Industrial and Commercial Training

Are you a trusted leader? : Table of Contents

Lynette Deutsch — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Having worked internationally with senior executives within organisations seeking to restore lost trust, Endaba commissioned independent research specialists, OnePoll, to undertake a study amongst UK employees to establish trust levels within UK plc. This paper aims to outline the key findings. Design/methodology/approach – The research took place over a two-month period. Responses were received from 5,114 employees working for organisations employing in excess of 500 people across 22 different industry sectors. These ranged from aerospace, manufacturing and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) to government/government agencies and utilities. As well as seeking to determine what employees perceive as the most important characteristics present in trustworthy individuals, the study also evaluated employee levels of trust in their CEOs, senior management and colleagues – and in themselves. Findings – The full results were formally released at the Endaba Trust Conference, which took place at the Royal Society of Arts on Wednesday, 28 January 2009. In brief, sustained success requires an inside/out process, based on trust and starting with leaders themselves. Originality/value – HR professionals will be able to use the findings outlined in the paper to benchmark trust levels within their own organisations and discover the main reasons why employees do not trust senior executives.

Management and leadership: a competency framework to deliver the National Trust's strategy : Table of Contents

Martin Measures, Mike Bagshaw — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – People need certain skills and behaviours to be effective at work, but if these are not defined, they can become lost in vague generalisations. Competency frameworks set out what is required, and act as a template to check performance. As times change, the competencies required may also change, and in 2007 the National Trust decided it was time for a thorough overhaul. This paper aims to focus on this development. Design/methodology/approach – The process started with a survey, focus groups, and interviews with senior managers across the Trust. The authors then researched what was happening in other organisations, to find the problems and the successes, in order to design the best and most appropriate new competency framework. Findings – It was found that there was a tension between immediate needs and building for the future, and a need for more collaboration between functions. Research limitations/implications – Competency frameworks can be criticised as backward looking, concentrating on skills and behaviours that were needed in the past but not in the future. Originality/value – The paper shows that the new National Trust framework addressed the issues involved, and became a dynamic process rather than a static template.

Evolving role of business process reengineering: a perspective of employers : Table of Contents

Rashmi Jain, Angappa Gunasekaran, Anithashree Chandrasekaran — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze and illustrate the needs and expectations of the industry from a newly hired engineering candidate for an entry-level position involving business process reengineering (BPR). The paper aims to highlight the changing role and the new emerging face of business process design, analysis, and management, its relevant contents and methodologies, its new role, and emergence of a value of BPR, which has been redefined. Design/methodology/approach – The growing interest and the importance of the role of business processes in organizations have promoted the development and implementation of an undergraduate level course on BPR at Stevens Institute in 2006. This research involved a survey of some potential employers during a recent redesigning of this course. The survey collected information from the employers on how important and relevant are the topics on BPR that are covered in the course for an entry-level BPR related position. Findings – The findings indicate a strong support from the employers for BPR curriculum. Of the 19 BPR topics on which information was collected from the employers, 63 percent were rated as “extremely important” and “very important”. The two highest rated areas of BPR were ability to research and collect process related data (3.8), and ability to use graphical methods to map the current or reengineered processes (3.5). Research limitations/implications – One of the limitations of this research is the size and representation of the data collected. A more broader sample would extend this work into a framework for BPR skill set and knowledge at various levels of experience. Practical implications – The implications of this research are to both the academic community and potential employers. This paper provides useful knowledge on what skill sets are relevant for an entry level BPR professional in an economy, which is predominantly going to be dependent on efficiencies from business processes. Originality/value – The paper provides value to those seeking entry-level positions in terms of the knowledge and skill sets required to fulfill such a role effectively. The paper also provides guidance to faculty on areas needed to focus on in a BPR curriculum content and pedagogy and prepare students for practical situations. With the increasing role of service orientation in managing information systems – the importance of business process definitions and their reengineering cannot be undermined.

RX for excessive turnover: lessons in communicating a vision (part 2) : Table of Contents

Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate causes of high staff turnover among production workers at a large-scale retail case meat processor. The paper aims to cover the field research that was subsequently conducted to determine if the relationship outlined in the hypotheses in part 1 of the paper could be confirmed and provide insight into the relationships. Design/methodology/approach – Three hypotheses were developed to investigate six independent variables as possible factors of high job turnover. The research is based on a two-step process consisting of a literature review and field research. The literature review served to establish empirical links among the variables and construct an appropriate questionnaire for the field research. The field research consisted of 38 employees (out of 475) completing a 41-question survey. Individual interviews were also conducted with 20 of the 38 respondents. Findings – The results demonstrate that the employees' organizational commitment affects employee turnover. The findings also suggest that organizational commitment can be improved through increased effective communication between management and employees and ensuring that the organization's vision is shared and understood by employees. The link between job satisfaction and turnover was not supported by the research. Research limitations/implications – Sample size was affected due to the limited availability of employees during production hours. Increased sample size would allow further investigation within specific departments and shifts. Additional research could also have been done on how the company's HR policy mandated from their US head office fits the needs of a Canadian based workforce. Originality/value – The paper provides insight on the causes of employee turnover and low organizational commitment. The paper recommends four actions to address communication and vision sharing to improve organizational commitment and ultimately turnover.

Immersed in learning : Table of Contents

Bob Little — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reveal the preliminary results of the IRMOS Project – an EC project to “extended geo-learning”, delivered “in-class”, “in-house”, “in campus and in building” on an urban, suburban and global GPS basis. Design/methodology/approach – The IRMOS Project research is being carried out by 13 European organisations. The basic premise behind their collaborative efforts is that today's service orientated infrastructures (SOIs) lack real-time capabilities. IRMOS aims to design, develop and validate an SOI using interactive real-time applications – enabling time-constrained operation and dynamic service control and adaptation as well as their efficient integration into the infrastructure. Findings – Using the IRMOS Project to blend open source learning platforms with mobile learning technologies, can produce a real time “extended” location-based learning experience to learners active both in real and virtual learning worlds. This can make available both context and location sensitive learning experiences. In addition, this can personalise learning to a degree previously unknown except in one-to-one tuition. Practical implications – The results of the IRMOS Project should change the way that: educators develop learning materials and teach; learners interact with technology-delivered learning materials; films – especially special effects – are made; and people interact via virtual worlds. Originality/value – This paper outlines the preliminary results of groundbreaking research, which allies the real and virtual worlds to enhance learning experiences. This has value for all students – of any age – anywhere.

Leading through the credit crunch : Table of Contents

Sarah Lewis — Sat Oct 17 08:00:42 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purposes of this paper are: to view the credit crunch as a decline in certainty and predictability in the world at present, and to examine the challenge this decline presents to leaders, to identify leadership errors that can occur, and to suggest successful leadership strategies relevant to the current challenges. Design/methodology/approach – This paper first explains Taleb's analysis of the effect of unpredictable events and then identifies both common errors and helpful strategies of leadership, giving examples. Findings – It is found that the recent changes in the commercial and financial world, the credit crunch, create considerable leadership challenges. It is also shown that there are things leaders can do to increase or maintain their effectiveness as leaders and there are methodologies they can employ with their organisation to increase the organisation's effectiveness in the face of unfolding uncertainty. Practical implications – The paper gives clear guidance both on the approach leaders would be wise to avoid and a helpful approach to offering leadership in times of uncertainty. Originality/value – Taleb's work offers a unique and timely way of understanding how unhelpful behaviour can occur when conditions change suddenly or unpredictably. The paper draws out the implications of his philosophical and intriguing work in a pragmatic, practical, way to make clear its relevance to leadership during the credit crunch.