Terms Of Turnover Research Articles

Industry-centric benchmarking of information technology benefits, costs and risks for small-to-medium sized enterprises in construction

The evaluation of information technology (IT) is a perennial problem for businesses as they seek to improve their performance and sustain a competitive advantage. While businesses are increasing their expenditure on technology to keep abreast of competitors, organisations in the construction industry have become ‘technological laggards’. Both the Federal and State Governments in Australia have recognized the pivotal role that IT can play in improving industry performance and consequently firms are being encouraged to embrace IT. In obtaining performance improvements, the benefits, costs and risks of IT should be identified and subsequently managed and controlled. Yet, there is an absence of anchor measures that managers can confidently employ to monitor the performance of their IT investments. This paper presents findings from a questionnaire survey that sought to determine the benefits, costs and risks of IT investments from 126 small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Australian construction industry. The questionnaire findings revealed three key findings. First, different organisation types significantly differ in the amount they invest in IT but this is not influenced by firm size (i.e., in terms of turnover and number of employees). Secondly, strategic benefits vary with different organisation types. Third, the way in which employees adapt to change as a result of IT implementation differs with firm size. Based upon the reported findings a series of benchmark metrics for benefits, costs and risks of IT were propagated. These metrics can serve as a reference point for initiating benchmarking, which should form an integral component of the IT evaluation and learning process.

An exploratory study of information technology evaluation and benefits management practices of SMEs in the construction industry

While the number of articles on IT evaluation and benefits management has been substantial, limited attention has been given to these topics in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly the construction industry. This paper presents findings from a questionnaire survey that sought to examine the approaches used by 126 construction organisations to evaluate and justify their IT investments, as well as the benefits and costs that they have experienced due to IT implementation. The analysis of their responses identified three key findings. Firstly, different organisation types significantly differ in the amount they invest in IT and their firm size (in terms of turnover and number of employees) does not influence investment levels in IT. Secondly, the evaluation process adopted by construction SMEs is used as for both control and learning. Thirdly, a major barrier to justifying IT investments was attributed to having no strategic vision. While organisations experienced no significant differences in the tactical and operational benefits incurred after the adoption of IT, differences were found with respect to the strategic benefits. If construction SMEs are to leverage the benefits of IT, then this should form an integral part of their business strategy. Considering this, recommendations for IT evaluation for construction SMEs that are also pertinent for SMEs operating in other industry sectors, are presented.

Toward an RNaseA mimic: A DNAzyme with imidazoles and cationic amines.

Site-specific RNA cleavage has received considerable attention over the years. Directed synthesis to append imidazoles or amines or both to oligonucleotides to target specific RNA cleavage represents an exciting avenue of research. However, to date catalysis by such synthetic constructs, particularly in terms of turnover, has been difficult to observe. This is the first report of a truly catalytic M2+-independent DNAzyme synthetically modified with imidazoles and cationic amines that would seem to mimic RNaseA. This work now demonstrates how synthetic organic chemistry, when merged with combinatorial selection, can result in a new class of DNAzymes that meets the ongoing synthetic challenges for developing relatively small biomimetic catalysts.

Research and managerial issues on global retail competition: Carrefour/Wal‐Mart

Looks at the development of Carrefour‐Primodès and Wal‐Mart, the world current leaders in terms of turnover and employment. Presents seven issues of particular interest to leading managers and researchers and examines how these are dealt with by the two leaders. Concludes that Wal‐Mart and Carrefour present two different models which stand in opposition on many points, and questions whether a convergence of the two will not result in a perfect model.

The use of performance information in the management of service delivery

Reports on a programme of research undertaken to understand the manner in which leading service organisations develop, use and integrate measures of their outlets’ activities and performance. In particular, looks at the extent to which academic guidelines for adding value to performance measurement systems are applied. Four service sectors where service delivery is seen as being critical were selected for the research. In each of these sectors, one of the top four organisations (in terms of turnover) agreed to collaborate in the development of a series of case studies. The research found linkages between objectives, drivers and key performance measures. However, the organisations still have some way to go in moving performance measures from being something that keeps score to something that helps people and teams improve their performance. Clarity of the communication of results and their relationship to corporate priorities is also an area where major development is still required. Finally, there is a tendency for performance measurement systems to be technology driven rather than needs driven. As a result, the complexity and breadth of measures now available may actually make it more rather than less difficult for service outlet managers to manage.

Leading edge: whY-actin branches attract Arp2/3?

Actin dynamics play a central role in the extension of the leading edge of crawling cells and neurons as well as in the motility of certain parasites. Forward movement is driven by actin growth from the barbed end, close to the membrane, coupled with depolymerization from the pointed end, causing a directional flow of actin monomers. Work on GTPases has shown that the organization of filamentous actin into a lamellipodial dendritic brush requires Rac, filopodial bundle formation requires Cdc42, and actin stress fibre formation requires Rho. But, what is the fine-structure of actin at the leading edge? This clearly must be important – considering the mechanical work required to push the membrane forward. The textbook shows that long actin filaments protrude at the leading edge. But how can this create a pushing force, and is this so?Following up on previous work, Svitkina and Borisy show that actin forms a very structured and finely meshed network of short filaments at the leading edge1xArp2/3 complex and actin depolymerizing factor/cofilin in dendritic organization and treadmilling of actin filament array in lamellipodia. Svitkina, T.M. and Borisy, G.G. J. Cell Biol. 1999; 145: 1009–1026Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (699)See all

Design and implementation of an integrated production planning system for a pharmaceutical manufacturing concern in India

SmithKline Beecham (SBPI) is a major player in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Though relatively small in terms of turnover, it has performed Pharmaceuticals (India) exceptionally well in terms ofprofitability and growth rate. The firm has substantial cash reserves. However, the firm operates in 'mass production' mode at present, with the established finished goods inventory norms being in the range of 1 to 1.5 months. Competitive pressure on the firm is now forcing it to move towards world class manufacturing and the application of concepts from MRP II, JIT and OPT is under consideration. This paper describes the considerations that went into the justification, design and implementation of an integrated production planning and control system in this situaion.

The effect of participative management on organizational performance: the case of Taiwan

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of participative management on the behaviour of employees and the financial effectiveness of the enterprise. The analytical data are based on the survey of 308 Taiwan enterprises. Multiple regression results show that both suggestion system and labour-management committee have a positive impact on employees' behaviour in terms of turnover and absenteeism rates. Likewise, the quality control circle (QCC) and profit sharing have a positive impact on organizational effectiveness as seen in profit and revenue growth rates. However, employee stock-ownership plans and grievance-handling systems have negative effects on both performance indicators - employee behaviour and organizational effectiveness. The practical implications are also discussed.

African‐Caribbeans in business

Abstract Despite concerns over trajectory of the ‘enterprise’ economy, there can be little doubt that ethnic minorities have played a significant role in reviving the small firm scene. With higher than average rates of self‐employment, the apparent capacity for entrepreneurship of many ethnic groups, particularly Asians, has attracted much interest. However, African‐Caribbeans are comparatively under‐represented in the small business community; they do not appear to have been equal participants in this culture of enterprise. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 41 small business owners in four cities, this article examines the neglected nature of African‐Caribbean entrepreneurship. From the findings, it is clear that African‐Caribbean enterprise is a young, emergent phenomenon increasingly undertaken by a group of well‐educated and highly motivated individuals. Previously noted characteristics of youthfulness, the small size of such businesses (measured in terms of turnover and numbers employed), employ...

Ethnicity and enterprise: A comparison of Muslim and non‐Muslim owned Asian businesses in Britain

Abstract This article examines the development of Muslim businesses in the UK with particular reference to the northern city of Bradford in the context of Asian business development as a whole. Asian businesses in Bradford have grown rapidly since they first emerged in the late 1950s so that there were 1800 by 1990. In Britain as a whole, there are an estimated 61,000 Asian owned businesses. The article shows that Muslim owned businesses are more likely to concentrate on the ethnic market. They are smaller than the average small business in terms of turnover and employment and concentrated in areas of low profitability. Muslims are also more likely to enter into business because of unemployment than for entrepreneurial reasons and are under‐represented compared to their proportion of the Asian population. This is due to their relatively lower socio‐economic status which in part is determined by cultural factors, namely the low participation of Muslim women in the labour force. Hence, contrary to the preva...

Software project management education —experiences of training full-time professionals

The experiences gained from planning and implementing two evolutionary steps in a systematic training programme for young software project managers from a group of companies are presented, and the impacts of the programme on the growth of the participating companies in terms of turnover and number of staff are discussed. The basic ideas of planning were adopted from research carried out into curriculum design for systems analysts and continuing education for software engineers. In our experience the core topics of the courses should be taken from traditional software project management together with courses in leadership and the fundamentalsof software business and marketing. The course modules should be very short together with personal exercises that are closely tied to the day-to-day work of the participants. Commitment of the company to the training scheme can be ensured by using a careful analysis of its software process maturity when selecting the exercises.

A method for examining turnover and synthesis of palmitate-containing brain lipids in vivo.

1. A theoretical three compartment model is presented which gives the rate of incorporation of plasma palmitate into brain, Jpalm, in terms of turnover and synthesis of palmitate-containing lipids, de novo synthesis of palmitate from acetate, and recycling of palmitate within lipids. 2. Jpalm equals 4 h brain radioactivity following intravenous injection of [U-14C]-palmitate (determined with quantitative autoradiography), divided by integrated plasma specific activity of palmitate. Jpalm follows the time course of brain lipid synthesis during development of the rat, but is age-invariant in the adult. 3. At 1-7 days after 5 min of bilateral carotid occlusion in the awake gerbil, intravascular [14C]-palmitate incorporation is reduced in the CA1 pyramidal layer of the hippocampus, consistent with delayed neuronal death, but is elevated in the CA3 and CA4 pyramidal layers and dentate gyrus, suggesting synthesis of new membrane during recovery from the ischaemic insult. 4. Several weeks after unilateral destruction of the cochlea in 11 day old rats, incorporation of [14C]-palmitate from plasma into appropriate central auditory regions is reduced, corresponding to reduced cell size and altered morphology. 5. [14C]-palmitate incorporation into the left hypoglossal nucleus is increased during and following axonal regeneration (up to 23% compared with control side) following transection of the left hypoglossal nerve in Fischer-344 rats, whereas incorporation is decreased 6-7% when regeneration is prevented. Time courses of incorporation in both cases correspond to histological changes. 6. The results show that the palmitate method can be used to examine regional turnover and synthesis of brain lipids following injury, sensory deprivation, development, regeneration and ageing.

Another outstanding performance from Sainsbury

Sainsbury have impressed yet again, with a profit advance in the latest reported year of 20 per cent. The group became the biggest UK retailer in terms of turnover, even outstripping Marks & Spencer. Our commentator takes the view that brand strength will continue to power Sainsbury ahead, together with its store expansion programme.

The behaviour of Hong Kong stock prices

The primary function of a stock market is to allocate resources to the most profitable investment opportunities. If stock prices provide accurate signals for resource allocation, firms are able to make correct production–investment decisions, and investors are able to choose the most suitable stocks for investment. These choices are only possible if the market is efficient, that is, if stock prices ‘fully reflect’ all available information. Hong Kong is now an international financial centre. Although Hong Kong's stock market is ranked as one of the five largest in the world in terms of turnover, little research has been devoted to the behaviour of its stock prices. This is a study of the efficiency of Hong Kong's stock market. It is based upon two widely accepted statistical tests, namely, serial correlation analysis and runs tests. Data used cover the daily prices of 28 major Hong Kong stocks over a period of four years from 1977 to 1980. The evidence is mixed; it does not provide clear support for the e...