Edward T. Chen, P. Pete Chong and Jason C.H. Chen
Focuses on time reduction in meetings through the use of group decision support systems (GDSS). Reports on some criticisms of GDSS, in that it increases time taken to reach a…
Abstract
Focuses on time reduction in meetings through the use of group decision support systems (GDSS). Reports on some criticisms of GDSS, in that it increases time taken to reach a decision, and addresses this issue. Refers to Grosch’s Law, the Satisficing Model, and the 80/20 rule (or Pareto Principle). Applies the 80/20 rule to the number of papers published by a number of authors. Plots a chart of the figures and finds that 77 per cent of papers are written by 23 per cent of authors. Links back these findings to GDSS and suggests that by controlling openness, some control can be exercised over the length of time it takes to reach a decision. Indicates that the use of electronic meeting systems will increase and, consequently, further research should be carried out in reducing uproductive meeting time.
Details
Keywords
Kuang‐Hsun Shih, Hsueh‐Ju Chen and Jason C.H. Chen
To examine whether there are differences with respect to internal auditors' attitude toward environmental protection, cognizance of environmental auditing and environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
To examine whether there are differences with respect to internal auditors' attitude toward environmental protection, cognizance of environmental auditing and environmental knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey based research method is used and a Mann‐Whitney U‐test as well as a T‐test is applied on this data.
Findings
There is no difference between internal auditors in the manufacturing industry and those in the service industry with respect to environmental awareness and cognizance of environmental auditing. Yet there is a significant difference with respect to knowledge of environmental protection.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to that of internal auditors' perspectives.
Practical implications
Internal auditors are the “watch dogs” for firms to implement environmental management so that strengthening their environmental knowledge is required.
Originality/value
This study reveals internal auditors' perception toward environmental management in both high‐ and low‐pollution industries that go beyond green auditing issues.
Details
Keywords
Sachiko Ogawara, Jason C.H. Chen and Quan Zhang
The launch of a wave of Internet grocery retailers over the last six years presents a serious challenge to the traditional supermarket business model. The Internet grocery…
Abstract
The launch of a wave of Internet grocery retailers over the last six years presents a serious challenge to the traditional supermarket business model. The Internet grocery landscape changed radically in July 2001 when the top Internet grocer, Webvan, filed for bankruptcy. With the bankruptcy of Webvan, almost all the major stand‐alone online grocers in the USA have disappeared. Indeed, traditional supermarkets such as Albertsons and Safeway have recently been expanding into the online arena. In Japan, major traditional supermarkets have been seriously working on establishing online services in the metropolitan area with a “brick‐and‐click” model. Examines strategic reasons for today’s Japanese supermarkets to try establishing online grocery businesses. Also addresses critical success factors and current limitations based on socioeconomic conditions, Japanese culture, and expected future trends.
Details
Keywords
Ruey‐Kei Chiu and Jason C.H. Chen
The paper aims to propose a model that attempts to build an innovative common gateway compliant with RosettaNet Standards for the secure message exchange between electronic…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose a model that attempts to build an innovative common gateway compliant with RosettaNet Standards for the secure message exchange between electronic businesses in this age of internet economy.
Design/methodology/approach
The use of RosettaNet Standards is to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency of message exchange, and consequently gain mutual benefits by means of agile response for cross‐organizational co‐operation. This common message gateway is built and implemented as an organization's front‐end interface, but is seamlessly integrated with business's back‐end information systems for the message exchange with the business partners of the organization. The proposed common gateway service model provides organizations with low cost, high efficiency, high security of message exchange and transmission over the internet. A prototyping system is also built and tested in a local network devices manufacturing company with its suppliers to examine its feasibility and efficiency.
Findings
The result shows that the service model can help the company to achieve a new level of efficiency and effectiveness of streamlining data flow and creating a seamless link with its business partners in this era of internet economy.
Originality/value
The paper presents a common gateway service system for secure data exchange and transmission over the internet between business partners to build a value‐added supply network.
Details
Keywords
Noel Scott, Brent Moyle, Ana Cláudia Campos, Liubov Skavronskaya and Biqiang Liu
Katherine K. Chen and Victor Tan Chen
This volume explores an expansive array of organizational imaginaries, or understandings of organizational possibilities, with a focus on how collectivist-democratic organizations…
Abstract
This volume explores an expansive array of organizational imaginaries, or understandings of organizational possibilities, with a focus on how collectivist-democratic organizations offer alternatives to conventional for-profit managerial enterprises. These include worker and consumer cooperatives and other enterprises that, to varying degrees, (1) emphasize social values over profit; (2) are owned not by shareholders but by workers, consumers, or other stakeholders; (3) employ democratic forms of managing their operations; and (4) have social ties to the organization based on moral and emotional commitments. The contributors to this volume examine how these enterprises generate solidarity among members, network with other organizations and communities, contend with market pressures, and enhance their larger organizational ecosystems. In this introductory paper, the authors put forward an inclusive organizational typology whose continuums account for four key sources of variation – values, ownership, management, and social relations – and argue that enterprises fall between these two poles of the collectivist-democratic organization and the for-profit managerial enterprise. Drawing from this volume’s empirical studies, the authors situate these market actors within fields of competition and contestation shaped not just by state action and legal frameworks, but also by the presence or absence of social movements, labor unions, and meta-organizations. This typology challenges conventional conceptualizations of for-profit managerial enterprises as ideals or norms, reconnects past models of organizing among marginalized communities with contemporary and future possibilities, and offers activists and entrepreneurs a sense of the wide range of possibilities for building enterprises that differ from dominant models.
Details
Keywords
Minghao Zhu, Shucheng Miao, Hugo K.S. Lam, Chen Liang and Andy C.L. Yeung
This study aims to investigate the impact of geopolitical risk (GPR) on supply chain concentration (SCC) and the roles of operational capabilities and resources in this…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of geopolitical risk (GPR) on supply chain concentration (SCC) and the roles of operational capabilities and resources in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Secondary longitudinal data from multiple sources is collected and combined to test for a direct impact of GPR on SCC. We further examine the moderating effects of firms’ operational capabilities and resources (i.e. firm resilience, operational slack and cash holding). Fixed-effect regression models are applied to test the hypotheses, followed by a series of robustness tests to check the consistency of the results.
Findings
Consistent with the tenets of resource dependence theory, our analysis reveals a significant negative impact of GPR on SCC. Moreover, we find that this adverse effect is attenuated for firms with higher levels of resilience, more operational slack and greater cash holdings. Further analysis suggests that maintaining a diversified supply chain base during heightened GPR is associated with a firm’s improved financial performance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the supply chain management (SCM) literature by integrating GPR into the supply chain risk management framework. Additionally, it demonstrates the roles of diversification and operational resources in addressing GPR-induced challenges.
Details
Keywords
Jason Martinez and Ann Jeffers
A methodology for producing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Abstract
Purpose
A methodology for producing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Design/methodology/approach
The energy-based stress–strain model of plain concrete developed by Bažant and Oh (1983) was extended to the elevated-temperature domain by developing an analytical formulation for the temperature-dependence of the fracture energy Gf. Then, an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model was developed based on the modification of the proposed elevated-temperature tension softening model.
Findings
The proposed tension stiffening model can be used to predict the response of composite floor slabs exposed to fire with great accuracy, provided that the global parameters TS and Kres are adequately calibrated against global structural response data.
Originality/value
In a finite element analysis of reinforced concrete, a tension stiffening model is required as input for concrete to account for actions such as bond slip and tension stiffening. However, an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model does not exist in the research literature. An approach for developing an elevated-temperature tension stiffening model is presented.
Details
Keywords
ZY Chen, Yahui Meng, Ruei-Yuan Wang and Timothy Chen
To prove the effectiveness of the proposed design method, this study aims to propose the Fisher equation and temperature cooling fins that control high-speed aerospace vehicles.
Abstract
Purpose
To prove the effectiveness of the proposed design method, this study aims to propose the Fisher equation and temperature cooling fins that control high-speed aerospace vehicles.
Design/methodology/approach
A new approach whereby the control of aerospace vehicles can be achieved by fuzzy controller and appropriate Navier–Stokes equations in this article. The design of the controller based on models of Navier–Stokes equations simplified complex mathematical simulations and approximations.
Findings
If the fuzzy controller cannot stabilize the system, the Navier–Stokes fuzzy function is injected into the system as a controller tool, and the system is asymptotically stabilized by adjusting the fuzzy parameters.
Originality/value
The simulation results show that if the tuning frequency is high enough, the fuzzy controller and fuzzy observer can create chaotic movements by adjusting the dither amplitude appropriately. The demonstration of the Fisher equation and the temperature-cooled fin control problem for high-speed aerospace vehicles has displayed the benefits of combining fuzzy control with the Navier–Stokes equation.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether managerial ability affects the quality of corporate environmental financial disclosures.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine whether managerial ability affects the quality of corporate environmental financial disclosures.
Design/methodology/approach
Regression analysis is used to examine the association between managerial ability and the quality of corporate environmental financial disclosures.
Findings
The results of primary empirical tests find a negative association between projection errors of corporate environmental capital expenditures and managerial ability. Overall results suggest that (1) managers appear to be equally capable of making relatively accurate projections of total corporate capital expenditures, and (2) managers with higher managerial ability are capable of estimating the projection amounts that appear to be significant, yet do not deviate substantially to what they intend to spend in the subsequent year(s) for legitimation purposes.
Research limitations/implications
The data collected and analyzed include only publicly traded companies in the environmentally sensitive industries in the USA; therefore, the results should not be generalized to non-US listed, private and non-publicly traded businesses.
Practical implications
Results of this study provide practical implications for stakeholders in their decision-making. For instance, understanding how different levels of managerial ability affect corporate environmental disclosures quality assists the board of directors in their evaluations of the performance of current top management. Furthermore, when contemplating new laws, governmental agencies and legislators can consider how managerial ability might affect the likelihood of environmentally sensitive businesses to comply with full disclosure and other reporting requirements.
Social implications
Information regarding top management’s ability to carry out socially acceptable environmental practices is very valuable for investors who are interested in socially responsible and green investing.
Originality/value
This study contributes to and links between two research streams: managerial ability in management literature and environmental financial disclosure literature. This is the first study that empirically tests whether the managerial ability is a determinant of the quality of corporate environmental financial disclosures.