IN THE SPRING OF 1989, PETER FISHER, A CLAIMS MANAGER AT AETNA LIFE & Casualty's Middleboro, Massachusetts, claim center, was about to witness a revolution. He didn't realize it…
Abstract
IN THE SPRING OF 1989, PETER FISHER, A CLAIMS MANAGER AT AETNA LIFE & Casualty's Middleboro, Massachusetts, claim center, was about to witness a revolution. He didn't realize it at the time, however. He was too busy mollifying annoyed employees and peeved customers.
Thomas Christiansen, William L. Berry, Peter Bruun and Peter Ward
A sample of 63 Danish companies is divided into four strategic groups. Each group represents a distinct manufacturing strategy. These strategic groups are then used to investigate…
Abstract
A sample of 63 Danish companies is divided into four strategic groups. Each group represents a distinct manufacturing strategy. These strategic groups are then used to investigate relationships with the implementation of bundles of manufacturing practices such as JIT and TQM, and with operational performance. The results suggest that using strategic groups as a representation of companies' manufacturing strategy can improve the understanding of companies' implementation of bundles of manufacturing practices and of their operational performance. The results indicate that the degree of environmental fit differs amongst the groups and that companies do not necessarily have to conduct an extensive implementation of all bundles of manufacturing practices in order to perform well on important performance dimensions according to their manufacturing strategy. Finally, the study adds to the scarce literature on small country studies.
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At the Conservative Party Conference of 1986, the Minister of State for Housing, Mr John Patten, outlined his intentions for a new Rent Bill to be included in his party's general…
Abstract
At the Conservative Party Conference of 1986, the Minister of State for Housing, Mr John Patten, outlined his intentions for a new Rent Bill to be included in his party's general election manifesto. This directs the spotlight onto rented housing and Mr Patten's slogan ‘the right to rent’ will no doubt lead to a lively discussion. This paper aims to contribute to the debate by reviewing two major housing reports as they relate to rents and making further suggestions.
Peter J. Fisher, Ann Bates, Debra Gurvitz and Camille L.Z. Blachowicz
Purpose – To describe an instructional activity for developing vocabulary knowledge in clinical and classroom settings.Design/methodology/approach – The chapter describes the use…
Abstract
Purpose – To describe an instructional activity for developing vocabulary knowledge in clinical and classroom settings.Design/methodology/approach – The chapter describes the use of a strategy called Word Wizard in one-on-one tutoring situations, and the effectiveness of the strategy in terms of students’ word learning.Findings – Students learned over 60% of the words taught. The number of times a word was seen, heard, or spoken by students was predictive of the scores on one measure of word knowledge. The scores of students who were ELL were lower than native English speakers on another measure.Research limitations/implications – Each student’s words were different, and the students were from grades 2 to 11. While the strategy was successful for most students, it may be that it is more successful as a group activity with higher elementary and middle-school students.Practical implications – The Word Wizard activity can be implemented successfully in classrooms and clinical settings.Originality/value of chapter – The study provides further evidence for the implementation of Word Wizard activities in a variety of educational settings.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the product residual value (PRV) and the loss of value over time of returned products in the reverse supply chain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the product residual value (PRV) and the loss of value over time of returned products in the reverse supply chain configuration. It also examines whether or not the distinction of Fisher's functional and innovative products holds for the reverse supply chain.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to identify the relevance of the Fisher model, the model needs to be recast in terms of PRV, which, in this context, is considered the independent variable in the reverse logistics arena. Products defined as innovative in Fisher's taxonomy correspond to disposed products with high residual value, whereas functional products correspond to disposed products with low residual value. Furthermore, the PRV and the speed at which returned products lose their value are considered in order to determine the configuration of the reverse supply chain that allows for recapturing most of the PRV. These notions have then been tested by analyzing two reverse supply chains with a case study research methodology.
Findings
The findings show that low PRV is associated with second‐class recovery options (recycling and energy recovery) and that high PRV is associated with first‐class recovery options (reconditioning and remarketing). When the recovery option is recycling, time is not relevant, the primary objective is cost reduction (efficiency), the chain is centralized, and actors and phases of the reverse chain are determined by the specificity of the recycling process. When the recovery option is reconditioning, time is primarily relevant, tradeoffs between costs and time efficiency are necessary, the chain presents a centralized structure, and the presence of other types of actors and phases influences the structure of the reverse supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
The focus is restricted to the industry of electrical and electronic products.
Practical implications
Based on the outcome of the study, managers are able to determine the basic prerequisites for the design of their reverse supply chains.
Originality/value
Previous literature suggests that when the PRV is high, early product differentiation is necessary, and the chain is therefore decentralized. The paper demonstrates that this is not confirmed in the case of low returned volumes and high reconditioning quality standards.
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Peter Cochrane, Kim Fisher and Rob Taylor‐Hendry
In many respects the office has changed little over the past 200 years. The introduction of the telephone, copier, fax and computer have only served to speed up and proliferate…
Abstract
In many respects the office has changed little over the past 200 years. The introduction of the telephone, copier, fax and computer have only served to speed up and proliferate the basic processes. We are now faced with an increasingly complex and difficult environment that requires fundamental changes to humanize the processes. In this paper we address some of the interface issues that now appear to have near term solutions.
This paper aims to contribute to the theory of property development as a complex process that involves multiple drivers, stakeholders and contributions from many academic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute to the theory of property development as a complex process that involves multiple drivers, stakeholders and contributions from many academic disciplines.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a web‐based model of the property development process consisting of seven defined major elements, each of which is subdivided and linked by functional relationships. The model is applied to three linked case studies drawn from Grainger Town in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, which involve the conversion or redevelopment of listed buildings in the context of urban regeneration.
Findings
The case studies examined demonstrate the influential roles of many private sector actors and different arms of government. Site characteristics were found to have a bearing on events, as did long‐term trends. These inputs were often independent of economic or property market forces.
Research limitations/implications
The paper relates primarily to commercial development in the UK. The three case studies inevitably present particular circumstances, though they do represent the reuse of existing urban sites, which is highly complex and increasingly the norm.
Practical implications
The findings of this paper should be of practical benefit to anyone involved in property development and of particular interest to organisations whose core business is not development or to anyone engaged in a public‐private development partnership.
Originality/value
This paper presents an original way of conceiving the property development process using a web‐based model. The model may be used to analyse situations where development is strongly influenced by social, political or environmental factors.