ALBERT — All Library Books, journals and Electronic Records Telegrafenberg

1

Electronic Resource

The evolution of China's telecommunications equipment market: a contextual, analytical framework (2005)

Low, Brian

Bradford : Emerald

The @journal of business & industrial marketing 20 (2005), S. 99-108

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ISSN: 0885-8624

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - Aims to provide the contextual framework for local and foreign manufacturers in assessing the market potential of China's telecommunications equipment market, including an analysis of contemporary economic, political and historical issues. Design/methodology/approach - This is an inductive, interpretative case study. Findings - History matters in the evolution of China's telecommunications market especially given its concern over maintaining control of a strategic interest, as well as the protection of vested interests within the state-controlled economy. Originality/value - To practitioners: the importance of research, vis-a`-vis interpretation and argument, in assessing market potential in a high-technology market. To academics: the role of government in the value chain and network especially when they have controlling stakes, as is the case here with China's telecommunications equipment manufacturers and operators.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/08858620510583696

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2

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Open source geographical resources analysis support system (GRASS) for landslide hazard assessment (2005)

Ramli, Mohammad Firuz ; Sulaiman, Wan Nor Azmin ; Yusoff, Mohd Kamil ; [et al.]

Bradford : Emerald

Disaster prevention and management 14 (2005), S. 522-532

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ISSN: 0965-3562

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Technology

Notes: Purpose - The primary aim of this research is to investigate the application of open source geographic information system software, geographical resources analysis support system (GRASS) for landslide hazard assessment. Design/methodology/approach - Five parameters affecting landslide occurrence derived from topographical, geological and land use maps of Cameron highland were used for the assessment. Findings - The results showed that about 93 percent of the study area falls under zone II that is of low hazard, with less than 7 percent on zone III with moderate hazard and only less than 1 percent falls under zone IV, which is of high hazard. Research limitations/implications - The accuracy of the landslide hazard map needs to be assessed by cross-correlation with landslide occurrence in the field. Practical implications - The map produced showed the potential application of GRASS as a tool for producing landslide hazard assessment map. Originality/value - The major outcome of this research is the possible use of open source GIS software in the application of landslide hazard assessment. The capability of GRASS in performing such environmental assessment will certainly attract many researchers and organizations with limited budgets, especially in developing countries such as Malaysia.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09653560510618357

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3

Electronic Resource

Strategic quality management for the construction industry (2005)

Pheng, Low Sui ; Hong, Sze Hui

Bradford : Emerald

The @TQM magazine 17 (2005), S. 35-53

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ISSN: 0954-478X

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - As the key to value creation, construction firms should treat quality as a strategic issue. However, strategic quality management (SQM) is still a relatively new concept for construction firms. This paper aims to examine the application of the strategic treatise, Sun Tzu's Art of War with SQM in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach - Two sets of 20 statements each from SQM principles and Sun Tzu's Art of War were identified. A pilot survey and a questionnaire survey of construction project managers in Singapore were conducted to establish the relative ratings as well as correlations in the rankings of these two sets of statements. Findings - The findings suggested that Sun Tzu's Art of War appears relevant for SQM thinking and practices for construction where appropriate lessons may be drawn. Research limitations/implications - There are, however, limits to the analogy between war and construction. Warfare represents an extreme situation that demands exceptional responses, espionage and sacrifice of human lives, which could lead to unethical practices in construction. Practical applications - Nevertheless, this study helps to prompt construction firms into thinking about SQM through drawing appropriate lessons from Sun Tzu's Art of War. Originality/value - The value of this paper is to synthesize the strategic issues encapsulated in Sun Tzu's Art of War with SQM principles in the construction industry.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09544780510573048

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4

Electronic Resource

Are travellers satisfied with Malaysian hotels? (2005)

Poon, Wai-Ching ; Low, Kevin Lock-Teng

Bingley : Emerald

International journal of contemporary hospitality management 17 (2005), S. 217-227

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ISSN: 0959-6119

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - This paper aims to examine the factors that measure different satisfaction levels between the Asian and Western travellers during their stay in hotels in Malaysia. The paper also seeks to analyse the importance of the tangible and intangible factors in the hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach - The research questions are utilised to measure the differences between Asian and Western perception of hotel attributes. A questionnaire with five-point Likert scale is applied to measure customer satisfaction. Data is analysed using SPSS software by employing factor analysis, multiple regression, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Findings - Results indicate that there are significant differences between Asian and Western evaluations of hotel quality, with clear indication that satisfaction levels Malaysian hotels were higher among Western travellers than the Asian travellers. Both Asian and Western travellers perceive hospitality as an influential factor in determining the overall satisfaction level. Research limitations/implications - The limitation of the study is that the sample is taken only from travellers who are leaving Malaysia by plane. Future research can be carried out on the travellers arriving at and depart from Malaysia using different mode of transportations. Practical implications - For practitioners, it is worth noting that Asian travellers are exclusively concerned with the value for money services, while Western travellers regard security and safety, and food and beverage as important factors for them to stay in the hotels or revisit the country. Originality/value - Malaysia is an emerging market for tourism industry and the information obtained from the travellers can be utilised to enhance a much more efficient marketing strategy in the hotel industry. This paper contains material relevant to education as well as to the tourism industry, and implementable solutions are sufficiently well suggested.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09596110510591909

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5

Electronic Resource

Sustainable urban transport in Pakistan: threats and opportunities (2005)

Imran, Muhammad ; Low, Nicholas

Bradford, West Yorkshire : Emerald

Management of environmental quality 16 (2005), S. 505-529

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ISSN: 1477-7835

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to explore this phenomenon, how initial choice in the history of transport policy in Pakistan became "locked into" suboptimal transport policies biased towards private vehicles and roads and now resisting change to a more sustainable transport policy. Design/methodology/approach - The methodology was designed by applying the concept of "path dependence" on a case study of Pakistan. This approach helped to locate the "critical juncture" for explaining how transport decision has been made over time and on which basis. Findings - Pakistan transport development, including urban transport planning, has become both "resource dependent" and "path dependent" upon international agencies which shapes the outcomes and limits the application of sustainable solutions in transport in ways that could be consistent with the local situation. Research limitations/implications - The paper is a part of a research project, "identifying the institutional barriers to sustainable urban transport in Pakistan" which is in progress. Therefore, the paper may develop its findings at the end of the research project. Practical implications - The paper provides valuable information to getting insight into urban transport politics of Pakistan. Originality/value - The research paper has implied the concept of "path dependence" to explain the difference between reality and ideal in urban transport planning of Pakistan by the interventions of global agencies.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14777830510614367

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6

Electronic Resource

Factors affecting effective communication between building clients and maintenance contractors (2005)

Hua, Goh Choon ; Sher, Willy ; Pheng, Low Sui

Bradford : Emerald

Corporate communications 10 (2005), S. 240-251

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ISSN: 1356-3289

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - Studies on communication in the construction industry have generally concentrated on the briefing process and the construction process. However, studies on communication problems experienced by building clients' and maintenance contractors' representatives in the field of facilities management are less common. Thus, there is a need for studies of effective communication in facilities management, particularly between building clients' and maintenance contractors' representatives as these provide a valuable contribution to the area. Aims to fultil this need. Design/methodology/approach - A maintenance contracting organization and four of its clients were selected for this research. A total of 44 project participants from the building clients and a maintenance contractor were interviewed in Singapore. Findings - The findings suggested that, for effective communication, project participants have to be continuously proactive, even though communication may initially be ineffective. Reactive responses will result in ineffective communication at a later stage, even though communication may initially be effective. Research limitations/implications - The study identified two additional areas for further research that are mainly related to facilities management. These are modes of communication and communication distance between building users and craftsmen. Practical implications - The research documented in this paper investigates the factors affecting effective communication between building clients and maintenance contractors. A better understanding of these factors would help to reduce miscommunication and enhance productivity and working relationships. Originality/value - The study showed that advanced information communication technology helped to overcome some of the communication barriers between the stakeholders in different stages of the lifecycle of a building. However, with building maintenance, proactive responses were encouraged to improve communication between facilities managers and other stakeholders, such as end users.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13563280510614492

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7

Electronic Resource

Modern-day lean construction principles: Some questions on their origin and similarities with Sun Tzu's Art of War (2005)

Pheng, Low Sui ; Fang, Teo Hui

Bingley : Emerald

Management decision 43 (2005), S. 523-541

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ISSN: 0025-1747

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - Lean construction looks into the possibility of bringing successful lean production theories into the construction industry. It was believed that lean production principles could also be influenced by the essence of military strategies, specifically that of Sun Tzu's Art of War (ST) when these were introduced many years ago. This study looks into the practices of lean construction in the industry and the similarities in the two sets of statements from lean construction principles and Sun Tzu's strategic principles. Design/methodology/approach - Surveys and interviews of 40 project managers in the construction industry were conducted. Findings - The study suggests that there are some agreements between lean construction principles and Sun Tzu's strategic principles. Research limitations/implications - This study raises the interesting question of whether the origin of lean construction principles can be traced to the strategic principles formulated by Sun Tzu some 2,500 years ago. Practical implications - It is recommended that the strategic principles formulated by Sun Tzu be tapped upon for the further extension of lean principles (LP) in construction. Originality/value - The value of this paper lies in its reflections of ST to better understand the possible origin of current lean construction principles and practices.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00251740510593530

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8

Electronic Resource

Has the medium (roast) become the message?: The ethics of marketing fair trade in the mainstream (2005)

Low, William ; Davenport, Eileen

Bingley : Emerald

International marketing review 22 (2005), S. 494-511

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ISSN: 0265-1335

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Economics

Notes: Purpose - This paper examines the ethics of marketing both fair trade products and the movement's message of change, as fair trade shifts from a distribution system that relied on alternative distribution channels to one that is increasingly reliant on the commercial mainstream. The marketing of fair trade through mainstream commercial distribution channels has been the major success and the major challenge for the fair trade movement over the past decade. Design/methodology/approach - A conceptual approach and discussion are taken. Findings - First, we introduce the term "Clean-wash" to describe a range of ways in which marketing fair trade through mainstream distribution channels creates opportunities for commercial businesses to appropriate and regulate the terrain. Second, the paper illustrates how mainstream marketing of fair trade has shifted the message of fair trade from participation in an international programme of trade reform to one about "shopping for a better world". Finally, the paper explores a number of innovations the movement is using that protects the integrity of the principles of fair trade and sells both products and the message of change. Research limitations/implications - Innovations discussed in the paper termed "the Alternative High Street", see the merging of consumption with social action, and counter-pose them with the mainstream idea of ethical consumerism. The concept of an Alternative High Street describes the fair trade movement's attempts to address the challenges and dangers of mainstreaming, and presents a way of thinking about the co-creation of value between producers, retailers and consumers. Originality/value - This paper will be of interest to marketing professionals and "values-driven organisations", providing a case study of how a seemingly highly successful brand marketing strategy may actually undermine the original ethical interest of a venture.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02651330510624354

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9

Electronic Resource

The potential effects of variation orders on institutional building projects (2005)

Arain, Faisal Manzoor ; Pheng, Low Sui

Bingley : Emerald

Facilities 23 (2005), S. 496-510

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ISSN: 0263-2772

Source: Emerald Fulltext Archive Database 1994-2005

Topics: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying

Notes: Purpose - To provide an in-depth analysis of the potential effects of variations in institutional building projects, which would be helpful for building professionals in assessing and taking proactive measures for reducing the adverse impact of variations. Design/methodology/approach - To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect information on potential effects of variations. Responses from 28 professionals working for a developer organization (a government agency) were analyzed. Furthermore, 26 face-to-face interviews using the questionnaires were also analyzed. Findings - The results suggest that the most frequent effects of variations were increase in project costs, additional payments for contractor, progress affected but without any delay, completion schedule delay, increase in overhead expenses and rework and demolition. Recommendations were suggested based on the findings of the research and literature review. Research limitations/implications - This paper presented only the developers' view of the effects of variation orders on institutional building projects in Singapore. Further works can be extended to survey the consultants and the contractors who have carried out these projects. Practical implications - The study will benefit the professionals involved with institutional building projects. The professionals would learn about the downstream effects that may assist in the valuable evaluation of variation orders. Originality/value - This is a timely study as the program of rebuilding and improving existing institutional buildings is currently underway in Singapore. A clearer view of the effects of variations on the projects will enable the project team to take advantage of beneficial variations. Furthermore, the findings can be used by future researchers to carry out studies on the management of variation orders in various other types of projects.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02632770510618462

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