From an international perspective, presents an interesting problem about discipline, as it discusses the appropriate discipline for a group of employees who confessed to stealing…
Abstract
From an international perspective, presents an interesting problem about discipline, as it discusses the appropriate discipline for a group of employees who confessed to stealing food ‐ cooking oil and a special mix of flour ‐ donated by the US Government for distribution to the poor of the Third World. The expatriate manager is wondering just how severe he should be, given the circumstances where the relatively poor employees felt it was acceptable for them to receive the free food. The young woman who distributed the food to the poor also distributed it surreptitiously to her fellow employees. A complicating factor is that she was noticeably pregnant at the time which entitled her to special protection under Colombian labour law from arbitrary dismissal.
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I recently had the pleasure of speaking at a library microcomputer conference and, although some of the academic types accused me of patronizing the audience—those who have heard…
Abstract
I recently had the pleasure of speaking at a library microcomputer conference and, although some of the academic types accused me of patronizing the audience—those who have heard me speak will counter that I always patronize the audience because they're the patrons, at least from my plebian perspective—'twas a good gathering. In many ways it turned on a light that I had been shining, only I had it hidden under a bushel.
Udara Willhelm Abeydeera Lebunu Hewage, Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige and Eric G. Too
This study explores the current status of risk management (RM) in Sri Lanka and the obstacles in implementing RM in Sri Lankan small construction projects.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the current status of risk management (RM) in Sri Lanka and the obstacles in implementing RM in Sri Lankan small construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The current research study adopted a quantitative research method. Using a purposeful sampling strategy, 100 construction companies engaged in small construction projects in Sri Lanka were selected and a questionnaire was distributed among top managerial employees of these companies. Employees belonging to 47 companies responded to the survey which provided information relating to 812 construction projects. The collected data were analyzed using the RM implementation index (RMII) and other quantitative measures such as mean, median and percentages.
Findings
The research findings indicated that RM incorporation was at a lower degree in small construction projects in Sri Lanka. The findings further indicated that RM incorporation was relatively high in the public construction projects compared to the private construction projects. The main obstacles identified through the survey for RM implementation were: “lack of funding”, “lack of time”, “low profit margin”, “not economical” and “lack of knowledge”.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to exploring RM implementation in small construction projects in Sri Lanka. The study was limited to the building construction companies under the 150-million-rupee (approx. below 450,000 USD) financial limit registered with the construction industry development authority in Sri Lanka.
Originality/value
RM in small construction projects in developing countries is a relatively less explored domain. Sri Lankan construction industry is another relatively less explored domain in terms of new management technique implementation such as RM and value management. The quantitative approach used for the study revealed that RM implementation is at a lower degree in the small construction projects. Moreover, several obstacles pertaining to RM implementation were recognized through this study. These findings will be useful for the construction stakeholders to overcome the recognized barriers and effectively use RM in their respective construction projects.
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Amy P. Lippa, Linda C. Lee, Meghan D. Lehr, Daniel D. Spikes, Leslie A. Coward, Bradley W. Davis, Mark A. Gooden and Dorothy R. Hall
As a team of eight scholars at the University of Texas, we collaborate to research issues that directly focus on the development, training, and experiences of anti-racist and…
Abstract
As a team of eight scholars at the University of Texas, we collaborate to research issues that directly focus on the development, training, and experiences of anti-racist and social justice leaders in urban secondary schools. Each of us considered a personal event, or series of events, that significantly influenced our thinking about social justice. We share experiences of personal and institutional racism, and reflect on how these experiences continue to shape our awareness of race. Our perspectives capture how issues of race and racial discrimination persist in a status quo educational system and how past experiences directly influence our work.
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The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to identify capabilities needed in the management of infrastructure assets.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to identify capabilities needed in the management of infrastructure assets.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilises a qualitative approach to analyse secondary data in order to develop a conceptual framework that identifies capabilities for strategic infrastructure asset management.
Findings
In an external business environment that is undergoing rapid change, it is more appropriate to focus on factors internal to the organisation such as resources and capabilities as a basis to develop competitive advantage. However, there is currently very little understanding of the internal capabilities that are appropriate for infrastructure asset management. Therefore, a conceptual framework is needful to guide infrastructure organisations in the identification of capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
This is a conceptual paper and future empirical research should be conducted to validate the propositions made in the paper.
Practical implications
The paper clearly argues the need for infrastructure organisations to adopt a systematic approach to identifying the capabilities needed in the management of strategic infrastructure assets. The discussion on the impact of essential capabilities is useful in providing the impetus for managers who operate in a deregulated infrastructure business landscape to review their existing strategies.
Originality/value
The paper provides a new perspective on how asset managers can create value for their organisations by investing in the relevant capabilities.
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Ayomi Dita Rarasati, Bambang Trigunarsyah and Eric Too
This chapter discusses the opportunity of Islamic project financing implementation for public infrastructure development in Indonesia.
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter discusses the opportunity of Islamic project financing implementation for public infrastructure development in Indonesia.
Design/Methodology/Approach
This chapter, firstly, reviewed existing literature on Islamic finance to explore the applicability of Islamic financing in infrastructure development. Interviews were conducted as the first stage of Delphi method approach. This was then followed by reviewing Indonesia’s government policies and regulations in infrastructure industry and Islamic financing.
Findings
This chapter enlightens the implementation of Islamic financing on infrastructure project financing in Indonesia. The findings indicate that the government policies and regulations on both infrastructure investment and Islamic financing support the implementation of Islamic project financing, whereas, an improvement is still needed in order to overarch infrastructure business and Islamic financing investment.
Research
Financing framework development for Indonesia infrastructure projects.
Limitations/Implications
The result reported comprises the preliminary study of Islamic project paper written based on published research papers and interviews. Furthermore, the data collected for the study are limited to the case of Indonesian infrastructure projects.
Practical Implication
Islamic financing in Indonesia infrastructure projects development has not been optimally implemented. Therefore, this chapter serves as a catalyst to explore alternative financial scheme such as Islamic financing for infrastructure development.
Originality/Value
This chapter highlights possibilities and obstacles in applying Islamic scheme to infrastructure project financing. This provides a framework to analyse the steps to implement Islamic financing successfully in infrastructure development.
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Linda Too, Michael Harvey and Eric Too
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of globalisation on corporate real estate strategies. Specifically, it seeks to identify corporate real estate capabilities that…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of globalisation on corporate real estate strategies. Specifically, it seeks to identify corporate real estate capabilities that are important in a hypercompetitive business climate.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilises a qualitative approach to analyse secondary data in order to identify the corporate real estate capabilities for a hypercompetitive business environment.
Findings
Globalisation today is an undeniable phenomenon that is fundamentally changing the way business is conducted. In the light of global hypercompetition, corporate real estate needs to develop new capabilities to support global business strategies. These include flexibility, network organization and managerial learning capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
This is a conceptual paper and future empirical research needs to be conducted to verify the propositions made in this paper.
Practical implications
Given the new level of uncertainty in the business climate, that is, hypercompetition, businesses need to develop dynamic capabilities that are harder for competitors to imitate in order to maintain what is considered a “momentary” competitive advantage. The findings of this paper are useful to guide corporate real estate managers in this regard.
Originality/value
This paper is original in two ways. First, it applies the strategic management concept of capabilities to corporate real estate. Second, it links the key challenge that businesses face today, i.e. globalisation, to the concept of capabilities as a means to maintain competitive advantage.
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Maintenance management is a core process in infrastructure asset management. Infrastructure organisations must constantly strive to ensure the effectiveness of this process in…
Abstract
Purpose
Maintenance management is a core process in infrastructure asset management. Infrastructure organisations must constantly strive to ensure the effectiveness of this process in order to obtain the greatest lifetime value from their infrastructure assets. This paper aims to investigate how infrastructure organisations can enhance the effectiveness of their maintenance management process.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilised multiple case studies as the research approach. The case organisations were asked to identify the challenges faced in the maintenance process and the approaches they have adopted to overcome these challenges. Analysis of these findings, together with deductive reasoning, leads to the development of the proposed capability needed for effective maintenance management process.
Findings
The case studies reveal that maintenance management is a core process in ensuring that infrastructure assets are optimally and functionally available to support business operations. However, the main challenge is the lack of skilled and experienced personnel to understand and anticipate maintenance requirement. A second challenge is the reduced window of time available to carry out inspection and maintenance works. To overcome these challenges, the case organisations have invested in technologies. However, technologies available to facilitate this process are complex and constantly changing. Consequently, there is a need for infrastructure organisations to develop their technology absorptive capability, i.e. the ability to embrace and capitalise on new technologies to enhance their maintenance management process.
Originality/value
The paper provides an in‐depth analysis of three case studies that reveal that an infrastructure organisation cannot avoid the need to introduce technologies to monitor the condition of its assets and to predict when assets will fail. It suggests that organisations must be proactive in searching for the best technologies for their purpose.
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The purpose of this study is to develop a governance typology which identifies governance issues and outcomes. Multi-owned properties (MOPs) are a unique property type due to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a governance typology which identifies governance issues and outcomes. Multi-owned properties (MOPs) are a unique property type due to the incorporation of a private governance association. Although there are jurisdictional differences, these associations are generally responsible for the management, maintenance and control of the commonly owned property; determining the contributions payable by each lot owner to the operation of the association; enforcing the rules of the association; and ensuring that records meet legislative requirements. Legislation for MOP schemes was enacted in different jurisdictions to guide the governance and management of these matters. However, challenges relating to the governance of MOPs have continued to be a problem as identified in the literature and practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The study first reviewed the legislation in three Australian states to identify specific governance categories and the legislative requirements related to those categories. To gain group opinion about the specific governance issues and outcomes, the Delphi method was utilised whereby industry experts participated in a two-round survey questionnaire.
Findings
A typology was developed as a result of consensus found between participants. The findings identified key governance issues and outcomes for MOPs.
Practical implications
The governance typology forms the basis for the development of a more comprehensive audit tool for the assessment of governance quality in individual schemes.
Originality/value
This paper is the first of its kind to collate issues impacting upon effective owners’ corporation governance and the potential outcomes associated with poor governance practices in MOPs.
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Over the past few months we have expressed some quite strong views on a number of matters of interest to the British aircraft industry and it seems that we are not alone in our…
Abstract
Over the past few months we have expressed some quite strong views on a number of matters of interest to the British aircraft industry and it seems that we are not alone in our concern.