Showing papers in "International Journal of Business Excellence in 2009"
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of foreign investments and trade flows in knowledge absorption and innovativeness in Russia is studied, and the results of a statistical analysis indicate that the inflow of technology in the form of foreign investment and trade meet favorable technology/innovation absorption conditions in the Russian regions.
Abstract: This paper studies the role of foreign investments and trade flows in knowledge absorption and innovativeness in Russia. Funding and human resources devoted to Research and Development (R&D) have been considerable in Russia, but so far, the innovation activity and R&D output has been modest. In order to achieve sustainable growth, Russia needs to change from a natural resource-based economy to a knowledge-oriented economy. Knowledge absorption from foreign investors in Russia is defined in a general level conceptually. Innovation indicators, such as domestic R&D expenditures and the level of higher education, are used to measure the overall absorptive capacity in Russia. It is assumed that Russia is, at the moment, more focused on imitating existing innovations than creating its own science-based innovations. The results of a statistical analysis indicate that the inflow of technology in the form of foreign investments and trade meet favourable technology/innovation absorption conditions in the Russian regions. Foreign investors are significant actors in the knowledge absorption framework.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the linkage between participation in decision-making and the success of rewarding and suggest that companies should pay attention to the autonomy of employees in their work and ensure the successful use of performance-related rewarding.
Abstract: The motivational influence of performance-related rewards has been highlighted in the earlier literature on Performance Measurement (PM). This paper focuses on the linkage between participation in decision-making and the success of rewarding. The study is quantitative and the empirical evidence is based on a survey that was carried out in eight companies that operated in the manufacturing industry in 2005. To ensure an overall view, the survey was conducted with all employees of the studied companies. On the basis of the statistical analysis, it can be stated that the more autonomy in work that people have, the more successful they perceive the motivational influence of rewarding. The study suggests that companies should pay attention to the autonomy of employees in their work and, thus, ensure the successful use of performance-related rewarding.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that financial scandals and information system breakdowns are closely correlated and make some suggestions about how the information systems should be designed and implemented and how corporate governance can benefit from the new design approach.
Abstract: Corporate Governance (CG) and Enterprise Systems (ESs) have attracted a great deal of attention from academics and practitioners. Financial scandals (Enron, WorldCom, etc.) and information system breakdowns are common nowadays. This paper argues that these failures are closely correlated. It shows the correlation and makes some suggestions about how the information systems should be designed and implemented and how corporate governance can benefit from the new design approach. Regulation, voluntary codes and good practices as a motive for adopting new systems (organisational and informational) play a crucial role in selecting the course of action and strategy. The synergies between CG and ESs can lead to a more stable corporate environment and improved organisational performance.
13 citations
TL;DR: Key requirements of performance measurement systems are identified and methods for the specification and operationalisation of the bottom line impact of supply management are developed and an integrated approach to supply performance measurement is introduced.
Abstract: Due to the weaknesses of the traditional, financially oriented measurement systems, performance measurement systems, which include financial as well as nonfinancial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), have been developed. In this context, supply performance measurement has not only become a key research field within the area of supply controlling and financial supply management, it has also evolved into a central concern of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs). Nevertheless, the present concepts still have difficulties in evaluating the bottom line impact of supply management. Based on an extensive literature review, this paper identifies key requirements of performance measurement systems. It also outlines the importance of measuring the bottom line impact of supply management in practice. Via an action research approach, methods for the specification and operationalisation of the bottom line impact of supply management are developed. Based on these findings, the paper introduces an integrated approach to supply performance measurement.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey was carried out to identify the most significant enablers that trigger the Egyptian Higher Education Institutions to seek higher performance and facilitate the realisation of excellent results.
Abstract: Higher Education Quality (HEQ) has been a topic of interest for academicians and practitioners. It is evident from the published literature that this problem poses considerable challenges to higher education institutions worldwide in order for them to survive in the increasingly global market. Thus, to be competitive, the Egyptian Higher Education Institutions (EHEI) need to determine their current performance status constantly against a Business Excellence (BE) scale and identify their strengths and the areas where improvements can be made in different segments of the institutions to achieve sustainable excellence. A survey was carried out to identify the most significant enablers that trigger the EHEI to seek higher performance and facilitate the realisation of excellent results. The data was collected and analysed using AMOS 7.0, a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) software, which clearly revealed that the EHEI have core enablers that directly impact the results. Hence, the researcher asserts that improving these enablers will consequently improve the EHEI's overall excellence. The details of the study, the analysis and the results are presented in this paper.
11 citations
TL;DR: This paper conducted an exploratory analysis of the New Zealand expatriate managers' perception of their organisational support during expatriation and found that expatriates valued experience with the company, overall education, managerial talent and independence to be the most important factors in their selection for the expat assignment.
Abstract: In this paper, data are presented from an exploratory analysis of the New Zealand expatriate managers' perception of their organisational support during expatriation. The qualitative and anecdotal data were sought via a structured interview questionnaire to study the key demographic details and information about the organisation's selection, training and support systems with regard to the expatriate's foreign assignment experience. The study show that the organisations valued experience with the company, overall education, managerial talent and independence to be the most important factors in their selection for the expatriate assignment. The study highlights that the expatriates had very little intensive predeparture training, although most had some sort of environmental briefing and about half undertook pre-assignment field visits. The support systems were usually provided by a home or host country mentor and considered important and effective.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new model of Customer Relationship Equity (CRE) is presented following a short, chronological discussion of previously presented customer relationship models and includes trust as a precursor and antecedent of the equity relationship.
Abstract: Brand equity and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) have both received considerable attention during the last decade, but have either played down or ignored the importance of trust in building a relationship. This article attempts to examine these concepts and integrate them into a new model of Customer Relationship Equity (CRE). The model is presented following a short, chronological discussion of previously presented customer relationship models and includes trust as a precursor and antecedent of the equity relationship.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined and compared the criteria used by South African and Malaysian students when choosing or evaluating a tertiary institution and found that the most important attributes for South African students are the institutional reputation and reasonable tuition fees, while Malaysian students consider the reputation of the study programme and informed academic staff as most important.
Abstract: Tertiary institutions across the globe are facing challenges brought about by globalisation, internationalisation and government policy transformations in higher education. Attracting quality students in a highly competitive education environment is crucial, as poor retention ratios are a cause of concern and government funding is consequently being influenced adversely. In striving to maintain a respectable and viable market share, sound marketing principles should be applied as universities compete for quality students to service them for the duration of studies. This paper examines and compares the criteria used by South African and Malaysian students when choosing or evaluating a tertiary institution. Both countries are emerging countries where education not only is recognised as a crucial driving force, but where the accessibility of education is politically important. The main findings are (amongst others) that the most important attributes for South African students are the institutional reputation and reasonable tuition fees, while Malaysian students consider the reputation of the study programme and informed academic staff as most important.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the difficulties in knowledge sharing in project management and suggest solutions to these difficulties, and the most important challenges were cultural and structural factors in knowledge management.
Abstract: The paper aims to describe the difficulties in knowledge sharing in project management and suggest solutions to these difficulties. Following a review of knowledge sharing in the literature, workshops are conducted with expert project management practitioners in 2006; in addition, a questionnaire survey of the participants of the workshops is conducted. The study finds that Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) had different knowledge-sharing arrangements from those of Multinational Corporations (MNCs). The work of SMEs was more likely to be based on company-level knowledge sharing and the commitment of employees to projects was less marked. SMEs did not use formal project management systems to manage their projects; rather, they relied on the knowledge of individuals. In all of the companies studied, the most important challenges were cultural – how managers enable learning and how people can learn from mistakes most effectively. The structural factors in Knowledge Management (KM) were also of impor...
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of an exploratory survey investigating the status of quality management practices in the logistics function in the Greek industry and their perceptions regarding the critical success factors for effective quality management in logistics.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an exploratory survey investigating the status of quality management practices in the logistics function in the Greek industry. This is the first paper to provide information regarding quality management performance in the growing and challenging area of logistics in the Greek industry. The survey instrument contains information about the forces that encourage or discourage managers to implement quality initiatives in the logistics function, the quality methods and techniques that are currently in use, their overall satisfaction with the current level of quality management in logistics and their perceptions regarding the critical success factors for effective quality management in logistics. The findings of this survey are compared with related findings from similar surveys in other countries in order to generalise upon the results and draw meaningful conclusions. The logistics quality performance status generated by this exploratory study could be used by logistics managers as a benchmark tool or roadmap for future quality improvements.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the development of an Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) for a large government organisation as a case study and identify the challenges that face the organisation and propose a ten-point framework for the improvement of the ISSP alignment with the e-government strategy.
Abstract: Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have been playing a major role in governments across the world to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of public services. However, ICT has been utilised only in a piecemeal fashion by different public sectors and, hence, many governments are keen to incorporate an integrated e-government strategy to achieve business and service excellence. This paper presents the development of an Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) for a large government organisation as a case study. We discuss the evolution of an e-government strategy and examine its influence in the development of an information systems strategy within a state sector organisation in New Zealand. The findings from the case study analysis are used to measure the degree of alignment between the objectives of the e-government strategy and the organisation's ISSP strategy. We identify the challenges that face the organisation and propose a ten-point framework for the improvement of the ISSP alignment with the e-government strategy. Finally, we conclude with a summary of the outcomes of this study and the future research directions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the extent to which leadership in new venture entrepreneurial teams was consistent with a complex systems framework and find that the adaptive leadership role was most strongly reflected in case studies, although the evidence did reveal a mix of the three roles described by Uhl-Bien et al. (2007).
Abstract: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the extent to which leadership in new venture entrepreneurial teams was consistent with a complex systems framework. A case study design was used and qualitative evidence was collected and analysed relative to the three complexity leadership roles outlined by Uhl-Bien et al. (2007). These roles were administrative, adaptive and enabling leadership. The adaptive leadership role was most strongly reflected in the case studies, although the evidence did reveal a mix of the three roles described by Uhl-Bien et al. Examples of adaptive leadership include the development of prototype products, the creation of revenue streams from new products, entry into overseas markets, and the sale of an innovative product to the dominant firm in the industry. The collected qualitative evidence was highly consistent with the conceptual framework of Complex Adaptive Systems (CASs) particularly because new venture teams defied categorisation into the precise categories and units of analysis commonly assumed in the literature. This consistency encourages the application of complexity and chaos notions to future research on new ventures, even though the current findings are most appropriately interpreted as exploratory.
TL;DR: An Intelligent Collaborative Recommender System (ICRS) is designed and implemented to map users' needs to the products that can satisfy them and is developed for an online book purchasing application and tested by college students.
Abstract: Finding the right product that satisfies the user's needs and wants in e-purchasing is a challenging problem. We design and implement an Intelligent Collaborative Recommender System (ICRS) to map users' needs to the products that can satisfy them. A methodology is used to dynamically update the accuracy factor based on user intelligence. The different approaches for recommendation are categorised as memory-based and model-based approaches. Memory-based systems suffer from data sparsity and scalability problems, whereas model-based approaches tend to limit the range of users. Hence, by integrating both these approaches, we overcome the shortfalls. In our paper, we smooth the sparse data and apply the collaborative filtering approach for recommendations. Recommendations are made more accurate by applying regression to weighted aggregated predictions. The system that is considered here is the book recommendation system. The metric that is considered for measuring the performance of our system is the Mean Absolute Error (MAE). In terms of the computation time, clustering similar users is done offline, which greatly reduces the time for computation. This approach thus alleviates scalability and sparsity problems and offers accurate recommendations. Finally, our system is developed for an online book purchasing application and tested by our college students.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors test and model the effect of parent brand associations' salience, branding strategy and extension innovativeness positioning on the extent of the reciprocal transfer of extension associations to the parent brand.
Abstract: Despite substantial research interest in brand extensions, the factors underlying the reciprocal transfer of brand associations between brand extensions and parent brands are not well understood. This study tests and models the effect of parent brand associations' salience, branding strategy and extension innovativeness positioning on the extent of the reciprocal transfer of extension associations to the parent brand. The results show that the reciprocal transfer of line extension associations to the parent brand can be influenced by the launch strategy, presenting the opportunity to improve the positioning of a parent brand by maximising the transfer of favourable extension associations.
TL;DR: In this paper, an overview of the use of internal marketing in network environments is presented, emphasizing the need for the integration of academic knowledge and business practice to the benefit of both.
Abstract: Internal Marketing (IM) by definition distinguishes between an organisation and its external environment and focuses only on intraorganisational affairs. However, globalisation and a knowledge-driven environment have produced a global networked economy with blurred boundaries between global companies and local market requirements. Organisational boundaries have become obstacles to business success and companies have responded by establishing networks with permeable and flexible boundaries regarding their local customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. As a result, the concept of internal marketing must be redefined and re-evaluated based on the requirements of the global economy. This paper provides an introductory overview of the use of internal marketing in network environments. It presents an integrative perspective to emphasise the need for the integration of academic knowledge and business practice to the benefit of both.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report upon the application of SERVQUAL in accessing the perceptions held by Chinese managers with respect to their ability to deliver service quality and to examine the generalisability of the SERVQA model in measuring the antecedents of service quality.
Abstract: This paper reports upon the application of SERVQUAL in accessing the perceptions held by Chinese managers with respect to their ability to deliver service quality and to examine the generalisability of the SERVQUAL model in measuring the antecedents of service quality. A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 86 Chinese managers enrolled in the Beijing International MBA programme. A descriptive statistics analysis was used, including one-way Analyses of Variance (ANOVAs), to evaluate managers' perceptions of customer expectations and the existence of performance standards linked to customer expectations. The results of the factor analysis measuring the antecedents to service delivery indicated that the original SERVQUAL constructs did not work as prescribed. The surrogates for the antecedents generated as a result of factor analysis were used in regression analysis to assess the relationship between the antecedents and both overall performance and customer satisfaction. Both regression analyses were significant. Two dimensions – role clarity of employees and the existence of internal processes – accounted for 17.7% of the variance associated with performance. The same two dimensions plus teamwork accounted for 22.4% of the variation in perceived customer satisfaction.
TL;DR: In this paper, the extent to which collective bargaining can effectively minimise industrial conflicts in Ghana, with particular reference to the brewery industry in Ghana was determined, and it was further recommended that both management and labour should recognise collective bargaining as an effective tool for resolving conflicts and disagreements at the workplace.
Abstract: Collective bargaining has been recognised in almost all industrial settings as the most civilised way of resolving industrial conflicts and disagreements. The main objective of this paper is to determine the extent to which collective bargaining can effectively minimise industrial conflicts in Ghana, with particular reference to the brewery industry in Ghana. It is a means of helping to foster cordial management-labour relationships towards industrial harmony. The study was carried out with a focus on Ghana Breweries Ltd. The results of the study show that collective bargaining is a powerful and effective tool that can be used to minimise industrial conflicts and disagreements in industrial establishments. It is therefore recommended that employers should encourage the formation of trade unions to promote collective bargaining. It is further recommended that both management and labour should recognise collective bargaining as an effective tool for resolving conflicts and disagreements at the workplace.
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility of the existing knowledge of New Service Development (NSD) in an international context is investigated by means of a case study, which sheds understanding on how internationalisation impacts the case company's service offering in Russia.
Abstract: The feasibility of the existing knowledge of New Service Development (NSD) in an international context is investigated by means of a case study. The objective of the case study is to shed understanding on how internationalisation impacts the case company's service offering in Russia. The results give insight on how cross-cultural/international markets affect the NSD process and provide suggestions for future research to build a model on New International Service Development (NISD), which could help managers better organise their NSD processes in a foreign location.
TL;DR: In this article, a key account management system (KAMS) for the paper industry is presented, and the theoretical construct was based on the value net approach, elements of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process and elements of KAM.
Abstract: The primary objective of this study was to construct and explore a Key Account Management System (KAMS) and to analyse how it appears in a case organisation of the paper industry. The theoretical construct was based on the value net approach, elements of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process and elements of Key Account Management (KAM). In the empirical part of the paper, the target organisation's processes were analysed through the basic elements of KAMS. The processes of the case organisation were divided into three different levels: the corporate and division level, the management level at the paper mill and the operative level. The basic elements of KAMS were analysed through all of these levels. The elements of the value net approach and the elements of the CRM process were found in the latter two levels. The elements of KAM were found in the corporate and division level. This method and these results can be used when improving and analysing key accounts and KAM on a wider scale.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyze the development and implementation of RFID in China and find that RFID is becoming more prominent in closed-loop applications despite the lack of local standards, low security and high costs.
Abstract: Although the development of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has been amazing, it is still in its infancy worldwide. RFID still has to overcome several obstacles such as privacy and security, cost and standardisation. The industry in China offers a great arena for research in this field, as it is one of the most significant manufacturing players in the world and has begun devoting resources to local RFID technology development. This paper's goal is to analyse the development and implementation of RFID in China. To achieve this goal, 18 interviews were conducted within five Chinese participant groups: researchers, logistics experts, RFID technology manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives and government establishment officers. The authors can state that the development and implementation status of RFID in the Chinese industry is behind that of developed countries, but is becoming more prominent in closed-loop applications despite the lack of local standards, low security and high costs.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the role of virtual integration (VI) firms in semiconductor firms' profitability and found that virtual integration firms have a higher inventory turnover rate and better operational efficiency than traditional IDMs.
Abstract: Most studies of semiconductor firms focus on the outcomes of the historical challenges, technological development and knowledge management of Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs). Few studies have discussed the trend which has developed since the 1990s. Many US semiconductor firms outsource their chip production to Asian foundries and act the role of Virtual Integration (VI) firms. This study explores this new trend and discusses the reason why VI firms' profitability is ahead of the IDMs. Using analysis of panel data, the study shows that capacity utilisation, cost of goods sold/sales, inventory turnover rate and R&D intensity of the semiconductor industry in the USA serve as significant determiners of profitability for semiconductor firms. The research finds that VIs' (Fabless) profitability is ahead of that of IDMs' because VI firms have a higher inventory turnover rate and, thus, better operational efficiency. In addition, VI firms save on capacity investment by following the trend of customisation and focusing on product R&D. This study confirms the value of a 'virtually vertical integration' strategy implemented by an inter-enterprise virtual team. Since the outsourcing of wafer manufacturing is an inevitable trend, for US and European large IDMs, it will restrain investment in new wafer factories in favour of utilising the capacities of emerging wafer foundries in Asia.
TL;DR: In this article, the critical factors that affect the university's internal environment are first identified, focusing on the innovative environment, and based on these factors, a research strategy for innovative Greek universities is suggested.
Abstract: The university is considered a participative organisation from its constitution. Thus, it can support, help and formulate an effective working environment for its academic staff. The work of academic researchers is based on the quality and quantity of their own research production. Universities today function in a competitive global environment. Applied research is closely connected to technology transfer activities which link universities with private enterprises. Innovation and scientific networking are quite important issues that are embodied in their new role. Consequently, a university's strategy has to answer to new challenges. Greek universities do not constitute cohesive and continuous processes for research strategy formulation. Their attempts are sporadic and have not led to strategic plan implementation. In this paper, the critical factors that affect the university's internal environment are first identified, focusing on the innovative environment. Based on these factors, a research strategy for innovative Greek universities is suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of government and the rule of law are examined across cultures, and a decision tree is created to determine when and how to adapt business activities for success.
Abstract: Marketing strategy is constrained by the rules and regulations of the location (country, region, regional trade area) in which companies do business. The role of government and the rule of law are major elements that create a structure determining the amount of transparency that exists for conducting business activities. By examining the role of government and rule of law across cultures, the structure for doing business in a specific location can be determined. Given the structural constraints in each culture, a decision tree is created to determine when and how to adapt business activities for success.