Showing papers in "Management research and practice in 2011"

Job satisfaction, a literature review

Abstract: Job satisfaction represents one of the most complex areas facing today's managers when it comes to managing their employees. Many studies have demonstrated an unusually large impact on the job satisfaction on the motivation of workers, while the level of motivation has an impact on productivity, and hence also on performance of business organizations.Unfortunately, in our region, job satisfaction has not still received the proper attention from neither scholars nor managers of various business organizations.

Factors affecting the customer satisfaction in e-banking: some evidences form indian banks

Abstract: This study evaluates major factors (i.e. service quality, brand perception and perceived value) affecting on customers’ satisfaction in e-banking service settings. This study also evaluates influence of service quality on brand perception, perceived value and satisfaction in e-banking. Required data was collected through customers’ survey. For conducting customers’ survey likert scale based questionnaire was developed after review of literature and discussions with bank managers as well as experts in customer service and marketing. Collected data was analyzed using principle component (PCA) using SPSS 19.0. A result indicates that, Perceived Value, Brand Perception, Cost Effectiveness, Easy to Use, Convenience, Problem Handling, Security/Assurance and Responsiveness are important factors in customers satisfaction in e-banking it explains 48.30 per cent of variance. Contact Facilities, System Availability, Fulfillment, Efficiency and Compensation are comparatively less important because these dimensions explain 21.70 per cent of variance in customers’ satisfaction. Security/Assurance, Responsiveness, Easy to Use, Cost Effectiveness and Compensation are predictors of brand perception in e-banking and Fulfillment, Efficiency, Security/Assurance, Responsiveness, Convenience, Cost Effectiveness, Problem Handling and Compensation are predictors of perceived value in e-banking.

Innovative clusters: the case of romania

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to argue the importance of innovative clusters for the regional development having as example Romania. Many empirical studies emphasize a positive relationship between the clusterlike organization and the development extent at local or national level. The current article comprises a synthesis of these studies. On these grounds the formal clusters from Romania are analyzed in terms of their capacity to catalyze the regional development. The main conclusion of the work is that the Romanian economy does not have the experience of cooperation within a microeconomic network. The innovative clusters are very young and they have not demonstrated their growth potential. The clusterlike structure is a key element for the regional development within the economic policy. The economic literature is abundant in works reffering to clusters and to their impact on the regional economic stability, the creation of value added, jobs and innovation. Feldman and Kogler (2010) define the geography of innovation as part of the new geographic economy which describes the "importance of proximity and the innovative activity location". According to these, innovation and knowledge dissemination are spatially centered, fact affecting the technological changes and economic growth. The idea is also supported by Morone and Taylor (2010), and in their view, the globalization emphasizes the importance of location, of interactive learning at local level and of local clusters within the innovation process. Brocker et al. (2003) state that innovation, extension of jobs number and regional economic growth are attained inside the geographical centered networks called clusters. The evolutionist school is focused on clusters perceived as an innovative environment and learning network. The firm is defined as a set of core compenteces, by core competences being understood an integrated set of knowledge and technologies. It is based on organizational routines, substantiating the knowledge generated by learning and they are produced by repeated interaction between the agents and the environment. The dynamics of the economic systems is endogenous, determined by the "persistent emergence of innovation into products, processes and organizational forms" (Coriat and Weinstein, 1995). The knowledge is implied and the routines are specific and nontransferable. The clusters are the "milieu innovateur" allowing the local knowledge dissemination and

Customers' satisfaction in atm service: an empirical evidences from public and private sector banks in india

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to provide a preliminary comparative investigation of the customer satisfaction in ATM service of public and private sector banks in India. For this investigation primary data was collected from 150 respondents of public and private sector banks through a structured questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed according to the objectives of the present research and result of the statistical analysis indicates that private sector banks are providing more satisfactory ATM service as compared to public sector banks. Empirical evidences indicates that customers perception about Efficiency, Security and Responsiveness, Cost Effectiveness, Problem Handling and Compensation and Contact service related to ATM service is low in both public and privates sector banks (ranging between 3.00 to 3.50). Therefore both types of banks should aware about these aspects of ATM service to enhance customers' satisfaction.

Foreign direct investment: localization and institutional determinants

Abstract: This article examines the foreign direct investment (FDI) in Portugal, i.e why foreign companies are located in Portugal. The compression of the determinants of FDI is important to take decisions on economic policy. The determinants of the location were used as market size, labour cost, taxes and economic stability. Beyond these were introduced two institutional variables the impact of globalization and corruption on FDI. The study applies a panel data approach (Fixed Effects and GMM system estimator). The results show that the market size and globalization has a positive impact on FDI. The corruption has a negative impact on investor decisions. Wages, inflation and taxes are also statistically significant.

Ranking of a public sector passenger bus transport company using principal component analysis: a case study

Abstract: The public sector passenger transport has been crucial sector for transportation of people in developing countries like India. But there is less emphasis on customer expectations in this sector. This study aims at evaluating the customer expectations of this service sector in India. A questionnaire containing eighteen quality characteristics was administered to various customers of three bus depots of one division of a state road transport undertaking (SRTU) in south India. Two quality dimensions, viz. customer expectations and company responsibilities, are identified based on principal component analysis. The findings not only would help prioritise different parameters but also provide guidelines to managers to focus on or to improve. Finally three depots have been ranked.

Innovation process for halal product development: an empirical analysis of italian firms

Abstract: The Halal 1 global market is promising a rapid and sustained growth (Berry 2008; Sungkar et al., 2008). In fact, only for Halal food industry, the amount of international trade has exceeded 2.1 trillion USD in 2006 (Berry 2008; Riaz and Chaudry 2004). The reasons of the prompt growing are multiple, but mainly due to (1) the rapid spread of the Islamic faithful worldwide, (2) the increasing spending power of the Islamic people. Despite the importance this market has on the global scene, few studies are available, discussing in-depth the phenomenon from the managerial and innovation management perspectives. Inspired by this opportunity, we attempt to explore in depth the innovation process leading companies from Haram to Halal products in the food industry. A multiple case study of four Italian companies has been developed in order to explore their innovation process and to understand how it has been reviewed to fit the Islamic requirements. The specific product and process solutions adopted by the companies have been analyzed as well as the related managerial and organizational implications and innovation changes implemented. In Italy, so far, only few isolated initiatives shed a first light on the Halal theme and the landscape appears very embryonic.

The swot analysis of the romanian health care system and the key elements for resources allocation

Abstract: The complexity of the problem the national health care program confronts with and which must be solved through the measures of the respective reform lead to a SWOT analysis, particularly for this reform. The capacity to generate the necessary income it is a very important criteria in establishing a certain method of financing in order to be the most desired one represents the cornerstone of its capacity to line up additional funds for HEALTHCARE. It is very well known that in poor countries, the abilities of governments to collect taxes is somewhat limited, thus it becomes somehow difficult to allocate additional resources towards the healthcare system. There are special taxes (alcohol and tobacco), but there is always the probability of fiscal evasion. The healthcare social responsibility, financed through income tax allocation has a wider capacity of generating revenue.

Gap indicator for measuring digital divide

Abstract: The paper intends to present a new type of metrics for pointing out the differences in reaching a certain level of development - in this case - the penetration of internet users in the country population by building an indicator inspired from gap analysis. The application of the gap analysis is made on an aspect correlated to one of the most disturbing processes of the current days - the digital discrepancy in having and using access to the Internet services. Generally described, the gap analysis is an assessment tool to help identify differences between various information systems or applications. A discrepancy or a gap is sometimes called "the space between the actual state in one organization and that one desired/aimed; by seeing the observed reality in terms of differences or gaps or divergent paths from the common trends, the one interested in administration the observed system may conduct analysis exercises that helps bridging that space and time to reaching the targeted state, by highlighting which requirements are being met and which are not. The tool provides a foundation for measuring the investment of time, money and human resources that's required to achieve a particular outcome. The "digital divide" is the division between those who have access to ICT (information and communication technology) and are using it effectively, and those who do not. The emphasis on the subject is given by the fact that ICT is increasingly the foundation of domestic competitiveness, and the base for developing our societies and economies. The digital divide regards a phenomenon was initially used for register the technical, physical barriers brought by the various rhythms of promoting ICT tools in business and private life of citizens. Lately, the concept is used by the policy makers more to emphasis shifted towards social barriers.

Selective Collection of Municipal Waste in Romania: Characteristics and Challenges

Abstract: Currently the quantity of municipal waste generated globally is above the carrying capacity of the Earth. In the context of the sharp decline of natural resources, increasing risk of damage to human health and ecosystems, the sector’s contribution to climate change, international concerns regarding municipal waste management have acquired a distinct character, municipal waste management representing an underlying problem for the future socio-economic development. The growth tendency of municipal waste is encountered also in Romania, effective management of municipal waste in Romania became a problem both for policy makers due to the need of meeting the European standards and for citizens, taking into account that the waste presence is particularly visible in both urban and rural areas. In this context, the paper aims to examine the Romanian system of municipal waste collection and to identify the main challenges this system have to deal with it.

Tourism Development Planning in Selected EU Countries

Abstract: Tourism development planning is now part of the regional policies of all Member States of the European Union. Strategic plans at national or regional level are specific instruments of regional management which contain results of the planning process and ensure the development of tourism in the selected region. The paper analyzes the representatives of these plans from Great Britain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. It evaluates their contents and form of processing according to suggested united methodology respecting main principles of current quality management. The paper tests the process of evaluation on a selected sample, compares different approaches to planning and identifies the best transferable practices as the first step of creating the complex system for evaluation and quality improvement of regional planning in tourism.

Importance of service life planning in sustainable architecture

Abstract: In most of the architecture and construction firms service life planning is not considered in the process of architectural design, and neither is life cycle assessment; and even on occasions, sustainable design is neither taken into account in the processes of building creation because it is complex and specialists are needed to implement it. The objective of the present document is to approach this topic from the sustainable design viewpoint and to regard it accordingly, analyzing several concepts related to service life and durability of the building and the strategies the architect or constructor must follow in order to create totally of partially sustainable buildings, which prolong its service life in optimal conditions of performance, functionality and comfort, thus decreasing costs and environmental impacts during its service life. It is concluded that it is of the utmost importance to apply these models, methods and strategies of environmental design to attain the efficacy of the building, mainly on the stage of life service related to use, operation and maintenance of the building, which is the stage that impacts and pollutes the environment the most.

Public private partnership in solid waste management in municipal corporations of mumbai metropolitan region

Abstract: The solid waste in all municipal corporations is rising in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Such rise in solid waste generation is observed in Brihanmumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, Navi-Mumbai and Bhiwand-Nizampur Municipal Corporation. An increase in solid waste is observed because of increase in urbanization, population density and income, changing food habits, taste and pattern. The growth of industry, commercial units such as hotels, theaters, restaurants, malls are rising fast. Such units are positively contributing to the solid waste generation. Solid waste collection, segregation and disposal capacity of Municipal Corporations is low and inadequate with rising solid waste. Therefore municipal corporations must adopt scientific methods for collection, segregation and disposal of solid waste. Municipal corporations must accommodate private sector for investment and management of solid waste. Urgent steps in this direction will reduce the water, air, soil pollutions and health hazards. It will improve the quality life of people in Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Planning tools that can be used to facilitate urban sustainability

Abstract: Global urban populations are increasing day by day and putting continuous pressure on cities. The level of world urbanization rate was 50.6% in the year 2010 and it is forecasted that by 2050 it will be 70% , UN (Habitates, 2010). Rising trend of urbanization creates various urban problems like; urban poverty, environmental hazard, urban slum etc which leads continuous change of the physical fabric and eventually; urban sustainability has become a worldwide concern for the urban planners. But what are the appropriate tools for the urban planners regarding urban sustainability are yet to be addressed. If, tools are identified than worldwide researchers can easily use them for making urban area sustainable. So, the main aim of this paper is to explore the possible planning tools that can be used to facilitate urban sustainability. Literature review and case study are the main source of information of this study. In this paper, firstly the definition of urban sustainability is defined. From the concept of urban sustainability three dimensions (environmental, social and economic) of urban sustainability are found. After developing this concept, planning tools that can be used to facilitate urban sustainability are discussed under three broad dimension of urban sustainability.

The contribution of foreign direct investments to performance and competitiveness growth of receivers countries

Abstract: Attracting the direct foreign investments represents one of the economic systems' priorities, both at the microeconomic and macroeconomic level. The typology, the particularities and objectives of these investment processes determined certain transformations on worldwide level of the financial flows, a significant growth being observed at the level of the emerging countries. The objective of the present paper is the identification and quantitative and qualitative analysis, based on statistic information, on the contribution of the direct foreign investments to the performance of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe..

Assessing quality management relationship in public construction in taiwan using fault tree analysis

Abstract: ISO 9000 has gained popularity and is being applied to manufacture-related companies all over the world as a system of standards related to quality assurance management and control. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is an important risk- evaluating technique and has been used to present the relationships among the elements of the ISO 9001 standard in ISO implementation. However, a review of the literature suggests that it is much more difficult to manage quality in relation to construction industry due to its generic nature. This paper used FTA to evaluate the relationships among the elements of the ISO 9001:2008 standard and the root causes of defects on public construction quality assessed by Taiwan Public Construction Commission from year 2005 to 2007. Based on the results in this study, ISO 9000 quality management practices may be needed more emphasized in certain stages, the failed probability of check stage was potentially the highest. The implementation of plan stage was also likely to have a significant effect on public construction quality and this showed the importance of the two major elements of the ISO 9001 standard.

The scandinavian countries, a possible model for romanian public administration

Abstract: This paper presents some of the results of an ample comparative study on public administration developed by the author. It contains five sections in which the main characteristics of the public administrations models in Finland and Sweden are looked at, a comparative analysis of the two is undertaken, on the basis of which substantial advantages and means of know-how transfer are identified, from the administrative systems of the Scandinavian states into that of Romania 1. THE GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH The analysis of the scandinavian administrative models holds relevance in that it reveals the specificities of the administrative systems and contributes to understanding how these contributed in time to ensuring an appropriate life standard for citizens in northern Europe. The result is already known and can be summarized as: general welfare and efficient organisation, which meets the expectations of citizens, in administration but also in the other areas of the state's authority. Finland is a model of professionalism, ethics and moral in dealing with citizens' needs and meeting their expectations. This is reflected in the level of the PCI - Perceived Corruption Index in the study prepared by Transparency International based on the assessments of politicians and business people). Thus, Finland scored 9,6 points, compared to Romania which scored 2,9 in the same period of time. Whereas Finland ranks first as the country with the lowest level of corruption in Europe, Romania ranks a mere 83 out of the 133 countries monitored in 2003 by Transparency International 1 .

The model of the linear city under triangular distribution of consumers

Abstract: This paper presents a model of oligopolistic competition in presence of horizontal differentiation of goods, under a triangular distribution of consumers. The triangular distribution represents a case of concentration of consumers around the central location. The main result is that a good deal of differentiation among goods can be achieved in equilibrium also under such assumption concerning the consumers' distribution. This means that the incentive to differentiate prevails on the incentive to hold the central location, even if consumers are concentrated in the central location. The analysis based on an empirical case-study is presented, concerning the choice of beverage retails in a town. The empirical evidence is consistent with the theoretical model.

Using information technology as a strategic weapon: lessons from the red baron

Abstract: Organizations investing in information technology (IT) over the past decades have categorically seen the uses of IT change. At one point, IT was considered a key strategic tool to gain competitive advantage; however, today, acquiring basic IT functions is a necessity in order not to be at a competitive disadvantage. It takes advanced IT systems, coupled with good strategy to develop an IT competitive advantage. With good strategy and advanced IT systems, some organizations can use IT as a weapon to secure market share and/or eliminate the competition. We suggest in this article that there are strategic points of which organizations should be aware during the implementation and use of information technology. These lessons come from the strategic lesson plans of the ace aviation fighter pilot, the Red Baron.

Aligning the EWS Methodology to the Improvement of Decision Making Process in Management

Abstract: The authors’ intention was to correlate the traditional body of knowledge in decision making associated to data gathering and problem solving in order to help the decision makers in their to prioritize scarced resources with the attempt to provide a more systematic and improve Early Warning System (EWS) methodology. In order to mitigate the risks in business decision making, different approaches are possible, enlisting here uncertainty assessment and various forecasting techniques. Early Warning Systems are represented by a measure of a certain indicator meant to signal the increasing degree of confidence that a certain event could cause damages or bring negative impacts. The idea is to identify the EWS as a new tool used to increase the effect of corrective actions in a system under stress or under turbulent influence form the outside context. Best practices of designing early warning systems in fields as monitoring natural hazards (such as flood or earthquakes) or in supervising banking performance in the current crisis are reported as a starting point in improving and then enlarging the body of knowledge in decision analysis. The interest in connecting EWS methodology to decision science leads to empowering knowledgeable individuals to make more reliable decisions, to acknowledge the increased complexity in the actual business climate and to recognize how the systems under study are threatened by hazards/unexpected/unforeseen situations. This may enable the individuals/groups in charge with management decisions to act under sufficient time and in an appropriate manner to reduce the possibility of personal injury, loss of life and damage to property and the environment.

ANALYZING THE CONNEXIONS BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCe: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH

Abstract: The paper presents, in an integrated approach, the relationship between the levels of economic development and environmental compliance within a country, using the connexions between the Kuznets curve and the aggregate pollution abatement curve. In certain circumstances, we can assume that there is a breakeven point on the Kuznets curve corresponding to the optimal level of pollution abatement costs. Therefore, we present each component of environmental costs, as well as a set of strategic options for flattening the Kuznets curve, in order to ensure the harmonization between the economic interests and the environmental liabilities of a country, when developing an economic growth strategy.

Language class management for effective learning

Abstract: Teaching English language to undergraduates in Universiti Teknologi MARA has always been a challenging and inspiring experience for language lecturers who are constantly reviewing and improving teaching techniques. In recent semesters, undergraduate English language courses have been concentrating on English for specific purposes (ESP) and one of them is the BEL492 Presentation Skills. The course which usually takes fourteen weeks to complete has been coupled by constraints of evaluations, number of students in a group and number of teaching hours per week. Considering these limitations, teaching-learning process has to be wisely and strategically arranged in order to optimise the learning process. To assist English teachers in meeting these challenges, this paper explores the notion of learner autonomy that moves the focus from teaching to learning, affording maximum possible exposure to the students, encouraging team work through peer support and cooperation, all of which can be manifested by students taking charge of their learning themselves with the constant facilitation by the lecturer. This paper also shares some workable techniques that could be applied in order to enhance effective acquisition of presentation skills amongst tertiary students.

Testing The Validity Of The Model For Improving The Public Policy Making Process In Romania

Abstract: This paper presents a descriptive model on public policy cycle and the basic competencies in the modernized public policy making process. This model comprises o series of features, three coordinates (vision, effectiveness and continuous improvement), a total of nine core principles and definitions of the core principles. The paper focuses on the validity of proposed model for improving the public policy making process in Romania. A questionnaire survey was distributed to the specialists involved in the public policy process at central level in order to find out their opinion and reaction across the proposals.

Russian federation's investments in romania: the case of lukoil

Abstract: The unusual magnitude of the ongoing economic and financial crisis raises major concerns about the propensity and capability of transnational corporations to continue investing and expanding abroad. This study investigates the Russian Federation’s investments in Romania, with an eye to reveal the reasons to invest in Romania, and the case of Lukoil, as the first private company from the Russian Federation that opened the way for investments in Romania. The findings of this study disclose that Romania is an attractive country for foreign direct investment, and moreover, the oil industry has developed due to Lukoil’s investment in Petrotel refinery. The study was carried out by combining a wide variety of sources, such as statistics, data books, fact books, reports and articles. The results reported in this study may be used as a starting point for further research in the area of foreign direct investment endorsement.

Managing mega-city transportation planning systems: cases of new york and shanghai

Abstract: This paper conducts a comparative analysis on the megacity transportation planning systems between New York and Shanghai. This case study examines the seven lessons learned from New York’s public transportation development: building political partnership; ensuring economical reasonableness; optimizing transit project development process; ensuring multimodal connection; integrating land use and transportation; achieving sustainable development; and synchronizing transit system expansion with travel demand increase. Based on this empirical study, the paper makes preliminary recommendations on how to apply these seven lessons to Shanghai.

Foreigns in "terra di lavoro" during the middle ages

Abstract: The presence of many foreigner merchants in “Terra di Lavoro”-Italy, during the Middle Ages drives civilisation historians to wonder about the role they had, what their culture and mentality were like, in which way they integrated with other foreign merchants (among which Greek, Rumanian and Hungarian ones), how they adjust themselves to native population and other Judaic ethny living in the wide territory way of living and customs.