The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge is constructed and risk is induced within the workgroup environment of a large North American aerospace company.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge is constructed and risk is induced within the workgroup environment of a large North American aerospace company.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on an epistemological position on knowledge and risk, an initial conceptual framework is proposed. This is then evaluated and re‐constructed across a qualitative and ethnographic case study approach involving direct observations and interviews, whereby empirical results were interpreted and analysed across discourse analysis.
Findings
A dialogical model is proposed describing both verbal and non‐verbal interactions between group members leading towards knowledge complexification on the one hand and risk mitigation on the other hand. Factors leading towards dialogical breakdown and subsequent risk induction are also presented.
Research limitations/implications
This single case study prevents generalizing the findings across the entire firm in question, and by extension any manner of external validity outside of the firm's context. Additional workgroups/teams within the firm need to be evaluated, while similar studies in other institutions within the knowledge economy are to be envisaged.
Practical implications
Workgroup managers must nurture an environment conducive towards mutual trust and respect, where individuals are given the time and freedom to express themselves, all the while being open to differing viewpoints and experiences. Coercive dialogue between members should be discouraged. It is proposed that this can be achieved across a parental “safety net” approach.
Originality/value
The paper presents the “how” and “why” of an effective dialogical knowledge constructing process occurring at the interpersonal level, attempts to propose how management can to help achieve this within their organisation, and attempts to bridge the areas of knowledge creation and risk induction at the interpersonal/workgroup level.
Details
Keywords
In 1958 the Daily Express began publication of a comic strip adaptation of Casino Royale authorised by Ian Fleming, predating the original film version by four years. For the next…
Abstract
In 1958 the Daily Express began publication of a comic strip adaptation of Casino Royale authorised by Ian Fleming, predating the original film version by four years. For the next 10 years adaptations of the novels and short stories appeared in the newspaper with Bond’s appearance fashioned firstly by John McLusky and then Yaroslav Horak. When the supply of Fleming’s stories was exhausted, new adventures were penned by Jim Lawrence with artwork by Horak, McLusky or Harry North. From 1977 publication switched to the Sunday Express and then the Daily Star. Eventually, the strips were reprinted for a whole new audience by Titan Books.
Subsequently, Bond appeared in a number of other comic book adaptations and reworkings, including key adaptations by the independent publishers Dark Horse and Dynamite, offering contemporary re-imaginings of this iconic, but always controversial, male icon. Taken together they provide a run of Bond adventures over more than 50 years. As such, they contain an alternative Bond universe, where his embodiment of male heroism mimics and varies Fleming’s original and the images constructed in the film franchise. This chapter will consider these mirror images and their responses to changing societal pressures as Bond adapts to new definitions of what constitutes the male hero.
Details
Keywords
Richard A. Gilbert, Ian Lloyd Levin and Sarah Downie
To describe how the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “Pension Act”) will affect the investment of plan assets subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe how the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “Pension Act”) will affect the investment of plan assets subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Design/methodology/approach
Describes the redefinition of “plan assets” under the Pension Act and explains new statutory prohibited transaction exemptions in areas that include transactions between plans and service providers, cross‐trading, foreign exchange transactions, block trades, the use of electronic communications networks (ECNs), correction to reverse prohibited transactions, bonding, and investment advice.
Findings
The status of existing investors as benefit plan investors under the Pension Act should be reviewed to determine whether formerly precluded investors may now be permitted. ERISA‐related purchase, sale, and transfer restrictions currently in use will need to be reviewed and likely significantly revised to reflect the decreased breadth of “party in interest” prohibitions. Investment advisers will need to review whether they want to begin providing investment advisory services to plan participants and, if so, begin developing procedural safeguards to comply with the requirements of the Pension Act.
Originality/value
A useful summary of forthcoming pension legislation as it affects US pension and IRA investments, particularly in its redefinition of the circumstances under which an entity's assets are treated as “plan assets” for ERISA purposes and its new statutory exemptions from the prohibited transaction requirements of ERISA.
Details
Keywords
To describe and analyse the adoption of economic value added (EVA) income as a benchmark for setting pricing and other policies of a monopolistic state‐owned enterprise in the…
Abstract
Purpose
To describe and analyse the adoption of economic value added (EVA) income as a benchmark for setting pricing and other policies of a monopolistic state‐owned enterprise in the absence of normal benchmarking mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
By earning zero economic value added profits the enterprise earns its cost of capital and escapes claims of monopolistic pricing and possible regulation. To test the success of this policy the financial series of the enterprise are developed from the date of incorporation in 1989 along with the economic value added series. The normal accounting profits are compared with the value added results. The value added results are used as a proxy for the pricing and other operational decisions of the firm that are not directly observable. The validity of the economic value added approach to provide a suitable benchmark is examined.
Findings
Provides evidence that the enterprise was successful in avoiding charges of monopolistic pricing and subsequent regulation by linking pricing and other policies to its economic results. This was in a period when similar enterprises were regulate or threatened with regulation. The economic environment in the later years of the study have changed the goals of the enterprise.
Research limitations/implications
This is a case study, so the success of this New Zealand based enterprise in benchmarking its policies to economic value added cannot be generalised to other companies and environments.
Practical implications
Provides a useful way to benchmark profits where a monopoly position may attract regulation. It also provides a system of benchmarking if other industry information is not available.
Originality/value
This paper identifies a unique position where the objective was to minimise economic income, rather than the usual goal of income maximisation.
Details
Keywords
THE GOVERNMENT IS planning to issue a ‘little red book’ to the trade union stalwarts who man the picket lines in Britain's often bitter industrial disputes, telling them what they…
Abstract
THE GOVERNMENT IS planning to issue a ‘little red book’ to the trade union stalwarts who man the picket lines in Britain's often bitter industrial disputes, telling them what they can and cannot do without breaking the law.
Abstract
Details
Keywords
“Streets broad and narrow”. In terms of shops and retail trade, it was always the narrow streets of town centres which attracted the trade, although the shops were small cramped…
Abstract
“Streets broad and narrow”. In terms of shops and retail trade, it was always the narrow streets of town centres which attracted the trade, although the shops were small cramped for space, but always a cosy, friendly air. Few ever became vacant and although interspersing chain shops seemed to break the rhythm, most were privately owned, run through the years by generations of the same family. The shops removed the proverbial meanness of narrow streets; the lights, the shopping crowds, especially on Saturday nights; shop frontmen bawling their prices, the new boys calling the late editions—all this made shopping an attractive outing; it still does. There were the practical advantages of being able to cross and re‐cross the street, with many shops on both sides within the field of vision. The broad highway had none of these things and it was extremely rare for shops to exist both sides of the street, and still less to flourish. It is much the same to this day. Hygiene purists would find much to fault, but it was what the public wanted and curiously, there was very little food poisoning; it would be untrue to say outbreaks never occurred but they were extremely rare.
J.B. Poole and John Van Dongen
The experimental, on‐line, macro‐economic data service (MEDHOC) run jointly in 1973 by the House of Commons Library and ICL is described. The background to the project, system…
Abstract
The experimental, on‐line, macro‐economic data service (MEDHOC) run jointly in 1973 by the House of Commons Library and ICL is described. The background to the project, system design, development and operation, and reactions of users are set out. Some conclusions are drawn on the future role of such a service in a parliamentary context.
In preparing this report, the compliance sub‐group has set out to (a) summarise the current compliance regime as a matter of law and practice, (b) identify particular problem…
Abstract
In preparing this report, the compliance sub‐group has set out to (a) summarise the current compliance regime as a matter of law and practice, (b) identify particular problem areas within that regime concerning public sector officials (PSOs), and (c) suggest recommendations for change. The result may be seen as providing features of a ‘model’ compliance structure designed to cause difficulties for corrupt PSOs seeking to launder the proceeds of their corruption; UK law and practice has formed the springboard for the model, but it should be stressed that in order to be of any utility any suggested changes would have to be adopted (effectively) universally throughout the financial world. Piecemeal adoption by one or a few states would merely be likely to drive the tainted monies elsewhere, and would not serve the desired purpose of reducing the extent/profitability of corruption.