Business Commons^™

Project Management In A Commercial Environment, Ann Murphy

The ITB Journal

Projects are proposed as a result of creative ideas and as responses to problems and planning. While relatively small projects can be managed on an informal basis, complex projects require formal project management in order to achieve specific objectives, obtain and allocate resources in an efficient and effective manner, meet allocated budgets, and ensure that critical time schedules are met. This paper examines the principal elements of project management by analysing the key roles which Project Managers play, the roles with which the Project Manager must interact, the methods available for the definition, monitoring, control and closure of the project …

An Analytical Representation Of Flexible Resource Allocation In Hospitals, Michael Thorwarth, Wael Rashwan, Amr Arisha

Articles

Non-linear processes within complex systems are difficult to predict. Using discrete event simulation (DES) models can be helpful for presenting the uncertainty level embedded within these processes. However, the interpretations of the resulting outcomes can be challenging to analyze. This is evident when experimenting with simulation models, and therefore requires the adaptation of existing models. Introducing cyclic entities such as interconnected resources to the simulation model adds a new level of complexity to the model. In practical cases, decision makers often demand a model that enables them to make quick decisions with less complexity involved. However, these individuals still want …

Responsible Sales And Service Of Alcohol For The Tourism, Hospitality And Retail Industries, James Peter Murphy

Books/Book Chapters

The safe service of alcohol is of vital importance to those in the food and beverage industry - failure to act responsibly can result in fines, loss of license and the potential closure of the business. Responsible sale and service of alcohol (RSA) is important for all levels of the hospitality, tourism and retail service industries to minimise the risk of alcohol-related problems associated with the use and abuse of alcohol by any person. Management and all staff who sell or supply alcohol must promote and support a safer environment for alcohol to be consumed in a professional and responsible …

Understanding The Dynamic Behaviour Of Three Echelon Retail Supply Chain Disruptions, John Crowe, Mohammed Mesabbah, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

It is often taken for granted that the right products will be available to buy in retail outlets 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Challenges in achieving this continued on-shelf availability range from recession hit demand patterns to cost reduction driven strategies. Irish government initiatives to brand the country as a sustainable, reliable provider of food retail supply chains has resulted in increased importance on decision maker accuracy. The vulnerability of retail supply chain’s (RSC) to disruption is another catalyst in the complexity of the decision making process and a more robust understanding of disruption behavior is needed. …

Modeling Behaviour Of Nurses In Clinical Medical Unit In University Hospital: Burnout Implications, Wael Rashwan, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

High demand of healthcare services due to changes in population demography, technological and medical advancements, budget limitations have direct effect on medical staff and medical organizations in particularly hospitals. One of the major issues confronting the healthcare system is staff behavior when they get close to 'burnout' level. This study identifies factors affecting nurses' behavior and its impact on patients experience time using system dynamics. A particular focus is given to nurses in one of the medical clinical units in one of the largest hospitals in Ireland. Armed with a comprehensive system dynamic model that revolves around the staff stresses, …

An Integrated Lean Assessment Framework For Tyre Distribution Industry, Amr Arisha, Amr Mahfouz

Conference papers

Given the vital role of distribution units within the supply chains, this research aims to develop a comprehensive lean assessment framework that integrates Modelling and Simulation with Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to assess the ‘leanness’ level in distribution business. The framework is applied on a distribution centre of a leading European company in the tyre manufacturing and distribution business. The framework helps decision makers to evaluate the effect of two lean distribution practices – Pull Order Replenishment and Class-Based Storage Policy – on company’s performances and is also used as a leanness Self-Assessment Tool.

Using Sequential Mixed Methods In Enterprise Policy Evaluation. Special Mixed Methods Edition., Anthony Paul Buckley

Articles

How might policy instruments contribute to indigenous firm growth and how can the effects of these instruments be evaluated at both firm and policy level? This paper illustrates how a mixed methods research design and data analysis strategy can pragmatically address the research questions outlined above. The advantages and challenges of employing quantitative research methods (what happened?) followed by confirmatory qualitative research methods (how and why did it happen?) in a multiphase sequential explanatory design is explored. The data analysis strategy is firstly to analyse the data generated from a ‘before and after’ quasi-experiment (with statistical controls), then data from …

Procurement In Property And Construction - A Review Of Practises Under Taken By A Medium Size Contractor In Ireland, Charles Mitchell

Other Resources

3B Contracting Limited is a privately owned building and civil engineering firm on the east coast of Ireland. The company works predominately within the east Leinster region. The company falls into the category of being a small to medium size contracting company.

The procurement function is carried out by a number of small departments. Procurement is a key function for securing value for money and ensuring the successful continuation of the company.

Most projects tendered are done so using the traditional method of design-bid-build and as a result the subsequent sub-contract packages are secured in a similar manner. All plant …

An Action Plan For Implementing Responsible Management Education In Business Schools In The Uk And Ireland, Maeve O'Connell, Lorraine Sweeney

Other resources

Recent corporate scandals have resulted in criticism of business schools for graduating students who put too much emphasis on shareholder value and profit maximisation but neglect the broader social and environmental context in which businesses operate. The Principles for Responsible Management (PRME) are a set of voluntary standards developed in 2007 under the coordination of the UN Global Compact, to address weaknesses in ethical education. This paper reviews the context of the PRME principles and UK and Irish school signatories’ approaches to implementation through a review of their reports to PRME to outline the range of options available to a …

A System Dynamics View Of The Acute Bed Blockage Problem In The Irish Healthcare System, Waleed Abo Hamad, Wael Rashwan, Amr Arisha

Articles

Global population ageing is creating immense pressures on hospitals and other healthcare services, compromising their abilities to meet the growing demand from elderly patients. Current demand–supply gaps result in prolonged waiting times in emergency departments (EDs), and several studies have focused on improving ED performance. However, the overcrowding in EDs generally stems from delayed patient flows to inpatient wards – which are congested with inpatients waiting for beds in post-acute facilities. This problem of bed blocking in acute hospitals causes substantial cost burdens on hospitals. This study presents a system dynamics methodology to model the dynamic flow of elderly patients …

Evaluating Hrd Programmes, Sue Mulhall

Books/Book Chapters

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Knowledge Management In The Public Sector: A Taxonomy, Paul J. Mc Evoy, Amr Arisha, Mohamed Ragab

Conference papers

Purpose – Public organisations today face management challenges to cope with current markets in what’s known as a knowledge era. They primarily face adaptive challenges. Changes in communities, markets, business behaviour, competition, and most importantly technology around the globe are forcing all organisations to clarify their strengths, develop knowledge strategies, and learn new ways of managing their human capital. Governmental organisations also exhibit tendencies towards unusual and bureaucratic cultures mired in hierarchical structures, which create peculiar challenges that confront Knowledge Management (KM) efforts within the public sector. As public firms attempt to effectively manage their knowledge, organisational culture and structure …

Remote Risk Assessment: A Case Study Using Scope Software, Maria Chiara Leva, Farzad Naghdali, Noral Balfe, Marko Gerbec, Micaela De Michela

Articles

A thorough risk assessment requires input from experts in both safety analyses and the system under analysis. The cost of collecting together the required expertise for a short risk assessment may mean that for some small and medium enterprises (SME), the risk assessment is not deemed worthwhile or is completed using a generic form. This is despite the possible safety and performance benefits that can be identified via a thorough risk assessment. This paper presents a case study of a risk assessment on a rare periodic inspection & maintenance procedure planned by a LPG storage and distribution company in Slovenia. …