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Presents an argument for the use of group decision support systems (GDSS) in the promotion of organizational learning. The combination of reflection, analysis, and openness that such systems encourage is postulated to encourage the learning process. Discusses problems associated with power, information loss, and cultural knowledge. Sets out a view of organizational learning which emphasizes that learning can occur at the organizational level through processes.

The aim of the paper is threefold: to provide an overview of gearing in the Australian real estate investment market; formally examine the relationship between property returns, risk and gearing; and provide some guidance in evaluating “optimal” gearing levels for real estate investment.

A mathematical modelling framework is presented for evaluating the relationship between investment returns, risk and gearing levels.

The study highlights that risk rises with rising gearing levels and that risk‐adjusted returns fall with rising gearing. Furthermore, it is shown that the gearing‐risk relationship is influenced not only by the cost of debt structure but also the interdependency between ungeared returns and interest rates.

The study suggests that current gearing levels from Australian listed property trusts and unlisted wholesale property funds are relatively conservative. This implies that current gearing could be increased, in particular for wholesale funds, without taking on substantially more risk whilst enhancing returns.

The paper is of value to industry and academia as it offers an extended framework for evaluating the relationship between risk and gearing. In particular, the framework provides insight for gauging gearing levels when constructing real estate investment strategies.

Importantly, the paper shows that the interdependency between ungeared returns and interest rates significantly impacts the relationship between risk and gearing.

The following classified, annotated list of titles is intended to provide reference librarians with a current checklist of new reference books, and is designed to supplement the RSR review column, “Recent Reference Books,” by Frances Neel Cheney. “Reference Books in Print” includes all additional books received prior to the inclusion deadline established for this issue. Appearance in this column does not preclude a later review in RSR. Publishers are urged to send a copy of all new reference books directly to RSR as soon as published, for immediate listing in “Reference Books in Print.” Reference books with imprints older than two years will not be included (with the exception of current reprints or older books newly acquired for distribution by another publisher). The column shall also occasionally include library science or other library related publications of other than a reference character.

Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.

The Australian REIT (A‐REIT) market has undergone significant change over the past ten years with a shift from passive investment strategies to more active investment strategies in an attempt to deliver higher return performance. However, this has dramatically changed the risk characteristics of A‐REITs. Essentially, the sector has become more risky. Factors contributing to the increasing risk profile include: rising gearing levels; greater offshore exposure; evolving management structure towards stapled trusts, and growing market concentration. This paper aims to address these issues.

In an attempt to gauge the impact of the changing risk characteristics over time the paper employs two formal risk measures: time‐varying beta and news impact curves. Both measures indicate that the sector has become more risky. Indeed, it could be argued that the pronounced fall in A‐REIT prices during late 2007 reflects a re‐rating of risk on the upside. The post credit crisis financial climate warrants a review of investment strategies; in particular, growth style investments that may be carrying a high level of embedded risk and opaque income streams.

Current market sentiment suggests that investors have become more risk averse, and as such, will refocus on A‐REITs that cater for defensive style investments. Such vehicles will have low to moderate gearing levels, hold quality property assets in their portfolio, limited off‐shore exposure, and employ sound management practices.

The heightened risk‐averse environment presents opportunities for new investment products that provide partial exposure to direct property investment as a way to mitigate excessive equity market volatility.

Professional touching behavior (PTB), defined as intentional touching behavior that occurs between organizational members and that falls within the boundaries of appropriateness and professionalism in the workplace, is prevalent in organizations. Scholars from multiple disciplines, including human resources researchers, have acknowledged the importance of physical contact for facilitating interpersonal communication and relationship-building. However, PTB may not only elicit positive reactions from those who receive it but also negative reactions as well, with implications for social dynamics in organizations. PTB can, on the one hand, fulfill employees’ desires for interpersonal connection; at the same time, such physical contact at work can represent a threat to employees’ health. To explain the nature and implications of these divergent effects of receiving PTB, the authors draw upon sociometer theory and behavioral immune system (BIS) theory to model the emotional, cognitive, and physiological processes via which, and the conditions under which, receiving such behavior will result in socially functional responses and prompt subsequent prosocial behavior, and when PTB will be perceived as a health risk and prompt withdrawal behavior. The theoretical framework of this chapter expands our conceptual understanding of the consequences of interpersonal physical contact at work and has important human resources management (HRM) implications for organizational managers.

The following is an introductory profile of the fastest growing firms over the three-year period of the study listed by corporate reputation ranking order. The business activities in which the firms are engaged are outlined to provide background information for the reader.

This paper aims to define and describe test methods and metrics to assess industrial robot system agility in both simulation and in reality.

The paper describes test methods and associated quantitative and qualitative metrics for assessing robot system efficiency and effectiveness, which can then be used for the assessment of system agility.

The paper describes how the test methods were implemented in a simulation environment and real-world environment. It also shows how the metrics are measured and assessed as they would be in a future competition.

The test methods described in this paper will push forward the state of the art in software agility for manufacturing robots, allowing small and medium manufacturers to better utilize robotic systems.

The paper fulfills the identified need for standard test methods to measure and allow for improvement in software agility for manufacturing robots.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the neutrality of a management control approach and verify if it incorporates North‐American values.

The paper applies a discourse analysis methodology to make evident the North‐American values involved in legitimating the rationality embedded in the practices of a management control approach.

The approach imposes North‐American values as the best choice, pretending to be neutral and context‐independent.

The paper calls attention to the need to contextualise imported management knowledge supposed to be technical, neutral and universal.

The paper contributes to the process of revealing the reproduction of Anglo‐Saxon ideologies in organisational knowledge transferred to Latin America.

Using a semi-autoethnographic layered account format, we present the voices of 16 Native American adults as they talk about their lives and Native American Caricature Iconography (NACI). First, we explore their impressions and lived experiences with “racial formation projects” such as tribal identification cards, blood quantum calculations, genocide, child removal, boarding schools, and reservations, to contextualize why some Native Americans interpret NACI as much more than “an honor,” “tradition,” or “just good fun.” Next, we explore the Native Americans' perceptions of sports mascots, cartoons, and sculpture, after exposing them to a series of eight images of NACI. We conclude that NACIs are racial formation projects as well. By unmindfully producing and consuming NACI, we fail to interrupt and reform the racial formation projects that continue to define us all.