Gerrit Meyer, Bianca Brünig and Peter Nyhuis
The purpose of this paper is to present competences that are highly relevant for manufacturing today and tomorrow. Following a discussion on the concept of “competence”, a variety…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present competences that are highly relevant for manufacturing today and tomorrow. Following a discussion on the concept of “competence”, a variety of competences are presented and classified into the four facets professional, methodological, social, and self-competence.
Design/methodology/approach
Using an exploratory method, the paper aims at describing relevant manufacturing-related competences with the help of an online survey. Experts, mostly from the production management or HR departments of manufacturing companies in Germany, were polled and asked to evaluate the relevancy of a list of competences for manufacturing.
Findings
For the experts, flawless execution and quality awareness are competences with a very high relevance, whereas analytical abilities have very little meaning. The experts questioned expect openness to change to undergo the strongest increase in importance.
Practical implications
This paper shows competences particularly relevant for future production, so that companies can derive specific competence development measures. The findings are descriptive only, but should enable companies to identify specific competence gaps and to select measures to develop competences.
Originality/value
This paper attempts to bridge the gap between academics and practice by outlining relevant manufacturing competences that have been evaluated by managers. This is in contrast to most scientific research that classifies manufacturing-related competences as important based on own assessment.
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The Netherlands, Women Gives a historical perspective on theeconomic position of women and the participation of women in the labourmarket, starting with Mill and Taylor′s The…
Abstract
The Netherlands, Women Gives a historical perspective on the economic position of women and the participation of women in the labour market, starting with Mill and Taylor′s The Subjection of Women. Reviews the current position, particularly in The Netherlands. Briefly summarises other papers from a conference held at the University of Limburg in February 1991. Finally, represents eight possible avenues for future research: the impact of taxes other than income tax and of tax deductions on women′s participation in the labour market; the effect of temporary regulations which are never relaxed; whether or not services relevant to the working mother should be directly connected with employment; the effect of economic activities inside the household; entry barriers into politics; the dysfunctional effects of Dutch tax reforms on women′s labour participation; analysis of Dutch fiscal and social policy from an ordo point of view; and joint analysis of the tax and social security systems.
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At the turn of the 20th-century railroad regulation was hotly debated in the United States. Railways were accused of abusing of their monopolistic position, in particular by…
Abstract
At the turn of the 20th-century railroad regulation was hotly debated in the United States. Railways were accused of abusing of their monopolistic position, in particular by discriminating rates. Public opinion’s pressure for tighter regulation led to the 1906 enactment of the Hepburn Act, which strengthened the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission. American economists actively participated in the debate. While most of them sided with the pro-regulation camp, the best economic analysis came from those who used the logic of modern law and economics to demonstrate how most railroads’ practices, including rate discrimination, were simply rational, pro-efficiency behavior. However, as relatively unknown Chicago University economist Hugo R. Meyer would discover, proposing that logic in public events could at that time cost you your academic career.
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Gerrit Sarens and Joe Christopher
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the weaker focus on risk management and internal control within the Belgian corporate governance guidelines is associated with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the weaker focus on risk management and internal control within the Belgian corporate governance guidelines is associated with less developed risk management and internal control systems within Belgian companies, when compared to Australian companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical arguments were drawn from institutional theory. Data for the study were collected through a questionnaire that was sent out to chief audit executives in Australia and Belgium.
Findings
The paper finds that the weaker focus of the Belgian corporate governance guidelines on risk management and internal control is associated with less developed risk management and internal control systems in Belgian companies than in Australian companies.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the literature on corporate governance, as it suggests that the specific content of corporate governance guidelines is an important variable to take into account. This paper also confirms that institutional theory is a relevant framework to study on the one hand, corporate governance practices in a “comply or explain” context, and on the other hand, corporate governance practices within unlisted companies.
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In his work Dr Rugina mentions several times his affinity and indebtedness to the German economist, Walter Eucken (1891–1950). He does so most outspokenly in the following…
Abstract
In his work Dr Rugina mentions several times his affinity and indebtedness to the German economist, Walter Eucken (1891–1950). He does so most outspokenly in the following quotation:
Rómulo Pinheiro and Mitchell Young
This chapter provides an alternative conception of universities and the higher education systems in which they operate in an attempt to comprehend the ways in which such…
Abstract
This chapter provides an alternative conception of universities and the higher education systems in which they operate in an attempt to comprehend the ways in which such institutions and systems adapt and maintain themselves over time. Conceptually, it builds on complex systems theory, most notably critical insights from the study of complexity. We base our empirical analysis on developments across the European continent in the light of recent efforts to modernize university systems in the context of rising competition and pressures toward vertical and horizontal differentiation. We contrast two models of the university – strategic versus resilient – and critically reflect on the implications their differences have for the development of systems and universities and future research work in the area.
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Gerrit J.M. Treuren and Beni Halvorsen
Does client embeddedness lead to improved employee quality of life, such as job satisfaction, affective commitment and employee engagement? If so, is this relationship affected by…
Abstract
Purpose
Does client embeddedness lead to improved employee quality of life, such as job satisfaction, affective commitment and employee engagement? If so, is this relationship affected by gender, age, tenure and psychological contract breach (PCB)? The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Regression and ANOVA analysis of a two-wave sample (n=121) of employees working for an aged care provider.
Findings
Client embeddedness at Time 1 predicts employee quality of life at Time 2. However, in this sample, this relationship is unaffected by gender, age and length of service. High levels of PCB weakens the relationship between client embeddedness and job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The employee-client relationship directly improves quality of working life. However, it is unclear whether this finding is unique to this organisation, or whether client embeddedness can be cultivated over time or is a characteristic of an employee.
Practical implications
Organisations can substantially benefit from encouraging appropriate client-employee relationships. By adopting HR practices aimed at acquiring and cultivating client embeddedness through recruitment, performance management and training practices, organisations may increase employee quality of working life, and reduce employee turnover.
Originality/value
This paper substantially increases the understanding of client embeddedness by clarifying the direct effects of the client-employee relationship, and by identifying boundary conditions on the effect of client embeddedness. It also points to a distinct approach to recruiting and developing employees in client-facing industries.
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Joe Christopher, Gerrit Sarens and Philomena Leung
This study aims to critically analyse the independence of the internal audit function through its relationship with management and the audit committee.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to critically analyse the independence of the internal audit function through its relationship with management and the audit committee.
Design/methodology/approach
Results are based on a critical comparison of responses from questionnaires sent out to Australian chief audit executives (CAEs) versus existing literature and best practice guidelines.
Findings
With respect to the internal audit function's relationship with management, threats identified include: using the internal audit function as a stepping stone to other positions; having the chief executive officer (CEO) or chief finance officer (CFO) approve the internal audit function's budget and provide input for the internal audit plan; and considering the internal auditor to be a “partner”, especially when combined with other indirect threats. With respect to the relationship with the audit committee, significant threats identified include CAEs not reporting functionally to the audit committee; the audit committee not having sole responsibility for appointing, dismissing and evaluating the CAE; and not having all audit committee members or at least one member qualified in accounting.
Originality/value
This study introduces independence threat scores, thereby generating analysis of the internal audit function's independence taking into account a combination of threats.
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Jessica Asscher, Jo Hermanns and Maja Deković
The prevalence, correlates (child behaviour problems and negative parenting) and determinants (risk and protective factors) of parental need for support were examined in a…
Abstract
The prevalence, correlates (child behaviour problems and negative parenting) and determinants (risk and protective factors) of parental need for support were examined in a community sample of 177 mothers with a child aged 1.5‐3.5 years, in order to draw a profile of families that need parenting support. A substantial number of the mothers reported needing support (40% reported need for information, 10% reported family and social support needs). This need was related to child behaviour problems and to negative parenting. Maternal depression, difficult temperament of the child and negative life events, as well as total number of risk factors, significantly predicted the need for support. Satisfaction with support (but not number of support sources) acted as a protective factor.