John Dilworth and A.K. Kochhar
This paper aims to describe the creation of an e‐business functional requirements definition model using a case study process.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the creation of an e‐business functional requirements definition model using a case study process.
Design/methodology/approach
The creation of this model was the subject of a research project, the hypothesis of which is that it is possible to produce a model that can be used in real life situations to specify, using objective reasoning, the e‐business requirements of an organisation.
Findings
The research demonstrated a practical method of creating and refining this model and further was able to demonstrate that there were reasonable prospects of converging towards a stable model.
Research limitations/implications
The paper has demonstrated that it has produced an acceptable model by using a case study process that gives sound results. It is also felt that it has validated the basic research method that was adopted.
Practical implications
An innovative tool has been created whereby a specification of e‐business requirements can be created in a matter of a few hours, compared with the weeks' or months' worth of effort often involved in the use of the traditional business systems analysis process. Based on the operating characteristics of a company and the concerns of its management, the specification avoids the prejudices of consultants and vested interests of salesmen.
Originality/value
The computerised rule‐based system is easy to use and leads to a significant reduction in the time taken to generate an accurate functional specification. In addition, it provides a useful way of generating overall insights and communicating an e‐business requirements picture at a management summary level.
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Alexander Howard, Ashok Kochhar and John Dilworth
The accurate specification of user’s real requirements from manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems is carried out very poorly throughout the industry. This paper…
Abstract
The accurate specification of user’s real requirements from manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems is carried out very poorly throughout the industry. This paper describes a rule‐based system for the specification of MPC system activities. The rule‐base provides detailed recommendations on the suitability of system activities to individual companies based on company characteristics and management concerns. It also provides supporting reasons for the recommendations. This paper describes the development of the rule‐base from the initial conceptual framework to the fully tested and validated PC‐based application. The rule‐base has been fully tested and validated in ten small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in batch manufacturing. This paper describes the experiences of two of these case studies by way of example.
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The history of Catholic Teacher Education is linked to the growth and development of Catholic schools that began in the early nineteenth century. The Catholic Church struggled to…
Abstract
The history of Catholic Teacher Education is linked to the growth and development of Catholic schools that began in the early nineteenth century. The Catholic Church struggled to recruit enough certificated teachers and relied heavily on pupil teachers. This began to be resolved with the opening of Notre Dame College, Glasgow, in 1895 and St Margaret's College, Craiglockhart, in 1920. The two Colleges would merge into the national St Andrew's College in 1981. This national college would undertake a further merger with the University of Glasgow in 1999 to become part of the newly formed Faculty of Education, later School of Education. The School of Education continues to discharge the mission to prepare teachers for Catholic schools.
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Alexander Howard, Ashok Kochhar and John Dilworth
This paper describes the use of a set of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system activities for assessing the functionality suitable in individual companies. Field studies…
Abstract
This paper describes the use of a set of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system activities for assessing the functionality suitable in individual companies. Field studies were carried out in medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies and the set of activities was used to investigate the functionality and level of computer support suitable in each case. The field studies verified the set of activities and the findings were used to refine the activities and identify additional activities to be included in the set. The field studies were also used to develop detailed reasons why each activity was considered relevant or not relevant. From the field studies it was possible to conclude that the overall type of company (i.e. make‐to‐order (MTO), make‐to‐stock (MTS), etc.) was not in itself sufficient to predict which activity would be relevant to a particular company. It is proposed that there are numerous reasons why an activity is relevant or not relevant and that it is the detailed characteristics of the individual company which are important in reaching this decision.
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Alexander Howard, Ashok Kochhar and John Dilworth
Outlines an objective model based approach for the functional specification of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. It is based on the premise that there is factual…
Abstract
Outlines an objective model based approach for the functional specification of manufacturing planning and control (MPC) systems. It is based on the premise that there is factual information (company characteristics and management concerns) which can be used to make recommendations about suitable functionality of appropriate MPC systems. A generic MPC system architecture, applicable to medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies, is used to organise the information within the model. The model describes the relationships between the inputs (objective company characteristics and subjective management concerns) and outputs (MPC functional activities). The functional activities have been defined at a level of detail which represents significant choices in functionality and are useful for the functional specification of MPC systems. The model provides reasoning which describes the relevance of the activities in individual cases. Uses field studies to validate and test the elements of the model (inputs, outputs and reasoning). Uses the model output to create an outline functional specification at each of the field study sites. Concludes that the model can be used to obtain an objective view of necessary functionality in MPC systems in medium‐sized batch manufacturing companies. The output from the model can be used as the basis for the development of a final, detailed functional specification. Use of the model results in time savings.
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Henrik Saabye, Daryl John Powell and Paul Coughlan
Being acquainted with both lean and action learning in theory and in practice, this study finds that the theoretical complementarity of these two research streams has…
Abstract
Purpose
Being acquainted with both lean and action learning in theory and in practice, this study finds that the theoretical complementarity of these two research streams has traditionally been underexploited. In this conceptual paper, this study aims to advance the theoretical understanding of lean by exploring the complementarity of lean thinking and action learning leading to a proposed integrated theory of these two research streams. Target audience is the operations management research community.
Design/methodology/approach
By deliberately adopting a process of theorising, this paper explores, reflects upon and combines individual experiences of researching, teaching and engaging in lean and action learning as operations management scholars.
Findings
Having taken a gemba walk through the literature and practices of lean and action learning, this study views and notices a systematic and complementary relationship between the two domains. The overlapping theoretical and practical complementarities of lean and action learning suggest that these two research streams are ripe for synthesis into an integrated theory. This finding provides an opportunity to (1) progress towards an integrative design of interventions leading to more sustainable lean system adoptions and (2) add new depth to our theoretical explanation of the success and failures of lean system adoptions.
Originality/value
This paper contributes an original integrated theory perspective on lean and action learning.
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Robin Havens Tate, Leigh Tinik, Steve Borrelli, Lana Munip and Sarah Carey
This case study presents the results of a collaborative effort of Library Assessment, Libraries Development and Alumni Relations and their Alumni Donor Board to increase donor…
Abstract
Purpose
This case study presents the results of a collaborative effort of Library Assessment, Libraries Development and Alumni Relations and their Alumni Donor Board to increase donor engagement by utilizing board member professional expertise and tacit knowledge in refining “Donor Community Meetings.”
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed focus groups to solicit input from Development and Alumni Relations personnel, members of the Alumni Donor Board, library personnel and donors. Researchers leveraged a values-driven participatory design methodology and employed a data analytic guided by appreciative inquiry.
Findings
Focus group discussions identified strengths of the Donor Community Meetings including the ability to connect with experts and learn new things in addition to areas for improvement including selling the event and sharpening the process. Based on the findings, recommendations were proposed to improve and sustain interest in four key areas: Communications and Planning, Meeting Structure, Content and Sustainability.
Originality/value
This study adds to the limited body of evidence supporting donor engagement collaborations between academic libraries, their development offices and alumni development boards illustrating the value of leveraging the expertise and tacit knowledge of Alumni Donor Board members.
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One of the most well-known, seminal models in the tourism marketing field is the one proposed more than 40 years ago by Stanley Plog. His venturesomeness model has been widely…
Abstract
One of the most well-known, seminal models in the tourism marketing field is the one proposed more than 40 years ago by Stanley Plog. His venturesomeness model has been widely cited in journal articles, textbooks, and has also been used as a reference for planning and designing tourism marketing projects. However, empirical research on Plog’s psychographic model has yielded varied, inconclusive results, and the postulates of his conceptual framework are still subject to academic scrutiny. While some empirical investigations have corroborated the model, others have found partial or no support for it. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to offer an exhaustive review of 26 studies in the literature which have employed Plog´s venturesomeness concept to examine travellers’ personality traits, attitudes, and behaviour, as a way to synthetise empirical findings and draw conclusions from the cumulative results. A discussion of the model’s contribution to the current body of knowledge and managerial implications for tourism marketing practitioners are presented.
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Peter A.C. Smith and Judy O’Neil
Many organizations now utilize action learning, and it is applied increasingly throughout the world. Action learning appears in numerous variants, but generically it is a form of…
Abstract
Many organizations now utilize action learning, and it is applied increasingly throughout the world. Action learning appears in numerous variants, but generically it is a form of learning through experience, “by doing”, where the task environment is the classroom, and the task the vehicle. Two previous reviews of the action learning literature by Alan Mumford respectively covered the field prior to 1985 and the period 1985‐1994. Both reviews included books as well as journal articles. This current review covers the period 1994‐2000 and is limited to publicly available journal articles. Part 1 of the Review was published in an earlier issue of the Journal of Workplace Learning (Vol. 15 No. 2) and included a bibliography and comments. Part 2 extends that introduction with a schema for categorizing action learning articles and with comments on representative articles from the bibliography.
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Donovan, Viscount Dilhorne, Pearson, Diplock and Cross of Chelsea
May 25, 1971 Docks — “De‐casualisation scheme” — Timber loaded on lorries after storage in dock area on removal from ship — Piling of timber at importer's yard “in vicinity of”…
Abstract
May 25, 1971 Docks — “De‐casualisation scheme” — Timber loaded on lorries after storage in dock area on removal from ship — Piling of timber at importer's yard “in vicinity of” Cardiff dock estates — Whether “dock work” — Whether timber still “cargo” — Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1946 (9 & 10 Geo. VI, c. 22), s.6 — Docks and Harbours Act, 1966 (c. 28), ss. 51(3), 58 — Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) (Amendment) Order, 1967 (S.I. 1967, No. 1252), Sch. 2, cl. 1 (3) proviso, App. 1.