Older workers and organizational change: corporate memory versus potentiality
- Authors: Taylor, Philip , Brooke, Libby , McLoughlin, Christopher , Biase, Tia
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Manpower Vol. 31, no. 3 (2010), p. 374-386
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- Description: Purpose – Drawing on the recent work of Sennett and others who considered the position of older workers in dynamic economies subject to rapid change, this paper aims to examine the perceived fit between employees of different ages and their employing organizations in four Australian workplaces. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of qualitative data, collected among workers and managers in four Australian organizations, was performed. Findings – Results suggests that potentiality tended to be prized as an asset over corporate memory. While managers were frequently paternalistic towards their older employees, ageing human capital was often devalued as managers tried to balance operational budgets and organizations sought to remain responsive to changing market demands. Originality/value – The paper discusses the implications for the prolongation of working lives.
Project scheduling improvement using design structure matrix
- Authors: Gunawan, Indra , Ahsan, Kamrul
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Project Organisation and Management Vol. 2, no. 4 (2010 2010), p. 311-327
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- Description: A challenging aspect of managing the development of complex projects is the notion of design iteration or rework. Traditional project management tools such as program evaluation and review technique (PERT), critical path method (CPM), and Gantt chart allow the modelling of sequential and parallel processes in projects, but they fail to address interdependency of feedback and iteration. Design structure matrix (DSM) is a new approach to project management, used to represent, analyse dependencies among tasks and show the order in which tasks are performed. In this paper, a case of the petroleum oil field development project is demonstrated. The project duration of the petroleum oil field development project is reduced significantly by applying the DSM method.
Reaching out to the west : An assessment of Chinese students' views regarding foreign-delivered university programs in China
- Authors: Willis, Mike
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Teaching in International Business Vol. 21, no. 1 (2010), p. 53-68
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- Description: This article identifies the views and expectations of Chinese students located in nine cities in China and Hong Kong in regard to the delivery of foreign degree programs within China. This delivery mode is becoming a common form of educational delivery and augments other modes of international activity such as study abroad and distance education. The research has found that students wanted a relatively unadapted course, delivered in English by foreign academics, with a high level of academic and administrative servicing in China. They did not like subjects which had been overly adapted for the Chinese market, since these were viewed to be somewhat lacking in authenticity. However, some very minor areas of adaptation were required to meet some specific local requirements, but in essence students wanted courses which were a close replication of what it would be like to study in the foreign university location, whether it be in America, Australia, or Europe. The value of this research is that it identifies the desire of students for relatively unadapted foreign programs in China. This finding is of use to foreign universities planning courses and programs in China and also adds to the debate about the adaptation or standardization of services in a Chinese context. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Socio-economic differences and deployment of the LDC micro-finance bottom-up approach in DCs
- Authors: Hettihewa, Samanthala , Wright, Christopher
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations Vol. 8, no. 2 (2010), p. 41-53
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- Description: Microfinance (MF), after showing great success in poverty-relief in less-developed countries (LDCs), is experiencing rapid growth and interest in developed countries (DCs). However, current DC MF literature gives the impression that survival concerns are diverting DC MF from its original poverty-relief intent. As e-technology evolves, further threats and opportunities are created for MF by changing cost structures and relationships. This study uses descriptive analysis to infer that DC MF needs redesigning for DC socio-economic conditions or it will continue gaining a reputation of being too poorly focused, ineffective, and ineffcient for use in DCs. After showing that LDC poverty is harsher than DC poverty, this paper reviews current-performance concerns of DC M F, links those issues with the effect of regulatory and other socio-economic factors on micro-enterprise, discusses how MF can relieve poverty in DCs, and concludes that MF needs refocusing before DCs investing in further developing/adapting MF infrastructure. © 2010, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Sojourners or a new diaspora? Economic implications of the movement of Chinese miners to the south-west Pacific goldfields
- Authors: Reeves, Keir
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Economic History Review Vol. 50, no. 2 (2010), p. 178-192
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- Description: Chinese gold seekers were the largest non-British group on the goldfields of Australasia and constituted the largest nationality on some diggings. In considering the movement of Chinese miners to and throughout the goldfields colonies of the southwest Pacific, this articles argues there existed a more complex pattern of migration than that suggested by the sojourner model of arrival, brief stay and departure. It examines the links between migration patterns and economic activity, and argues that economic history perspectives complement the insights offered by recent social and cultural history in the field.
Understanding financial information used to assess small firm performance : An Australian qualitative study
- Authors: Halabi, Abdel , Barrett, Rowena , Dyt, Robyn
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management Vol. 7, no. 2 (2010), p. 163-179
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- Description: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reality of financial and management accounting in a small group of small firms. Specifically, from the owner's perspective, an exploration is undertaken to see what financial information is collected, how it is used (or not) to make business decisions and evaluate the firm's performance, and the role played by the accountant in that process. Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological paradigm underpins this exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with the owners of ten small firms, where the focus was on understanding what happens in an organisational setting, as opposed to theory and textbook practice. Findings – The qualitative data supported prior research in other countries. The in-depth analysis revealed a very basic understanding of accounting information and problems with the financial literacy amongst these small firm owners. Accounting reports were not widely produced or used, so an informal assessment, such as how much cash was in the bank, was the primary means of assessing business performance. Accountants were used for taxation services, although some owners sought more general business advice. Originality/value – An understanding is developed of why there might be a gap between textbook rhetoric and reality of accounting practice in small firms. The conclusion is that accounting textbooks need to include more information about the reality of financial management in small firms.
Ageing and the labour market - A comparison of policy approaches
- Authors: Frerichs, Frerich , Taylor, Philip
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Social Policy in Ageing Societies: Britain and Germany Compared p. 46-81
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- Description: Both Germany and the UK are experiencing substantial ageing of their workforces and, simultaneously, their workforces are shrinking. At the same time it is important to note that older workers, particularly men, have been regarded by employers and policy makers as a reserve labour army in the past in both countries (Naegele and Walker, 2002a). Older workers have been confronted with numerous forms of direct and indirect discrimination in both the workplace and in the labour market in general. The result has been long-term unemployment and non-employment among older workers. Employment rates of older workers in both countries have declined dramatically over the past twenty years, although significant differences between the United Kingdom and Germany can be observed (Walker, 2002a). Low labour market participation rates are mainly due to early retirement schemes in Germany, which have been implemented in past decades (Naschold et aI., 1994; Ebbinghaus, 2001) and due to usage of occupational pension schemes, disability benefits as quasi-early retirement, early retirement schemes and discouragement from staying in work in the UK (Taylor and Walker, 1996; Taylor and Unwin, 1999). Although early exit pathways have been terminated or their scope limited and there is an increasing emphasis on prolonging working life, the legacy in terms of promoting negative views of older workers is persistent. [Introduction]
Corporate governance convergence and moral relativism
- Authors: West, Andrew
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Corporate Governance-An International Review Vol. 17, no. 1 (2009), p. 107-119
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- Description: Research Question/Issue: This paper frames the debate on corporate governance convergence in terms of the morality underlying corporate governance models. The claims and arguments of moral relativism are presented to provide theoretical structure to the moral aspects of corporate governance convergence, and ultimately the normative question of whether convergence should occur. Research Findings/Results: The morality underlying different models of corporate governance has largely been ignored in the corporate governance convergence literature. A range of moral philosophies and principles that underlie the dominant corporate governance models are identified. This leads to a consideration of the claims and arguments of moral relativism relating to corporate governance. A research agenda around the claims of descriptive and meta-ethical moral relativism, and which ultimately informs the associated normative argument, is then suggested. Theoretical Implications: The application of moral relativism to the debate on corporate governance convergence presents a theoretical structure to the analysis and consideration of its moral aspects. This structure lends itself to further research, both empirical and conceptual. Practical Implications: The claims and arguments of moral relativism provide a means of analyzing calls that are made for a culturally or nationally “appropriate” model of corporate governance. This can assist in providing direction for corporate governance reforms and is of particular relevance for developing countries that have inherited Western corporate governance models through colonialism.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting : A study of selected banking companies in Bangladesh
- Authors: Khan, Md Habib-Uz-Zaman , Halabi, Abdel , Samy, Martin
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Social Responsibility Journal Vol. 5, no. 3 (2009), p. 344-357
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- Description: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by banks in the developing economy of Bangladesh. This paper also aims to examine the users' perceptions relating to CSR disclosures issues. Design/methodology/approach – The study collected two types of data. First the annual reports of 20 selected banking companies, which are listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), were considered. A questionnaire was also used to investigate the level of users' understanding and their perception of CSR reporting. Findings – The principal findings are twofold: first, the study shows that the selected banking companies did some (albeit little) CSR reporting on a voluntary basis. Second, that the user groups are in favor of CSR reporting, and would like to see more disclosure. The current disclosures by the selected banks, however, are not ample at all to measure the social responsiveness of the organizations. Originality/value – The paper provides useful informaiton on users' perceptions relating to CSR disclosures issues.
Managing cultural diversity and perceived organizational support: evidence from Australia
- Authors: Leveson, Lynne , Joiner, Therese , Bakalis, Steve
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Manpower Vol. 30, no. 4 (2009), p. 377-392
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- Description: Purpose – The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between employee perceptions of their organization's management of cultural diversity, their perceived organizational support and affective commitment. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was developed and distributed to a sample of employees working in a large Australian financial institution. Findings – Analysis of the data shows that, when controlling for perceived organizational support, there is no direct relationship between cultural diversity management perceptions and affective commitment. Rather, the data support an indirect relationship between the two variables via perceived organizational support. Research limitations/implications – Implications are, first, that managers need to recognize the potential contribution of developing a positive workplace atmosphere for cultural diversity to strengthen employee perceived organizational support, which in turn enhances affective commitment. Second, the research findings underscore the importance of perceived organizational support in linking cultural diversity management perceptions to organizational outcomes, such as affective commitment. Third, managers should not underestimate the influence of initiatives, such as making all employees feel included in the “taken‐for‐granted” informal networks in engendering positive organizational and individual attitudes. Originality/value – The paper examines cultural diversity management from the employees' (rather than a management) perspective to develop a fully mediated model using organizational support to link cultural diversity management perceptions to commitment. The study reinforces the need to rethink simple relationships between cultural diversity management perceptions and organizational/individual outcomes, to consider more complex models that include important mediating variables to more fully understand the effects of cultural diversity management.
Perceptions of the effectiveness of training and development of 'grey-collar' workers in the People's Republic of China
- Authors: Hutchings, Katherine , Zhu, Jiuhua , Cooper, Brian , Zhang, Yiming , Shao, Sijun
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Human Resource Development International Vol. 12, no. 3 (2009), p. 279-296
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- Description: An important human resource development (HRD) implication of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) rapidly expanding economy has been the emergence of a critical shortage of grey-collar workers (GCW). Although ‘grey-collar’ has been commonly used in the West to describe an aging population within the workforce, in China it refers to people who are neither white nor blue collar workers but technicians. The shortage of GCW constrains the PRC's economic and developmental sustainability, and has been recognized in central and provincial government initiatives to increase training and development of employees within these fields. While acknowledged as a policy and organizational problem, there has been no research investigating what organizations are doing to develop these employees. Drawing upon a survey of 310 semi-skilled and skilled employees in Beijing, our findings suggest that while the surveyed organizations are investing heavily in both on- and off-the-job training, employees' perceived value of such differs markedly according to age and position. The research has important implications for China's HRD strategy in suggesting links between training and other human resource management (HRM) functions are yet to be evidenced.
Regional innovation for sustainable development : An Australian perspective
- Authors: Courvisanos, Jerry
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Innovation Economics Vol. 1, no. 3 (2009), p. 119-143
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- Description: 2003007338
Retail centres: It's time to make them convenient
- Authors: Reimers, Vaughan
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management Vol. 37, no. 7 (2009), p. 541-562
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- Description: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of time convenience on shopping behaviour in the light of a time scarcity phenomenon that is reported to have reached epidemic proportions in many markets. Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a survey of consumer households, examining the importance shoppers assign to time convenience. This is followed by a supply‐side comparison of malls and shopping strips against the attributes of time convenience. Findings – The results indicate that time convenience has a salient influence on consumers' patronage behaviour, and that malls and strips differ in their provision of this key attribute. Practical implications – Retail planners must give serious thought to creating retail environments that allow shoppers to “buy” time. Providing time convenience via one‐stop shopping, extended trading hours, proximity to home or work and enclosure offers one such strategy for the shopping mall and shopping strip. Originality/value – The focus on convenience provides practitioners with a strategic alternative to hedonic strategies. It is also one of the first studies to investigate retail centre patronage from both a demand‐and supply‐side perspective
Structuring ambiguity : teaching public relations through a 'world world' virtual consultancy
- Authors: Wolstencroft, David , Edmondson, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asia Pacific Public Relations Journal Vol. 10, no. (2009 2009), p.
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- Description: Public Relations education has several major challenges, including integrating ‘theory with practice’, simulating the modern workplace in the classroom, and assisting students in navigating personal and professional ambiguities and transition points. This article presents a narrative and reflection on an attempt to design curriculum that meets these pedagogical challenges. A solution is proposed by the authors in the form of a virtual Public Relations consultancy and learning environment, or interactive educational ‘game’. As will be demonstrated, this virtual learning environment or ‘game’ was inspired by Kolb’s learning cycle, and requires student groups to navigate successive waves of ambiguity, often presented in ways that differ from other university subjects and anticipated life experiences. By tailoring learning goals, assessment criteria and tasks to focus on particular elements and phases of Kolb’s learning cycle, this semester long curriculum integrates Public Relations theory with practical teambased learning. It is anticipated that this game will assist students to develop traditional academic and vocational skills, while also providing experiences to consolidate substantive cognitive and educational advances. Additionally, we envisage advances in confidence, team work skills, and the capacity to navigate and structure ambiguity.
Student management in Chinese higher education institutions
- Authors: Jiang, Xiaoli , Ma, Xiaoping , Wu, Yumei
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management Vol. 9, no. 11 (2009), p. 45-58
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- Description: This study investigated six Chinese higher education institutions in relation to management of their students. The results indicate Chinese higher education institutions place a greater emphasis on controlling students in order to achieve desired outcomes according to their national ideology and cultural values. Control measures are intended to ensure good class attendance, collective teamwork and discipline. Their student management focuses on extrinsic rewards and punishments to promote desirable moral values and ethics. A very comprehensive control system is in place to achieve these goals. Students are encouraged to manage fellow students. The research also identified that prestigious universities with a higher level of entry scores place less control measures on their students compared to their counterparts with lower entry scores. Chinese higher education management believes the measures to control students are designed to combat negative elements of human beings. This study provides an understanding into the reasons why current higher education management practices exist in China and offers some explanations from historical, political and social culture perspectives. The study will assist Western educators to better understand the challenges facing Chinese students studying abroad. © Common Ground.
- Description: 2003007993
The processes of ICT diffusion in technology projects
- Authors: Jagodic, Jana , Courvisanos, Jerry , Yearwood, John
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Innovation: Management Policy & Practice Vol. 11, no. 3 (2009), p. 291-303
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- Description: Delivering technology projects on time with a specified budget and resources has emerged as a strategic imperative in the highly competitive business world. One of the project challenges is increasingly tied to diffigion (spread) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovation. This paper presents an empirical study that examines how ICT innovation is diffused within technology projects. Based on the case study methodology within 12 organisations in Australia and Germany, it emerged that ICT innovation is diffused formally alongside standard project management phases and informally within informal networks. The findings are synthesised in a new framework that seeks to inform theory and practice about formal and informal processes of ICT diffusion in technology projects.
- Description: 2003007370
A cross-cultural study into peer evaluation of women's leadership effectiveness
- Authors: Jogulu, Uma , Wood, Glenice
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Leadership and Organisational Development Vol. 29, no. 7 (2008), p. 600-616
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- Description: The present paper is based on a cross-cultural exploration of middle managers in two diverse cultures and aims to focus on how the leadership styles of managerial women are perceived and evaluated. In particular, female and male peer evaluations of leadership effectiveness in Malaysia and Australia are to be explored.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003006154
A tale of two towns: industrial pickets, police practices and judicial review
- Authors: Baker, David
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Labour History (Australia) Vol. 95, no. (2008), p. 151-167
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- Description: Both the 1992 APPM Burnie dispute and the late December 1999 Lyttelton industrial dispute involved small bands of local police adopting peace-keeping and non-interventionist control of picket-lines. Considerable criticism from management, and subsequently the judiciary, was directed against the non-confrontational police response. Judicial criticisms of police handling of both disputes failed to consider the adverse consequences of a return to a traditionally aggressive policing approach. This article argues that the local relationship between union officials and local police was a significant factor in limiting violence and that a resort to belligerent policing of picketing should be resisted. The similarities of police and union approaches in both cases were stark, as were the criticisms of alleged police inactivity
Assessing managerial skills in SMEs for capacity building
- Authors: Pansiri, Jaloni , Temtime, Zelealem
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Management Development Vol. 27, no. 2 (2008), p. 251-260
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- Description: Purpose - The paper aims to identify perceived critical managerial factors (PCMFs) affecting the performance of SMEs, show the direction and extent of relationship between PCMFs and firm characteristics, and forward some research and policy implications. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses a survey questionnaire to collect data on SMEs' perceptions of the degree of impact of selected managerial issues on their performance. The data were factor analyzed (principal component analysis), purified (Varimax rotation) and validated for reliability (Cronbach's α
- Description: C1
Biometrics in banking security : A case study
- Authors: Venkatraman, Sitalakshmi , Delpachitra, Indika
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Information Management and Computer Security Vol. 16, no. 4 (2008), p. 415-430
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- Description: Purpose - To identify and discuss the issues and success factors surrounding biometrics, especially in the context of user authentication and controls in the banking sector, using a case study. Design/methodology/approach - The literature survey and analysis of the security models of the present information systems and biometric technologies in the banking sector provide the theoretical and practical background for this work. The impact of adopting biometric solutions in banks was analysed by considering the various issues and challenges from technological, managerial, social and ethical angles. These explorations led to identifying the success factors that serve as possible guidelines for a viable implementation of a biometric-enabled authentication system in banking organisations, in particular for a major bank in New Zealand. Findings - As the level of security breaches and transaction frauds increase day by day, the need for highly secure identification and personal verification information systems is becoming extremely important especially in the banking and finance sector. Biometric technology appeals to many banking organisations as a near perfect solution to such security threats. Though biometric technology has gained traction in areas like healthcare and criminology, its application in banking security is still in its infancy. Due to the close association of biometrics to human, physical and behavioural aspects, such technologies pose a multitude of social, ethical and managerial challenges. The key success factors proposed through the case study served as a guideline for a biometric-enabled security project called Bio-Sec, which is envisaged in a large banking organisation in New Zealand. This pilot study reveals that more than coping with the technology issues of gelling biometrics into the existing information systems, formulating a viable security plan that addresses user privacy fears, human tolerance levels, organisational change and legal issues is of prime importance. Originality/value - Though biometric systems are successfully adopted in areas such as immigration control and criminology, there is a paucity of their implementation and research pertaining to banking environments. Not all banks venture into biometric solutions to enhance their security systems due to their socio-technological issues. This paper fulfils the need for a guideline to identify the various issues and success factors for a viable biometric implementation in a bank's access control system. This work is only a starting point for academics to conduct more research in the application of biometrics in the various facets of banking businesses.