of October 2012 and again for the same time in 2016 - three weeks prior to the US presidential election each year. An online-based nationwide survey was leveraged, followed by correlation, regression and mediation analysis.\nFindings: Candidate brand image has a role in US presidential elections. In addition, candidate brand image and self-brand image are significantly related to voting intention. In both elections, the losing candidate's brand image was more of a factor when it came to voting intention, as both candidates' brand image mediated the relationships between self-brand image and voting intention for all voters.\nResearch limitations/implications: A link between candidate brand image and voting intention was demonstrated for perhaps the first time. With results showing candidate brand image does relate to the voter's self-brand image and voting intention, future research should investigate what other brand elements are a factor. There are undoubtedly other factors - some branding-related, others not branding-related - that go into voter decision-making. Because results were stronger for a losing candidate than a winning one, research should also examine whether this occurrence was coincidence or consistent voter behavior.\nPractical implications: When voters considered who might best represent themselves, the brand image of the candidate enhanced the likelihood of voting for, or against, the candidate. Therefore, it is highly recommended that campaign managers understand not only the importance of their candidate's brand image to develop and maintain a positive image among their supporters but also how to highlight what their supporters view as the negative aspects of the opposing candidates' brand image to increase the lack of affinity for competitors.\nOriginality/value: This research demonstrates, for the first time, that candidates' brand image is considered by voters in a US presidential election. In addition, it discovers the role candidate brand image plays in voting intention. Finally, it provides direction for campaign managers to conduct research into candidates as brands to build brand relationships with the electorate.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Towards a framework of the performance evaluation of SMEs' industry portals
|
[
"Analytical hierarchy process",
"Knowledge management",
"Small to medium‐sized enterprises",
"Internet"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: Information portal is a type of new information system (Raol et al., 2003) and has emerged as one of the most effective ways of distributing, sharing business information, reusing knowledge, helping employees spend more time innovating and less time locating information. For this reason, information portals have attracted many players, including startups as well as established vendors of document management, search and retrieval, business intelligence, and data mining software (Watson and Fenner, 2000). Industry portals integrated with internet industry databases and EC platform can serve as a single window service for industries and are increasingly being used for collective information processing and knowledge retrieval. For example, Guillaume and Charnomordic (2001) use food industry databases for knowledge discovery. Industry portals are especially important for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), because the investment in portal development is a costly initiative and SMEs are not capable of developing them solely by themselves (Chan and Chung, 2002).Indeed, SMEs are always constrained by their limited resources and expertise. By developing industry portals, industry associations can help SMEs to reach basic system, and aggregate flexibility and agility, despite their lack of resources. However, the development of industry portals is only the first step for SMEs towards EC and to gain and retain competitiveness in a complex and turbulent global business environment. The appropriate design has become a central issue (Barnes and Vidgen, 2003). In addition, the performance evaluation of industry portals is equally an important issue. That is, industry portals should provide appropriate information to the right people at the right time and place and thus attain maximum value for their members. Apparently, the performance is quite subjective and sometimes simply implies importance in terms of the actions taken, the resources committed, or the precedents set. Moreover, the problems of evaluation arise from its inherent complexity, its inherent uncertainty, multiple objectives, and multiple involvements (Clemen, 1996). To fit the real situation of an evaluation process, the following assumptions should be considered.1. Multiple involvements assumption: SMEs may have problems with both formulating and acquiring new knowledge and skills (Vos et al., 1998). In this regard, the collaboration between database design experts and users is essential in designing and developing efficient portals. All their opinions are valuable and should be involved in the evaluation process.2. Multiple objectives and multiple criteria assumption: An evaluation always has different objectives, which lead to different measures. In fact, measurement is the core of evaluation (Farbey et al., 1993). Moreover, each of the measures will be evaluated according to different criteria. Accordingly, more effort is needed to identify the valuable measures.3. Subjective assumption: The evaluation criteria could be financial, non-financial, quantitative or qualitative, tangible or intangible. The evaluation is unavoidably subjective, and an evaluation process needs to transform the subjective value of the evaluators' judgments into the form of quantified data.Apparently, how to evaluate the performance of industry portals has not yet been convincingly demonstrated. To address this issue, the goal of this paper is to propose an integrated framework for the performance evaluation of industry portals for SMEs. Our approach is meant to incorporate the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and criteria derived from diverse objectives including data quality (DQ), knowledge distribution (KD), and technology acceptance (TA) in order to develop a holistic and applicable framework. To demonstrate how the proposed framework works and to verify its usefulness, an exemplary case is given by empirically assessing the \"Internet Industry Database and Electronic Commerce\" (IIDEC) initiative, an industry portal project, developed by Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 provides a brief review of the needs for developing an industry portal for SMEs. Section 3 presents the proposed framework for portal evaluation using AHP, followed by an empirical data collection and analysis to illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework in Section 4. The discussions and implications are presented in Section 5. The conclusions of the proposed framework for the evaluation of industry portals are discussed in Section 6.\n2 The need for developing an industry portal for SMEs: SMEs can be defined as enterprises with less than 250 employees and a yearly turnover of less than PS40 million (Caputo et al., 2002). As mentioned above, the development of enterprise information portals is a costly initiative, and SMEs are not capable of developing them solely by themselves. Most research has concentrated on large businesses, ignoring SMEs. This is understandable, since IT has been the privilege of large businesses due to the huge investment required in the past. However, SMEs potentially constitute the most dynamic firms in an emerging economy and are the life-blood of modern economics (Ghobadian and Gallear, 1996). For example, 99 percent of all UK businesses employ less than 500 employees, but they make up 62 percent of the nation's employment (Major and Cordey-Hayes, 2000); small manufacturing establishments make up over 98 percent of all manufacturers in the US (Korchak and Rodman, 2001). They are the ones most likely to move into areas of comparative advantage and have high value added services, though they often face economic, institutional, and legal obstacles (Francesca, 1999).Accordingly, the importance of SMEs in economic growth has made them a central element in much recent policy-making to promote and facilitate the operation of the innovation process within SMEs (Hoffman et al., 1998). Research (Korchak and Rodman, 2001) has shown that SMEs are rapidly adopting the internet and EC. Moreover, it has been observed that EC is not a simple innovation; rather it is a cluster of separate innovations (Daniel et al., 2002). Caputo et al. (2002) indicate that the factors especially affecting SMEs in innovation diffusion include:1. the moderate knowledge base they own;2. the little time an entrepreneur may dedicate to innovation activities because of other daily demands of the job;3. modest financial resources; and4. diffused aversion to realized partnerships with potential innovation suppliers.Consequently, SMEs are in a \"catch 22\" position, and many SMEs fail to exploit the internet because there is little information, tailored to their circumstance, to help them do so (Jeffcoate et al., 2002). For competitive reasons, they cannot afford not to invest in EC, but economically they cannot find sufficient justification. Furthermore, evaluation practice cannot provide enough underpinning for making such an investment.From this perspective, industry associations of SMEs may contribute to SMEs in adopting EC and developing portals. Conventionally, small firms joined industry associations, a form of soft networks (McNaughton and Bell, 2001), but success was not dependent on each other's actions. For this reason, industry associations of SMEs have received less attention. Portals began as applications, typically web-based, providing a single point of access to distribute online information for the use of knowledge works, consumer shopping, and business-to-business commerce (Mack et al., 2001). The use of information portals is one of the solutions for managing large and complex amounts of data. By employing industry portals and EC platforms, industry associations can provide not only marketing mechanism but also joint learning and resource sharing mechanisms. The associations' internet portal sites are electronic hubs of information, contacts, and services. By developing portals, industry associations can serve to:* compile studies and proposal;* compile production and trade statistics relevant to the industry;* create specifications and promote standardization;* promote the development of information and communications technology resources;* promote the formulation of effective policies on information and communications technology and related matters;* work with all levels of government;* facilitate education and employment;* help government in formulating industrial policies and developing infrastructure;* manage and support of trade shows;* promote greater awareness and uptake of e-commerce; and* discover partnering opportunities.\n3 Towards a framework for the performance evaluation of industry portals: 3.1 Select objectives for the performance evaluation\n4 Exemplary case: 4.1 Data collection\n5 Managerial implications: IT related performance evaluation is more difficult than many other non-IT related performance evaluations, and it has been widely recognized that financial appraisal techniques cannot be used to evaluate performance effectively. The present study clearly depicts the assumptions, problematic nature, and scope of performance evaluation of SMEs' industrial portals. For all SMEs and industrial associations, it is very important to have a clear picture of what performance evaluation is and how to conduct the evaluation in terms of SMEs' context. In this paper, an AHP-based framework for the performance evaluation of industrial portals, with an example of its application has been presented in order to broaden the study of the researched topic. Although the exemplary case was limited to Taiwan's SMEs, the insights obtained will have similar implications for other industries and other countries. This framework is particularly useful for those SMEs in developing countries, since they are always constrained by their limited resources and expertise.Using the proposed framework, management needs to understand how to tailor the framework. For example, the framework suggests employing DQ, KD, and TA as major performance evaluation objectives, and these three dimensions affecting performance must be identified and their effects quantified. However, one important issue in using this framework is that users need to translate organization objectives of using industrial portals into a coherent set of performance measures. It must be stressed that the selected objectives and criteria is not a list for users to follow but a list to allow users to become aware of the problematic nature and basic assumptions of performance evaluation. Other objectives such as financial performance or information quality (Xu et al., 2003) can also be considered in the proposed framework. Moreover, users can integrate other methods such as the balanced scorecard method as a strategic measurement system, which links measurements to strategy in order to identify performance objectives and criteria.The exemplary case shows that the performance evaluation of industry portals is quite subjective. Practices can simplify the evaluation. For example, this framework also can be applied to evaluate a single portal. Many practices may not be familiar with OR techniques. AHP is selected for the performance evaluation for different reasons. First, it allows both database experts' and portal users' judgements to be included formally and systematically in the evaluation process. Secondly, it is well suited to support the proposed framework. Thirdly, the computational complexity of the AHP is low. These features suggest that AHP is an appropriate approach in contrast to other OR approaches. Thus, SMEs and industrial associations can apply the framework to evaluate the performance of industrial portals easily, and the multidimensional factors on performance can be aggregated into a single priority. The proposed framework relies on the fact that the performance evaluation of industry portals is available when the experts' and users' experiences are integrated efficiently in the evaluation process. We acknowledge some important limitations of the proposed method such as the subjective users' perceptions and the semantic misunderstanding of terms used. The semantic gap and human perception subjectivity are always inevitable in the evaluation process. Additionally, too many objectives and criteria will diminish the efficiency of the proposed method. However, the proposed approach is still significant if decision-makers can carefully select the participants.\n6 Conclusion: The initial motivation of the present study was to depict clearly the evaluation of the performance of industry portals in order to enhance the development of portals. This is important because it focuses on key issues in the control perspective of information management. On the one hand, industry portal is now vitally important as a strategic weapon, but the actual outcome of portal design and development is often unknown. The present study seeks to develop a framework, which addresses the practical aspect of portal evaluation in terms of multiple objectives and multiple involvements. The study suggests the integration of DQ, KD, and TA objectives along with AHP. The exemplary case shows the feasibility of the proposed framework.Since the first step in managing IT investment is to know exactly what that investment is, it is necessary for management to clarify the nature of industry portals. Industry associations can use methods such as AHP, which allows the systematic consideration and evaluation of multiple decision criteria that are financial and non-financial, quantitative and qualitative, tangible and intangible. The present study identifies 29 distinguishing criteria relating to performance evaluation in terms of DQ, KD, and TA (Table III), which can enable industry associations to become more familiar with the nature and scope of portal performance evaluation projects. It must be stressed that the criteria list is not a list for industry associations to follow, but a list to allow industry associations to become aware of the problematic nature of performance evaluation projects. Those criteria provide a direction to make incremental improvement. In practice, associations can select only part of those criteria to simplify the whole process. Industry associations can apply this concept easily.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - With the fast growth of the internet, the development of industry portals for SMEs is becoming an increasingly important issue of economic growth. However, designing and developing efficient portals is not easy, and how to evaluate industry portals' performance has not yet been convincingly demonstrated. To address this gap, this paper aims to propose a framework.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The framework uses the analytic hierarchical process and incorporates both experts' and users' judgments into the performance evaluation process. It also employs three different objectives for performance evaluation including data quality, technology acceptance, and knowledge distribution. An exemplary case is given to demonstrate the proposed framework by empirically assessing an industry portal project, developed by Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan.\nFindings: - The proposed framework can enable industry associations to become more familiar with the nature and scope of portal performance evaluation.\nOriginality/value: - Develops a framework which addresses the practical aspect of portal evaluation in terms of multiple objectives and involvement.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Why do work sampling studies in construction? The case of plumbing work in Scandinavia
|
[
"Direct observation",
"Lean construction",
"Productivity",
"Resource efficiency",
"Sub-contractors"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In 1989 The Swedish Association of Plumbing and HVAC contractors performed a study of labour efficiency using work sampling technique (see Hammarlund and Ryden, 1990). The results lead to a debate over how to improve the productivity in plumbing work. In 2009, i.e. 20 years later, the association asked the authors of this paper to repeat the study using the same technique for data collection. Inspired by a new debate on productivity within the construction industry, they wanted to know whether the productivity of the work performed by their member companies had improved or not over time. It was obvious for the authors that the managers in the association expected positive results. This led to several questions. For example, do work sampling studies define the level of productivity of work performed in construction projects? Is it relevant to compare results from a work sampling study with results from a study performed 20 years earlier? If the results differ from the original study, do we then know whether the work performance has improved or not? If the answer is negative to all these questions, why do work sampling studies at all in construction?\n2. What is work sampling?: Work sampling is a technique that measures the time individuals spend in various categories of activities. It is mainly used to analyse how workers utilise their time, but can also be used to study managers for the same reason. Often an observer, not involved in the actual work, shadows one or several individuals and registers what they do at specific times. One advantage of work sampling is that it provides an easy and inexpensive way to analyse work. It is particularly useful in the analysis of non-repetitive or irregularly occurring activities (Liou and Borcherding, 1986), which characterises most construction projects.\n3. Method: Eight construction projects were chosen for the study. These were studied during one week each between December 2009 and May 2010. Project E was, however, studied for four days due to practical considerations. Each project was chosen by managers within the participating companies. For that reason, it is probable that the managers have chosen projects doing better than average.\n4. Results: In total, 18,374 observations were done during 39 days of study. Directly value-adding work was performed on average 13.2 per cent of the total time, varying between 8.3 per cent and 18.6 per cent (see Table III). The amount of preparations (indirect work, transporting material and equipment and work planning) corresponded to on average 51.7 per cent. The amount of waste (correcting defects, unused time and waiting, etc.) corresponded to 35.7 per cent of the workers' time on average. 13.6 per cent of this waste time was moving between working spots. 5.0 per cent of the time, the workers had to wait because of factors outside of their immediate control.\n5. Why do work sampling studies in construction?: The question of whether results from work sampling correlate to productivity has been frequently discussed. The literature on work sampling in construction can be roughly divided into two groups based on their responses to the question. The major part of the literature argues that work sampling can be used to predict the productivity level. They mean that there is a correlation between the amount of direct work and volume produced. The minor part of the literature takes the opposite view, writing that work sampling measures how workers' time is utilised, not how productive the workers are.\n6. Concluding remarks: We have concluded that there is not necessarily a correlation between how workers use their time and the level of productivity. We have also concluded that it is not relevant to compare results from work sampling studies over longer time spans without considering changes in working conditions. So, why do work sampling?\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify reasons for doing work sampling studies in processes performed by temporary organisations. Specific questions consider if the technique can be used for measuring productivity and if it can be used to compare performances over time.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A work sampling study of plumbing work in eight construction projects is compared with a similar study performed 20 years earlier. Interviews are made in order to find out how the work conditions have developed over time.\nFindings: Work sampling studies are of little value for measuring productivity as well as for comparing performances over time. One reason is that the conditions vary to a high extent from one situation to another. Another reason is that working conditions undergo significant development over time. On the other hand, the authors experience that data from work sampling studies are of high relevance for discussions on improvement opportunities among workers as well as among corporate managers.\nOriginality/value: The paper builds on detailed direct observations of plumbing work.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Patterns of public participation: Opportunity structures and mobilization from a cross-national perspective
|
[
"Resource allocation",
"Priority setting",
"Contestatory participation",
"Public participation",
"Cross-national comparisons"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The purpose of this special issue of the Journal of Health Organization and Management is to examine the role that public participation plays in the setting of health care priorities. Our concern is to map the various forms that public participation takes and to evaluate its role in priority setting in respect of important social values, including legitimacy and accountability. As we highlighted in the introductory paper, our focus is on public participation understood in its relation to public policy. We examine participation that is collective rather than individual, excluding consideration of the role of patients in the determination of their individual care. We also focus on participation that is about priorities as a matter of policy in general, even if the participation is triggered by a particular case, for example with an appeal to an administrative body by an individual about a denial of treatment. Because participation must be relevant to the making or changing of policy, participation in pure research on public attitudes, for example replies to questionnaires, is excluded in our analysis, although participation in research that is an element of the policy process, for example patient feed-back responses, is a form of participation.\nMethods and data: Our primary units of comparison are the national health care systems of countries, which include Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, England, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the USA. The USA is a special case, however. Although the various institutions of medical care finance (the Veterans Administration, Medicare, Medicaid and the private insurers) make decisions on priorities, there is no one national body that evaluates interventions for their value. However, there are two distinct bodies, the work of which is related to priority setting. One is the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), an independent non-profit body that conducts health technology assessment. The other is the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), mandated by Congress to gather research to improve the quality of evidence on the clinical effectiveness of health care interventions. These two bodies are included, alongside the country cases, in our analysis.\nCountry contexts: The 12 countries include a range of political experience, and exemplify the three waves of democracy (Huntington, 1996). Following the Polity IV data-set we can classify them as follows (see: www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4.htm). Four (Australia, England, New Zealand and the USA) are Anglophone first-wave democracies, which achieved substantial mass enfranchisement by the first part of the twentieth century, building on the beginnings of democratization from the early part of the nineteenth centuries. Of course, even in these cases, major developments were needed for the country fully to meet conditions of democracy, for example in the southern states of the USA before the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Alongside these four first-wave democracies, there are three second-wave democracies (Colombia, Germany and Sri Lanka) each with a history of continuous democracy, to varying degrees, from the middle of the twentieth century to the present. Although Sri Lanka had universal franchise since the 1930s, it counts as second wave since until 1948 it was a UK colony. In the case of both Colombia and Sri Lanka their history of democracy is also marked by extensive civil violence. There are three third-wave democracies (Brazil, South Korea and South Africa) and two countries without an extended history of democracy, including Thailand, in which there have been significant periods of military rule, and China, which is a one-party system.\nOpportunity structures: Political opportunity structures are important in relation to the political involvement and mobilization of citizens on matters of public policy. The concept helps highlight the extent to which institutional structures are open or closed to public participation. For example, some administrative and constitutional processes permit a right of opposition at the agenda-setting or formation stage of policy, whereas in other political systems opposition is channelled into the implementation stage of policy. If we are interested in understanding the forms and effectiveness of public participation, it is always a pertinent question to ask where public movements may realistically seek to make their influence felt.\nFrom opportunities to mobilization: There is one particular reason why HTA agencies are likely to be a focal point of participation, namely their role in denying or limiting access to interventions that may be widely or intensely demanded by the public, particularly when those interventions are pharmaceutical products with strong industry backing. Considerations of cost-effectiveness, alongside other criteria, act as a hurdle to access and sometimes lead to a decision not to cover or include in the drug formulary medicines for which there is evidence for clinical effectiveness but not cost-effectiveness. These decisions therefore affect the extent to which the medical care provided by a system is comprehensive as well as equitable, presenting no financial barriers to access. Low cost access to an inadequate range of therapies will seem to the public to be a breach of the principle of universal health care. Moreover, the processes and chains of reasoning that HTA agencies use to assess cost-effectiveness are typically esoteric, drawing upon economic and statistical modeling, sampling assumptions and measures of outcome that only make sense within a particular policy paradigm. Members of the public, particularly patient groups, may also be sceptical of the feasibility constraints that cost-effectiveness analysis involves, holding in particular that costs are not a natural given but something that may be affected by policy decisions as well as accounting conventions. It is not, therefore, surprising that, in different countries, much participatory activity takes place around questions about access to pharmaceuticals, perhaps also symbolizing a broader range of concerns about access to care.\nConclusion: Our comparative review has highlighted some basic issues of theory and organization that have been identified for some time (Marmor and Klein, 2012, chapter 10), involving the character of public participation, the accountability of public representatives to the public they are supposed to represent, the effectiveness of those representatives and the place of state structures and capacities when considering the role of the public in priority setting.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The paper summarizes data from 12 countries, chosen to exhibit wide variation, on the role and place of public participation in the setting of priorities. The purpose of this paper is to exhibit cross-national patterns in respect of public participation, linking those differences to institutional features of the countries concerned.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The approach is an example of case-orientated qualitative assessment of participation practices. It derives its data from the presentation of country case studies by experts on each system. The country cases are located within the historical development of democracy in each country.\nFindings: Patterns of participation are widely variable. Participation that is effective through routinized institutional processes appears to be inversely related to contestatory participation that uses political mobilization to challenge the legitimacy of the priority setting process. No system has resolved the conceptual ambiguities that are implicit in the idea of public participation.\nOriginality/value: The paper draws on a unique collection of country case studies in participatory practice in prioritization, supplementing existing published sources. In showing that contestatory participation plays an important role in a sub-set of these countries it makes an important contribution to the field because it broadens the debate about public participation in priority setting beyond the use of minipublics and the observation of public representatives on decision-making bodies.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Event-based conceptual modeling
|
[
"Process planning",
"Information modelling",
"Modelling"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: Business process modeling is important and it has gained a lot of research attention (Raghu et al., 2004; Danesh and Kock, 2005; Sun et al., 2006; Damij, 2007; Frye and Gulledge, 2007; Turetken and Schuff, 2007; Wegmann et al., 2007). The importance of events in process modeling is evidenced by their widespread use in process modeling approaches. However, many such approaches are based on different and seemingly incompatible event concepts. Business process modeling notation (BPMN) diagrams and event-driven process chain (EPC) diagrams use events to control the flow of processes. BPMN events are short-duration process occurrences with no participants (White, 2004). EPC events are named state changes (Keller and Teufel, 1998; Dehnert, 2002). Event-activity diagrams use events to model interaction between processes (Baekgaard, 2004). Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) uses events to model object life cycles (Mathiassen et al., 2000). Event-activity diagrams and OOAD are based on events that have participants, properties, and consequences.Event occurrences may represent useful information. For example, a business that receives a customer order may collect relevant information about the customer and the ordered items. Historical information about events can be used to build shared action memories that support business actors. Well known diagrams like entity-relationship diagrams (Batini et al., 1992) or class diagrams (Booch et al., 1999) do not explicitly support event modeling. Evolutionary entity-relationship (EVER) diagrams use networks of related events and entities to model information about events (Baekgaard, 1999). EVER events are short-duration occurrences with participants and properties.Clearly, there is no shared agreement about the conceptual characteristics of business events and their roles in information systems. This is unfortunate since all the above-mentioned aspects of event-based modeling are relevant. It would be very useful if we could support event-based modeling in a manner that unites the various aspects of event-based modeling: Life cycle modeling, process flow modeling, process interaction modeling, and information modeling. The aim of this paper is to provide such support. Therefore, the paper is based on the following research questions. Is it possible to unite a set of different and seemingly incompatible event concepts? Can the answer to this question be used to create insights into dynamic and static modeling of information systems?In order to answer the research questions, we have conducted a literature study and based on an analysis of a set of event concepts we have extracted a conceptual event model. The model characterizes events as named short-duration processes. Events may be shared by a number of participants. For example, customers, employees, and products may participate in order events. Events may have consequences. For example, order events may trigger shipping and billing events. Events may have descriptive properties. For example, order events have occurrence times and they may have quantities of ordered products. We have used the conceptual event model to discuss business-oriented aspects of the creation of dynamic models of processes and static models of information.Siau and Rossi have identified three ways of evaluating modeling methods. Feature comparison is based on a checklist of features against which a set of modeling methods are characterized. Theoretical/conceptual investigation is based on concepts or metrics that are used to interpret a set of modeling methods. Empirical evaluation is based on investigation methods like surveys, experiments, case studies, action research, and verbal protocol (Siau and Rossi, 2007). Our method can be characterized as a combination of a feature list approach and a theoretical/conceptual approach. The event aspects (participants, consequences, properties) can be viewed as an ontology in terms of which the event concepts are interpreted. At the same time, they can be viewed as a feature list that is used to characterize the analyzed event concepts.In Section 2, we discuss general aspects of processes that are relevant for our understanding of events. In Section 3, we present our conceptual event model that is based on the analysis in Section 4 where we analyze a set of event concepts. In Section 5, we use the analysis and the conceptual model to discuss aspects of dynamic and static modeling of information systems. In Section 6, we conclude the paper and suggest directions for future research.\n2 Processes: In this section, we discuss aspects of processes that are relevant for our understanding of events. Events are processes and processes are inherently related to change (Mathiassen, 1984). The Latin word processus means movement. Change can be a movement in time and space, and it can be a change in the state of a phenomenon. For example, a production process can be viewed as a sequence of work activities and it can be viewed as a sequence of changes made to raw materials and partly finished products.Some processes are activities that are performed by actors. Other processes are not activities performed by actors. They are not performed at all - they happen. Sentences like \"blood flows\", \"temperature rises\" or \"conveyor belt moves\" emphasize that something is happening without the involvement of actors.Some business processes are comprised of a combination of activities and non-activity processes. For example, actors may control (activity) chemical processes in a production plant whereas the chemical processes (non-activity) happen. General business processes may be comprised of a combination of processes like mechanical processes, chemical processes, biological processes, and social processes.A process can be represented by a description or a model in terms of, say, data flow diagrams (De Marco, 1978) or EPC diagrams (Keller and Teufel, 1998; Dehnert, 2002). Such diagrams represent processes understood as views on change. They do not represent the change, but they can be interpreted as views on change and as such be used to mediate conversations about change. It is never possible to describe all possible changes. Change is always perceived from a certain perspective.Activities are processes that are carried out by one or more actors performing actions (Checkland, 1981). General business activities deal with movement, manipulation, and consumption of materials and information, and they deal with coordination in terms of requests for, agreements about, control of, and evaluation of work activities (Denning and Medina-Mora, 1995). Employees produce and deliver products and they supply services. Customers order products and services.According to Davenport a business process is a specific ordering of work activities across time and place, with a beginning, an end, and clearly identified inputs and outputs (Davenport, 1993). According to Hammer and Champy (1993), a process is a collection of activities taking one or more kinds of input and creates an output that is of value to a customer. A business process is a continuous series of organizational tasks, undertaken for the purpose of creating output (Ziemann et al., 2007). Business activities have customers and they may cross organizational boundaries (Davenport and Short, 1990; Ziemann et al., 2007).When a process is viewed as a set of work activities, it is emphasized that one or more actors carry out the process. Sentences like \"a borrower borrows a book at a library at a certain time\" or \"a customer orders an item from a store at a certain time\" can be used to emphasize the roles of actors in activities. In the first sentence, the actor \"borrower\" carries out the activity \"borrows\". In the second sentence, the actor \"customer\" carries out the activity \"orders\". Activity theory (Leontiev, 1978; Engestrom, 1991) and language-action theory (Winograd and Flores, 1986; Goldkuhl, 2001) emphasize the roles of actors.Events are short-duration processes representing moments in larger processes. Events can be viewed as significant occurrences with locations in time (Jackson, 1983; Rumbaugh et al., 1999). Events are not themselves located in space. The participating actors and things are located in space. For example, when a costumer buys an item in a web store the process can be viewed as an event. The customer, the web site, a database, and the bought item participates in the event. These participants are located in space. The event is located in time and represents the actions that are shared by the participants.Events occur within processes like chemical processes, biological processes, technical processes, or social processes. Phenomena like \"customer files an order\", \"borrower borrows a book\", \"web site user clicks\", \"heart beats\", or \"elevator starts moving\" can be viewed as events.An event can be viewed as a discrete step in a process. As such it can be used to define the points in time at which a significant change occurs in the state of a system. A process represents a particular trajectory (or part thereof) in a system's state-transition space.\n3 Conceptual event model: In this section, we present a conceptual model of events that is based on the theoretical discussion of processes and events in Section 2 and on the analysis of event concepts in Section 4.Figure 1 outlines our event ontology. Events are processes. Some events are activities. Events have properties like dates, times, and quantities. Events have participants like human beings, things, and representations. Events influence states like the states of businesses or the states of databases. Events influence processes in the sense that they, say, trigger or interrupt activities.3.1 Participants\n4 Analysis of event concepts: In this section we analyze seven event concepts. Some of the concepts are explicitly based on events. Some of the concepts are based on actions. As discussed in the previous sections actions can be viewed as events. The event concepts will be interpreted in terms of the four aspects from our conceptual event model: participants, process consequences, state consequences, and properties.4.1 Structure diagrams\n5 Dynamic and static modeling: In this section, we use our analysis of event concepts and the resulting conceptual event model to discuss aspects of static and dynamic modeling of information systems. Dynamic modeling focuses on creation of process models whereas static modeling focuses on creation of information models.5.1 Modeling approaches\n6 Conclusion: Many modeling approaches support event-based modeling of processes and information. Unfortunately, they are based on different and seemingly incompatible event concepts. In order to unite various relevant forms of event-based modeling we have based the paper on the following two research questions. Is it possible to unite a set of different and seemingly incompatible event concepts? Can the answer to this question be used to create insights into dynamic and static modeling of information systems?The first question has been answered in Section 3 where we have presented a conceptual event model, and in Section 4 where we have analyzed seven event concepts that are used in modeling approaches. The conceptual model of events covers the different aspects of the analyzed event concepts in terms of the following aspects: Participants, consequences, and properties. This is illustrated in Figure 1.Our analysis of event concepts can be seen as more than a contribution to the conceptual event model. Each analysis can be seen as an application of the conceptual model that is used to structure the analysis. It can be seen as a characterization of strengths and weaknesses of the analyzed event concept. It can be seen as an example of how to analyze event concepts in terms of participants, consequences, and properties.The second question has been answered in Section 5 where we have used the conceptual event model to discuss aspects of business-oriented creation of dynamic process models and static information models. We have shown how the conceptual model can be used to evaluate and improve modeling methods. And we have sketched an approach that can be used to guide business-oriented creation of dynamic and static models. The basic idea is to create a list of candidate event types with participants, consequences, and properties. Such a list can be used to guide both dynamic and static modeling. Thereby it can be used to serve as a conceptual link between dynamic process models and static information models.Future work includes experiments with event-based modeling in support of business service modeling. Business services are characterized by many types of interaction between actors and various types of resources, and it is likely that events can be used to conceptually represent such interaction.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of the paper is to obtain insight into, and provide practical advice for, event-based conceptual modeling.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper analyzes a set of event concepts and uses the results to formulate a conceptual event model that is used to identify guidelines for creation of dynamic process models and static information models.\nFindings: - The paper characterizes events as short-duration processes that have participants, consequences, and properties, and that may be modeled in terms of information structures. The conceptual event model is used to characterize a variety of event concepts and it is used to illustrate how events can be used to integrate dynamic modeling of processes and static modeling of information structures.\nOriginality/value: - The results are unique in the sense that no other general event concept has been used to unify a similar broad variety of seemingly incompatible event concepts. The general event concept can be used to improve dynamic and static modeling.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Social development in market society by intrinsic value account: a case of China
|
[
"China",
"Social change",
"Economic theory",
"Market",
"Value",
"Wealth",
"Economic philosophy/theory",
"Human development"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: If one word could summarize recent 300 years of human history and 30 years of China, it is \"market\". Marketization since the industrial revolution in eighteenth century has brought human society great benefits, as well as great transformation (Polanyi, 2010). This great transformation has been condensed into 30 years for China since the market-oriented reform in 1978. This 30 years reform has contributed China prominent economic growth and social development, and simultaneously, serious social crisis. It is said that China, a country with more than 2,000 years Confucian culture, is now facing comprehensive degradation (Sun, 2011; Oriental Daily News, 2011). No matter good or bad, the last 30 years of marketization in China could be alleged as \"unprecedentedly great change in thousands of years\" comparing to any other period in Chinese history. The basic power pushing the great transformation both of world and of China could be ascribed to market, which is not only the places or procedures that people exchange any types of goods, services and information, but also a set of fundamental economic, political, and social institutions that connect everybody and everywhere of the world, and form and govern people's everyday living. It is not only an objective social existence, but also a subjective moral entity that direct people's basic ideas on wealth, happiness, freedom, democracy, good and bad, etc.However, what is the essence of market and its impacts on human society are so profound and controversial that Hirschman (1982) asked, \"how have intellectual elites understood and judged market society throughout history?\" He found great minds in both sides, for or against market. China, the country with old splendid history contrasting to most rapidly marketization process in last 30 years, is a good case for the study of market. China's economic growth in the process of marketization is nearly unanimously accepted as a great success; however, considering its drawbacks such as social disparity, political stagnation, human right violation, environment deterioration, fake products and morality degradation, its achievements on social developments have been seriously questioned (Dollar, 2007; WHO, 2005; Liu and Diamond, 2005). These disputes not only confuse the objective and rational judgment on social development of China, but also present some more fundamental questions, such as, what is social development and how to evaluate it? What is the relationship and appropriate priority among economic, politic and other social spheres development, etc.?Because of the absence of valid development theory all over the world, social development remains largely a process of trial and error experimentation, with a high failure rate and very uneven progress. For example, the dismal consequences of transition strategies in most Eastern Europe countries, the very halting progress of many African and Asian countries, the increasing income gap between the most and least developed societies, and the distressing linkage between rising incomes, environmental depletion, crime and violence reflect the fact that humanity is vigorously pursuing development without the full knowledge needed to guide and govern it effectively (Jacobs and Cleveland, 1999).The basic point of this paper is that social development is a concept with strong but implicit ethical assumption and should be explicitly based upon intrinsic value (Clark, 2002; Goulet, 1997). Without concrete definition and consensus on intrinsic value, it will face great disputes on judging human history as social development or social degradation. Maybe, some neutral concepts such as social change or social transformation are more appropriate.The rest part of this paper is arranged into three subsections. First, marketization and social development by the enlightenment of intrinsic value are briefly discussed. It could clarify the great divergences on basic ideas closely linked to markets, or at least, make clear where disputes rest upon. In order to avoid intractable problem of measuring and weighting among different values, an intrinsic value account (IVA) is constructed based upon value pluralism and incomparability. It could clearly show the enhancement or weakening of some intrinsic values and the value priority in a specific period. Second, following the sociological tradition, society is roughly trichotomized into economic, politic and social, and intrinsic values embedded in these spheres are exhibited. This exhibition could give a panorama of marketization and social development of China in last 30 years, and avoid, or at least clarify, value bias as far as possible. Finally, some conclusions and experiences are drawn. The possible academic contribution of this paper is the avoidance of implicit value judgment on social development, or at least, when this value judgment is inescapable, it is made explicitly and cautiously.\n2 Marketization, social development, and intrinisic value: 2.1 Controversies on market\n3 China's marketization and social development in IVA: 3.1 Economy development: nearly undoubted\n4 Conclusion: Marketization is probably an irreversible tendency as Hayekian spontaneous order, but still could be regulated and manipulated if with enough knowledge on it. As one of the most influential powers to today's economy, politics, and society, its impacts and consequences are objective and clear, whereas the subjective evaluations on it are greatly controversial. This importance and controversy make it a serious academic question that must be answered. The concepts of value could unify the apparently diverse interests of all the sciences concerned with human behavior (Rokeach, 1973), and give an explanation to the controversy on market among different disciplines.First, it shows that market, and neo-classical economics, are not value neutral objective social existence, but subjective moral entities with strong value assumption. The process of marketization has greatly enhanced some human values but weakened others. The system of concepts and methodologies supporting market and economics, such as homo economicus, self-interest, rationality, price, profit, cost, benefit, utility, welfare, freedom, happiness, resource, cost-benefit analysis, utility and profit maximization, etc. have formed a set of exquisite \"economic way of thinking\" (Heyne, 1998), governing ordinary people and official's minds. The arguments on these problematic concepts from the point of intrinsic value could bring us more wisdom and knowledge. Similarly, development is not a natural process of time elapsing, but the simultaneous improvements of all intrinsic values embedded in human society. Otherwise, if there is no intrinsic value, the society could not be alleged as social development, but only neutral social change.Second, by the IVA, a panorama of China's marketization and social development was exhibited. The IVA is not aiming, and also impossible, to give a simple figure to measure the social development as HDI or GNH, but pragmatically show the detailed progresses, drawbacks, possible controversies, and value priority in the specific social spheres. It shows that market has brought China great economic development nearly undoubtedly, but weakened other intrinsic values, say, environment, equality, official's publicness, children upbringing, family stability and loyalty, culture, etc. It is necessary for CPC to understand and choose among the basic values of Confucianism, Marxism, and capitalism, or screen and combine them together, as its and the whole nation's roots of culture.Finally, China's experience on marketization and development is enlightening to other developing countries eager to achieve modernization and development, and either to developed countries who have achieved these successfully. To the former, market is really a good way toward wealth, but before implementing the market system, it is necessary to know that when material wealth are gained, something else with other intrinsic values would be lost. To the latter, it is time to rethink in this more affluent and risky world, what our human being are really pursuing.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to reargue the great controversies surrounding marketization, by the concept of intrinsic value and to give a panorama of China's marketization and social development during last 30 years.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The concept of intrinsic value is elaborated, and marketization and closely linked concepts such as price, wealth, happiness, freedom, etc. are reargued. An intrinsic value account (IVA) is constructed and the enhancement and weakening of some intrinsic values could be clearly shown. A panorama of China's marketization and social development is exhibited by IVA.\nFindings: - The basic point of this paper is that social development is a concept with strong but implicit ethical assumption and should be explicitly based upon intrinsic value. Without concrete definition and consensus on intrinsic value, it will face great disputes on judging human history as social development or social degradation. Market is not only an objective value-neural system, but a subjective moral entity. China's maketization has enhanced economic value greatly, but suffered great loss by other intrinsic values.\nPractical implications: - IVA could be a practical instrument to evaluate social development and clarify the possible academic controversies on market. The arguments of China's marketization experience could be of benefit to other developing countries.\nSocial implications: - This paper could encourage people, particularly policy makers, to consider their value assumptions, value priority, some basic concepts in market, and what human kind is really pursuing.\nOriginality/value: - The paper shows that IVA could be a new instrument to better evaluate social development, similar to the National Income Account or National Happiness Account.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Media portrayals of older employees: a success story?
|
[
"Stereotypes",
"Life-long employability",
"Media portrayals",
"Older employees"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Although research on intergenerational communication has been considerable, so far, only limited attention has been paid on this theme in a workplace setting (McCann and Giles, 2006). McCann and Giles (2006) signaled that age-related stereotypes are abundant and dominantly negative, and comprise labels for the elderly such as nagging, weak, useless, ugly, and miserable. These negative age stereotypes are harmful in that they trigger ageist humor and may stimulate increased social distance and avoidance between people of different generations (McCann and Giles, 2006, p. 76). Moreover, although the authors reported that employers in the US give older workers high marks on loyalty, performance and job skills, in spite of this, age-related stereotypes reflect perceptions of them as, for instance, being unable to cope with changes (McCann and Giles, 2006, p. 77). That is to say, their future employability is at stake (Van der Heijden et al., 2009). Concrete, in the context of organizational life, age-related stereotypes are expected to have critical consequences at the level of the individual employee, such as hastened retirement decisions, or organizational implications, such as decisions whom to hire, promote, train, or lay off (McCann and Giles, 2006).\nTheoretical framework: The stereotype activation model and its value for understanding age-related stereotyping at the workplace\nMethod: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, and searched for studies on mass media portrayals of older adults. To identify the relevant literature, we performed an electronic literature search by using a query consisting of (a combination of) keyword strings: mass media portrayals, television, commercials, print, magazines, news, press, older employees, older workers, senior, older adults, and elderly. The actual search was performed on the Web of Science, Communication Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, PsychINFO, and EconLit. In addition, we incorporated relevant studies that were retrieved from the reference lists of the identified articles.\nResults: We have found nine content analysis studies on the portrayal of older adults in mass media that paid some attention to employment status, occupation, job type, or work setting. Table I summarizes the content analyses of the scholarly work on prime-time television drama (five studies), and Table II depicts the empirical work on television commercials in this regard (four studies).\nDiscussion: In this research, we reviewed empirical studies on the portrayal of older adults in mass media, and examined these as to what they reveal about the prevalence of older workers in mass media messages, and about their employment status, occupation, job type, and work setting that dominate in these portrayals. We have found that empirical work on the portrayal of older employees is scarce and, up to now, has focussed on television content only. When visible at all, older television characters are portrayed relatively often in work-related settings, and are predominantly engaged in high-level jobs that require expertise and seniority, herewith, overall, depicting an image that is positive, yet strongly differs from stereotypical beliefs on the skills and employability of older employees that are prevalent in working organizations.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of how portrayals of older employees in mass media messages can help combating stereotypical beliefs on their employability.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors conducted a systematic review of empirical studies on mass media portrayals of older employees in order to show what these reveal about the ways in which their employment status, occupation, job type, or work setting is portrayed. The approach builds upon theory on media portrayals, media effects, and stereotypes of older workers' employability.\nFindings: This study shows that older employees in media portrayals, when present at all, are relatively often shown in higher-level professional roles, herewith overall, depicting an image that is positive, yet differs from stereotypical beliefs on their employability that are prevalent in working organizations.\nResearch limitations/implications: Further empirical work is needed to more safely conclude on the prevalence of age-related portrayals of work and employment in mass media. In addition, longitudinal research is called for in order to better understand the possible causes for the way in which older employees are portrayed, as well as effects of age-related stereotyping in mass media and corporate communication outlets over time.\nPractical implications: This research sparks ideas about how new portrayals of older employees in mass media and corporate communication outlets can contribute to novel approaches to managing an aging and multi-generational workforce.\nSocial implications: This study shows how working organizations can make use of the positive and powerful media portrayals of older employees, in order to activate normal and non-ageist behaviors toward them, and herewith, to increase their life-long employability.\nOriginality/value: This study highlights the role of media portrayals of older employees in combating stereotypes about their employability.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
An intellectual capital-based differentiation theory of innovation practice
|
[
"Innovation",
"Practice",
"Intellectual capital",
"Differentiation theory",
"Grand theory"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of behavioural influences on current innovation practice and their association with intellectual capital (IC). Thus the aim of the study is to address the question, \"What categories of IC contribute to managers' perceptions of successful or unsuccessful innovation processes and how does this contribute to the grand theory linking IC as an enabler of innovation?\" Based on field studies in which these behavioural influences are present, the research explores the relationship between IC and innovation and develops categories that contrast with the current grand theory (Dumay, 2012) that IC drives innovative practices (e.g. Humphreys et al., 2010) to develop an IC-based differentiation theory (see Llewelyn, 2003) of innovation practice.\nLiterature review: linking IC and innovation: Innovation is a multifaceted expression used at strategic and operational levels of business, encompassing business processes, products and services, competitor intelligence, business policy, policy formulation and understanding customers. As innovation is power and value laden, it also encompasses a variety of research perspectives informed by theories in economics, sociology and psychology. In particular, this review identifies the grand theory linking innovation with IC , which implies the relationship is overwhelmingly positive. Since the first stages of developing IC as a management technology, innovation has been identified \"as the principal determinant of competitiveness\" (Petty and Guthrie, 2000, p. 157).\nResearch context and method: Our research involved gathering structured innovation narratives (Bartel and Garud, 2009) via semi-structured interviews with 27 Australian executive managers and chief executive officers (EMCs) across a range of industry sectors selected from the top 300 Australian Stock Exchange listed corporations and major Government Departments. The interviews were designed to link EMC perceptions of innovation with their business circumstances. Focus was on understanding this context and how they approached innovation processes. The interviews collected two forms of data:\nThe analytical model: A key issue is the term innovation and what does it mean? This paper adopts the definition according to the Oslo Manual issued by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and Statistical Office of The European Communities (Eurostat, 2005, p. 46) being \"Innovation is the implementation of a new or significantly improved product (good or service), process, new marketing method or a new organisational method in business practices, workplace organisation or external relations\". Seen in this light, innovation is a general concept that, in an organisational sense, encompasses all levels of product or service improvement (van de Ven, 1986; Damanpour, 1996).\nIC as an enabler of innovation? The EMC perspective: To begin the discussion, it should be noted that some of the EMCs interviewed would disagree with the categorisation of their narratives in Figure 4. Indeed, a number of EMCs described their achievements as radical, yet when considered against the degree of certainty and pro-activity described in their narratives, they could only be classified as incremental. This is consistent with some early management literature where \"[...] an innovation can be revolutionary for one firm but incremental for another\" (Linton, 2009, p. 736). Based on the innovation descriptors adopted for the purposes of this study, they were not interpreted by the researchers as representing revolutions for their organisations or industries. Given the results of the grid analysis outlined next, many EMCs are unlikely to survive in the role even if the disruption is resolved.\nRadical innovation: Analysis of the narratives meeting the radical innovation classification, three factors emerge, starting with a focus on selecting the \"right\" partner. Based on the profile highlighted in Figure 7 partner cooperation is more important to radical innovation than EMC personality that, in fact, may even get in the way of this category of innovation. A quote from one EMC responsible for a failed innovation with industry changing implications illustrates the point in relation to attempts to gain buy-in for his innovation:\nEvolutionary innovation: Based on our earlier explanations of evolutionary innovation, projects of this category usually require a top-down impetus for their initiation and sponsorship. An EMC may be dealing with moderately high levels of uncertainty in either the external environment or within the organisation but usually not both. Analysis of our data is consistent with this proposition regarding evolutionary innovation. These characteristics are highlighted in Figure 8.\nIncremental innovation: Finally, incremental innovation appears to be more successful if focused on alignment with accepted organisational culture rather than EMC personality or external factors. As shown in the comparison between successful and unsuccessful innovation initiatives represented by Figure 9, there is material risk of failure if culture is subsumed by EMC enthusiasm.\nLinking IC with the innovation grand theory: Overall, the findings of this study are consistent with the grand theory that IC is an antecedent for successful innovation. The research finds that elements of human, structural and customer capital are required for successful innovation. However, the findings expand upon the grand theory and outline that if there is not a balance of different IC types that this could contribute to innovation failures. This finding is novel within the literature linking IC to innovation as the a priori focus of the literature generally links IC to successful innovation rather than trying to understand how specific aspects of IC contribute to and/or hinder different types of innovation. Thus, in contrast to the grand theory, the findings offer a more detailed examination of the categories of innovation success and failure, indicating that understanding of the mix of IC components leads to more nuanced conceptualisation of the IC-innovation relationship. These relationships, expressed in terms of the prevalent links between IC, innovation category and innovation practice, are summarised in Table III.\nConclusions: The main contribution of this paper is to expand on the grand theory linking IC to enabling innovation by developing a differentiation theory of innovation practice. While the study does not discredit the grand theory it builds on it by highlighting that depending on the type of innovation being developed, that different IC types may be put into practice. The study finds that some of the IC types that have generally all been lauded as necessary for successful innovation were not always required, and may even be detrimental to innovative processes. This is counter to many innovation studies based on trying to prove the grand theory linking all IC as an enabler innovation which do not pay particular attention to the type of innovation being developed and how particular aspects of IC are deployed. This discrepancy is, in part, attributable to the need to explore innovation categories and recognise that innovations might also fail.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to respond to calls to research recognising impediments to innovation practice. The paper argues that decision-making preferences by risk-averse managers are a key impediment to the organisational support required for the commercialisation of new ideas, by exploring the relationship between forms of intellectual capital (IC) and innovation. As a result, categories are derived that contrast with the current grand theory that IC drives innovative practices.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper critically examines cross-sectional empirical data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 27 Australian executive managers from leading Australian companies and the public sector. These interviews elicited narratives about successful and unsuccessful innovations where interviewees had significant involvement in the outcome. In all, 54 narratives of innovation from executive managers - 27 successes and 27 failures, were analysed using the repertory grid technique to unearth patterns about the process of innovation, especially in relation to the stability of the business environment and the need for innovation.\nFindings: The paper finds that successful innovation in a context identified as demonstrating risk-averse decision-making behaviours requires different management approaches, depending on whether the innovation is radical, evolutionary or incremental. The paper discovers 12 different factors contributing to innovation processes and identifies those that are more likely to contribute to the success of innovative endeavours. From this the current grand theory that IC drives innovative practices is challenged by developing an IC-based differentiation theory of innovation practice.\nResearch limitations/implications: As always, the observations and conclusions reached are limited to the 27 interviews and the Australian context. Further, findings are based on the authors' objective analysis. As with any qualitative study the authors also caution about generalising the findings, and as with any theory it should be used to develop insights into actions, rather than prescribing them.\nPractical implications: For educators it highlights the need to teach students to critique innovation rather than accepting that all innovation is beneficial. For researchers it shows they must avoid success bias by investigating both successful and failed innovations, developing differentiation theories of innovation practice. The findings highlight how senior managers responsible for enabling and resourcing innovation need to develop skills for identifying the innovation type enabled, matching it to an appropriate strategic approach. Finally, for policy makers it shows how different forms of successful innovation require different approaches, and each can be encouraged, developed and enabled differently.\nOriginality/value: The paper is novel because it addresses the interaction and complexities of the different factors that enable successful innovation and possibly contribute to innovation failures, and the types of innovation relevant to each context. This approach is in contrast to the contemporary innovation literature, which tends to focus on successful radical innovation. As a result, the paper offers a more holistic view of the diverse and interrelated factors that impact innovation success and/or failure.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
An environmental awareness purchasing intention model
|
[
"Theory of planned behaviour",
"Purchasing intention",
"Quality management",
"Environmental awareness"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: While recent environmental sustainability research works in the operations management (OM) field have focused on product acquisition management and sustainability performance from a supply point of view (Walker et al., 2014), little attention has been paid to the examination of factors influencing the demand for environmentally friendly products, including environmentally friendly cars, from a consumer's perspective (Wang and Hazen, 2016). Although researchers have investigated the effects of environmental awareness in the environmentally friendly product purchasing decision-making process (Wang and Hazen, 2016), prior studies are limited to how environmental awareness relevant to the specific product relates to purchasing intention. This is an important research gap in the OM literature that decisions about environmentally sustainable products drive production and the associated operations.\n2. Theoretical framework and literature review: 2.1 Sustainable production and sustainable consumption\n3. Hypotheses development: 3.1 Environmental attitude\n4. Methodology: 4.1 Measurement and survey instrument\n5. Results: 5.1 Analytical approach\n6. Discussion: The decision-making factors underpinning environmentally friendly cars from the consumer perspective are pivotal to the development of operations strategy and management of environmental practices. This study evaluates the relative contributions of general environmental awareness factors and vehicle relevant factors to automobile purchasing intention through the EAPIM. This study inspires our understanding of the decision-making and OM literatures by exploring the impact of environmental awareness factors on purchasing intention. As well, this study enhances understanding of the environmental sustainability literature by integrating the general environmental awareness factors and vehicle relevant factors, and by integrating several theories in the research framework in the context of purchasing environmentally friendly cars.\n7. Conclusion: Improving the utilization of environmentally friendly cars provides manufacturers with value while providing the potential to improve the environment. This study develops and tests the EAPIM through a comprehensive literature review and the contextualization of consumer purchasing intention theories. Three key contributions emanate from this research.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper posits, develops and tests the effects of general environmental awareness factors on consumers' intentions in the Environmental Awareness Purchasing Intention Model. Environmental awareness is tested within the context of purchasing vehicles and, thus, vehicle relevant factors (perceived quality and self-image) are also included. Further, the purpose of this paper is to explain the relative contribution of general environmental awareness factors on purchasing intentions compared to quality and self-image.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The main thrust of the research involved a survey of 248 young automobile buyers from a large public university in Texas, USA. The data were analyzed using both multiple regression and partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).\nFindings: Environmental attitude has a positive impact on purchasing intention, while perceived control toward environmentally responsible behavior has a negative impact. Results also show a positive impact of quality and self-image on intention to purchase environmentally friendly cars. Furthermore, the results reveal that environmental awareness factors explain less variance than perceived quality. At the same time, the results show that environmental factors, relatively, explain more variance in the decision-making process than self-image.\nOriginality/value: This is the first study to examine the relationship between general environmental awareness and the intention to purchase an environmentally friendly car. This study contributes to sustainable consumption literature in operations management. The paper also provides insights for developing managerial guidelines for car manufacturers based on the understanding of factors influencing environmentally friendly car purchasing intentions.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Coordinating online health communities for cognitive and affective value creation
|
[
"Value drivers",
"Health services",
"Services management",
"Service co-creation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Patients increasingly use online services to gain insights into and share experiences about their health conditions. About 72 percent of US internet users seek health information online, and 16 percent of them search for peers who share similar health concerns (Pew Research Center, 2013). These searches for health information and peer-to-peer communication online are fueled by patients' struggle to satisfy their varied disease-related needs. When confronted with a diagnosis, patients often ask for explanations of the disease and treatment guidance (\"cognitive value\") but also want expressions of empathy or shared concern (\"affective value\") (Hoch and Ferguson, 2005; Johnson and Ambrose, 2006). The distinction is reflected in the services literature where consumers extract cognitive and affective value from their relationship with the service providers, both in an offline (Beatty et al., 1996; Gwinner et al., 1998), and an online setting (Dholakia et al., 2009; Mathwick et al., 2008). However, healthcare services considerably differ from any other service because they are often unwanted, although adherence to treatment can make a difference between life and death (Berry and Bendapudi, 2007). Time and budget constraints leave healthcare professionals only partly able to address diverse patient needs (LaVela and Gallan, 2014); doctors often schedule 11-minute time intervals for patient consultations, which suggests questionable healthcare quality (National Center for Health Statistics, 2012). The need for professional distance also prevents healthcare professionals from building overly empathic relationships with patients (Apesoa-Varano et al., 2011). Thus many patients leave their doctors' offices with an abundance of unanswered questions and insufficient opportunities to share their feelings (Johnson and Ambrose, 2006).\nLiterature review: Involvement of patients in healthcare services\nMethodology: Overview\nResults: Qualitative phase\nDiscussion and research implications: The authors conceptualize and empirically account for heterogeneity in online health communities by identifying four clusters that reflect the key components of coordination theory. From a theoretical perspective, this paper thus advances research in digital service provision by adopting a multidisciplinary approach. By combining coordination theory, as has been applied in various research disciplines with healthcare (Chronister et al., 2006), service (Vargo and Lusch, 2004), and knowledge creation (Nonaka, 1994) literature, the authors provide a fine-grained picture of the components of online health communities. A healthcare provider perspective is adopted by shedding light on the relationship between cognitive and affective value propositions. Previous research has remained inconclusive regarding the synergistic or conflicting nature of these two dimensions (Apesoa-Varano et al., 2011; De Valck et al., 2001), but this research indicates that cognitive value might be an enabler of affective value creation. Providing information thus offers a vital prerequisite for creating an online health community; affective value might be optional. Patients are drawn to online communities to find information, but over time, they could potentially develop a strong affective connection with their fellow participants and thus engage in the exchange of affective information (Saarni, 1999). The authors explored this premise by gathering and analyzing additional data. A significant, positive correlation (Spearman's r: 0.319, p\nManagerial implications: Most life science professionals acknowledge that their company is using or plans to use online social networks (Deloitte, 2014). However, to implement digital services successfully, value-based segmentation is required, so companies need a good understanding of what drives the value created by their services (McKinsey and Co., 2014). This research provides a clear segmentation for online health communities and specifies what activities need to be in place to create cognitive and affective value. In doing so, this paper reveals that coordination theory is a useful framework for managers to organize and manage activities in online communities. In turn, three management entities are distinguished that might benefit from this research: community managers, other stakeholders (e.g. healthcare organizations and patient organizations), and policy makers.\nLimitations and further research: Online health communities are an emerging phenomenon. Continued research should include emerging communities and conduct more extensive, quantitative analyses to validate these results. Furthermore, the authors deduced the value created in online communities from their mission statements and observations of community activities. Additional research might solicit the perceptions of community members through surveys too. This paper focussed on patient-centered communities, with limited interference from professionals or other stakeholders, so it might be interesting to investigate professional-oriented communities. Previous research indicates that physician networks are characterized by overspending (Hammerschmidt et al., 2012); online professional communities might help cut costs for end consumers and patients. Investigating how the key components of coordination theory emerge and how professional communities deal with their inherent conflicts could provide strong potential for improving resource utilization patterns. Furthermore, this paper focusses on the creation of cognitive and affective value as main goals of online health communities. However, other types of value might occur in these communities such as ethical, status and esteem value, as described by Holbrook (1999). Consequently, future research might look into these value types as goals of online health communities.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework investigating patterns of online health communities. In particular, the study draws on coordination theory to identify four community configurations. Their distinct features determine communities' capacity to internalize and externalize knowledge, which ultimately determines their value creation in a service context.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors apply qualitative and quantitative techniques to detect similarities and differences in a sample of 50 online health communities. A categorical principal component analysis combined with cluster analysis reveals four distinct community configurations.\nFindings: The analysis reveals differences in the degrees of cognitive and affective value creation, the types of community activities, the involved patients, professionals, and other stakeholders; and the levels of data disclosure by community members. Four community configurations emerge: basic information provider, advanced patient knowledge aggregator, systematic networked innovator, and uncomplicated idea sharer.\nResearch limitations/implications: The findings show that communities can be categorized along two knowledge creation dimensions: knowledge externalization and knowledge internalization. While, previous research remained inconclusive regarding the synergistic or conflicting nature of cognitive and affective value creation, the findings demonstrate that cognitive value creation is an enabler for affective value creation. The emerging configurations offer a classification scheme for online communities and a basis for interpreting findings of future services research in the context of online health communities.\nOriginality/value: This research combines coordination theory with healthcare, service, and knowledge creation literature to provide a fine-grained picture of the components of online health communities. Thereby, inherent trade-offs and conflicts that characterize the components of coordination theory are investigated.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Leadership, trust in management and acceptance of change in Hong Kong's Civil Service Bureau
|
[
"Leadership",
"Acceptance of change",
"Trust in management",
"Civil services"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In order to remain competitive, organisations are regularly forced to introduce changes to improve external adaptation and internal integration in order to boost organisational performance (Walker et al., 2011). Despite the mantra of organisational change, failure rates for major change initiatives can be as high as 80 per cent depending on the type of change programme (Smith, 2002). Change projects that have a relatively small scope are also prone to fail to live up to expectations (Jacobs et al., 2013).\n2. Literature review: It is almost mandatory for textbooks on public administration to highlight that organisations in the private and public sectors are fundamentally different as they operate in vastly different environments. In fact, the debate on whether private and public organisations are essentially different has continued for more than half a century. For instance, Sayre (1953, cited in Boyne, 2002) stated that private and public organisations are similar only in unimportant aspects. Baldwin (1987) concluded that the public-private comparative literature is in danger of becoming merely an intellectual exercise that is based on a few empirical verifications of the effects of certain features that distinguish public organisations from private ones, and that regardless of these verifications, the impact of the features on key variables are unsubstantial. Nevertheless, the literatures on public administration and public management view the adoption of practices adopted by private sector organisations by public sector organisations with much scepticism (Boyne, 2002).\n3. Method: Hong Kong's Civil Service Bureau\n4. Findings: The findings are presented in three sections. The first section contains the findings from principal component analyses that were used to check the measurement model. The second section contains the findings from analyses that were conducted to test the mediation hypotheses (i.e. H3a and H3b). The third section contains the findings from a partial least squares (PLS) analysis that was conducted to test the mediation hypotheses concurrently.\n5. Conclusion and implications: The purpose of this study was to examine if transactional leadership and transformational leadership foster acceptance of change and if trust mediates the effects of these two types of leadership on the acceptance of change. Another objective of this study was to examine leadership effects on acceptance of change in a public sector organisation given the dearth of studies on leadership in public organisations.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine whether trust in management mediates the relationships between two types of leadership (transactional and transformational) and acceptance of change in the Hong Kong public sector.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data from 68 civil servants in the Hong Kong SAR Government were used in the partial least squares analysis.\nFindings: The findings from civil servants show that although trust in management mediates the relationship between both types of leadership and acceptance of change, transformational leadership is more effective in increasing both trust and acceptance of change.\nResearch limitations/implications: The strong support for the mediation hypotheses highlights the need for leaders to be trusted by their followers if followers are to accept and support the change process. Trust in management is what ultimately reduces resistance to change.\nPractical implications: The findings from this study have demonstrated that one strategy available to leaders in the Hong Kong public sector is to concentrate on developing perceptions of trustworthiness by utilising both transactional leadership and transformational leadership but especially transformational leadership.\nOriginality/value: This paper provides a unique and nuanced view of leadership and trust, and their effect on the acceptance of change in Hong Kong's civil service bureau that operates in a turbulent environment. Public sector organisations in Hong Kong are unique in that they contend with pressures from Hong Kong nationals and also with pressures from the Government of Mainland China.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Defining an optimal ED fast track strategy using simulation
|
[
"Canada",
"Hospitals",
"Accident and emergency",
"Operational research",
"Change management",
"Emergency department",
"Fast track system",
"Wait times",
"Process improvement",
"Discrete event simulation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: An inefficient healthcare system increases the number of patients and duration by which Canadians as a whole must struggle with (Esmail, 2009). Ultimately, this translates into a persistent financial and social burden for the entire country.In healthcare delivery systems, the problem of prolonged wait times is complex and highly variable. However, optimization of existing resources through alternative process design holds significant promise in improving performance measures. This paper is based on a master's thesis research completed in \"A simulation analysis of an emergency department fast track system,\" which focusses on the operational level of an emergency department (ED) fast track system at Grand River Hospital (GRH) in Kitchener, Ontario.Operations research (OR) techniques provide healthcare administrators a method of applying advanced analytical methods to facilitate better decision making. From this perspective, simulation and process modeling are essential tools for understanding resource allocation and utilization, as well the assessment of current and proposed system workflows (Barrick, 2009).\n2. Literature review: Previous simulation studies in healthcare systems have been used to make improvements in operational efficiencies and reduce wait times. Many examples that investigated the implementation of fast track in a variety of settings include: rural and urban areas, pediatric centers, international EDs and with care supplied by either a physician or mid-level provider (Rodi et al., 2006; Ieraci et al., 2008; Kwa and Blake, 2008; Hampers et al., 1999; O'Brien et al., 2006; Nash et al., 2007).A study conducted by Takakuwa and Shiozaki (2004) used ARENA to simulate patient flows of an ED of a general hospital. The authors' focus was to determine the factors that account for patient waiting times and to propose a stepwise planning procedure to minimize these times. They discovered that ED patients spent the majority of their time waiting for treatment and that this was caused by limitations on treatment resources such as beds, physicians, drips and stretchers.Other studies have examined operational changes such as the use of a fast track system on ED performance measures. McGuire (1994) used simulation to model an ED in a SunHealth Alliance hospital in the southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina. McGuire analyzed five alternative scenarios and each of their impacts on wait time reductions. Most notably, the use of a fast track area for expedited treatment of patients in need of minor care reduced overall patient length of stay (LOS). Likewise, Garcia et al. (1995) modeled an ED at Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida and studied the flow of patients in the ED with and without a fast track area. The authors found that a fast track lane reduced the time in system by almost 25 percent for patients with low priority without a negative impact on the wait times of patients with higher priority.Walley (2003) found that 85 percent of emergency demand is due to patients with minor or non-urgent illnesses and found that the \"see-and-treat\" (S&T) method of reducing wait times to be effective. The author further emphasized that the S&T method does not trade off performance for one group of patients at the expense of another but rather provides all patients with the best quality of service that is possible given existing resource and environmental factors.The introduction of fast track systems is aimed at reducing wait times within EDs. Reducing patient wait times in this manner allows an increase in the number of low-complexity patients that can be treated and discharged, thus increasing the effective capacity of the ED (Wiler et al., 2010). This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a number of fast track strategies within a hospital ED using real data. This research is intended to contribute to change management initiatives and to provide insights into factors that improve ED fast track operations and patient throughput.\n3. The simulation model: Using Simul8(r) software, a discrete-event simulation model was developed to reflect the current operational practices within the GRH ED's fast track system. The model captured patient flow and resource engagement, and was conducted so that both current management practices and proposed changes could be simulated. The level of detail was chosen to reflect the objectives, data availability, as well as time and resource constraints of current management practices. The simulation model ran for 100 days with a two-day warm-up period. Simulation time unit was in minutes. Ten replications were used to produce confidence intervals of the expected effects. The model did not capture the effects of high seasonality on patient arrivals. A number of performance measures in the simulation were observed: patient LOS, queue length for initial assessment and resource utilization in the fast track system. The patient's LOS was used as the main performance measure.3.1 Define and formulate model\n4. Results: Figure 1 illustrates the main effects and interaction effects that were calculated for each replication using the expressions found in Chapter 12: experimental design and optimization (Law, 2007). The Bonferroni correction was used to resolve the multiple comparisons problem. The individual levels were adjusted to 98.57 percent to yield an overall confidence level of at least 90 percent by Bonferroni's inequality (Law, 2007).Increasing the physician availability (factor 1) in fast track yielded the greatest reduction in average LOS, followed by an additional ENP (Factor 3), then S&T implementation (factor 2). There was only one two-way interaction effect that was statistically significant (factors 1 and 3). The significance of this interaction was examined in the following interaction plot (Figure 2). The presence of a significant interaction between factors 1 and 3 is indicated by the non-parallel lines. The actual numerical change in LOS due to increasing physician availability depends on the level of factor 3, and vice versa.In addition to examining the simulation model output to gain insights into the factors that affect patient expected LOS, both queue length for initial assessment and resource utilization within the fast track system were investigated.Queue length for initial assessment, a secondary performance measure, was measured as the number of fast tracked patients waiting for an initial assessment by a primary healthcare provider (an ENP, a physician or both). The simulation model consisted of three separate queues for this purpose. The results for the queue with the greatest changes in queue length for initial assessment across the system designs are shown in Table V.The queue length for initial assessment responded to each factor in a manner similar to the patient expected LOS. That is, the effect of increasing physician availability in the fast track area greatly reduced queuing for initial assessment, followed by the effect of additional ENP time and finally the removal of the secondary assessment. The effect of having both factors at its high level (i.e. the interaction of increasing physician presence and an extra ENP in fast track) did not change the queue length by a significant amount even though there was a significant interaction effect in expected LOS shown in Figure 2.In terms of resource utilization, there was no increase in ED physician utilization when they gave higher priority to fast tracked patients. The extra ENP time increased the utilization for this resource because of the additional shifts added to the ENP role. These observations were consistent with the analyses about the effect that factor 1 or factor 3 had on the system.\n5. Discussion/conclusions: Two different metrics were used to measure and compare the effects of the various system designs. These were the total time in the system, measured as the LOS, and the queue for initial assessment, measured by the number of fast tracked patients waiting for initial assessment by a primary healthcare provider.The greatest improvement in system performance was obtained by increasing the priority that physicians gave to fast tracked patients. The second largest improvement was obtained by adding additional ENP time. Combining these two initiatives also produced positive results in improving patient expected LOS, and therefore wait times, but there were no further improvements in the expected queue length for initial assessment when compared to the effects that each factor had on queuing. This may indicate that the fast track area is understaffed in terms of the ability to clear certain decisions that are outside the ENP's scope of practice. Removing the secondary assessment for S&T did not produce significant improvements in the performance measures. When the total LOS metric is taken into consideration, the LOS is shorter when there is increased physician availability in fast track.Increased physician presence within fast track has a larger influence on post-initial assessment than an additional ENP. The difference in the LOS for each factor can be attributed to the different scope of practices between a physician and ENP. To illustrate, a high number of patients that see an ENP may require a physician consultation, which necessitates physician involvement in that individual patient's visit to the ED. The limited scope of an ENP produces a comparably less pronounced effect to the total LOS. While S&T appears to be beneficial, much noise has been made about the model in literature (Lamont, 2005; Davies 2007).It appears that a simpler solution of adding more physician time in fast track contributes the most to reducing patient expected LOS and therefore waits times. It also indicates that the fast track is understaffed in terms of the ability to make autonomous clinical decisions beyond the ENP's scope of practice. However, by limiting the fast track system to minor injury patients that are within the ENP's scope of practice, the additional ENP in fast track may be beneficial.At the time of research completion, GRH adopted the recommendations as a part of its process improvement program. The ED personnel perceived significant improvements in patient flow and wait times with the addition of an ENP. A likely reason for the ED to implement an increased level of ENP as opposed to higher physician times, which is expected to demonstrate better results, may have been related to cost factors. The following issues remain for further exploration:* examine the effectiveness of increasing the physician presence within fast track as opposed to having an additional ENP on staff;* conduct a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the efficiency of both strategies; and* quantify the minimum amount of time that a physician is required to spend in fast track to elicit improvements in wait times.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The Emergency Department (ED) at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario sought insight into strategies that would reduce patient length of stay and queuing for initial assessment. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the ED's operational level and determine an optimal fast track strategy to improve performance measures.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper describes the application of discrete event simulation to the ED's \"fast track\" system and determines an optimal fast track strategy to improve performance measures. Topics discussed include: the design and development process for the simulation model, proposed operational strategies, and the analysis of scenarios for optimizing fast track.\nFindings: - Length of stay and queue length were most significantly reduced when there was an increased physician presence in the fast track system, followed by an additional emergency nurse practitioner in the system. Finally, the implementation of See-and-treat had a negligible effect on both performance measures for fast-tracked patients.\nOriginality/value: - Using real data, the effectiveness of a number of fast track strategies within a hospital ED were evaluated, which have practical implications for reducing patient wait times in ERs. This would be most valuable to practitioners in areas such as health service research, simulation modeling, and health service delivery.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Mentoring functions questionnaire: validation among Tunisian successors
|
[
"Psychological support",
"Vocational support",
"Mentoring functions questionnaire",
"Tunisian successor"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Entrepreneurial support is a multidimensional concept. It covers many areas and involves many stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, successors, employees and team workers. It also takes different forms such as mentoring, coaching, training and consulting (Lach et al., 2013; Teixiera et al., 2012).\nThe mentoring function questionnaire: Mentoring is an entrepreneurial intervention designed to provide vocational and personal assistance (Wu et al., 2014; Haynes and Ghosh, 2012). A significant number of researches support the idea that mentoring is a relationship between an expert and a novice. The expert provides the novice with the necessary vocational and psychological support needed in developing their career and enhancing their promotion opportunities (Baruch and Vardi, 2016; Sanfey et al., 2013; Herbohn, 2004).\nMethod: Sample\nResults: Our sample involves three types of successions: family succession, succession after business failure and succession after transmission. The successor's context is necessary to expose the inherent difficulties and the adequate type of mentoring. For instance, parental mentoring is adopted in the family succession context. Professional mentoring is adequate for the transmission context. The personal and the psychological mentoring are adequate for the recovery after business failure.\nDiscussion: Most of the previous researches confirmed the MFQ among employees and across cultures, but they disregard the succession context (Hu et al., 2011). The purpose of the present research is to study the use of this scale among Tunisian successors. They need the three types of support, but, they are unaware of the fact that the mentor can form a friendship relationship with the novice. Tunisian successors have a positive attitude toward learning. They know that the mentoring relationship is rewarding in the sense that it helps them overcome their difficulties and develop their skills. This finding is argued by the fact that within the Tunisian context, the majority of successors do not make a clear distinction between their professional and personal lives.\nConclusion: This study covers three areas of support categorized in the MFQ: vocational, psychological and role modeling. However, it disregards the items linked to each area. The results show that Tunisian successors are mainly professionally supported. Despite its validity, this measurement lacks variability. In fact, it does not encompass ethnic minorities. The scope of the survey is limited. It should rather be extended to include new situations and different successors from different countries. Another limitation concerns the sample of the study which does not distinguish between the different types of successors, namely family business successors, capitalist successors, and successors of companies.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the usefulness of the mentoring dimensions and to test and validate the mentoring functions questionnaire (MFQ) among Tunisian successors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: To test and validate the MFQ among Tunisian successors, this study used a sample of 111 Tunisian successors, adopted the Churchill's paradigm and followed the structural equation modeling.\nFindings: This study confirms the importance of both vocational and psychological support but does not take into consideration the succession context.\nOriginality/value: Mentoring programs concern essentially employees and help them develop and grow both vocationally and personally. Successors, however, although they do face some hardships throughout their careers, they are outside the focus of attention. Thus, this study contributes to the mentoring literature by exploring the usefulness of the mentoring dimensions and by using the mentoring functions.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Secrets of succession: how one family business reached the ninth generation
|
[
"Commitment",
"Trust",
"Social capital",
"Employee engagement",
"Informal"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Family firms represent a pervasive form of business. According to conservative estimates, more than 60 per cent of European listed companies are family firms. For family owners, an issue of critical importance is retaining control of the firm within the family through effective succession. However, the fact that only one-third of family businesses survive and reach the second generation clearly highlights the risks associated with this transition.\n2. The distinctiveness of family firms: 2.1 Strengths of family firms\n3. Description of the case: The company is in the building and construction sector. It currently uses 50 full-time workers and generates about 5 million euros in turnover. Its activity involves a variety of works related to construction. Projects can be of any size. However, most of them are close to the company's head office, which is located near Lyon, France's second largest industrial city.\n4. The distinctiveness of family firms in practice: A distinctive feature of family firms is the proximity between managers and employees (Ward, 1988). In the case of the company, this proximity is facilitated by the fact that the head office is located at the same place as the storage site for the construction equipment, which promotes interactions with employees. The presence of family managers on the ground is highly appreciated by employees and is, for the older generation, \"an effective way to cultivate trust\".\n5. Effective intergenerational transfer: The importance of retaining control of the firm throughout the generations is conveyed by the sense of pride displayed by the parents at the thought of \"passing the torch to their son.\" This feeling is enhanced by the sense of perpetuating the scheme handed down by the previous generations; or in their own words, \"as our parents have done with us.\" This objective implies a way of managing for the long-term and the willingness to leave the company in a healthy condition to the successor.\n6. Discussion and conclusion: Many family businesses display a remarkable longevity that is a mark of their resilience. In truth, family businesses can count on a number of unique strengths to ensure their long-term success. Their values encourage the commitment of employees and allow a more informal functioning style that helps to reduce transaction costs because of the development of trust. Their strong presence in the local community and their connections with all stakeholders provide them with the resources to overcome temporary difficulties.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the specific structures and routines of family firms and to highlight their strengths and weaknesses using a case study.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The case describes a French SME in the construction sector that is undergoing succession from the eighth to the ninth generation. Both generations have offered their viewpoints. The succession context allows us to better distinguish what makes a family firm uniquely resilient and what may easily turn into a weakness.\nFindings: The case indicates that the trust that family owners have cultivated with employees allows the firm to operate less formally and with less rigid procedures. It also encourages employees to take initiatives and contributes to their greater engagement. On the other hand, it may expose the firm to more structured and well-organized competitors.\nResearch limitations/implications: The limitations are those relative to the use of a single case.\nPractical implications: Succession is a delicate process that needs to be well prepared and executed without any haste. It involves retaining the firm's strengths, such as the social capital that the family has patiently amassed. But it also represents an opportunity to review the firm's practices and to introduce a good dose of innovation.\nOriginality/value: The case provides a vivid illustration of what makes family firms so distinctive. Theoretical concepts and empirical findings from the literature are put together in a single consistent picture.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
The University of Bath introduces Springboard's Sprint programme for female undergraduates
|
[
"Confidence",
"Women",
"Skills",
"Sprint",
"Undergraduates",
"Women’s development"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: A women undergraduates' development programme is contributing to improving their job and career prospects - and helping to reduce the gender pay gap.\nThe Springboard Consultancy (SBC): Developed by the SBC, a UK-based international training company specialising in addressing women's development issues, the Sprint programme is intended for undergraduate women of all ages, from all backgrounds, ages and stages in their lives and study, regardless of subject, department or career aspirations.\nSprint: Developed just three years ago, Sprint aims to add value to the overall student experience at university, improve employability and help to ensure that each undergraduate - regardless of her subject, department or career aspirations - can develop to her fullest potential. Originally developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, and most recently with the University of Oxford, both universities have contributed greatly to the Sprint programme for women undergraduates, post-graduates and researchers.\nEnding the gender pay gap: Regardless of subject, department or career aspirations, Sprint is designed to develop female students to their fullest potential. According to SBC Consultant, Liz Willis OBE, \"Sprint has been developed to help to put an end to the gender pay gap - and end the inequality and disparity between men and women's pay\".\nThe business case for Sprint: According to SBC, the Sprint programme does 12 key things:\nEquipped to take charge: Speaking on a video about Sprint produced by the university, Saiyada Fazal, from the University of Bath's Careers Department, and a Sprint-licensed trainer, explained, \"Those on the Sprint programme will be equipped with tools and techniques to take charge of their careers and, hopefully, be able to manage those more successfully when they graduate.\nResults: The results for those undergraduates at the University of Bath who participate in the programme will depend on the objectives that each woman sets for herself on the first workshop. These objectives tend to fall under the headings of \"study\", \"career\" and \"personal\". In practice, most participants achieve a mixture of all three categories of results through their experience of Sprint.\nFunding: Naturally, SBC wants the Sprint training programme to have the maximum positive impact - notably within universities and, initially, those in the UK. However, it is not every UK university that has the budget to run Sprint courses for its female undergraduates. This means that many of the universities that want to run the Sprint programme also have to find sponsors - from the worlds of commerce and industry - to help the programme to take place on a regular basis.\nSponsors: Liz believes that a Sprint programme attracts sponsorship because it:\nDefining career goals: \"Microsoft is supporting Sprint because we like the idea of gathering female undergraduates in a safe environment and enabling them to define their career goals\", said Justyna Martula, of Microsoft - one of the programme's sponsors at the university\".\nPotential employers: Claire Buckingham of AXA, another of the programme's sponsors, commented, \"We have a great interest in being able to give these female undergraduates the skills they need to progress at university and in their future careers. The Sprint programme enables the students to discuss what's important to them and to know the right way to reveal these to potential employers\".\nIncreasing diversity: Catherine Wenger, of Fellow-Sprint-sponsors, ARUP, said, \"We're keen to increase the diversity of our staff because we recognise that the best way to get a wide range of talent is to get as diverse a pool of people as possible. So programmes like this are a fantastic way of bringing along and encouraging graduates\", she added. \"The range of topics covered are fundamental to people choosing their work careers - so they will be of immense benefit whatever direction the students go on to take in the future\".\nGaining self-confidence: Professor Peter Lambert, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching at the University of Bath, said that, having experienced the Sprint programme, \"The students will have gained self-confidence and self-belief - above all, belief in their skills, their abilities and their future career\".\nProgramme sponsors: Current sponsors of Sprint programmes\nUniversities: Universities using Sprint\nFurther resources: The Springboard Consultancy: www.springboardconsultancy.com/\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to set out the results of research which shows the gender pay gap among graduates and outline some of the steps being taken to combat this at the University of Bath. Notably, it highlights the Sprint programme, developed for women undergraduates. This programme aims to add value to the overall student experience at university, improve employability and help to ensure that each undergraduate - regardless of her subject, department or career aspirations - can develop to her fullest potential.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper outlines the Sprint programme and reports on how it is being used specifically by the University of Bath. It contains the results of interviews with the deliverers, sponsors and stakeholders of the Sprint programme.\nFindings: The Sprint programme helps women focus on their studies at university, achieving results such as improved visibility and effectiveness in tutorials, better time management, less study stress, a boost in confidence and self-esteem. They also use Sprint to sharpen their career goals, raise their aspirations, explore possibilities and to take advantage of the work shadowing, internships and mentoring often offered by corporate sponsors.\nResearch limitations/implications: It is possible to bridge the gender pay gap as well as benefit women in other ways via learning and development activities, such as those promoted via the Sprint programme.\nPractical implications: With help from programmes such as Sprint, women can achieve improved work visibility and effectiveness, better time management, reduced stress, increased confidence and self-esteem. This helps them achieve their career goals, raise their aspirations and generally develop their careers.\nSocial implications: Women can learn to compete effectively with men in the workplace as well as be successful in their personal lives (in terms of sorting out difficult relationships, improving fitness and gaining a better study/life balance). This offers many benefits for women - and for the well-being of society in general.\nOriginality/value: The Sprint programme is unique - and is, increasingly, proving valuable. Although the Sprint programme is relatively new - having started in 2013 - it is already bearing positive results. This is not just true in terms of narrowing the gender pay gap but also in terms of improved business networking and heightened self-confidence among other factors.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
A SERVQUAL approach to identifying the influences of service quality on leasing market segment in the German financial sector
|
[
"SERVQUAL",
"Service quality",
"German",
"Marketing",
"Finance",
"Leasing market"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: \"Leasing\" is one of the capital financing products offered by financial institutions. According to the standard terms of operating lease, it is a service where the financial institutions act as a leaser and the customer, leasee receives the right to use the leased asset over a specified period of time. The first rental payment would be made when the lease is initiated and the subsequent payments will be made periodically at agreed dates in the future (McConnell and Schallheim, 1983). The leaser would profit from the interests payments included in the periodic instalments made by the leasee. Unlike other types of unsecured financing products that are offered by financial institutions, the leasers retains the ownership title of the asset and even if the leasee were to default, it is simple for the leaser to repossessed the asset, thus, it is one of the least risky financing products. Financing products are the main sources of income and the sustainability of financial institutions depend on them.\n2. Literature review: 2.1 Background of the German leasing market\n3. Research method and data description: 3.1 Questionnaire design\n4. Analysis of results and discussions: The content and construct validity of a research model like SERVQUAL is determined by the question whether the model is able to generally measure the components of service quality and whether it is appropriate in the specific environment of the conducted study. As shown in the literature review, it was widely agreed by researchers that measuring service quality as the gap between expectations and perceptions of customers. The SERVQUAL measurement, based on the GAP model, has been frequently used on behalf of the intention to measure service quality. Furthermore, in the field of assessing service quality and evaluating the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioural outcome, the SERVQUAL approach has been predominantly used. Additionally, the model has been effectively deployed in various industries. Since the mid-1990s, SERVQUAL has been successfully adapted to the banking and financial service industry. In this paper, similar to previous researchers, a criterion-related validity test is conducted to prove the validity of SERVQUAL in the business environment of the leasing sector in Germany.\n5. Conclusions and implications: 5.1 Summary of conclusions\n6. Limitations and future work: The paper has three limitations which are suggestive for future research. First, we used convenience sampling method to collection information from leasing customers who are conveniently available. This approach eases the procedure of information gathering but simultaneously precludes the findings to be extrapolated to the population of the investigated target group. Second, to enable a generalisation of the research findings, a survey with larger sample should be conducted in this business context. Third, we did not specify the leasing companies into manufacturer and third party leasing. There is a possibility that customer expectations of service quality would be different from how they would like to finance their assets. Hence, further adaptation measures of the SERVQUAL scale should be taken to completely determine the drivers of service quality in the different characteristics of German leasing market. Considering the research limitations, the conclusions of this study cannot be generalised for the entire leasing market of Germany. However, our research can be used as an initial step towards further examination of service quality in leasing market.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature of the relationship between service quality and desired customer behaviours in the leasing market using an appropriate service quality measurement model. The authors take a step further by recognising the possible differences in influence of service quality in private and corporate customers, and those business dealings with low, medium and high lease values.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors use deduction method to test the SERVQUAL in the German leasing market and the relationship between customer satisfaction and desired behavioural outcomes. The developed questionnaire is based on the 22-item scale of the SERVQUAL approach. Samples are selected based on convenience sampling.\nFindings: The authors found differences in the levels of influence by SERVQUAL dimensions on corporate and private customers as well as among those customers with different leasing contract values. From the regression analyses, it is clear that \"assurance\" from the leasing company is the most common SERVQUAL dimension that has significant impact on overall service quality perceptions and obtaining customers satisfaction and loyalty (behavioural outcomes).\nOriginality/value: The authors recognised that all financial services are not created equally to meet customer demands. Hence, the customer expectations of service quality from these services will be different. The authors contributed to the marketing literature by studying customer perceptions of service quality by specifying financing aspects of financial services, i.e. leasing. The authors further contributed to the literature of SERVQUAL model in financial services by dividing customers into two different types of customers and those with diverse leasing contract values. The authors found that priorities given on service quality dimensions by them are different. These concepts were never considered in the literature. This also implies that future studies on financial services marketing need to recognise such differences in the research.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Demographic homophily, communication and trust in intra-organizational business relationships
|
[
"Trust",
"Relationship quality",
"Business relationships",
"Relationship commitment",
"Demographic homophily",
"Interpersonal communication"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The perceived quality of business relationships between the employees of an organization and its customers has been investigated in several research streams (Holmlund, 2008). Nevertheless, prior research mostly focuses on inter-organizational relationships (Akinbode and Clark, 1976; Dwyer et al., 1987; Hakansson and Snehota, 1995; Narayandas and Rangan, 2004; La Rocca et al., 2016) and their implications for overall firm performance (Chang and Holt, 1996; Hoppner et al., 2015; Jiang et al., 2016). In this regard, the relationship marketing literature has significantly contributed to the understanding of relationship bonding and the nature of interpersonal information exchange from a macro-level perspective (Welch and Welch, 1993; Paliwoda, 2011; Jiang et al., 2016; Mora Cortez and Johnston, 2017). Metcalf et al.'s (1992) interaction model explains the central antecedents of close relationships and successful buyer-seller relationships by combining factors such as information exchange and social cooperation from an inter-organizational perspective (Metcalf et al., 1992). Moreover, information exchange and social cooperation are highly dependent on mutual trust (Murphy et al., 2003; Huang and Wilkinson, 2013), which supports the reduction of perceived individual risk. Overall, these antecedents influence the preferred way that employees communicate, share information and collaborate with one another (Canevello and Crocker, 2010; Song et al., 2012). Nevertheless, research also suggests that successful interpersonal relationships, characterized by effective group and team structures, can be used as a predictor for overall firm outcome. In this context, Niculescu et al. (2013) argue that a micro-level approach to interpersonal relationships shows the potential to provide managerially relevant insights on fostering business culture, on both intra- and inter-organizational levels. Hence, we deem intra-organizational trust, relationship commitment and relationship quality important antecedents that help establish long-term business relationships with all relevant stakeholders of a company; internal and external (e.g. employees, customers, suppliers and authorities). However, the vast majority of studies from the literature on business relationships concentrate on relationship dynamics between employees in different organizations, representing an inter-organizational business-to-business (B2B) approach and thereby neglecting social dynamics between individuals within an organization (Athanasopoulou, 2009). Other scientific viewpoints - for example, research on communication theory and organizational communication (McCroskey et al., 1974; Goldhaber et al., 1978; Johnson and Tims, 1985) - provide insights into interpersonal communication dynamics, but often disregard the management perception of business relationships.\nTheoretical framework and hypotheses development: Demographic homophily in business relationships\nResearch methodology: Measurement scales\nResults: Model fit\nDiscussion: Theoretical implications\nConclusion: Our study illustrates the centrality of trust and interpersonal communication in intra-organizational relationships. Contrary to our initial expectations, we do not see demographic homophily as leading to a higher intensity of communication and an increased perceived quality of relationships, but instead, we observe that demographic homophily and a free flow of communication lead to trust and that, in turn, increases the quality of relationships among employees and their commitment to one another. In addition, interpersonal communication directly leads to relationship commitment. Hence, we recommend that organizations allow informal communication processes between employees, which, in turn, results in higher levels of interpersonal trust, relationship commitment and perceived relationship quality, thereby supporting organizational performance.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand how employees of an organization build and maintain successful business relationships by analyzing major antecedents of relationship quality and relationship commitment.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In this study, the authors develop a conceptual framework and formulate hypotheses regarding the relationships between demographic homophily, interpersonal communication, trust and dependent variables of perceived relationship quality and relationship commitment. This paper tests hypotheses presented in this study with the help of a structural equation model, based on a data sample from South Korea.\nFindings: Unlike common thinking, demographic homophily does not directly increase the perceived relationship quality. The authors find a significant direct effect of interpersonal communication on relationship commitment but no effect of commitment on perceived relationship quality. Both seem to play independent roles but are positively influenced through the emergence of trust.\nResearch limitations/implications: By applying demographic homophily and interpersonal communication as antecedents and trust as mediator and main driver, the authors research effects on perceived intra-organizational relationship commitment and perceived relationship quality. In detail, the authors confirm the hypothesized centrality of trust in intra-organizational relationships between demographic homophily, interpersonal communication and dependent variables of perceived relationship quality and relationship commitment. Nevertheless, the authors surprisingly find neither significant evidence that demographic homophily increases the perceived quality of a relationship, nor does it lead to higher communication intensity directly, even in an environment (i.e. Korea), where it would be expected.\nPractical implications: Based on the findings of this study, there are several practical implications. Understanding the interpersonal relationship characteristics in an intra-organizational setting enables managers to optimize organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Intra-organizational relationships between employees' are highly dependent on mutual trust as an indicator for relationship quality and relationship commitment. Organizations can also benefit from the understanding of the mechanisms of demographic homophily and interpersonal communication for the establishment of interpersonal trust as well.\nOriginality/value: Research about the effect of demographic homophily and interpersonal communication and the central role of trust in an intra-organizational approach to business relationships on perceived relationship quality and relationship commitment is scarce. The mutual testing of the effects and interaction of established constructs like demographic homophily, interpersonal communication and trust on perceived relationship quality and commitment constitutes the main contribution of this study to the literature on management and business relationships. The insights of this study about interpersonal bonding help companies to establish long-term business relationships.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
The impact of purchase goal on wine purchase decisions
|
[
"Online survey",
"Purchase context",
"Purchase indicators",
"Seemingly unrelated regression",
"Value judgements",
"Wine marketing"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The value of the global wine market is forecasted to be $303.6 billion by 2016, an increase of 17.9 per cent since 2011 (BusinessWire, 2012). Not surprisingly, academe has paid attention to the fluctuations and forces within this valuable industry. Lockshin and Corsi (2012, p. 16) reported that \"over 200 wine marketing studies have been published in academic journals in the past 20 years\". Previous research has considered the relevance of goal on wine consumption practices (Ritchie, 2007; Jaeger et al., 2009; Maynard and Davidson, 2009; Bruwer et al., 2013). However, comparisons between purchase goals are rare. An understanding of purchase goals, the contexts in which the purchase occurs, are important to understanding consumer decision-making and consumption practices. Such knowledge will have a greater impact on marketing strategy, advertising/branding approaches and value-adding (Keel and Padgett, 2015).\n2. Review of the literature: 2.1 Wine complexity\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Pacific wine industry\n4 Results and discussion: 4.1 Sample characteristics\n5. Conclusions, limitations and future directions: Purchase goal does affect the importance of product value indicators in the decision-making process and suggests additional considerations for marketing practitioners to link marketing efforts to potential customers making a purchase decision. In terms of RQ1, marketers need to align corporate communications and marketing efforts for their chosen purchase goal strategy (e.g. Yellowglen's \"Always Sparkling\" tagline and the focus on celebrations and festivities in its advertising). For example, any special occasion could warrant the popping of a cork, and purchasing such a bottle could be as a gift or for a personal celebration in either the home or at a restaurant. However, a vineyard brand could consider a new (or additional) marketing strategy whereby a range of \"reasons to celebrate\" are offered. These reasons could include \"surviving\" a rough week at work as cause for \"celebration\" and the advertisement could feature someone spoiling themselves with sparkling wine at home.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This paper aims to examine the impact of purchasing occasion on product value indicators for a selection of Australian and New Zealand branded wines, as evaluated by consumers. Value indicators were defined as conspicuous or inconspicuous. Conspicuous indicators include corporate advertising, such as the vineyard, region or brand, and are considered the same (or equal) for all recipients. Inconspicuous indicators are less visible and may differ from recipient to recipient, such as referrals. Purchasing occasions are either home (personal and private) or restaurant consumption (personal and public) or as a gift (impersonal and public).\nDesign/methodology/approach: An online survey was used to understand the changing importance of value indicators based on differing purchase goals. The snowball sample was comprised of marketing professionals, who are highly educated and likely to be of prime working age (25-55 years). Initial participants were then asked to forward the email invitation to their networks. The majority of the 298 survey respondents were Australian-born and described themselves as Anglo-Saxon.\nFindings: Conspicuous indicators, such as advertising, are given more consideration for impersonal consumption experiences such as gifts or to drink in public. Less conspicuous, but more trustworthy, indicators, (personal recommendations), are more important for personal consumption experiences. These results offer insight into the indicators of product value that marketers could emphasise in their marketing mixes to target consumers buying with different purchase goals in mind and seek new markets.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study was limited in geographical selection, and the methodology comprised an online survey. The nature of the purchase contexts was deliberately kept broad to highlight the overall impact of value indicators.\nOriginality/value: While there have been some studies centering on wine purchase and consumption in different situations, direct comparisons between contexts are rare. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by comparing consumer behaviour across wine purchase contexts. The value of this paper stems from deepening understanding of the role of context in purchase decision-making and the implications for marketing practitioners and clearly identified opportunities for future research.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Productivity benefits of employer-sponsored training: A study of the Australia transport and logistics industry
|
[
"Training",
"Productivity",
"Vocational education",
"Transport and logistics"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Strengthening the national outcomes of Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been an important part of Australia's national agenda for several decades. However, Australia's potential for productivity growth is often undermined by constant challenges associated with workforce skill deficiencies (Productivity Commission, 2010; Blumenfeld and Malik, 2017). These challenges include shortages of capable staff and a mismatch between the skills developed and supplied, and the specific industry needs (Productivity Commission, 2010; Chhetri et al., 2014; Adamson and Darling-Hammond, 2015; Weller, 2017).\n2. Training and workplace productivity: Productivity studies have their genesis in labour market economics, with greater emphasis placed on adopting an input/output measurement framework. It is therefore commonly defined as a ratio of output and input (Daghani et al., 2011). The common view is that workplace productivity results from doing things right, in the least possible time and at the lowest cost while maintaining high quality and maximising customer satisfaction (Daghani et al., 2011). Labour, in this view of institutional productivity, is an important input. This is largely because labour is \"an easily identified input to virtually every production process\" (BLS, 2012, p. 1). According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2012), the most widely used measurement of productivity is output per hour per labour unit.\n3. Research methodology: This research investigates the impact of training on workplace productivity from the perspectives of firm performance and individual employee development using a mixed-method case study approach. There were two major parts to the study: the first involved a quantitative survey of participants provided by the Transport and Logistics Skills Council (TLISC) from their database. while the second involved a series of qualitative in-depth interviews of industry partakers of training facilitated by TLISC. Data from these two parts were separately analysed, and then the findings were jointly examined in order to develop a consolidated understanding of the stakeholders' perception and experiences of the impact of training on workforce productivity. All subjects participating in the study did so voluntarily having been duly informed of their anonymity and assurance of confidentiality.\n4. Results and analysis: The key findings and results from both the quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented in this section. The trainees' survey responses were coded and analysed in SPSS to examine the perceptions and experiences of training and its benefits in the two respects of personal development and workplace performance. This was followed by a cross-thematic and perspective qualitative analysis of the interview data collected from trainees, employer representatives and training providers. These two analyses were then consolidated to triangulate the research data to generate a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of training. The following subsections present the key findings.\n5. Conclusion: This paper examined the impact of employer-sponsored workforce training on employee productivity in the transport and logistics industry in Australia. The findings indicate that the relationship between employer-sponsored training and workforce productivity is multi-dimensional and multi-scaled, which ideally necessitates all essential dimensions to be fulfilled to achieve and sustain higher levels of productivity improvement effectively. One dimension is the measure of increased performance, as an outcome of enhanced knowledge, skills and competencies. The other relates to the improved sense of self-confidence, job satisfaction and pride. These aspects reflect the positive elements of psychological well-being that employees interviewed generally experienced but which were hard to measure, in regards to the direct quantifiable contribution to workplace productivity. The third dimension - cost savings in nature - relates to increasing employees' overall awareness and appreciation of occupational and environmental safety leading to a safer and healthier working environment.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of employer-sponsored workforce training on employee productivity in the Australian transport and logistics industry. It challenges the quantitative notion of the ratio of input-output per labour hour as the single most important measure of productivity.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study utilised a mixed-method approach, involving online and on-site survey questionnaires and on-site semi-structured interviews of employers, employees and students within the industry. Survey questionnaires were administered to Vocational Education and Training (VET) learners to determine the dimensions of productivity gains, while qualitative interviews were conducted specifically to capture employers' perceptions and expectations of the benefits of training.\nFindings: Results show that the relationship between employer-sponsored training and workforce productivity is multi-dimensional where, ideally, all essential dimensions must be fulfilled to effectively achieve sustainable productivity level. One dimension is the quantitative measure of increased performance as an outcome of enhanced knowledge, skills and competencies. Another relates to the increased self-confidence, job satisfaction and pride. The third dimension is the cost savings that come with increasing employees' overall awareness and appreciation of occupational health and safety. The results show that, aside from the dominant theories on training and labour productivity, the perception of the benefits of training on workplace productivity is not merely limited to the conventional understanding of productivity as a simplistic relationship between resource inputs and tangible outputs.\nPractical implications: Firms should consider redefining the benefits of training to include employee well-being and individual contribution to common team and organisational goals. Organisations therefore should broaden the notion of productivity to incorporate intangible benefits.\nOriginality/value: The use of multi-method approach to investigate the views and perceptions of employees, employers and trainers about the productivity benefits of training and key concerns and challenges for the industry.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Towards a responsible talent management model
|
[
"Multilevel",
"Well-being",
"Decent work",
"Responsible talent development",
"Responsible talent management",
"Responsible talent strategy"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The availability of talented employees is a resource that allows organisations to achieve sustainable and competitive advantage and growth through their optimal utilisation. Consequently, talent management (TM) has gained considerable attention among organisations, with many adopting different philosophies or strategies for the management of their talented employees. Generally, talent strategies and practices are based on two main philosophies: the exclusive approach and the inclusive approach. Evidence shows an exclusive TM approach which argues that only few in the workforce are talented (Becker et al., 2009; Meyers, 2016; Meyers and van Woerkom, 2014), and hence the so-called \"superhero employees\" thesis is more prevalent in practice than in the inclusive TM approach which maintains that all workers have some specific talents that can contribute to success in an organisation (Buckingham and Vosburgh, 2001; Cappelli and Keller, 2014; Gallardo-Gallardo et al., 2013; Meyers, 2016; Thunnissen et al., 2013).\nTheoretical foundations: Talent management and talent philosophies\nResponsible talent management model: The need to ensure that TM practices adhere to ethical principles and comply with RM practices to improve the collective well-being of employees and sustainable firm outcomes is no longer negotiable because of the global interest in issues of ethics and sustainability in organisations, as evidenced by the initiatives of the sustainable development goals. Hence, organisations are in need of new knowledge and theoretical models or approaches to manage their talents in a responsible way. Accordingly, by theorising through the lenses of TM philosophies, the organisational justice theory, the stakeholder theory and CSR, as well as extant literature, we develop a RTM construct and model to strongly advocate for the integration of socially RM practices with TM practices.\nResponsible talent management outcomes: Sustainable employee outcomes: employee well-being and perceived decent work\nDiscussion: It has been estimated that only a few (10-20 per cent) workers are rightly classified as talented employees in an exclusive TM system (Karakowsky and Kotlyar, 2012; Swailes, 2013), with a vast majority denied the opportunity to realise their hidden potentials and become top performers, thereby raising significant RM and ethical problem concerning TM practices in most organisations. Unfortunately, there is less interest in social and ethical aspects of TM (Anlesinya et al., 2019a; Swailes, 2013; O'Connor and Crowley-Henry, 2019; Thunnissen et al., 2013). Hence, we critically examine how organisations can manage talents responsibly and ethically through the theoretical lenses of an inclusive TM philosophy (Marescaux et al., 2013; Meyers and van Woerkom, 2014; Swailes et al., 2014), the organisational justice theory (Adams, 1965; Greenberg and Baron, 2003), the stakeholder theory (Carroll, 1979; Freeman, 1984) and extant literature.\nImplications, future directions and conclusion: Practical implications\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: This study aims to critically examine talent management practices and strategies from ethical and responsible management perspectives.\nDesign/methodology/approach: It achieves its aim through conceptual analysis by theorising through the lenses of talent philosophies, the organisational justice theory, the stakeholder theory and extant literature.\nFindings: A responsible talent management construct and mode to guide the practice of talent management in a socially responsible way is developed. It argues that inclusivity; corporate responsibility; and equity and equal employment opportunity are the key underlying principles of a responsible talent management system. This study further argues that responsible talent management practices promote achievement of multilevel sustainable outcomes such as decent work, employee well-being and organisational well-being.\nPractical implications: Emphasising responsible management and ethical concerns in organisational talent strategies and practices is non-negotiable, given the current level of interest in sustainable work and employment and in the quest to achieve sustainable human and organisational outcomes through management and organisational practices.\nOriginality/value: The development of a responsible talent management construct and model is original and novel and is expected to shape thinking and drive new research directions in the field of talent management. It further contributes directly to knowledge and practice by demonstrating how organisations can manage their talents in a responsible way.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Guidelines for reviewers
|
[
"Gender",
"Research methods",
"Quantitative research",
"Qualitative research"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Gender in Management: An International Journal (formerly Women in Management Review) is a double blind peer reviewed journal which publishes original, critical, and scholarly papers that make theoretical and methodological contributions to our understanding of gender-based issues in management. The journal encourages diversity in thinking about gender in management and welcomes papers from all academic disciplines which can contribute to management knowledge about this area. Whilst focusing on management concerns, the journal acknowledges the importance of a broader social context influencing gender in management issues, such as political and legislative decisions, education and social policy, economic factors, etc. Papers which examine gender-based management issues in specific industries or sectors are encouraged.\nReview guidelines: Gender in Management: An International Review publishes empirical and conceptual articles that are founded on a strong literature base and which provide a basis for theoretical development to advance the field papers relevant to all areas of gender and management. The main objectives are to focus on current research, practice, ideas, developments and news of major issues in the field of gender in management from an international perspective. Our editorial goal is to continually enhance the journal's reputation and contribution to the field.The journal has no methodological preference and papers are equal welcomed from a quantitative or qualitative perspectives, or a mixture of both. However, the journal recognises also that the rigor and adequacy of qualitative/interpretive/critical research often needs to be evaluated by employing scholarly criteria that tend to be somewhat different from those conventionally used for evaluating quantitative research. The journal's focus is on the interpretation of research and how the results of research may be translated into practice not on the form that research takes.We seek to provide authors with constructive, developmental reviews that will help them to produce publishable scholarship, in future manuscripts if not the current one. Reviews will be managed through manuscript central from 1 March and from an editorial perspective should typically:*consist of one to three pages of single-spaced text (an average being two pages);*include a mix of major and minor points (please number each of your points so that authors can refer to them when resubmitting papers);*addresses theory, method, and contribution to the field;*identify both strengths and weaknesses; and*provide citations to the current literature.As a rule, reviewers will only be asked to review up to two manuscripts per year and we will assign one member of the Editorial Advisory Board and one member of the Editorial Review Board to review each submitted manuscript. We will also seek to ensure that this is the specialist area of at least one of the reviewers, although you may sometimes be asked to review a manuscript not in your area of specialization. Gender in Management: An International Review is a widely read journal and authors should write their articles in a way that makes their contribution to the management literature clear, even to readers outside their own specialty. Thus, for reviews that are outside of your specialist knowledge we ask that you still take a critical view and ask author(s) to clarify or explain issues where necessary in order to ensure that the paper is accessible to all readers.\nEvaluating quantitative research: Theoretical grounding\nImplications and conclusions: Research presented needs to provide implications of the work for both the scholar and the practitioner. In addition to presenting theoretical implications, papers need to provide a reader with implications for practice that are derived from the research.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to provide authors and reviewers with guidance for the development and review of manuscripts.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper sets out the background to the journal and provides details of what is expected of manuscripts in terms of theoretical grounding and methodological accuracy.\nFindings: - The journal encourages diversity in thinking about gender in management and welcomes papers from all academic disciplines which can contribute to management knowledge about this area.\nOriginality/value: - This sets out the criteria employed by the journal in assessing the suitability of submitted manuscripts.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Human depreciation accounting and the emergence of industrial pensions: Linking human assets to the firm
|
[
"Responsibility",
"Retirement",
"Governmentality",
"Accounting interface",
"Human depreciation"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: We have continually witnessed change in the ways in which we, as a society, are expected to deal with the elderly and with older workers. Plenty of literature has examined the histories of aging and pensions (Epstein, 1922/1972; Graebner, 1980; Haber and Gratton, 1994; Sass, 1997; Weiler, 1989), finding that the elderly, previously taken care of among close family units and rural lifestyles, faced many difficulties as industrialization deemed them unfit for modern workplaces. Responses to this challenge have included both industrial and state-managed pensions, which have now increasingly given way to defined contribution (DC), individually managed employee savings plans. Occupational defined benefit (DB) schemes have been plagued by deficits, suffering with market downturns and falling interest rates that increase the value of plan liabilities. Although in some cases DB arrangements have been retooled to deal with these issues, for the most part, plans (particularly newly established plans) are increasingly based on DC. The DC phenomenon is global (International Financial Services London (IFSL), 2011; OECD, 2012).\nTheoretical framework and method: In a series of articles published in the 1980s, Hopwood and colleagues put out a call for studies of \"accounting in action\" (Burchell et al., 1980, 1985; Hopwood, 1983, 1987). Several key ideas emerged out of their work. First, they suggested that we conceive of accounting as being a social rather than purely technical phenomenon, and that we examine how \"the social\" impacts technical practices, which in turn mobilize and change the social. In that sense, accounting \"actively shapes the perception of and salience attached to some of the very phenomena which are supposed to put pressures on it to change\" (Hopwood, 1983, p. 290). Second, rather than model accounting and its environment as two separate constructs their work proposed that we examine a network of social relations, in which accounting both provides the conditions for existence of certain phenomena, and defines organizational boundaries, such that it is implicated in the construction of the contexts in which it operates. Related to this, the research introduced the concept of the \"accounting constellation\" in which accounting is situated within the \"[...] particular field of relations which existed between certain institutions, economic and administrative processes, bodies of knowledge, systems of norms and measurements, and classification techniques\" (Burchell et al., 1985, p. 400).\nAnalysis - human depreciation and employer pensions: The industrial view on decline and efficiency\nDiscussion: The current study has traced the emergence of several lines of thought concerning workers, including the worker-as-machine and the aging worker, as well as the notion of depreciation, in the period from 1910 to 1950 in the USA. In the analysis, a variety of agents appropriated the accounting concept of depreciation and applied this to the human body, to make particular claims concerning who was responsible for its aging. This particular calculative technique was mobilized in discourse that enabled a link to form between an employer and an older worker in ways that were hitherto not natural nor fathomable. The idea that a worker could become less physically capable of doing certain tasks as they aged has always existed - but the idea that industry, who did not own this labour, was responsible for depreciating the body and its abilities, and assigning values to these depreciated abilities, emerged within the intersection of accounting techniques with social reform issues related to industrialization.\nConclusion: At the outset, we had proposed contributions in three separate, but inter-related, streams of literature. First, as we noted, pension accounting literature has begun to explore accounting's constitutive role today, but has not put to a detailed examination the idea that accounting may have contributed to the industrial pension institution's emergence. We have demonstrated how the notion of depreciation was implicated in the structuring of the social relations around the older worker. We find that accounting, precisely because of its fluidity, may be mobilized by these agents who need a way to \"depict the domain in question\", and thus make the domain amenable to \"plans, schemes and objectives\" (Miller and Rose, 1990, p. 6). Our proposed contribution here is theoretical, in that we posit that certain techniques may be able to knit these agents together in ways that other techniques cannot.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the accounting notion of \"human depreciation\" helped the defined benefit pension plan emerge as the dominant means of dealing with an aging workforce in the first half of twentieth century USA.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study examines historical material to identify the intersection of several different practices and knowledges that came together in the early decades of the 1900s to permit human depreciation in 1949 to be used to formally link aging employees to their employers.\nFindings: In the early part of the twentieth century, humans and machines were constructed as parts of a single productive system, human traits were studied in order to increase their machine-like capacities, in the hope of creating a more efficient industrial economy. At the same time, fatigue associated with this industrial nation was constructing the older worker as subject to decline, hence opening the door to a linkage to physical and economic depreciation.\nSocial implications: Reveals that the language of accounting can be utilized by non-accountants and outside organizational boundaries to effect public policy and play a constitutive role. Thus, who is able to use accounting conventions is important in understanding how accounting shapes social settings.\nOriginality/value: \"Human depreciation\", used by the Steel Industry Board in 1949 to assign responsibility to employers for the depreciation of their human assets, has been left unexamined despite being cited as one of the greatest contributors to the growth of industrial pensions in the USA. The study examines accounting as an interface among and between the organizational and \"non-accounting\" spheres.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Barriers to rural women entrepreneurs in Oman
|
[
"Entrepreneurs",
"Oman",
"Female entrepreneurs"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Entrepreneurship is a process through which an individual creates opportunities for innovation leading to additional and novel contributions to society (Stam and Spigel, 2017). It is \"the catalytic agent in the society which sets into motion fresh enterprises, novel combinations of production and exchange\" (Collins and Moore, 1970). Entrepreneurship is vital for the continuous development of contemporary market economies and generates innovative businesses which go on to nurture competition and support economic growth (Djankov et al., 2002). Entrepreneurship is about economic individualism and competition (Grey, 2002 p. 61) and for the purposes of this paper can be defined as \"the creation and extraction of value from an environment\", (Anderson, 1995) which is the challenge confronting small-scale start-ups for rural women in developing economies such as Oman. This paper examines the barriers faced by rural women entrepreneurs in Oman and suggests policy measures required to cultivate a feasible, enabling, entrepreneurial ecosystem for rural women in Oman.\nWomen entrepreneurs: Women entrepreneurs play a substantial role in the development of the small business sector and drive enterprise in transition economies (Lerner et al., 1997). Evidence from Iran, (Hosseini and McElwee, 2011) Uganda, (Lourenco et al., 2014), India, (Kumbhar, 2013) the Middle East (Mathew, 2010) and other studies in developed economies, (De Rosa and McElwee, 2015; Bock, 2004) show that women's entrepreneurship can become an essential driver of economic growth. There is consensus that social and economic problems in Arab countries would benefit from greater private sector growth, particularly in the small business sector (Fergany, 2003) whereby women clearly contribute to this growth.\nLiterature: Henry and McElwee (2014) and McElwee and Smith (2014) find the distinction between rural and urban enterprises to be arbitrary. Their definition is that a rural enterprise employs local people, uses and provides local services and generates income flow to the rural environment, inferring that rural enterprises provide a \"value adding\" function to both their local economies and, in the case of larger ventures, to wider economies and markets. Traditionally rural entrepreneurship research has focussed on the farmer (McElwee, 2008), but the concept of \"rural entrepreneurship\" goes beyond that and covers many other activities, including trading, food and beverages, handicrafts, small-scale manufacturing, catering and tourism hospitality (Miljkovic et al., 2010). Women entrepreneurship tends to be dominated by what are traditionally viewed as women's activities, often at a low level of entrepreneurial activity. Literature on rural women entrepreneurship is sparse but some key themes have emerged. The gap in the literature is specifically concerned with Omani Women. In order to explore and frame these, this paper will use the three dimensions of entrepreneurship identified by Wenneker and Thurik (1999). These are: conditions leading to entrepreneurship, characteristics and outcomes of entrepreneurship.\nThe Omani context: Oman is less rich in hydrocarbons than its gulf neighbours and has focussed on diversifying the economy away from petroleum dependency. The most recent five-year plan (2011-15) aims to develop key infrastructure including ports, railways and airports so that Oman can act as a major logistics hub (Oxford Business Group, 2016). Trade agreements with major Asian emerging economies provide growth opportunities for Omani companies and the government seeks to support this by promoting entrepreneurship.\nMethodology: The research focus is on rural Omani women in Dhofar, the southern part of Oman once known as the \"Land of Frankincense\", an area dominated by a tribal ethnic population.\nResults: The results of the quantitative survey are tabulated and discussed as below.\nQualitative case studies: Five of the original respondents were interviewed generating five case studies presented in Box 1. All names are pseudonyms.\nDiscussion: The results of both the quantitative and qualitative studies are now considered under Wenneker and Thurik's (1999) three themes discussed earlier.\nConclusion: The contribution of this research is that Omani rural women who aspire to establish their own ventures need to be provided with training and support otherwise they will have limited opportunities for success.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the barriers confronted by rural women entrepreneurs in Oman. The study focusses on women living in rural and mountain areas who aspire to move beyond their traditional family roles. It identifies several problems including accessing funding for new ventures and innovative activities, a lack of skills-based training and limited family support.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Based on 57 responses to a semi-structured questionnaire, and face to face qualitative interviews with ten women entrepreneurs. Quantitative responses are evaluated and ranked in terms of their mean score, standard deviation and the intensity of each factor shaping rural women entrepreneurship. Five qualitative cases are presented.\nFindings: Although Oman is arguably one of the more progressive Arab countries regarding gender equality and women empowerment, the findings exhibit socio-cultural concerns which hamper women entrepreneurial venture creations and their subsequent success. The findings of the research are discussed using the three dimensions of entrepreneurship identified by Wenneker and Thurik (1999). The three dimensions are: conditions leading to entrepreneurship, characteristics of entrepreneurship and outcomes of entrepreneurship.\nPractical implications: Suggests that Omani policymakers should consider how women entrepreneurs can be better supported so that they can diversify household income by starting new ventures while simultaneously contributing to the socio-economic development of the region. A number of suggestions on how this can be achieved are presented.\nOriginality/value: Research on rural women entrepreneurship in the context of an Arab country is scarce and the study can provide an overview of the obstacles and the support required for the development of the rural women entrepreneurship in this region.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
What is integration?
|
[
"Integration",
"Interface management",
"Applications",
"Information systems",
"Research"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction and importance: Integration is a common term in the enterprise systems literature. Seldom does a meeting occur when the word is not used multiple times and often within quite technical contexts. Unfortunately, our experience is that individuals often have a different understanding of the meaning of the word. Loosely speaking, there is a general consensus that integration concerns making applications work together that were never intended to work together by passing information through some form of interface. This is certainly part of the context, but this paper argues that there is more to be said. Since the earliest days of computing, the term \"integration\" has been used in both the trade and academic literature to describe a process, a condition, a system, and an end-state. Given that these competing labels have very different meanings, their indiscriminate usage is often obscure and invites confusion. For example, a sloppy conflation of process and condition encourages circular definitions that possess little explanatory power.Consider the following advertisement (Figure 1) from the Oracle Corporation and the corresponding quote from the Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison. Figure 1 is clearly an appeal for a type of integration that we call \"Big I,\" having all relevant data aligned with a single data model and stored only once. The implication is that you can place all of your data for the set of business processes listed in the middle column of Figure 1 inside of the Oracle E-Business Suite and significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). In fact, the advertisement claims that Oracle saved over $1 billion USD per year by implementing Big I. The other implication in the quote is that if you implement \"Best of Breed\" with interfaces, you are going to have implementation problems; i.e. \"No matter how well you do it, systems integration can never get all of your data together in one place\"[1].Ellison has a point - interfaces are expensive[2], and they can comprise a significant portion of the cost of any enterprise system implementation project. And also, there are the problems with complexity and managing scope integrity across multiple data sources (Gulledge and Sommer, 2004). Consider Figure 2 from an unnamed company. Figure 2 shows a situation that is described in the literature as \"systems integration;\" i.e. the interfacing of systems together so they can pass information across a complex technology landscape. We call this type of integration a form of \"Little i,\" and we note that this form of Little i (point-to-point interfaces) is an expensive proposition. Data must be constantly harmonized and cleansed across multiple data sources, and any changes to one system can lead to complex and costly re-testing or even re-design and coding of interfaces.Clearly, we have presented two extremes, and by and large both have been rejected by large organizations world wide. Most organizations do not want to include all of their data in one application (e.g. Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, etc.) for a number of different reasons, but at the same time, no one wants the problems that are associated with implementations like that shown in Figure 2.There are other options. In fact there are many options, and that is the point of this paper. All of the options (including the two above) are called integration. So what is integration? As one might guess, it depends on the context, and the usage must be qualified. Big I may not achievable, and it may not even be appropriate. If Little i is appropriate, what type of Little i is appropriate, given the situation and the state of emerging technologies? This paper addresses those questions, and it also categorizes the most used forms of Little i in the context of enterprise system implementation. This categorization and associated discussion is essential, or it is impossible to have a meaningful discourse about application integration.\nIntegration - Big I: To establish a baseline, the following definition is proposed for integration.Integration (Big I) - integration implies that all relevant data for a particular bounded and closed set of business processes is processed in the same software application. Updates in one application module or component are reflected throughout the business process logic, with no complex external interfacing. Data are stored once, and it is instantaneously shared by all business processes that are enabled by the software application.This is a rather comprehensive and restrictive definition that revives memories of first generation enterprise resource planning (ERP). The business process implications of Big I are discussed in some detail by Gulledge and Sommer (2003).To preserve clarity throughout this paper, the above definition will always be referred to as \"Big I.\" Big I is definitely the goal of management, especially for mundane business processes. This implies \"one source of truth\" for those business processes that are enabled by core ERP solutions. The concept is simple: if all data are stored once and shared, then integrity issues are less likely to occur. The TCO is significantly less, since interfaces across application components are not required. Furthermore, complexity is significantly reduced.Figure 3 shows how Big I relates to Little i for a simple example related to US Army Logistics.In this example, Army Logistics processes are scoped with the SAP solution as Big I; i.e. there is no interfacing across the SAP components. However, some of the logistics business processes flow outside of the Army. In this case, we indicate the transportation processes that are part of the end-to-end logistics business processes, but they fall outside of the Army, and they are managed by the US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). The systems that support this segment of the end-to-end process are not SAP, and they are not even owned by the army. This is a classical composite application[3] and some form of Little i is must be implemented in order to preserve the integrity of the business process logic[4].Figure 3, even though a simple picture, shows much about integration. First, it suggests that large and complex organizations are unlikely to place all of their business processes in a single application. While assertions of Figure 1 are accurate, there are at least two reasons why single instance ERP will not occur in most firms:1. the internet opened more options for Little i; and2. the culture and control of the internal and external system integration communities will not allow such consolidation.Like it or not, given the current state of technology, we are going to have to live with is a mixture of Big I and Little i, at least as long as the current trends continue. The reality of this situation is reinforced by the fact that the larger software providers are \"opening\" their products and making them more flexible for mix and match opportunities with Little i. This is evidenced by such products as the Oracle Data Hubs and SAP NetWeaver technologies. While it is true, just as Figure 1 shows, that the TCO could be reduced by moving to Big I, most organizations do not have the flexibility nor the desire to do that.However, this does not mean that Big I is dead. There will always be pockets of Big I; connected by Little i, to other pockets of Big I. This is not a technical assertion, but is directly related to common sense. For example, one would never \"rip\" a product like SAP core ERP apart and then interface it back together again. This is self inflicted pain, and it can be avoided by just implementing the product the way it was intended to be implemented[5]. Preserve the integrity of the product by implementing Big I whenever possible, and use Little i to include those components that cannot be included in the integration domain. One would never dream of separating financials from materials in an SAP implementation, and then interface it back together again. Or even worse, it makes even less sense to stand up independent SAP solutions in different divisions of a company, operating as a family or fiefdom, with the absence of an enterprise orientation.We will revisit implementation options later, but before doing that, we must further explore the options for Little i. The choice of a particular little i technology has significant implications for the types of mix and match options that are available for consideration.\nIntegration (Little i): As previously mentioned, all forms of Little I are some form of interfacing, even though they are loosely called \"system integration.\" Much has been written on the subject, so we only focus on those types of Little i that are most relevant for the implementation of enterprise systems:* point-to-point integration;* database-to-database integration;* data warehouse integration;* enterprise application integration (EAI);* application server integration; and* business-to-business (B2B) integration.Point-to-point integration\nSummary and conclusions: Table I summarizes the taxonomy that we have developed for classifying the meanings of integration.The main purpose of the paper is to create a vocabulary for discussing issues that relate to integration. While on the surface this may not seem so important, our assertion is that the term \"integration\" is often used in research and trade documents and conversations without a clear understanding of meaning. The result is circular definitions that often lead to misunderstandings.No claim is made that Table I is exhaustive. The types of integration discussed are most relevant for enterprise system implementation, and other forms of integration may be appropriate for extended research and other more sophisticated implementations.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to provide a clarification of the meaning of the term integration.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A taxonomy of integration definitions derived from the academic and trade literature is developed, analyzed, and documented.\nFindings: - Integration is a word that is commonly used when discussing enterprise applications. The term integration is inserted in technical papers, e-mail messages, correspondence, proposals, and even causal conversations. After many years of project work, and many misunderstandings and failed meetings and workshops, it can only be stated that the word has multiple and misunderstood meanings. For technical papers (research and trade), the term must be provided with context, or it is impossible to have a meaningful conversation. Next, multiple alternative definitions (that are valid in the literature for the appropriate context) are presented and explained in some detail.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The paper is not exhaustive, since new definitions of integration may exist or may emerge.\nOriginality/value: - The main contribution of the paper is that it yields clarity on a key term that is frequently used in information systems research. The paper is useful to any researchers or practitioners who are focused on enterprise system implementation.\n",
"role": "assistant"
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] |
Linking demands to work-family conflict through boundary strength
|
[
"Work-family conflict",
"Boundary strength",
"Role demands",
"Role identity",
"Work-family boundaries"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: The boundaries between work and family domains have been rapidly eroding. Changes in the nature of careers and technological developments have made it easier for work to intrude on the family domain (Harris et al., 2011). Moreover, increases in both dual-earner couples and single-parent families have transformed both the family and work domains. Such changes challenge individuals to better manage the interface of the work and family spheres (Ramarajan and Reid, 2013).\nBoundary theory and management: Boundary theory studies the mechanisms through which people create, maintain or change boundaries to simplify and classify the world around them (Ashforth et al., 2000). These studies focus on the human need for boundaries to organize time and space (Ashforth et al., 2000; Nippert-Eng, 1996), thus generating pieces of reality, i.e., domains (Nippert-Eng, 1996). Different domains such as those of work and family demand different roles from individuals, which in turn delimit specific social functions with expected patterns of behaviors, known as role expectations (Katz and Kahn, 1966; Voydanoff, 2005).\nRole demands and the boundary management of work-family domains: Work and family domains have different expected patterns of behavior that impose different demands and degrees of effort on individuals. Voydanoff (2005) conceptualizes demands as structural or psychological claims associated with the requirements of a role. Accordingly, work and family demands may be defined as a global perception of the level and intensity of responsibility required by a particular role in each of these domains (Boyar et al., 2007). To fulfill the demands of their roles, individuals need physical, psychological and social resources (Greenhaus and Beutell, 1985).\nRole identity as moderator of the link between role demands and boundary strength: According to identity theory, people have a set of role identities, each of which varies in dominance or relevance according to the situation. Prior research suggests that in situations that feature multiple identities, people organize them into a hierarchy, with some identities more central or salient than others (Powell and Greenhaus, 2010; Stryker and Serpe, 1994).\nThe mediating role of boundary strength: WFC is a generalized state of tension that results from individuals' difficulty harmonizing the conflicts between work and family role demands (Greenhaus and Beutell, 1985; Kreiner et al., 2009). Because the conflict between work and family demands may be regarded as bidirectional, it is commonly said that work interferes with family, which is called work interference with family (WIF), and that family interferes with work, which is called family interference with work (FIW; Frone et al., 1992). In the former, the temporal, emotional and behavioral resources required by work interfere with the fulfillment of family responsibilities. In the latter, family demands and functions interfere with professional roles. Although the work-family literature has noted that role demands are critical role stressors (e.g. Boyar et al., 2008; Hall et al., 2010; Luk and Shaffer, 2005) and primary predictors of WFC (Michel et al., 2011), models that explain the mechanisms by which role demands give rise to WFC are required to improve our current understanding about how this influence occurs.\nStudy 1: In Study 1, we examine the causal effects of role demands on BSH and at work, as proposed by H1. Specifically, through a between-subjects experimental design, we investigate whether individuals' role demands in a target domain are negatively related to boundary strength in the opposite domain.\nMethod: Participants and design\nResults and discussion: Manipulation check analyses support the proposed manipulations. Respondents in high family and work demand conditions reported significantly higher levels of demands (M=4.13, SD=0.63; M=4.61, SD=0.48, respectively) than respondents in the low family and work demands conditions (M=2.38, SD=0.76; t(78)=-11.15; p<0.001; M=2.57; SD=0.72; t(76)=-14.57; p<0.001). Then, we conducted a t-test to examine whether high role demands would weaken the cross-domain boundary strength, as hypothesized in H1a and H1b. Supporting our hypotheses, participants' ratings for BSH were significantly lower (which means a weaker boundary) in the high work demand condition (n=40, mean=2.46, SD=0.91) than in the low work demand condition (n=38, mean=3.67, SD=0.79; t(76)=6.21, p<0.001). Similarly, participants' ratings for BSW were significantly lower in the high family demand condition (n=43, mean=3.29, SD=0.67) than in the low family demand condition (n=37, mean=3.79, SD=0.56; t(78)=3.57, p<0.01). The results show that high family demands decrease BSW, while high work demands decrease BSH, thus supporting H1a and H1b.\nStudy 2: The findings from Study 1 demonstrated how role demands in one domain influence the way individuals define boundary strength in the other domain. To replicate these findings, we conducted a second study in which role demands were manipulated within-subjects, who were randomly assigned to either the work or family scenarios.\nMethod: Participants and design\nResults and discussion: Manipulation check analyses support the proposed role demands manipulations. Respondents reported significantly higher levels of perceived demand for high demands scenarios (work/family scenario: M=4.34, SD=0.69; M=4.37, SD=0.61, respectively) than for low demands scenarios (work/family scenario: M=2.89, SD=0.78, t(69)=13.87, p<0.001; and M=2.97. SD=0.60, t (74)=14.98, p<0.001, respectively), indicating that the manipulation was successful.\nStudy 3: In Study 3, we further extend our previous empirical investigation by examining whether BSH and at work are mechanisms through which role demands indirectly impact WFC. To this end, we use self-reported measures to capture actual perceptions rather than scenarios to manipulate role demands. Moreover, we investigate whether role identity strengthens the relationship between role demands and the cross-domain boundary.\nMethod: Participants and procedures\nResults: To test the discriminant validity of the measures, we first conducted a confirmatory factor analysis using a parceling technique, because of the psychometric and estimation advantages of parcels (Little et al., 2002). For all variables, we grouped the corresponding items into parcels comprised of the average of two or three items, such that each latent variable was comprised of three indicators. The results support an eight-factor model with satisfactory fit indices: kh2(224)=527.43, p<0.01, RMSEA=0.06, CFI=0.91. Moreover, we contrasted the eight-factor model against several alternative models, in which the number of factors was reduced, for example, by combining conflict measures, boundary measures and demands measures into a \"grand\" factor. The results indicated that the eight-factor model produced a better fit to the data than the alternative models. Table I presents the means, standard deviations and correlations of the aggregated variables.\nDiscussion: Based on the premise that work and family are separate although increasingly interconnected domains, we tested a model to examine the effects of role-based factors on inter-role conflict through the delimitation of boundaries across domains. The findings supported our prediction that management of boundary strength is a key mechanism explaining how role demands relate to greater inter-role conflict. The results showed that when individuals experience increasing demands in a target domain, they respond by weakening the boundary strength in the cross-domain to allow resource draining to cope with these demands. Consequently, the lack of available resources to comply with role demands will increase the conflict experienced by these individuals.\nContributions: This study makes several contributions to the work-family and boundary theory literature. Although the idea that the boundaries between work and family are becoming blurred has been discussed by scholars for more than a decade (e.g. Nippert-Eng, 1996), only recently have researchers begun to carefully investigate the complex individual, interpersonal and organizational differences that affect boundary management processes (Kreiner et al., 2009).\nLimitations and future research: Although our findings permit confident statements about causality, the use of vignettes in the first and second studies, in which the stimuli were hypothetical in nature, may lead to overestimates of social-cognition biases. Therefore, future investigations should be conducted in laboratory settings using different techniques.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose and test a model to examine how the active management of work-family boundary strength acts as behavioral mechanism through which role-based factors - role demands and role identity - influence the conflict experienced by individuals.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Three studies were conducted to examine the proposed model. Studies 1 and 2 used an experimental design to test the causal effects of role demands on the strength of work and family boundaries, whereas Study 3 surveyed 389 working professionals to test the interactional and mediating effects of the model variables on inter-role conflict.\nFindings: Results suggest that increasing demands in one domain weaken the boundary strength around the cross-domain to make resource drain possible, which, in turn, increases the conflict experienced in that domain; moreover, results show that work identity reinforces the weakening of the boundary strength at home caused by increasing work demands.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study of boundary management decisions as an underlying mechanism through which individuals' role-based factors affect work-family conflict (WFC) can offer new insights into how to manage increasing work-family responsibilities.\nPractical implications: This study findings can help individuals to cope with role demands and organizations to promote a culture that supports work-family balance.\nOriginality/value: This paper advances WFC research by examining alternative mechanisms through which role demands influence WFC. Methodologically, the research improves on past studies by bringing together experimental and correlational designs.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
ABITS: learning more about students through intelligent educational software
|
[
"Intelligent agents",
"Teaching aids"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The emergence of information technology in the last decade has led to changes in the way people work and learn. Computer networks offer new strategies for creating, storing, distributing and sharing knowledge, which is of high importance to students in order to provide additional tuition and enable them to progress successfully through their degree course. An agent based intelligent tutoring system (ABITS) (Roche and Mangina, 2003) is under construction within University College Dublin (UCD) aiming to provide a national teaching support based on individual tutoring mechanisms utilising agents tailored and personalised depending on the students' needs and also to broaden student access through innovative distance learning support (Wooldridge and Jennings, 1995). It is an integral part of the existing lecturing system and it does not operate as a separate entity. Each role (lecturer, student, mentor, etc.) accesses ABITS through a portal where an agent presents information and recommendations relevant to that person. The information and recommendations presented are generated by the intelligent tutoring system (ITS) reasoning about the current state of data available.In order to provide the ITS with information many types of data are examined. In this paper we focus on the basic and easily available attendance and grades data. This information is processed by the system and it is convenient to use to highlight the general process for all data. Once the data is collected, examined and refined, it is ready to be fed into the inference mechanisms of the ITS.The core reasoning ability of ABITS is realised by adapting the belief desire intention (BDI) model of agency (Rao and Georgeff, 1995). BDI agents display both reactive and deliberative behaviours. They reason about their environment based on their current knowledge (i.e. their current beliefs, desires, and intentions), and decisions are made through logical reasoning. In our case the agents' environment is the ITS, comprised of other agents and the users who interact with the system. As the BDI agent architecture echoes the area of practical reasoning used by philosophers to model human behaviour, this makes them particularly useful for modelling humans within ABITS.In the next section we investigate what data is available to us as we attempt to gather relevant information for the agents to reason about the users of ABITS. After identifying the data sources we provide a description of the data to gain an understanding of its usefulness. In particular, two sources of data are identified: student attendance and tutorial scores. We then demonstrate techniques to process and refine this data for the agents' belief set. Finally, the BDI agent architecture is examined in detail. We outline how BDI agents use this gathered data to provide an improved learning experience to the students.\nInformation sources: To enable an ITS to reason, meaningful and relevant information must be made available to it. The source of the information and any processing of the information must be objectively examined before it is made available to the ITS. Information gathering within ABITS is largely accomplished by automatic recording of events (login length, URL visit duration, URL visited, etc.) and information from lectures noted by hand.Among the primary sources of information are student attendance records, tutorial and assignment scores. These information sources are available from nearly all courses within UCD and they enable a baseline about a student's ability to be deduced.The sources contain data with and without latent information; this aspect greatly affects how the results of the data analyses may be interpreted. Lecture attendance is a binary data source (attended or absent) and is a direct measure that contains no latent information. Tutorial score represents how well students are able to exercise their knowledge and ability on a given set of tasks on a particular date. Many other influences (personal, environmental) may affect student performance on a given date, thus there is the possibility for latent information within tutorial score.There are many information sources to choose from between the ITS (Blackboard, 2005; Moodle, 2005; UCD Connect, 2005) in use and the traditional lecturing system. Information made available by the ITS may have already been refined a lot and may include assumptions.Data description\nBDI agent architecture: The BDI agent comprises a set of beliefs, desires, intentions and plans, which represent its mental state (Figure 1).A number of key roles will be undertaken by the agents within ABITS. They will perform tasks on behalf of the users of the system (Mowlds and Roche, 2004). To illustrate BDI agent functionality, we introduce the following: the student agent, the course agent and the lecturer agent. A high-level view of the inference process to be undertaken by the agent is presented.Belief\nProcess life cycle: Some simple tasks an agent must complete are: monitoring attendance, calendaring, notifying students of important deadlines and dates, administrative duties, monitoring registration and fee payment, and course delivery. It must also deliver online training dynamically to students based on their learning style.Figure 2 shows the overall process from collection to action that occurs within ABITS, including the intermediary steps. This is a cyclic process, involving continual analysis as new data arrives from collection and based on the results of the actions generated by the reasoning component. This cycle occurs within a strict time frame, thus the agent must be able to reason about past, current and future events. The student's time within the system is modelled as a time line - important dates (i.e. start and end date) and events (i.e. assignment deadlines) will be highlighted (Mowlds and Roche, 2004). At certain time intervals t1, ... ,tn the student's progress can be observed and compared to an expected trajectory, specifically what the lecturer expects the student to have achieved at any particular point. If the student's progress is not as expected, a new course of action can be undertaken to rectify the situation.\nConclusion: The main aim of the ABITS project is to enhance traditional university teacher-centric learning in UCD with an ITS. In doing so it is hoped that the student will become the main focus and that individual learning needs will be met, without losing essential face-to-face contact between student and lecturer and between students. Existing online systems such as Moodle (2005) and Blackboard (2005) play a sedentary role in students' learning; they present information but do not provide an engaging learning environment for the students. These environments also ignore the vast amount of valuable information concerning students' learning habits, revealed through their interactions with the system. In this paper, we focused on how a multi-agent system consisting primarily of BDI agents, integrated with an e-learning system can accommodate individual learning preferences.Agents allow us to examine many more sources of data concerning students and reason about them in a logical manner. An agent can carry out certain repetitive, time-consuming tasks on behalf of their human counterpart. BDI agents' internal structure makes them open to learning (adopting new beliefs) about their worlds and carrying out new tasks (e.g. adopting a new desire). The preparation, examination and delivery of relevant and appropriate information into the ITS is crucial if agents are to reason intelligibly.By continuous monitoring of students and examining how the improvements provided by ABITS affect learning we can discover more details about our students. We may also discover further sources of data to be incorporated into the agents' beliefs, allowing the agents to further manipulate and adapt the environment to meet students' needs. It is a continuing process that improves as we gain a greater understanding.Future directions will examine data such as individual learning styles of students. Additionally more power will be given to the agents to perform actions such automated assessments, in order to gain a detailed model of students' knowledge. Finally, we will examine previous models and outcomes. Using this experience we can improve learning procedures for future users of the ABITS.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: - One of the greatest challenges facing any intelligent tutoring system is being able to adapt its behaviour based on the student's current knowledge level, ability, needs and wishes within a course. This paper aims to present a framework of BDI agents within an agent-based intelligent tutoring system (ABITS).\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A conceptual discussion approach is taken.\nFindings: - The agents provide the core reasoning ability. In particular, the paper demonstrates how the system sources and refines a particular set of commonly available data. Also shows how these data are incorporated into the agents' belief set so that they may adapt their behaviour to support individual students.\nOriginality/value: - Provides a framework that can improve learning procedures for future users of ABITS.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
Impact of country effects on the performance of service firms
|
[
"Performance",
"Service firms",
"Country effects"
] |
[
{
"content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The importance of service firms in today's economic environment continues to increase worldwide due to trends of deindustrialization and economic development (Soubbotina, 2000). Service firms have contributed to the majority of the job growth in recent years and are expected to do the same in the future. It is projected that during the period 2010-2020, the service sector in the USA will account for about half of the projected growth, while employment in manufacturing is expected to decline (Henderson, 2012). As highlighted by Ndubisi and Natarajan (2015), the service sector accounts for the majority of world GDP and is growing at a faster rate compared to other sectors. Additionally, they highlight international operations of service organizations facilitate growth and development both locally and globally. However, managing such organizations across nations is not an easy task as the nature of services demand greater adaptations to cultural, social, and economic differences.\nReview of literature: Conceptual foundations\nStudy methodology: Sample and data sources\nResults and discussion: Table II reports results for the unconditional model. This table includes variance estimates across countries, firms, and time, as well as the percentage of variance explained, along with its relative importance for each factor in the analysis. Results are included for the full sample and the sample excluding US firms. The variance estimates for the country-level and firm-level were statistically significant at the 1 percent level for both models. The percentage of variation in performance explained by country was 11 percent, while firm and time explained 32.1 and 56.9 percent, respectively. The relative importance scores of country, firm, and time were found to be 20.0, 34.3, and 45.7 percent, respectively, which are scaled proportionally to indicate the relative impact that each level has on performance (refer to Brush and Bromiley (1997) for details). Here we find that country is slightly less important than firm in accounting for differences in performance.\nConclusion: This study not only captures the extent of performance of service firms attributable to country effects, but also empirically qualifies the importance of country characteristics on firm performance. Findings contribute to the literature in two significant ways. The primary contribution is testing the influence of the factors articulated in the notion of COE (Sethi and Elango, 1999) through country-specific variables, namely, quality of governance, country's openness to trade, country wealth, growth rate, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism. Study results indicate that the first two variables impact performance negatively, while the latter two impact performance positively - reinforcing the importance of these factors and their directional impacts as argued in this study and within extant literature. While a foundational understanding of these variables has been developed in previous works, this study enhances the literature by capturing the relative importance of these factors.\n",
"role": "user"
},
{
"content": "Purpose: Understanding the impact of country effect on financial performance is important for service firms as they continue to grow and operate across national borders. The purpose of this paper is to empirically quantify the impact of country and several country-specific variables on firm performance in the service sector by estimating the portion of variation in firm performance attributed to these factors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using hierarchical linear models, the authors estimate the proportion of variation driven by country effects. These estimates are obtained from a data panel of 16,051 units from 3,345 service firms across 32 countries over a seven-year time frame (2001-2007).\nFindings: In the analysis, home country explains approximately 11 percent of the variance in performance. Additionally, the authors find that six country-specific variables, namely, quality of governance, openness to trade, wealth, growth rate, uncertainty avoidance and individualism collectively explain 10 percent of variation in performance or 26.8 percent relative variation of performance.\nOriginality/value: This study extends the literature on country effect by quantifying the impact of country-specific dimensions on performance. It focusses on a single industry within the service sector. This allows for a more reliable estimate of the country effect, as it will not be confounded by cross-industry effects - thus alleviating some of the concerns with earlier research. Understanding the impact of the six specific country variables investigated in this work will allow service firms to better predict and improve the performance of subsidiaries.\n",
"role": "assistant"
}
] |
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