A practical but theory-based framework for selecting cross-cultural training methods

Increased internationalization in the economic, political, and social arenas has led to greater interpersonal cross-cultural contact. Because much of this contact has not been successful, cross-cultural training has been proposed by many scholars as a means of facilitating more effective interaction. However, most firms do not utilize cross-cultural training. The cross-cultural training framework proposed in this article is based on both theory and a review of the cross-cultural training literature. The contingency framework proposed provides a practical guide for determining the method and rigor of cross-cultural training most effective in various circumstances.     

An integrated artificial intelligence framework for public management

ABSTRACT

Artificial intelligence (AI) extends the limits of current performance in data processing and analysis many times over. Since this states a great improvement in managing public data, this conceptual study discusses the use of AI in public management structures in connection with their risks and side effects. The exercise of state power and public influence through intelligent machines make ethical and political guidelines essential for their operation, constituting the cornerstones of the AI framework model developed here. The organizational structure and technical specification are additional aspects of the AI that determine design and functionality of the framework model in practical application.     

Mediating and catalysing innovation: A framework for anticipating the standardisation needs of emerging technologies

The development of technology strategies are often supported by strategic frameworks. Although standards can be critical in fostering technological innovation, particularly by supporting knowledge diffusion, their importance is often neglected by commonly used strategic frameworks. This paper presents a framework which uses the knowledge that needs to transition between key anticipated innovation activities to anticipate potential standardisation needs for emerging technologies. The framework draws attention to strategic considerations and dimensions that might otherwise be overlooked, including different types of standards; standardisation stakeholders; the alignment, coordination, and sequencing of standards; and how these all change over time. A technology roadmapping based framework was used because it explicitly characterises the alignment, coordination, and sequencing of innovation activities (over time) and can be configured to draw out information against the other above strategic considerations and dimensions. The principles and utility of the framework are demonstrated in three contrasting case studies: synthetic biology, additive manufacturing, and smart grid. These show how standards mediate between innovation actors by codifying and diffusing knowledge and can enhance and catalyse innovation. The proposed framework can be used to reveal where standards might be used to support innovation, better characterise the types of standards needed, identify the stakeholders needed to develop them, and highlight any potential alignment, coordination, and sequencing issues related to standardisation activities.     

A framework for disability in the new ways of working

Organizations have been increasingly introducing new ways of working (NWW). Yet, it is still unclear how these new work practices (e.g. unassigned-desk policies; self-managing teams; telework) may affect the inclusion of people with disabilities (PWD). The framework developed in this paper theorizes the mechanisms through which NWW can enable or disable PWD's work outcomes (i.e. work-impairment coordination, perceptions of justice, isolation and privacy concerns). Additionally, we use the ideal worker concept to reason that, when combined, NWW practices create expectations for employees that can be incompatible with how PWD are often stereotypically perceived in the workplace. This article helps understand how NWW offer both opportunities and challenges for the socio-economic advancement of PWD and provides HR managers with specific recommendations to balance the enabling and disabling effects of the NWW.     

A systematic approach for ranking football players within an integrated DEA‐OWA framework

The ranking of players has always been an important input for key decisions in the football industry. This paper introduces a systematic methodology for ranking football players through objective performance factors within a framework that integrates data envelopment analysis and ordered weighted averaging operators. Players from European Premier League Football clubs are selected and ranked under a decision setting that involves the players' desirable and undesirable performance factors alongside the attitude of the decision maker. The robustness of the proposed methodology is evaluated using different levels of optimism of the decision maker.     

Entrepreneurship training for new ventures

Several studies in the field of international entrepreneurship have indicated the inadequacy of public policy support for new ventures and called for more tailored training programs. This paper introduces a training program created for new ventures in Central Finland and analyzes its benefits and shortcomings using a qualitative case study. The findings reveal that the training program provided useful knowledge on how to develop a business further and how to make it understandable and attractive to a funder. However, the findings also indicate that there is a need for cultural adaptation: the training program developed originally for U.S. new ventures was not fully adapted for the needs of Finnish entrepreneurs. The program mainly focused on risk taking, raising funds from capital markets in the U.S., and entering into the U.S market soon after the establishment. This was in contrast to the Finnish entrepreneurs’ strategies: they preferred to grow their business in a more controlled and profitable manner. Thus, although knowledge-intensive new ventures operate in global environments, the training provided for them should take into account the cultural differences and the local way of doing business.     

Performance measurement integrated information framework in e-Manufacturing

The implementation of Internet technologies has led to e-Manufacturing technologies becoming more widely used and to the development of tools for compiling, transforming and synchronising manufacturing data through the Web. In this context, a potential area for development is the extension of virtual manufacturing to performance measurement (PM) processes, a critical area for decision making and implementing improvement actions in manufacturing. This paper proposes a PM information framework to integrate decision support systems in e-Manufacturing. Specifically, the proposed framework offers a homogeneous PM information exchange model that can be applied through decision support in e-Manufacturing environment. Its application improves the necessary interoperability in decision-making data processing tasks. It comprises three sub-systems: a data model, a PM information platform and PM-Web services architecture. A practical example of data exchange for measurement processes in the area of equipment maintenance is shown to demonstrate the utility of the model.     

Latent factor structures affecting the occupational profile construct of the training needs analysis scale

This study evaluates the latent factor structure of the occupational profile construct of the training needs analysis (TNA) scale proposed by Hicks, Hennessy and Barwell (1996). Data were collected from 72 Australian nurses. Principal component analysis and multi-dimensional scaling methods were employed to delineate a five-factor model. This study demonstrates a good fit of data as opposed to asymmetrical disposition of factor structures as promulgated by previous studies. This research confirms the original latent factor structures; however, validation using a confirmatory framework to analyse the TNA scale is required in future. This study suggests some practical implications for human resource managers.     

A quantitative perspective of Porter's industry forces framework for investment analysis

Porter's industry forces framework is an important tool for external analysis of firms, but its qualitative nature presents numerous limitations to be used in investment analysis. This study introduces a quantitative perspective of the framework using financial information proxies. This allows investors to gauge the external factors quantitatively and to gain enhanced framework usability. In order to test its validity, the correlation movements of our quantitative perspective have been analysed. For demonstration of enhanced usability, our quantitative perspective, alongside machine learning models, was used to predict business performances. The empirical results indicate that our quantitative perspective of the framework corroborates with its original definition and that it exhibits enhanced usability than the original framework.     

Employment impacts of energy: A survey and framework for analysis

This paper provides a critical review of the alternative approaches used for assessment of the employment effects of energy development. It also attempts an evaluation of the policy implications of their use in real-world planning cases. The presentation is based upon an extensive survey of the current practices in energy and employment analysis in Western countries. In the paper, we present an economic framework for the analysis and evaluation of the employment impacts caused by energy development. We proceed with a review of methods, models and techniques available for the study of the labour impacts of energy, their informational requirements, as well as their output and use characteristics. Finally, we attempt a critical presentation of the current practices in energy and employment issues and review the policy options usually employed. Directions for future, related research are identified and discussed.     

Rural entrepreneurship in place: an integrated framework

ABSTRACT

Agglomeration-oriented theories have grown significantly in the past decade in the explanation and promotion of entrepreneurship. Theoretical frameworks and normative models such as entrepreneurial ecosystems are insufficient to observe, explain, and inform policies at the communal level in rural contexts. In this paper, we propose a socio-spatial lens as a more fruitful way of understanding the holistic picture of rural entrepreneurship. By means of abductive research, we explore the distinct elements of entrepreneurial places in rural contexts and derive an integrated meso-level framework, comprising place-sensitive determinations and dimensions, to observe and further analyse the enabling conditions of such places. The findings obtained and the framework developed will be of great use for the evaluation and decision-making, regarding entrepreneurship in rural communities.     

Implementing multiple perspective feedback: An integrated framework

Despite the recent popularity of multiple perspective feedback systems, there is little theory to guide research in this area and to promote the successful implementation of multiple perspective feedback in organizations. By integrating organizational development and individual performance perspectives, a theoretical framework is developed that illustrates the mechanisms by which feedback can lead to improved individual, work group, and organizational performance. According to this framework, when the structure and systems of the organization are congruent with the goals of the feedback program, feedback positively influences individual performance determinants (e.g., declarative knowledge, motivation). This leads to improved individual performance, which contributes to desired organizational outcomes. Based on this framework, practical questions that should be addressed before a feedback process is implemented are presented.     

A compass for customer needs

Baldor Electric uses a tool it calls the value formula to help teach its employees to look at their work through the eyes of the customer. In fact, the goal of the value improvement process is to focus everyone on customer value, and the employees, by going through five training courses, learn how improving quality and service and reducing cost and time lead to higher value for the customer.     

An integrated BWM-LBWA-CoCoSo framework for evaluation of healthcare sectors in Eastern Europe

In this study, an integrated multi-criteria framework is developed to evaluate a healthcare sector which is one of the main infrastructures for any country. Healthcare sector plays a significant role in economic development and social sustainability of countries. To improve performance of healthcare sectors, it is essentially required to evaluate the healthcare systems based on their specific characteristics in order to resolve their performance related issues based on sustainable development principles under social aspect. For this purpose, the proposed integrated framework applies a novel hybrid weight determination model using best-worst method (BWM) and level based weight assessment (LBWA) to determine the weights of healthcare indicators and subsequently, combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method is further applied to evaluate healthcare performances of several countries according to the pre-determined indicator weights. To show applicability of the proposed framework, a real time case study for seven countries in Eastern Europe is considered based on the data set of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Results show that Lithuania and Slovakia have the best healthcare systems in comparison to countries like Poland and Estonia.     

Jumps and betas: A new framework for disentangling and estimating systematic risks

We provide a new theoretical framework for disentangling and estimating the sensitivity towards systematic diffusive and jump risks in the context of factor models. Our estimates of the sensitivities towards systematic risks, or betas, are based on the notion of increasingly finer sampled returns over fixed time intervals. We show consistency and derive the asymptotic distributions of our estimators. In an empirical application of the new procedures involving high-frequency data for forty individual stocks, we find that the estimated monthly diffusive and jump betas with respect to an aggregate market portfolio differ substantially for some of the stocks in the sample.     

Worker representation and the articulation of training needs

The focus of discussion about industrial democracy has shifted from worker directors to collective bargaining. This shift means that representatives will find themselves negotiating on relatively unfamiliar ground, with consequent implications for their training needs. Tom Schuller and Simon Henderson discuss certain issues identified in an SSRC-sponsored project on training for worker representatives.     

The changing needs in company-based shop steward training

The shop steward, as the most direct representative of employees at the workplace, fulfils an important, often complex and changing function within the firm. This article, using a particular shop stewards' course as a case study, assesses the shop stewards' training needs and suggests some possible reforms.