Debbie Holley and Richard Haynes
This paper explores issues raised during the development and implementation of a new multimedia learning experience, outlining the context to the research and focussing on the…
Abstract
This paper explores issues raised during the development and implementation of a new multimedia learning experience, outlining the context to the research and focussing on the changing roles for teachers and learners in the light of evolving new technologies. A backdrop of successive government policies to widening participation is provided to show the current rationale for higher education institutions encouraging staff to move towards on‐line learning. At institution level, this paper discusses the potential issues in the classroom that arise by asking both staff and students to change from more traditional ways of learning. Then the second part of the paper details the teaching problem behind the “INCOTERMS challenge” and covers the development of the multimedia tool. The final section of the paper reviews the evaluation of the tool by the students and discusses the findings in relation to the issues raised in the literature review.
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Sebastian P. L. Fourné, Daniel Guessow and Utz Schäffer
We develop and validate measurement instruments for the business partner, watchdog, and scorekeeper roles of controllers. This study addresses calls to enhance the quality of…
Abstract
We develop and validate measurement instruments for the business partner, watchdog, and scorekeeper roles of controllers. This study addresses calls to enhance the quality of survey research in management accounting by devoting more attention to scale development and especially to construct validity. By focusing on the activity sets of the controllers’ roles, we provide a theoretically and empirically grounded picture of their current roles. The measurement instruments presented in this study enable systematic research progress on controller roles, their relationships, antecedents, and performance outcomes.
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Rita Bissola and Barbara Imperatori
Based on stakeholder theory, human resource management literature, and the main research streams on engagement, this study aims to develop and validate a scale of stakeholder…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on stakeholder theory, human resource management literature, and the main research streams on engagement, this study aims to develop and validate a scale of stakeholder engagement specifically suitable for the social enterprise domain. Despite the evidence that stakeholder management is crucial and specific for the social enterprise domain, there is not yet an established measure of stakeholder engagement that can be used to foster the design of the effective organizational practices to manage the specific stakeholder relationship in the social enterprise context.
Methodology/approach
A survey among 328 social enterprise stakeholders working in a variety of enterprises, roles, jobs (i.e., employees, social entrepreneurs, and volunteers) enables us to validate a comprehensive and multidimensional scale of stakeholder engagement.
Findings
The new measure includes dimensions of job, enterprise, organizational formula, professional, and social engagement. Results advance some practical and theoretical considerations both for the social enterprise research and for the engagement literature.
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Mareike Landmann, Emilia Kmiotek-Meier, Daniel Lachmann and Jennifer Lorenz
This chapter presents and discusses various steps to ensure empirical reliability and theoretical validity in the construction of competence scales in graduate surveys. The…
Abstract
This chapter presents and discusses various steps to ensure empirical reliability and theoretical validity in the construction of competence scales in graduate surveys. The development of a scale to assess demands of the teacher profession and related abilities in graduates for a German tracer study project serves as an example. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha are employed to test the reliability of the scale. Differing results illustrate how the method applied influences decisions in the process of developing a scale. Our findings show that multidimensionality can only be tested appropriately by CFA; PCA renders no feasible or similar results to CFA depending on the predetermination of the number of factors; Cronbach’s alpha produces misleading results as the prerequisite assumption of unidimensionality is violated by the data.
Paula J. Haynes, Richard C. Becherer and Marilyn M. Helms
The findings of a study by Auger and Gallaugher (1997), in addition to suppositions and anecdotal evidence provided in a number of articles, suggest that there may be key areas of…
Abstract
The findings of a study by Auger and Gallaugher (1997), in addition to suppositions and anecdotal evidence provided in a number of articles, suggest that there may be key areas of difference as well as similarities in Internet usage patterns among small and mid‐sized businesses. Since large businesses are both potential customers of and suppliers to small to mid‐sized businesses, it is important to understand their Internet usage patterns as well. The study was designed as a preliminary examination contrasting such usage among large and small and mid‐sized owner‐operated firms. Study findings suggest mid‐sized businesses may be at a competitive disadvantage in their current operational use of the Internet. Small businesses in the study were more likely than mid‐sized or large firms to have a home page and to reveal computer/technology programs as potential Internet services needed to improve current operations. Future research must continue to examine the role the Internet can play in allowing small and mid‐sized businesses to be more competitive in today’s technology based global environment.
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Ali Bavik, Chen-Feng Kuo and John Ap
Numerous scales have been developed and utilized in the tourism and hospitality field, yet, their psychometric properties have not been systematically reviewed and evaluated. This…
Abstract
Numerous scales have been developed and utilized in the tourism and hospitality field, yet, their psychometric properties have not been systematically reviewed and evaluated. This gap compromises researchers' ability to develop better measures and improve measurement decisions. In this current study, 56 scales were identified and evaluated in terms of their psychometric properties. It was found that most scales were imperfect in measuring tourism and hospitality domains, and most scales did not provide explicit information about the scale development procedures that were adopted. The scale development procedure and psychometric properties of the reviewed scales are summarized, evaluated, and recommendations are made for future tourism and hospitality scale development.
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Yvonne Lederer Antonucci and Richard J. Goeke
Identifying appropriate responsibilities and positions needed for successful business process management (BPM) initiatives has become a challenge. Past research efforts have been…
Abstract
Purpose
Identifying appropriate responsibilities and positions needed for successful business process management (BPM) initiatives has become a challenge. Past research efforts have been based on homogenous small samples. The purpose of this paper is to validate a BPM position and responsibility framework among a larger BPM community, by measuring the framework's validity, reliability, and level of agreement among BPM professionals.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 111 BPM practitioners (19 percent outside of the USA), representing 98 different organizations (primarily in business services, manufacturing, public administration, and finance), was conducted to measure the construct validity and reliability of an existing BPM position and responsibility framework.
Findings
The results indicate that the BPM responsibilities possess adequate reliability, and that the framework demonstrates excellent convergent and discriminant validity. BPM professionals indicated significant agreement with the four proposed BPM positions, along with responsibilities associated with the three higher level BPM positions. Interesting patterns of disagreement emerged for responsibilities associated with the lowest level BPM position.
Research limitations/implications
This study furthers the understanding of BPM competencies required for BPM success. Continued research efforts are needed to understand how this BPM position and responsibility framework can work in actual BPM settings.
Practical implications
This research relates to process organization and the core competencies required for BPM initiatives, assisting in the identification and alignment of appropriate responsibilities and positions required for BPM success.
Originality/value
This paper represents the first large‐scale study of industry best practices in defining and validating positions and responsibilities associated with the BPM field of work.
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The expected operational lifespan of modern buildings has become disturbingly short as buildings are replaced for reasons of changing cultural expectations, style, serviceability…
Abstract
The expected operational lifespan of modern buildings has become disturbingly short as buildings are replaced for reasons of changing cultural expectations, style, serviceability, locational obsolescence and economic viability. The same buildings, however, are not always physically or structurally obsolete; the materials and components within them are very often still serviceable. While there is some recycling of selected construction materials, such as steel and concrete, this is almost always in the form of down cycling or reprocessing. One significant impediment to reuse is that buildings are not designed in a way that facilitates easy recovery of materials and components. This chapter explores the potential for the recovery of materials and components if buildings were designed for such future recovery, utilizing the strategy of design for disassembly. As well as assessing material waste, this chapter presents research into the analysis of the embodied energy in buildings, highlighting its significance in comparison with operational energy. Analysis at material, component and whole-of-building levels shows the potential benefits of strategically designing buildings for future disassembly to recover this embodied energy. Careful consideration at the early design stage can result in the deconstruction of significant portions of buildings and the recovery of their potential through higher order reuse and upcycling.
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There is more to West Germany than the industrialized north. Exporters should examine carefully the less exploited and more promising south. Lesley Bernstein reports.