Business Commons^™

Beyond Big Business For Student Work Placement: An Overview Of Project Results., Lyndsey El Amoud, University College Cork, Higher Education Authority, Roadmap For Employment Academic Partnerships

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Strategic Planning In Construction Professional Service Firms: A Study Of Irish Qs Practices, Roisin Murphy

Articles

The role and usefulness of strategic planning has been documented over several decades of strategic management research. Despite the significant body of existing knowledge in the field of strategic planning, there remains limited empirical investigation of the construction sector, specifically professional service firms operating within it. The construction sector is hugely important to the Irish economy, yet until now, no empirical investigation has been undertaken to determine the strategic planning process in construction professional service firms in Ireland. A two-phase mixed methods study was undertaken to ascertain the extent of strategic planning within quantity surveying (QS) practices in Ireland. Characteristics …

Sustainable Purchasing Practices: An Investigation Into Current Industry Awareness And Practice, Frank Palisi, Kathryne Newton, Edward Sweeney

Conference papers

This research study illustrates the importance of sustainable purchasing practices for organizations in the U.S. distribution industry and answers several important questions: what is the current awareness of U.S. organizations regarding sustainable purchasing practices; to what extent are U.S. organizations evaluating, selecting, and retaining suppliers based upon sustainable purchasing practices; and to what extent are sustainable purchasing practices being implemented by the U.S. organizations under study? With an ever increasing global economy, is it critically important for organizations to put in place sustainability practices; the biggest impact organizations can make is often in an organization’s purchasing department. The researcher begins …

The Use Of Internships As A Work Placement Option On Quantity Surveying Courses In Light Of The Current Economic Downturn In The Irish Construction Industry, Fiacra P. Mcdonnell

Other Resources

This research examines the concept of internships as a Work Placement option on undergraduate Quantity Surveying courses in light of the economic climate that prevails in Ireland at present. The Irish Construction Industry has experienced unprecedented decline over the last six years, with reduced employment prospects as a result. Graduates on construction related courses are having difficulties sourcing employment, and many feel that they are disadvantaged if they have not experienced work placement as part of their undergraduate course. The benefits of work placement as a mode of learning have been well documented, however this study explores work placement on …

Conference Bid - Enter 2014 - Innsbruck Austria, Patrick Horan

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Stock Market Prediction Without Sentiment Analysis: Using A Web-Traffic Based Classifier And User-Level Analysis, Pierpaolo Dondio

Conference papers

This paper provides further evidence on the predictive power of online community traffic with regard to stock prices. Using the largest dataset to date, spanning 8 years and almost the complete set of SP500 stocks, we train a classifier using a set of features entirely extracted from web-traffic data of financial online communities. The classifier is shown to outperform the predictive power of a baseline classifier solely based on price time-series, and to have similar performances as the classifier built considering price and traffic features together. The best predictive performances are achieved when information about stock capitalization is coupled with …

Retail Visual Assistant Digital Artefact, Neville Knott

Dissertations

Window display, store layout and visual merchandising are defined as the ability to attract and sell to the consumer silently. One of the biggest challenges facing small retail businesses in towns and villages around the globe is how to compete against large multinationals in the visual layout and presentation of their merchandise and shops. One of the key advantages that large retail units have over small ones is professionally merchandised stock incorporated into a strategic spatial layout. The cost of employing a full- or part-time design expert within the field of visual merchandising is not viable for smaller shops, resulting …

Understanding Customer Actions During Self-Service Technology Failures In Multichannel Service Environments, Jennifer Lawlor, Petranka Kelly, Michael Mulvey

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Re-Theorizing The “Structure–Agency” Relationship: Figurational Theory, Organizational Change And The Gaelic Athletic Association, John Connolly, Paddy Dolan

Articles

This article illustrates how the figurational sociology associated with Norbert Elias provides an alternative theoretical framework for explaining the relationship between, ‘individualorganization- society’ and organizational change, and in so doing transverses what is conceived as a false dichotomy between structure and agency. Through an historical case study of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland, the ‘individual-organization-society’ relationship is conceptualized as overlapping figurations and organizational change is explained as figurational dynamics—the shifting social interdependencies between the individuals and groups comprising an organization, between that organization and other organizations, between social groups on a higher level of integration and competition. In tandem …

An Integrative Lean Assessment Model For Distribution Centres., Amr Mahfouz, Laura Smith, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

It is hard to benefit fully from lean manufacturing without having an efficient distribution centre. Applying lean distribution concept helps to reduce distribution centres waste while maintains customer service level high. The purpose of this study is to develop a lean assessment model that enables distribution managers to measure and improve the leanness levels of their companies. A data driven analytical approach (i.e. factor analysis) is used to assess leanness quantitatively. A lean index score is calculated to benchmark the leanness level of four distribution companies based in Ireland and UK. Results recommend that special attention should be taken on …

Busy Boards, Cash Holdings And Corporate Liquidity: Evidence From Uk Panel Data, Valentina Tarkovska

Conference papers

This study examines the effect of board busyness on corporate cash holdings. We offer new insights by evaluating two conflicting views regarding the quality of service that busy directors provide to corporate boards and their impact on decision making. One view is that directors who simultaneously serve on multiple boards improve board decision making ability as they have better experience and bu siness connections (reputational effect).The opposite view is that directors with multiple seats are “too busy to mind the business”, which creates serious agency problems and leads into suboptimal corporate decisions(busyness effect). We analyse a large sample of UK …

Critical Moments And Second-Chance Education Constructing Socially Excluded Women's Stories Of Career Success, Sue Mulhall

Articles

This paper narrates the role of education/training in the career success stories of twelve women on an Irish active labour market programme, Community Employment (CE). All from lower socio-economic groups, having early school-leaving backgrounds, and, prior to CE, were long-term unemployed. CE enhances the employability of the long-term unemployed by offering work opportunities and providing education/training. Using narrative inquiry, it understands how the women (re)construct their interpretations of their career success following critical moments of change in their lives. The paper narrates the stories on a case-by-case basis according to the category of critical moment that each participant experienced and …

Lean Distribution Assessment Using An Integrated Model Of Value Stream Mapping And Simulation, Amr Mahfouz, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

Distribution is a critical component that maintains the efficiency, flexibility, and reliability of any supply chain. Given the limited financial and physical resources of today’s businesses, distribution enterprises have begun to embrace the far-reaching value of lean paradigm. Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is prescribed as a part of the lean implementation portfolio of tools. It is applied to map material and information flows seeking to identify company’s waste and non-value added activities. Integrating simulation with VSM introduces a whole new dimension for lean implementation and assessment processes. This paper shows a dynamic value stream mapping model using discrete event simulation …

Application Of Lean Thinking Using Simulation Modelling In A Private Hospital, Ayman Tobail, Patrick Egan, Waleed Abo-Hamad, Amr Arisha

Conference papers

Timely access, prompt responses to patient needs, and availability of resources to deliver quality service are the key priorities of healthcare systems, in particular hospitals. To cope with these constraints, healthcare managers have turned into lean thinking and approaches in their attempts to reduce non-value added activities and save costs by reducing wastes. This paper presents a case study of a private hospital in Dublin that used integrated approach of value stream mapping and simulation modeling to assess lean implementation in admission and discharge processes. Simulation enabled the strategic management to examine the outcomes of three possible improvement scenarios on …

Synopsis Of Part-Time Education Policy Within The Technological University Dublin, Detta Melia

Other resources

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the nature of part-time student provision within DIT, using policy and strategy documents. The purpose was also to investigate the needs of part-time students and following these considerations provide recommendations for the future development of part-time student education at DIT as part of the Masters in Education - Education Policy Module.

The first section of this paper examines the background and context of part-time and flexible learning opportunities in the literature. It makes comparisons between the numbers following part-time education programmes as opposed to full-time education programmes and highlights that only 18% …

Honor Moore : Photographs, Honor Moore

Honor Moore

A selection of photographs from different times in the life of Honor Moore, generously donated by her family.

Honor Moore : A Cook's Life, Honor Moore

Honor Moore

The origions of the book came from an autobiography by Honor Edgar she had begun prior to her death in 2013.

Honor's eldest daughter Patsy painstakingly compiled this shortened version of what would have been an incredibly long and beautiful journey of a book. We present to you our tribute to a cook's life.

Foreward by Robert Edgar.

Beyond Big Business, Opportunities And Challenges For Irish Heis In Engaging With Family Businesses And Community & Voluntary Groups Through The Student Work Placement Process, Buckley Joan, Lyndsey El Amoud

Reports

The purpose of this paper is to examine the opportunities and challenges for Irish HEIs in engaging with these organisations through the student work placement process. While a substantial amount of valuable work has already been carried out by the REAP project in ascertaining the current state of work placement provision in Ireland and developing a general set of guidelines for good practice in placement for HEIs, employers and students, there is an opportunity to take this body of work a step further. Indeed, the main aim of this report is to present a best practice model for engagement on …

Silent Stories Of Resistance To Doing Employment, Sue Mulhall

Articles

Purpose – Exploring experiences of participants on an Irish active labour market programme, the purpose of this paper is to examine accounts of everyday forms of resistance to the subject positions offered in the dominant discourse of “doing employment” espoused on such schemes.

Design/methodology/approach – Employing narrative research, the process of individual opposition to established work routines is illustrated at the level of meaning, identity and self reflection by using the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space to chronicle three participants’ stories. Their newly formed subjectivities (created by changes encountered in their past lives and the situations they are experiencing in their …

Spaces, Emotion And Heavy Metal Subcultural Control: Music Consumption And Civilising Processes., Gary Sinclair

Doctoral

Despite the longevity, cultural relevance and global popularity of heavy metal, it has been noticeably absent from both the Birmingham School‟s subcultural studies, the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) and in consumer community contexts informed by post-subcultural perspectives (e.g., neo-tribes). This study examines the Irish heavy metal scene. The literature review considers the problematic aspects of applying both frameworks (subcultural and post-subcultural) to heavy metal and other similar contexts. I argue that Norbert Elias‟s figurational sociology (relatively underutilised in previous consumer research), can be used to bypass the agency–structure dualism that impedes both approaches. It is also advanced that …

Manufacturing Strategy & Operations: Reflections On Key Current Issues: Challenges And Associated Human Resource Implications, Lorraine Mcgrath

Books/Book chapters

This chapter evaluates the current issues and challenges in defining a company’s manufacturing strategy and its production operations in consideration of the contemporary shift to low cost manufacturing locations. Competitive priorities of cost, quality, delivery and flexibility are reviewed. The structural and infrastructure elements of a manufacturing strategy are outlined. Mitigating risks in a global arena are reviewed. Collaborative efforts, including the cultural and personality issues of being human are included in the discussion of managing diversity in such a highly competitive and challenging enterprise resource planning environment.

Has Supply Chain Management Lost Its Relevance?, Natalie Descheres

Books/Book chapters

The context of business has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. The definition of need satisfaction, the shift from “dot to web” competition and the embedding of the organisation into a wider political and societal environment has transformed SCM contributions and the meaning of work for employees. Interdependence must evolve from the do-it-alone approach and yet the ashes are not proving fertile ground. In many ways, traditional models of management have not kept up with the changes and are taken aback by the complexity that surrounds us. Complexity is however not a feature of our world, but one of …

Where Next For Supply Chain Management?, Des Lee

Books/Book chapters

Supply chain management (SCM) has been so successful that it is largely taken for granted. Its success has been built on improving three key flows – of product, of money and of information – and on one core principle – core competence. What next for SCM? This article outlines the vulnerabilities that are embedded in modern supply chains and the unintended consequences of outsourcing activities that are not core competences. These consequences are global and have the potential to undermine past achievements. Finally, broad suggestions are made as to how these issues can be addressed and the areas on which …

When The Human Factor Is At The Core Of The Safety Barrier, Maria Chiara Leva, Catalina Bermudez Angel, Emmanuel Plot, Marco Gattuso

Articles

There are situation in the industry where the human actions are the main safety barriers to abnormal or accidental conditions. In order to maximize the reliability of good human and organizational barriers we need to ensure that the action-plans generated are based on a valid risk assessment of the situation to be addressed and informed by a relevant human factor analysis. This implies that the process needs to be participatory in nature, thus involving end user all the way through. In this paper we present a study in which a critical scenario of vessel overpressure was analyzed using a bowtie. …

Aligning Strategy And Talent In Creative Professional Service Firms, Deirdre Canavan, Pamela Sharkey Scott, Vincent Mangematin

Articles

Purpose – Reliance on individual talent and motivation renders creative professional service firms (PSFs) highly dependent on their ability to attract and mobilise the right individuals. This paper aims to build an integrated framework showing firstly how creative industry PSFs can differ in their strategy for growth, and secondly how these alternative strategies for growth can influence the firm's approach to organising and the type of talent required.

Design/methodology/approach – The findings are based on a series of interviews with managing directors, senior management and practitioners of architectural organisations in a single country, combined with an extensive literature review.

Findings …

Exploring Spatial Business Data: A Roa Based Ecampus Application, Thanh Thoa Pham Thi, Linh Truong- Hong, Junjun Yin, James Carswell

Conference papers

In "Smart" environments development, providing users with search utilities for interacting efficiently with web and wireless devices is a key goal. At smaller scales, Google Maps and Google Earth with satellite and street views have helped users for querying general information at specific locations. However, at larger local scales, where detailed 3D geometries linked to business data are needed, there is a recognized lack of related information and functionality for in depth exploration of an area. Linking spatial data and business data helps to enrich the user experience by fulfilling more task specific user needs. This paper presents an eCampus …

An Exploration Of The Motivations Behind Committee Membership In Food Networks, Denise O'Leary, Mary Rose Stafford

Conference papers

Food Tourism has been recognised as a fast growing niche area where Ireland can gain competitive advantage. In recognition of the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the development of food tourism, networks have been identified as essential. This article presents findings from research conducted with three networks and reveals the motivations for committee membership. Data was gathered in 2012 through participant observation and interviews with steering committee members on three food networks using an action research approach.

A framework for examining motivations for collaboration is offered in this article which will contribute to effective network management. Motivations are …

An Investigation Of Business Tourism Development: A Case Study Of Wexford Town, Ireland, Gereva Hackett, Detta Melia

Conference papers

The challenging global economic recession continues to affect all business sectors around the world. Wexford town, like any other region is experiencing challenges in this environment. Uncertainly is impacting on bookings and travel. Included in this uncertainty is the fact that a return to recessionary times cannot be ruled out. However, it has been suggested that tourism is the only major sector of the Irish economy that can cheaply and quickly add to growth in the economy (ITIC, 2011; Failte Ireland, 2011; Davidson, 2011; Casey and O’Rourke, 2011). Wexford as a town has been underutilised in terms of its potential …

Building Social Capital Through Events: Some Insights From The Gathering, Ziene Mottiar, Bernadette Quinn, Theresa Ryan

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Motivations For Cooperation Among Rural Tourism Entrepreneurs, Ziene Mottiar

Conference papers

No abstract provided.