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1 – 10 of 61It is not uncommon that a multi‐branch firm has all its branches maintaining the same group of machines from a maintenance department. Clearly there are potential opportunities to…
Abstract
Purpose
It is not uncommon that a multi‐branch firm has all its branches maintaining the same group of machines from a maintenance department. Clearly there are potential opportunities to reduce costs by coordinating the joint maintenance among the branches. The purpose of this paper is to optimally coordinate the maintenance schedule of machines of multi‐branch firms to save the maintenance cost incurred.
Design/methodology/approach
A search algorithm is proposed that proceeds the searching through the junction points within the lower and upper bounds of the search range. An example is given to illustrate the method.
Findings
The optimality structure of this problem is explored and it is asserted that the optimal cost is piece‐wise convex. Based on theoretical results, an effective search algorithm is derived that can efficiently determine the maintenance frequencies for a family of machines of multi‐branch firm.
Practical implications
A well‐planned maintenance schedule can not only bring down the cost but also raise the utilization rate of a family of machines. Numerical results show that the whole maintenance system can obtain significant cost savings from the coordination policy.
Originality/value
In response to branches adopting coordinated maintenances, the maintenance manager providing the maintenances to the branches faces a scheduling problem of how to minimize its total costs. This is an area that has received little attention in the literature. By utilizing the theoretical results, an efficient search algorithm that solves the optimal solution for this problem is proposed.
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Yossi Hadad, Baruch Keren and Ofer Barkai
The purpose of this paper is to propose a wage incentive plan for branch managers of multi‐branch firms. The incentive payment is calculated according to each branch's performance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a wage incentive plan for branch managers of multi‐branch firms. The incentive payment is calculated according to each branch's performance and its relative rank, taking into consideration common variables, regional variables and managerial skill variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper utilizes Andersen and Petersen's super‐efficiency model, which is based on the model of Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes, the most widely used and best known data envelopment analysis model. The regional variables and the managerial skill variables are considered as inputs (resources). The periodic measured efficiencies are then translated into a special wage incentive plan with promotive and contrient interdependence between the branch managers.
Findings
The regional variables and the managerial skill variables have a significant impact on the efficiency of each branch and on the ranking of the branches. These variables may increase or decrease the relative efficiency and the incentive payments of the branch managers.
Practical implications
The research provides tools for applying a wage incentive plan for branch managers of multi‐branch firms. The proposed incentive plan is more fair than most other incentive plans because it takes into account regional variables. Furthermore, it can increase the flexibility of the top management to switch branch managers, to send talented managers to problematic branches/regions/countries and to decrease the attractiveness of the profitable branches. The method also enables us to evaluate the performance of each branch over periods of time. The practicability of the proposed plan is demonstrated by a real‐life case study.
Originality/value
Beyond the common input and output variables that measure efficiency, the plan presented in the paper takes into consideration those regional variables which characterize each branch as well as the managerial skills of the branch managers. The total cost for the incentive payment is a given portion of the global corporate net profit.
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The development of a measure of corporate culture is reviewed. A three factor model focused on how managers motivate performance emerged from repeated factorings. Scores are…
Abstract
The development of a measure of corporate culture is reviewed. A three factor model focused on how managers motivate performance emerged from repeated factorings. Scores are reported for seven organisations. Both frontal assaults and flanking manoeuvres for shaping effective work cultures are described, along with when to do what. A fitness analogy containing the components of objectives, measurement, and practice was offered as a model for a corporate culture‐shaping process.
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J. Terence Zinger and Norman J O'Reilly
This paper responds to the need for more investigation into the "conceptual underpinnings of sponsorships" (Gardner & Shuman, 1988, p.44) by investigating the spectrum of…
Abstract
This paper responds to the need for more investigation into the "conceptual underpinnings of sponsorships" (Gardner & Shuman, 1988, p.44) by investigating the spectrum of opportunities that are available to small firms - whether as sports donors or as bona fide sponsors - through the prism of small business Stages of Development theory. A multiple case study approach is employed to explore the nature of sponsorship activities being undertaken by small enterprises and to contribute to the advancement of the authors' 'philanthropy-sponsorship' continuum.
This research makes two contributions. First, it presents the classifications of 'patronage' versus 'semistrong sponsorship' versus 'fully functioning sponsorship' relationships, based on the nature of the expected benefits. Second, it evaluates the small business/sports property interface from the perspective of small business phases of development and proposes a framework for linking the small firm to sports sponsorship outcomes.
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Kanupriya Misra Bakhru, Manas Behera and Alka Sharma
This paper aims to examine the traditional business communities and family businesses of India, their emergence and sustained growth.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the traditional business communities and family businesses of India, their emergence and sustained growth.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyze the role of business communities in family businesses of India and identify business communities that have still sustained and marked a global presence.
Findings
Business communities such as Marwaris have the knack for business activities and are leaders of family businesses in India today, who have sustained their past success and continue to create new histories. Other traditional business communities such as Parsis, Sindhis, Chettiars and Gujarati banias have not been able to sustain much. Possible reasons were switching to white-collar jobs, taking up diplomacy and other professions, inter caste marriages, international migration in search of business and Indian government policies.
Research limitations/implications
This study provides a useful source of information for academics, policy-makers and economists.
Practical implications
Traditional business communities populate the list of family businesses that have marked their global presence. This paper identifies various factors that are responsible for the growth and sustainability of these business communities.
Social implications
The study clarifies the role of business communities in domestic economic development.
Originality/value
The paper explored traditional business communities of India and assessed their role in family businesses of India that currently mark a global presence.
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Randi L. Sims and Jess J. Boytell
The purpose of this paper is to test the relation between employee goal orientation and occupational withdrawal intentions and behaviors considering employee satisfaction a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the relation between employee goal orientation and occupational withdrawal intentions and behaviors considering employee satisfaction a mediator in the relations.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were obtained from a sample of 241 licensed real estate professionals using a self-administrated questionnaire. Mediation hypotheses were tested using Smart PLS.
Findings
The results indicate that job satisfaction fully mediates the relation between learning goal orientation and occupational withdrawal intentions and behaviors. A direct positive relation was found between avoid goal orientation and occupational withdrawal intentions and behaviors.
Practical implications
Worker shortages in many occupations increases the importance of the ability to understand and predict occupational withdrawal behaviors.
Originality/value
This study adds to the literature by considering goal orientation as an individual employee characteristics central in predicting and understanding occupational attitudes and withdrawal intentions and behaviors.
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This study aims to assess the essential elements of internal organisational capability that influence the cybersecurity effectiveness of a construction firm. An extended McKinsey…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the essential elements of internal organisational capability that influence the cybersecurity effectiveness of a construction firm. An extended McKinsey 7S model is used to analyse the relationship between a construction firm's cybersecurity effectiveness and nine internal capability elements: shared values, strategy, structure, systems, staff, style, skills, relationships with third parties and regulatory compliance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a quantitative research strategy, this study collected data through a cross-sectional survey of professionals working in the construction sector in the United Kingdom (UK). The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Findings
The findings underlined systems, regulatory compliance, staff and third-party relationships as the most significant elements of internal organisational capability influencing a construction firm's cybersecurity effectiveness, organised in order of importance.
Research limitations/implications
Future research possibilities are proposed including the extension of the proposed diagnostic model to consider additional external factors, examining it under varying industrial relationship conditions and developing a dynamic framework that helps improve cybersecurity capability levels while overseeing execution outcomes to ensure success.
Practical implications
The extended McKinsey 7S model can be used as a diagnostic tool to assess the organisation's internal capabilities and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented changes. This can provide specific ways for construction firms to enhance their cybersecurity effectiveness.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the field of cybersecurity in the construction industry by empirically assessing the effectiveness of cybersecurity in UK construction firms using an extended McKinsey 7S model. The study highlights the importance of two additional elements, third-party relationships and construction firm regulatory compliance, which were overlooked in the original McKinsey 7S model. By utilising this model, the study develops a concise research model of essential elements of internal organisational capability that influence cybersecurity effectiveness in construction firms.
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Babak Taheri, Umit Bititci, Martin Joseph Gannon and Renzo Cordina
This study aims to examine how comprehensive performance measurement systems (CPMS) influence entrepreneurial orientation, market-focussed learning (MFL) and employees’…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how comprehensive performance measurement systems (CPMS) influence entrepreneurial orientation, market-focussed learning (MFL) and employees’ perceptions of firm performance within a service-provision context. It also considers the moderating effect of low and high levels of perceived market-turbulence (low-turbulence environments [LMT] vs highly turbulent environments [HMT]) on the relationships between these concepts.
Design/methodology/approach
PLS-SEM was used to test the hypothesised relationships using survey responses from 198 employees of a leading multi-branch travel agency in Iran.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that CPMS positively influence MFL and, in doing so, have a positive effect on perceptions of firm performance. However, the findings also suggest that CPMS negatively influence entrepreneurial orientation, and therefore can also negatively influence perceptions of firm performance. Further, the relationships between CPMS, entrepreneurial orientation, MFL and firm performance are stronger for HMT when compared to LMT for all relationships.
Practical implications
Industry managers should adapt their CPMS to include measures specific to intra-organisational entrepreneurship and innovation and should pursue greater understanding of changing customer preferences.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of MFL as a means of avoiding the negative impact of underdeveloped market research on performance in the turbulent Iranian context. Contrary to previous literature, it provides an example of how CPMS can negatively influence entrepreneurial orientation in such environments.
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Mingwei Tang, Jiangping Chen, Haihua Chen, Zhenyuan Xu, Yueyao Wang, Mengting Xie and Jiangwei Lin
The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated semantic information retrieval (IR) solution based on an ontology-improved vector space model for situations where a digital…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated semantic information retrieval (IR) solution based on an ontology-improved vector space model for situations where a digital collection is established or curated. It aims to create a retrieval approach which could return the results by meanings rather than by keywords.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors propose a semantic term frequency algorithm to create a semantic vector space model (SeVSM) based on ontology. To support the calculation, a multi-branches tree model is created to represent the ontology and a set of algorithms is developed to operate it. Then, a semantic ontology-based IR system based on the SeVSM model is designed and developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Findings
The experimental study using 30 queries from 15 different domains confirms the effectiveness of the SeVSM and the usability of the proposed system. The results demonstrate that the proposed model and system can be a significant exploration to enhance IR in specific domains, such as a digital library and e-commerce.
Originality/value
This research not only creates a semantic retrieval model, but also provides the application approach via designing and developing a semantic retrieval system based on the model. Comparing with most of the current related research, the proposed research studies the whole process of realizing a semantic retrieval.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and benefits presented by search engine visibility for public libraries. This paper outlines the preliminary results of a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and benefits presented by search engine visibility for public libraries. This paper outlines the preliminary results of a pilot study investigating search engine visibility in two Canadian public libraries, and discusses practical approaches to search engine visibility.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consists of semi-structured interviews with librarians from two multi-branch Canadian public library systems, combined with quantitative data provided by each library, as well as data obtained through site-specific searches in Google and Bing. Possible barriers to visibility are identified through thematic analysis of the interviews. Practical approaches are identified by the author based on a literature review.
Findings
The initial findings of this pilot study identify a complex combination of barriers to visibility on search engines, in the form of attitudes, policies, organizational structures and technological difficulties.
Research limitations/implications
This paper describes a small, preliminary pilot study. More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be reached.
Practical implications
A review of the literature shows the increasing importance of search engine visibility for public libraries. This paper outlines practical approaches which can be undertaken immediately by libraries, as well as delving into the underlying issues which may be affecting libraries’ progress on the issue.
Originality/value
There has been little original research investigating the reasons behind libraries’ lack of visibility in search engine results pages. This paper provides insight into a previously unexplored area by exploring public libraries’ relationships with search engines.
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