Posits that since the New Deal era, 1933‐1940, the theory of managerial revolution has sparked tremendous debate concerning the governance of the USA’s large corporations. Argues…
Abstract
Posits that since the New Deal era, 1933‐1940, the theory of managerial revolution has sparked tremendous debate concerning the governance of the USA’s large corporations. Argues that an interpretation of The Modern Corporation and Private Property, within the context of other works by Adolf Berle and Gardiner Means, could raise profound insights in terms of a paradigm shift concerning the governance of big corporations in contemporary economy.
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G.S. Gardiner and M.J. Gregory
Outlines a new approach to new product introduction (NPI) process redesign based on a comprehensive audit of existing NPI systems. Part of the audit is based on good practices…
Abstract
Outlines a new approach to new product introduction (NPI) process redesign based on a comprehensive audit of existing NPI systems. Part of the audit is based on good practices identified from the literature, which have been compiled into a simple database. Concentrates on this aspect of the audit. The wide range of good practices allows users to select from a range of options that might be appropriate to their needs. Describes the development of the audit into a continuous NPI assessment tool, and is also based on the good practices, forming a survey activity that must be carried out by team members at certain project phase reviews to provide continual feedback about the effects of process changes.
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This article reviews research findings related to the “art” of constructing survey questionnaires. It discusses some of the important issues that should be considered in gathering…
Abstract
This article reviews research findings related to the “art” of constructing survey questionnaires. It discusses some of the important issues that should be considered in gathering quality data via questionnaires, provides general suggestions for their construction, includes a comprehensive list of important reference sources, and examines some of the survey‐based studies published in Integrated Manufacturing Systems. Constructing a good questionnaire requires a thorough grasp of the intricacies of the topical area and detailed knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the different survey administration modes. In addition, questionnaire construction entails close attention to details about the wording of questions, their instructions, their response choices, and their sequence. Most importantly, the research instrument should be refined based on guidance from repeated pretests. Well‐constructed questionnaires can ensure the consistent meaning of the questions across respondents and can contribute to data quality by decreasing both item and unit nonresponse.
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Anthony Alexander, Helen Walker and Mohamed Naim
– This study aims to aid theory building, the use of decision theory (DT) concepts in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) research is examined.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to aid theory building, the use of decision theory (DT) concepts in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) research is examined.
Design/methodology/approach
An abductive approach considers two DT concepts, Snowden’s Cynefin framework for sense-making and Keeney’s value-focussed decision analysis, in a systematic literature review of 160 peer-reviewed papers in English.
Findings
Around 60 per cent of the papers on decision-making in SSCM come from operational research (OR), which makes explicit use of DT. These are almost all normative and rationalist and focussed on structured decision contexts. Some exceptions seek to address unstructured decision contexts via Complex Adaptive Systems or Soft Systems Methodology. Meanwhile, a second set, around 16 per cent, comes from business ethics and are empirical, behavioural decision research. Although this set does not explicitly refer to DT, the empirical evidence here supports Keeney’s value-focussed analysis.
Research limitations/implications
There is potential for theory building in SSCM using DT, but the research only addresses SSCM research (including corporate responsibility and ethics) and not DT in SCM or wider sustainable development research.
Practical implications
Use of particular decision analysis methods for SSCM may be improved by better understanding different decision contexts.
Social implications
The research shows potential synthesis with ethical DT absent from DT and SCM research.
Originality/value
Empirical behavioural decision analysis for SSCM is considered alongside normative, rational analysis for the first time. Value-focussed DT appears useful for unstructured decision contexts found in SSCM.
Originality/value
Empirical, behavioural decision analysis for SSCM is considered alongside normative rational analysis for the first time. Value-focussed DT appears useful for unstructured decision contexts found in SSCM.
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Kristina Elizabeth Dunkley and Sharareh Hekmat
The purpose of this paper is to assess the growth and viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (L. rhamnosus GR-1) in carrot juice (CJ), carrot apple juice (CAJ), carrot orange…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the growth and viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (L. rhamnosus GR-1) in carrot juice (CJ), carrot apple juice (CAJ), carrot orange juice (COJ) and carrot beet juice (CBJ) over 72 h of fermentation and 30 days of refrigerated storage at 4°C. The secondary objective is to evaluate sensory properties.
Design/methodology/approach
Four vegetable juice samples were inoculated with the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus GR-1 and fermented for 72 h. To observe the samples’ storage ability, the samples were refrigerated for 30 days. Microbial enumeration was conducted throughout the fermentation and storage periods to determine the viability of L. rhamnosus GR-1. Sensory evaluation with 106 participants was also conducted to assess the consumer acceptability of the vegetable juices.
Findings
All tested samples achieved mean microbial counts of at least 109 CFU/ml. During the 72-h fermentation period significant differences in microbial counts in juices CJ (p = 0.001), CAJ (p = 0.031), COJ (p = 0.047) and CBJ (p = 0.001) were observed. Over the 30-day storage period, significant differences in microbial counts were only found in juices CJ (p = 0.001) and COJ (p = 0.019). A significant decline in pH (p = 0.001) was also observed during 72 h of fermentation and 30-days of cold storage. Sensory evaluation of all juices showed significant differences in sensory attributes such as appearance (p = 0.001), flavour (p = 0.001), texture (p = 0.001) and overall acceptability (p = 0.001). Sensory results showed that the probiotic CBJ and CJ had the highest hedonic scores for flavour, texture and overall acceptability (p = 0.001) among participants. This study demonstrated that non-dairy vegetable juices could be an alternative to dairy-based probiotic products.
Originality/value
Commercially available probiotic dairy-based foods make up a large sector of the consumer market. However, the growing consumer interest in healthful eating has led to an increased demand for plant-based products. The probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 provides numerous therapeutic benefits, such as reducing the recurrence of bacterial vaginosis, yeast and urinary tract infections. The results of this study may have a significant influence on the health of individuals, especially in less economically developed countries.
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Seth Jonsson and Claes Gunnarsson
The purpose of the paper is to explore how the internet introduces opportunities for customer value and effectiveness when developing integrative logistics operations between…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to explore how the internet introduces opportunities for customer value and effectiveness when developing integrative logistics operations between alliance partners in a supply chain link.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on the expressed interest from the researched companies how to take advantage of the internet in building competitive business processes in the supply chain. The quest for external customer‐value creation becomes a critical managerial task in strengthening the strategic position of the supply chain. The study seeks to integrate the use of theories of marketing, strategic sourcing, core competencies, and transaction costs, in a supply chain perspective.
Findings
Applying the internet with solely a focus on cost reduction could lead to high supply chain effectiveness without realizing potential customer value‐perception opportunities. Also, assuring strategic consistency when leaning on cooperation is a critical supply management subject. Finally, the internet is a driving force in managing alliances.
Research limitations/implications
The framework of the value‐delivery system and the concept of value shortfalls, as theoretical understanding and managerial implications, deserve to be taken into certain consideration in future studies of supply chain performance.
Practical implications
The managerial implications point out three potential routes in the internet use: as a strategic collaborative posture to compete with superior external customer‐value delivery; in increasing supply chain efficiency and gradually shifting attention toward customer‐perceived value; in extracting economic value through continual refinements of current logistics operations.
Originality/value
A systemic value‐delivery view where the value‐exchange process is illustrated with delivery performance, actual achievement, and value shortfall.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between teachers' organizational commitment perceptions and both their psychological hardiness and some demographic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between teachers' organizational commitment perceptions and both their psychological hardiness and some demographic variables in a sample of Turkish primary schools.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 405 randomly selected teachers working at primary schools in Ankara participated in the study. Personal Views Survey III‐R and the Organizational Commitment Scale were used to gather data.
Findings
This paper supports the argument that psychological hardiness is a meaningful construct predicting the perceptions of primary school teachers on organizational commitment. Results reveal that psychological hardiness is positively and significantly related to both identification and internalization components of teacher commitment, whereas it is negatively and significantly correlated to the commitment predicated on compliance. Teacher compliance commitment is negatively associated with both identification and internalization. Although gender and years of experience are significant predictors of identification and internalization, the variables of subject specialization and age did not significantly predict all three subscales of teacher commitment.
Originality/value
This paper represents a different approach to organizational commitment by examining teacher commitment under three components – compliance, identification, and internalization. This paper also explores the relationships between organizational commitment and teacher psychological hardiness which is a personality style reducing the negative effects of stress. Results from this study are discussed in relation to practical implications in school settings.
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THE first number of Aircraft Engineering appeared in March 1929 and we are taking the opportunity offered by the occurrence of the Paris Aero Salon—at which for the first time we…
Abstract
THE first number of Aircraft Engineering appeared in March 1929 and we are taking the opportunity offered by the occurrence of the Paris Aero Salon—at which for the first time we are represented on a stand of our own—to make this our anniversary issue.
PAULA F. SILVER and ROBERT HESS
This paper reports the findings of an exploratory, small sample, one institution study designed to assess the value of process‐oriented theory coursework in enhancing students’…
Abstract
This paper reports the findings of an exploratory, small sample, one institution study designed to assess the value of process‐oriented theory coursework in enhancing students’ conceptual complexity. The study is based on conceptual systems theory which acknowledges that there are considerable differences among individuals in their abilities to process information in their social environments. The authors conclude tentatively from the study that process‐oriented theory coursework does affect students' conceptual complexity. For example, those who formally studied organization theory generally make more differentiations among constructs than do other students; similarly, they scored higher on a general measure of integrative complexity.
Prince Addai, John Avor, Isaac Nti Ofori and Daniel Ntiamoah Tweneboah
Ethical leadership wields a significant influence on productive work attitudes of employees. The relationship may partly be because of existing conditions in the organization…
Abstract
Purpose
Ethical leadership wields a significant influence on productive work attitudes of employees. The relationship may partly be because of existing conditions in the organization. However, there is dearth of research on the impact that conditions in the organization affect work attitudes and other employee behaviours. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine organizational climate as an explanatory mechanism for the relationship between ethical leadership and employees’ productive work attitudes (employee commitment, organizational citizenship behaviour).
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers obtained responses from 150 employees working in micro financial institutions in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The cross-sectional survey design was used. The hypotheses of the study were analysed using regression analyses.
Findings
Findings indicated a positive and significant relationship between ethical leadership and productive work attitudes (employee commitment, organizational citizenship behaviour). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that organizational climate moderated the relationships between both ethical leadership – employee commitment and ethical leadership – organizational citizenship behaviours. Explicitly, ethical leadership produced the highest productive work attitudes when organizational climate was favourable for productive work attitudes.
Originality/value
Generally, this study highlights the prominence of organizational climate in understanding the influence of ethical leadership on employees’ work attitudes.