Value In Management Research Articles

The relationship of managerial values and assumptions with performance management in Turkey: understanding within culture variability

The present study examined the relationship of managerial values and assumptions with performance management (PM) practices with the aim of understanding the within culture variability in the managerial implementation of PM in the context of a developing country – Turkey. The model of culture fit served as the theoretical basis of this study. Data were gathered from 214 business organizations in Turkey. Participating managers completed a self-administered questionnaire, which assessed managerial values, employee-related managerial assumptions, and PM practices. The proposed model and the hypothesized relationships were examined through structural equation modelling. Results revealed that managerial values and assumptions were significantly related to their PM practices, above and beyond the established organizational PM systems. Managers were more likely to implement practices the way it was congruent with their values and assumptions.

An analysis of value management in practice: the case of Northern Ireland's construction industry

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report the findings of research into the principles and procedures associated with value management (VM) and assess its use and effectiveness within the construction industry in Northern Ireland. It provides a brief review of the principles, various procedures and methods associated with VM, investigates the positive and negative factors relating to its use whilst analysing the extent of its usage and determining its effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachUsing a mixed method approach, the authors present the results of a survey of construction professionals operating in Northern Ireland and provide an examination of three case studies exploring the use of VM within the Northern Ireland construction industry.FindingsIn an industry where the client's needs and demands are of paramount importance, VM has emerged as a tool which can help satisfy these needs. This study shows that VM is frequently used within the Northern Ireland construction industry and on the whole is quite effective. However, the research exposed a general consensus that the VM process is frequently not implemented at the most appropriate stage of a project, which suggests that if it was, it could perhaps be more effective than it is at present. There is an apparent lack of formal methods used to carry out the VM process. Instead, rather loose and informal methods are used.Originality/valueIn the absence of a similar study that analyses the factors that influence the VM process highlighting and documenting the views and opinions expressed by the professionals within today's industry and reviewing the effectiveness of its usage, this paper documents a snapshot of practice of VM within the Northern Ireland construction industry.

Managerial values in the greater Middle East: Similarities and differences across seven countries

Our study of the cultural values of managers in the Greater Middle East uses a unique sample of 989 respondents across seven countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE). The primary focus of our paper is the assessment of the differences and similarities in collectivism, individualism, and universalism values within the region. While acknowledging that the empirical research foundation for the Middle East is minimal, we develop directional hypotheses based upon the historic socio-cultural influences and contemporary economic and political factors that may influence business ideology. In sum, our findings show significant between-country differences for all three of these values dimensions. We conclude with a discussion of these differences and why they may have occurred. We also provide suggestions for new avenues of research that our findings indicate are relevant.

The Toyota Way – a quantitative approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to quantify Toyota's managerial values known as the Toyota Way to understand the cultural aspects of the Toyota production system (TPS).Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology in this paper utilizes latent semantic analysis and singular value decomposition to analyze corporate memory documents to determine from organizational view how TPS is prescribed ideally to achieve Toyota's culture.FindingsThis work shows that the Toyota Way heavily centers on the principle ofGenchi Genbutsuwhich is the practice of seeing problems first hand. Findings also show that Toyota's widely popularizedKaizenphilosophy is de‐emphasized compared to team work and respect for people. Toyota's culture is somewhat balanced between individualism and collectivism which disagrees with most national Asian cultures. Finally, results show that Toyota reinforces both long‐ and short‐term orientations which disagree with most national views of Japan's national culture.Research limitations/implicationsFuture work using latent semantic analysis should include a broader spectrum of literature on which to perform the analysis. This analysis is limited to developing theories about Toyota's culture but does not actually describe the culture that exist in the workplace.Practical implicationsThis work provides a broad guideline with which to structure a lean culture. It provides the reader with knowledge of what parts of a corporate culture to deem the most significant. Improving upon each of these company values with the weighted significance elicited in this document could provide a positive impact within an organization.Originality/valueThe methodology used in this paper is a brand new, fledgling technique that could provide significant improvements in studying lean cultures. The concepts of this technique will be useful to researchers in this field and the results will be of value to management who wish to create a more efficient organization.

Value management in the South African manufacturing industry: exploratory findings

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the nature and extent of value management (VM) practice in the South African manufacturing industry. It aims to explore engineers' and designers' awareness and understanding of VM and the nature and extent of the use of VM techniques within their companies.Design/methodology/approachA web‐based, online questionnaire survey is employed to establish value management practice within the manufacturing sector. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the survey response data.FindingsThe results suggest that, while VM (and more particularly its value engineering antecedent) is generally known among engineers and designers in the manufacturing sector in South Africa, it is less widely practised. VM is seen predominantly as a cost reduction tool. This misperception, and the lack of awareness of the potential benefits of VM, must be remedied if the South African manufacturing industry is to remain competitive. The industry needs to adopt best practice VM techniques and standards.Research limitations/implicationsIt has proved extremely difficult to obtain survey data from manufacturing organizations, resulting in a low response rate. While this is a limitation, the information sourced provides useful direction for future case study investigation.Practical implicationsRefresher courses in contemporary VM theory and practice are recommended, as well as exploration of the impacts on VM of other techniques such as risk, quality and environmental management.Originality/valueAgainst a background of increasing globalization, the findings are important if the South African manufacturing sector is to remain competitive. The results provide pointers for future research using a case study method.

Identification of Key Performance Indicators for Measuring the Performance of Value Management Studies in Construction

Value management (VM) is widely regarded as a useful tool for management to meet the challenges, such as limited resources and tight schedules arising in the construction industry. A rigorous measurement on the performance of VM studies is likely to improve the implementation of the VM methodology and enhance the confidence of clients about their investment in VM. The identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) is an essential first step in developing a proper performance measurement framework. This paper aims to identify the KPIs for measuring the performance of VM studies in construction. Delegates of international VM conferences hosted by SAVE International and Hong Kong Institute of Value Management during the period 2005 to 2007 were used as the target group for a questionnaire survey. The survey results identified 18 KPIs out of 47 potential performance indicators. They are divided into three groups: predicting indicators, process-related indicators, and outcome-related indicators, according...

The Effect Of Organizational Culture On Organizational Efficiency: The Moderating Role Of Organizational Environment and CEO Values

In today's increasing competitive conditions, reaching desired organizational efficiency level attracts both academician's and practitioners’ interest much more. The factors influencing organizational efficiency are examined with highly increasing importance. Considering organizational culture as one of the factors, the effect of the types of organizational culture on organizational efficiency is questioned. The determining effect of organizational environment getting complex on the strategy that enable achieving organizational level can play a significant role on the relationship between organizational culture and organizational efficiency. The individual effect of the organizational leaders on the efficiency strategies is viewed in terms of their values. In this study, relationship between organizational culture and organizational efficiency and the effect of stability or variability of internal and external environment on this relation are investigated. Besides, the values of self-direction, stimulation, power that leaders have are researched. 40 top managers/organizational founders are selected for sampling in health sector. Questionnaire method is utilized for gathering data. The findings show that organizational culture types are related to some organizational efficiency dimensions. The stability or variability of internal and external organizational environment and the top manager's values (self-direction and stimulation) play a moderator role on this relationship.

THE ROLE OF PERSONAL VALUES FOR MANAGERIAL WORK

In management literature can be found different attempts and discussions about the impact of personal values on managerial working and behaviour. This problematic is primary researched in sociological and psychological literature, where the impact of personal values on people's behaviour is widely recognized and also empirically confirmed. Majority of empirical investigations studies are focused on researching the impact of different groups of values (i.e. single values are grouped together) on managerial work and behaviour. In literature and business practice is substantial lack of studies about the impact of personal values on characteristics of management. On the base of cognitions from literature and our experiences form business practice, we can most general suppose, that managerial personal values importantly drive working and behaviour of management. Among different possible viewpoints (also approaches, levels of analysis) we focused on management innovativeness, since it has become one among most important and frequently researched and discussed management characteristic in modern organizations. This is especially important in current economic conditions, where organizations can only survive by permanently improving their performance, which is often possible only with innovations. In proposed framework the thesis for our contribution is: How managerial personal value influence assigned targeted characteristic of management innovativeness. For our work we select a set of important characteristics of management innovativeness, and for each of selected vales we research its' influence on targeted managerial characteristics. We also empirically tested our thesis, based on results of a survey among more than 200 managers in Slovenian organizations.

Disorganization, disidentification and ideological fragmentation: Verbal and pictorial evidence from a British business school

Rather than focusing on organizing dimensions of society, one may conceptualize disorganization processes, where ideological values incongruence leads to disidentification and ideological fragmentation. Integrating discourse analysis and critical social psychology, I focus on professional organizations facing ideological, managerialist change to develop a typology of multiple‐identity organizations (MIOs) incorporating various degrees of disorganization, rather than the traditional ideographic–holographic dualism. I then apply a creative, visual method to explore how wider ideological tensions between managerial (utilitarian) and professional (normative) values shape lived experiences in a major British business school. Longitudinal verbal and pictorial discursive analysis shows a cacophony of images competing to construct and deconstruct organizational identity over a decade and a half. The organization tends towards disorganization, but somehow retains a sufficient sense of (multiple) identity to survive, suggesting it is myopic to ignore processes and structures that mark and contribute to the ideological fragmentation of MIOs.

A group decision support system for implementing value management methodology in construction briefing

This paper describes a group decision support system (GDSS) developed in response to the need of a computer supported collaborative work environment for implementing the value management (VM) methodology in construction briefing. The GDSS is based on the VM methodology that allows a client to define and represent his or her requirements with functions and functional performance, to bring forward ideas to achieve the functions, and finally to evaluate and highlight the ideas against the functional performance for further development in design. The conceptual framework, design, implementation, use of the GDSS are addressed and described in that order. The system is complementally evaluated through a field study and an experimental study. It is concluded that the GDSS can effectively facilitate the implementation of VM in construction briefing. In addition, the GDSS has big potential to improve the performance of VM studies in terms of the enhanced participation and interaction, the shortened time for tasks, and the improved satisfaction with VM workshops. Research limitations and knowledge contribution of this study are also discussed.

Is the ward sister role still relevant to the quality of patient care? A critical examination of the ward sister role past and present

To examine the UK ward sister role in contemporary and historical context. The ward sister role once key to nursing is now confused. A critical examination of the changing role of the ward sister. Sources consulted: nursing textbooks 1877-1971, nursing and medical periodicals 1912-2010, official government reports 1947-2010, research studies on nursing 1960-2010, secondary works on nursing history. An historiographical analysis of archival sources which interrogates primary and secondary evidence to make transparent interconnection, coherence, consistency and reliability. As a consequence of professional, educational and managerial changes, the traditional authority of the ward sister for nursing standards, ward services and ward facilities is diminished. Ward sisters are primarily motivated by nursing rather than managerial values. Hence, there is disparity in the title 'ward sister' espoused by ward sisters and the public and the title 'ward manager' espoused by non-nursing managers. This is not just terminology, but concerns the kind of values enshrined by the term and entrusted to the role. Until the late 1970s, the ward sister was key to maintaining standards of care. She was the trustee of a tradition and transmitted its values. Subsequent organisational and professional changes have diminished the authority of the role. History may suggest the need to examine and strengthen the ward sister role in the light of its original orientation. The ward sister role could have a fundamental effect on the quality of patient care if it were to regain its former scope and authority.

Lessons Learned, Ignored, Forgotten and Reborn: Organizations and Management 1960 to Today

Current firm experiments within a set of knowledge driven segments of the global economy suggest the possible rebirth of the managerial values and commitments to participative leadership and collaborative creativity that flourished in the US in the 1960s. Potential barriers include a focus on short term profits and intellectual property protection that restrict both within and between firm knowledge sharing to drive innovations across complementary markets. While growing knowledge resources suggest possible achievements well beyond previous levels, the required collaborative capabilities appear to demand a recommitment among management scholars to field research and the sharing of insights with managers across levels and firms.

Group decision support systems in value management

Value management (VM) practitioners often encounter problems of lack of active participation and insufficient time and information in decision analysis. The use of a group decision support system (GDSS) is proposed to overcome the above problems by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of VM studies. In order to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing GDSS in VM studies, an experimental study was conducted to simulate the use of GDSS in VM studies, and then a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the views of the participants. Factor analysis was used to explore the underlying critical success factors, and the results indicated that certain requirements must be met for the successful application of GDSS in VM studies. In particular, a VM team with an appropriate computer skills mix, and GDSS with good utility were believed to be the most significant underlying factors. Besides these, two other factors, system capabilities and experimental settings, should be also considered in order to achieve a successful application of GDSS in VM studies.

Value management awareness and practice by South African architects: an empirical study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate value management (VM) practice by professional architects in South Africa. A primary aim is to test the assertion of Kelly et al. that VM has “evolved to become an established service with commonly understood tools, techniques and styles.”Design/methodology/approachA web‐based, online questionnaire survey was employed to establish VM practice by South African registered architects. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey response data.FindingsThe results suggest that awareness of VM is not widespread among South African architects, and that its actual practice is minimal. Where VM was used on projects, it was invariably cost‐minimization driven in terms of both the project and the VM process itself. These findings are in direct conflict with the assertion of Kelly et al. There is also a mismatch between clients' value system key performance variables and objectives defined for VM studies. Use of VM for project brief facilitation is not widespread, and the integration of VM with risk and quality management systems is not pervasive. Where VM was undertaken, no attempt is made to benchmark VM activities against international standards.Practical implicationsProfessional architectural associations in South Africa should adopt a proactive role in promoting the use of VM by architects; facilitated by continuing professional development programmes.Originality/valueThe originality of the research lies in determining the nature of, and extent to which, architects in South Africa practice VM.

The Integration of Sustainability within Value Management Practices: A Study of Experienced Value Managers in the GCC Countries

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the states of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries are fairly similar in terms of socioeconomic, commercial, and infrastructural development. Disappointingly perhaps, their thriving construction industries continue to score poorly in terms of sustainability. Although value management (VM) has been proposed as a potential mechanism for delivering sustainable construction projects in some countries, this idea has not yet been widely put into practice around the world. The aim of this article is to investigate this potential in the GCC countries through interviewing 17 experienced value managers from the GCC. The primary conclusion, derived from the viewpoints of these value managers, is that such an endeavor might be unviable at present, largely due to a lack of awareness with regard to sustainability issues in the GCC. Proposals are therefore provided to assist in a successful integration of sustainability into VM practices in the GCC region.

The effect of using group decision support systems in value management studies: An experimental study in Hong Kong

A group decision support system (GDSS) can be helpful to VM users overcome difficulties in value management (VM) workshops. A web-based GDSS known as interactive value management system (IVMS) is introduced in this paper. A comparative experimental study is undertaken to investigate the extent to which the use of IVMS can improve the performance of VM workshops by using a competing value approach (CVA). This study compares and contrasts the performance of a traditional VM workshop with an IVMS-supported VM workshop in three aspects: (1) process measures, (2) outcome measures, and (3) participants’ satisfaction. The process measures indicate that IVMS is helpful in improving the efficiency, information reliability and supportability of decision and participation process, while the outcome measures show groups supported by IVMS perform better in ideas generations. The results also indicate that the use of GDSS results in increasing participant satisfaction.

Value management practice by South African quantity surveyors

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the nature and extent of value management (VM) practice by professional quantity surveyors in South Africa. The survey explores practitioners' awareness and understanding of VM and the nature and extent of the use of VM techniques within their organisations.Design/methodology/approachA web‐based, online questionnaire survey is employed to establish VM practice by South African registered quantity surveyors. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the survey response data.FindingsThe results suggest that, while VM (and more particularly its value engineering antecedent) is generally known among quantity surveyors in South Africa, it is less widely practiced. VM is seen predominantly as a cost reduction tool. This misperception, and the lack of awareness of the potential benefits of VM, must be remedied if quantity surveyors in South Africa are to provide clients with services that meet world's best practice standards. Quantity surveyors also need to know what those standards are.Practical implicationsRefresher courses in contemporary VM theory and practice are recommended, as well as exploration of the impacts on VM of other techniques such as risk, quality and environmental management.Originality/valueThe findings are important given the increasing globalization of construction services, especially given the international ties between designers, quantity surveyors and other built environment professionals.

Carelessness: A hidden doxa of higher education

This article explores the implications of new public sector ‘reforms’ for the culture of higher education. It argues that a culture of carelessness, grounded in Cartesian rationalism, has been exacerbated by new managerialism. The article challenges a prevailing sociological assumption that the character of higher education culture is primarily determined by new managerial values and norms. Carelessness in education has a longer historical trajectory. First, it has its origins in the classical Cartesian view of education, namely that scholarly work is separate from emotional thought and feeling, and that the focus of education is on educating an autonomous, rational person, homo sapiens, whose relationality is not regarded as central to her or his being. Second, it is grounded in the separation between fact and value that is endemic to contemporary positivist norms that govern not only scientific and social scientific thought (Sayer, 2006) but the organization of higher education (Grummell et al., 2009a; Lynch, 2006). What is new about new managerialism in higher education is the moral status it accords to carelessness. Given the moral imperative on women to do care work (O’Brien, 2007) and on men to be care-less, the carelessness of higher education has highly gendered outcomes.1

Value management in Malaysia: a comparison with the UK practices

Value management (VM) is a strategic and innovative approach that is organised in a systematic way to develop and compare alternatives with the aim to identify the best course of action to achieve the greatest value. The techniques of VM, which was originated from the USA in the mid-1940s have passed the test of time and currently being applied worldwide across various industries. VM in the UK has reached its maturity level and has been widely accepted within the construction industry, while in Malaysia, this technique is still unpopular. This paper presents an investigative study focussing on the VM practices, methodology and techniques used currently in the UK and Malaysia. Understanding the similarities, differences and experiences between these two countries shall provide insights into why the application of VM has been widely accepted in the UK and what the Malaysians can do to emulate from the UK experiences for greater VM implementation in the near future.

Educational decentralization and its implications for governance: explaining the differences in the four Asian newly industrialized economies

This paper views seeking the optimal balance between state strengths and the scope of state functions for ‘good governance’ as the formation of a homogenization–heterogenization matrix of policy initiatives in different social settings. Homogenization refers to a global tendency for institutional changes and governance framework to change state capacity, while heterogenization refers to the local adaptation of these global transformations. The paper attempts to take educational decentralization as an example of policy initiatives to assess and analyse the significance of the two opposite poses in four East Asian newly industrialized economies (NIEs) (Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, and Taiwan). The paper's position is that it may be useful to see these four NIEs as making up two clusters. It sees political democratic transitions in Korea and Taiwan as important local factors affecting the developments of educational decentralization in the two societies, while reforms in Hong Kong and Singapore seem to be more consequences of managerial and market values. However, the NIEs face the question of how to maintain sufficient ‘stateness’ in the decentralization process. To conclude, the paper considers that achieving the balance of ‘stateness’ is the key to success in state‐building.