Erick B. Knezek, Thevu Vu and Jim Lee
The purpose of this case study is to develop a lean six sigma (LSS) define–measure–analyze–improve–control (DMAIC) procedure to optimize the willingness to respond (WTR) of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to develop a lean six sigma (LSS) define–measure–analyze–improve–control (DMAIC) procedure to optimize the willingness to respond (WTR) of Louisiana-based law enforcement officials (LEO) to disasters.
Design/methodology/approach
Various LSS tools were used to implement DMAIC to clearly define the problem of WTR, measure the self-reported WTR through a survey, perform statistical analysis on the measured data to identify significant variables to WTR, brainstorm issues and improvements with stakeholders, develop mitigation strategies, implement a pilot solution survey and develop control measures.
Findings
Louisiana LEO showed an average of 73.9% of WTR to all disasters. Seven significant variables influenced WTR, which are prior experience, transportation, duty to organization, risk to self, conflicting roles, training and incentive pay. The results from pilot solutions showed that utilizing incentive pay, adequate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) increased WTR from 0.5% up to 16%.
Originality/value
This study developed and validated a unique procedure to improve LEO WTR to disasters, providing a set of DMAIC tools and concepts that can be used by other emergency response agencies. This research was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and after Hurricane Laura impacted Louisiana.
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Jim Lee, Hannah Sunerman and Lindsay Hastings
While there are well-established personal benefits to being a mentor, such as increased life satisfaction and job performance (Ramaswami & Dreher, 2007), how mentors grow and…
Abstract
While there are well-established personal benefits to being a mentor, such as increased life satisfaction and job performance (Ramaswami & Dreher, 2007), how mentors grow and develop requires exploration. We meet this need by presenting six key themes from two recent research studies related to the experiences that mentors perceived as contributing to their development. The growth of two leadership theories in particular were explored: generativity and Psychological Capital. Six themes emerged: (a) curricular training, (b) exposure to leadership outcomes, (c) being mentored by peers, (d) experiences with mentee, (e) reflection, and (f ) observing a ripple effect. These themes offer insights on how curricular and co-curricular experiences might maximize leadership development of students and ground leadership interventions, such as mentoring, in theory and research.
Sue Vice and Jim McFadyen
The Lee Centre near Lewisham is a new kind of day service that aims to combine work, creative arts and leisure activities — all very much led by the people who use the centre. Sue…
Abstract
The Lee Centre near Lewisham is a new kind of day service that aims to combine work, creative arts and leisure activities — all very much led by the people who use the centre. Sue Vice and Jim McFadyen review the development of The Lee Centre and its achievements so far.
The primary objective of this article is to explore the competitiveness of domestic versus foreign firms based on evidence in the U.S. used‐car market. The declining…
Abstract
The primary objective of this article is to explore the competitiveness of domestic versus foreign firms based on evidence in the U.S. used‐car market. The declining competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing has been typified by the performance of the automobile industry. During the past two decades, Japanese and German automakers dominated global competition and gained substantial shares of the U.S. market. Transcending these developments has been a resurgence of the Big Three's (GM, Ford and Chrysler) competitive positions in recent years. Arguably, these advances were attributable to the practice of total quality management (TQM) philosophy.
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Details the implementation of six sigma at one UK based manufacturing company.
Abstract
Purpose
Details the implementation of six sigma at one UK based manufacturing company.
Design/methodology/approach
Describes how and why one company has introduced six sigma, and looks at a number of specific improvement projects – the approach taken, the common fault causes and the benefits gained from introducing new practices.
Findings
Six sigma has enabled the company to eliminate a wide range of long standing process variation problems. The projects undertaken highlight the importance of a structured process and the importance of data collection. Only when working with the facts, rather than on “gut feeling” do the real causes become clear and solutions effective.
Originality/value
Brings to the attention of managers how six sigma can be used to enhance existing improvement efforts, and uses specific examples to show how the approach can be used to tackle long standing, and often hidden, quality issues.
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Philip William Sisson and Julie J.C.H. Ryan
This paper aims to clarify the need for Chief Knowledge Officers (CKOs) and explain how some recent views on competencies for educational guidelines, a Knowledge Management (KM…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to clarify the need for Chief Knowledge Officers (CKOs) and explain how some recent views on competencies for educational guidelines, a Knowledge Management (KM) competency model and expansion of practice management concepts make the need for CKOs clearer.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint was developed in response to recent publications disparaging the idea of a CKO. The method used was to extract ideas from published and in-work papers to establish the basis for and explain the postulated Unified Competency Theory of KM and its implications regarding the need for CKOs.
Findings
CKOs are needed to ensure that all organizationally relevant functions’ knowledge and KM assessments and/or audits are individually complete and collectively sufficient. A risk/opportunity management role also provides justification.
Research limitations/implications
This paper mainly limits its discussion to the papers that comprise research leading to the Unified Competency Theory of KM, its implications and an updated practice management model. Other points of view that might substantiate or refute the conclusions have not been addressed.
Practical implications
The KM field needs to better identify KM’s risk and opportunity management role and functional imperative. Organizations may need to reevaluate their directions with regards to KM and a CKO.
Originality/value
It extends the concept of practice management to permit differentiating disciplines. It provides new rationale for CKOs.
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D. Kirk Davidson, Kanji Tanimoto, Laura Gyung Jun, Shallini Taneja, Pawan K. Taneja and Juelin Yin
The origins of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been widely attributed to the work of scholars, and business managers as well, in North America and Western Europe…
Abstract
The origins of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been widely attributed to the work of scholars, and business managers as well, in North America and Western Europe. Inevitably, however, as the economic interaction of individual firms and entire nations has grown over the past several decades — call it globalization — so too has the concept and the practice of CSR spread throughout the world. It is certainly time to explore how CSR is being incorporated into the practice of business management in other regions and other countries. Therefore, in this chapter we will focus on Asia: specifically on Japan, South Korea, India, and China. It is interesting for academicians to understand how CSR is being absorbed and adapted into the business cultures of these four countries. Perhaps of even greater importance, it is vital that business managers know what to expect about the interaction between business and society as well as the government as their commercial activities grow in this burgeoning part of the world.
For each of these four countries, we will provide an overview of the extent to which CSR has become a part of the academic community and also how it is being practiced and incorporated in everyday management affairs. We will see that there are very significant differences among these countries which lead to the natural question: why? To answer this question, we will use an eight-part analytical framework developed specifically for this purpose. We will look at the history, the dominant religious beliefs, the relevant social customs, the geography, the political structures, the level of economic development, civil society institutions, and the “safety net” of each country. As a result of this analysis, we believe, academicians can learn how CSR is absorbed and spread into commercial affairs, and managers can profit from learning more about what to expect when doing business in this increasingly important region.
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Zakia Mishal and Ziad Abulaila
This study aims to measure and analyze the impact of both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Imports (M) on the Economic Growth (EG) of Jordan, over the period (1976‐2003). To…
Abstract
This study aims to measure and analyze the impact of both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Imports (M) on the Economic Growth (EG) of Jordan, over the period (1976‐2003). To achieve this, a production function was utilized by using FDI and Imports as two distinct factors among other factors of production. This study examines the relationship between variables (FDI, M and EG) through Vector Autoregression (VAR). The estimated results indicate the existence of bidirectional relationships between FDI and output, and between imports and output as well. The same bidirectional causal relationship exists also between FDI and imports. The results show that FDI affect human capital indirectly through gross domestic output, while, on the other hand, human capital affect FDI indirectly through domestic capital and imports. The results emphasize and support the FDI and import‐Led Growth Hypothesis for Jordan.
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Farzad Farsio and Stacey Quade
Okun's law has been proven to be one of the most accepted theories in the macroeconomics field. It describes the relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) and…
Abstract
Okun's law has been proven to be one of the most accepted theories in the macroeconomics field. It describes the relationship between gross domestic product (GDP) and unemployment. Arthur Okun's (1962) study was developed to help apply appropriate macroeconomic policy changes. Though the coefficient has been re‐estimated, Okun's original work states that a one‐percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate would produce approximately 3% more output. This correlation has continuously been scrutinized, its accuracy studied, and the degree of dependency these variables have on one another has been evaluated.