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1 – 10 of 50Kari Davies, Hanne Imre and Jessica Woodhams
The Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS) is a computerised database which is used by law enforcement in several countries to find potential links between serial violent…
Abstract
Purpose
The Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (ViCLAS) is a computerised database which is used by law enforcement in several countries to find potential links between serial violent crimes. In 2012, Bennell, Snook, MacDonald, House and Taylor identified a number of assumptions that must be valid for these computerised systems to be effective.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper revisits and expands on these assumptions with specific reference to the use of ViCLAS, looking at research that has been conducted since this 2012 review and outlining where research is still outstanding.
Findings
The importance of evaluating ViCLAS is highlighted in this paper.
Practical implications
Particularly, the research agenda highlights how the practice of comparative case analysis when using ViCLAS could be improved.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review of the research dedicated specifically to the evaluation of ViCLAS.
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Tiina Kanninen, Esko Penttinen, Markku Tinnilä and Kari Kaario
The purpose of this paper is to examine what kinds of capabilities are required by process industry companies as they move toward servitization. The authors proceed in two steps…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine what kinds of capabilities are required by process industry companies as they move toward servitization. The authors proceed in two steps. First, the authors explore the capabilities needed in servitization with a qualitative multiple case study. Second, the authors link the identified capabilities to the servitization steps that were derived from prior literature.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on earlier servitization literature, the authors build a five-step servitization model for industrial companies. Then, drawing on the empirical study consisting of three focus group sessions with three case companies and 20 interviews in 14 case companies, the authors identify 14 servitization capabilities and link them to the servitization steps.
Findings
The study reveals how dynamic capabilities are required in servitization. In contrast to operational capabilities, which are geared toward enabling firms to make a living in the present, dynamic capabilities extend or modify operational capabilities in response to market changes. Based on the empirical study, the authors were able to identify dynamic capabilities for all five steps of servitization: identification of current services and customer needs, determination of a service strategy, creation of new business models and pricing logics, improvements in capabilities, and, ultimately, management services as a separate function.
Research limitations/implications
The current study is exploratory in nature and the number of empirical observations is limited to 14 industrial companies operating in the process industry.
Practical implications
Most importantly, in servitization, companies need dynamic capabilities to transform their operating capabilities in sales and marketing as well as in quantifying and communicating the value created for customers.
Originality/value
The study is the first one to make a link between the capabilities needed and the various stages of servitization and also the first to study the specific context of process industry companies.
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Kari-Pekka Tampio, Harri Haapasalo and Jere Lehtinen
The research problem in this study is how a client (as a project owner) should organise early stakeholder involvement and integration in the front-end phase of a project. This…
Abstract
Purpose
The research problem in this study is how a client (as a project owner) should organise early stakeholder involvement and integration in the front-end phase of a project. This study aims to create normative managerial statements as propositions from the client's perspective and to combine them into a set of activities enabling efficient organisation in the front-end phase of a hospital construction project.
Design/methodology/approach
Action design research (ADR) was carried out in a large hospital construction project where the first author acted as an “involved researcher” and the other authors acted as “outside researchers”.
Findings
The authors created seven normative managerial propositions that were verified by the case project stakeholders and developed a managerial framework describing the client's essential stakeholder involvement and integration activities in the front-end phase of a hospital construction project based on these propositions. The authors have also depicted the subphases of the front-end phase: value definition phase in the client permanent organisation, value proposition phase in the client Programme Management Office (PMO) and finally development phase in the alliance organisation ending on the final investment decision.
Practical implications
The collaborative contract delivery model enables the early involvement and integration of stakeholders. It has been somewhat surprising to note the extent to which collaborative contracts change the client role in the project front-end. The results offer practical activities for how clients can manage front-end activities in collaborative contracts.
Originality/value
The case project offered a platform to analyse how the collaborative contract delivery model changes the emphasis of activities in the front-end of a project. One of the key benefits of collaborative contracts is that development, design and delivery occur partially in parallel, thereby enabling contributions from production to be included in the design and development. The benefit of having a real-life case under study provides the possibility to triangulate and analyse rich data, however limited by the qualitative case method.
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Kari Lepistö, Minna Saunila and Juhani Ukko
This study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ' profitability by examining whether the new TQM dimensions of risk…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the effect of total quality management (TQM) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) ' profitability by examining whether the new TQM dimensions of risk management, digitalization, stakeholder management and system deployment, facilitate the impact of traditional TQM dimensions on profitability.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured survey of 271 Finnish SMEs divided into industry companies and service companies was used.
Findings
Risk management facilitates the relation between continuous improvement and company profitability. Digitalization does not facilitate the relation between TQM dimensions and company profitability. Stakeholder management facilitates the relation between management/leadership and company profitability, customer focus and company profitability and continuous improvement and company profitability. System deployment does not facilitate the relation between TQM dimensions and company profitability.
Originality/value
Most prior studies are based on the traditional TQM classification. The TQM dimensions of this study are more comprehensive than previous studies and take into account the latest trends in business development. The findings of this study differ from most previous studies and provide a source of reflection for SME management on how TQM should be implemented so that it affects the company's profitability.
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The liberal arts hobby is a leisure pursuit that entails the systematic and fervent pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the liberal…
Abstract
Purpose
The liberal arts hobby is a leisure pursuit that entails the systematic and fervent pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the liberal arts hobby as a setting for information behavior research.
Design/methodology/approach
The method of interdisciplinary translation work is used to relate existing research from the specialties of leisure studies, adult education, and information behavior. Drawing from leisure studies, the liberal arts hobby is presented within the context of the serious leisure perspective, a theoretical framework of leisure. Also, relevant research.
Findings
The basic informational features of the liberal arts hobby and adult learning project are discussed in terms of three issues of current interest within information behavior scholarship. The issues are: first, social metatheory and the ideal level of analysis; second, time and information behavior; and third, information behavior in pleasurable and profound contexts.
Research limitations/implications
Research into everyday life, serious leisure and hobbies is extended and methodological tools are provided.
Practical implications
Information professionals, such as public librarians or systems designers, will have a better understanding of the information experience of a popular hobby group and be better able to meet their information needs.
Social implications
Awareness and understanding of the liberal arts hobby will be increased across the field of information science, thereby creating a better alignment between the field and society.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to establish an interdisciplinary starting point for information behavior research in the liberal arts hobby.
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Kari-Pekka Tampio and Harri Haapasalo
The purpose of this paper is to identify the areas and logic of integration of different stakeholders using different methods and to analyse their applicability and challenges in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the areas and logic of integration of different stakeholders using different methods and to analyse their applicability and challenges in practical projects. The main aim is to describe how these different methods impact value creation.
Design/methodology/approach
Action design research was carried out in a large hospital construction project where the first author acted as an “involved researcher” and the second author acted as an “outside researcher”. Two workshops were organised to evaluate the direct and indirect challenges and benefits of the applied four methods and to explain how different methods enable value creation.
Findings
All the studied methods provide good results in terms of usability and commitment to the aims of the project, thus delivering the direct benefits expected. Process, people and tools logic works well in this case project when applying the methods properly. Significant evidence was provided on secondary deliverables of the methods, and all analysed methods had a significant impact in the area of leading people, clarifying what “focus on people” means and how it is enabled.
Practical implications
Focus on people can be achieved through different operative methods if applied in the right way. It is necessary to select the most suitable methods based on all the direct and indirect deliverables.
Originality/value
This case project offered a platform to analyse integration methods in a real-life project using the collaborative contract method. The authors were able to participate in the analysis by taking action from the very beginning of the project in terms of training, learning, continuous development and coaching of these methods and evaluating the applicability.
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Viitanen Elina, Lehto Juhani, Tampsi‐Jarvala Tiina, Mattila Kari, Virjo Irma, Isokoski Mauri, Hyppölä Harri, Kumpusalo Esko, Halila Hannu, Kujala Santero and Vänskä Jukka
This paper describes factors influencing doctor‐managers' decision making in specialised health care, health centres and at different levels of management.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes factors influencing doctor‐managers' decision making in specialised health care, health centres and at different levels of management.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected as part of a survey on physicians graduating in 1977‐1991 as drawn from the register of the Finnish Medical Association. The study sample was formed by selecting all physicians born on odd days (n=4,144) from the baseline group (n=8,232). The category of doctor‐managers comprised physicians reporting as their main occupation: principal or assistant principal physician of hospital, medical director or principal physician of health centre, senior ward physician of hospital, and health centre physician in charge of a population area.
Findings
Independent of gender, all doctor‐managers responding to the survey reported that the most important base for decision making was personal professional experience. Position in organisation (first‐line manager, principal physician) had no impact on the base of decision making. Doctor‐managers in primary health care utilised knowledge on norms and knowledge available from their organisation in support of their decision making to a greater degree compared with doctor‐managers in specialised health care.
Research implications
Evolution discourse from public administration is not yet receiving much response in Finnish doctor‐managers' activities, instead, they still act as clinicians.
Originality/value
Facing the growing challenges of the future, the paper shows that doctor‐managers should reconstruct their orientation and to act more like managers.
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