Collaboration in Combating Identity Fraud

The problem of identity theft is complex, spans the boundaries of many organizations, companies and countries, and affects numerous entities in different ways at different times. However, given the nature of the problem, it is extremely difficult and costly for an indi

A multi-metric approach to investigate the effects of weather conditions on the demographic of a terrestrial mammal, the European badger (Meles meles)

Models capturing the full effects of weather conditions on animal populations are scarce. Here we decompose yearly temperature and rainfall into mean trends, yearly amplitude of change and residual variation, using daily records. We establish from multi-model inference procedures, based on 1125 life histories (from 1987 to 2008), that European badger (Meles meles) annual mortality and recruitment rates respond to changes in mean trends and to variability in proximate weather components. Variation in mean rainfall was by far the most influential predictor in our analysis. Juvenile survival and recruitment rates were highest at intermediate levels of mean rainfall, whereas low adult survival rates were associated with only the driest, and not the wettest, years. Both juvenile and adult survival rates also exhibited a range of tolerance for residual standard deviation around daily predicted temperature values, beyond which survival rates declined. Life-history parameters, annual routines and adaptive behavioural responses, which define the badgers’ climatic niche, thus appear to be predicated upon a bounded range of climatic conditions, which support optimal survival and recruitment dynamics. That variability in weather conditions is influential, in combination with mean climatic trends, on the vital rates of a generalist, wide ranging and K-selected medium-sized carnivore, has major implications for evolutionary ecology and conservation

Internet-based technology use and new product time-to-market: The moderating effect of product innovativeness

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of Internet-based technology (IBT) use during a new product development (NPD) project on new product time-to-market. It is hypothesized that (1) IBT use has a positive impact on new product time-to-market (2) this impact is both direct and indirect (3) the indirect impact of IBT use on product time-to-market is achieved through improvement of communication quality, effectiveness of team learning and level of team integration (4) the strength of these relationships is moderated by the product innovativeness. In order to test the hypotheses, data from 278 NPD projects conducted by Canadian and American manufacturing companies were collected and analyzed. IBT use was found to be a significant contributor to communication quality, effectiveness of team learning, level of team integration and new product time-to-market. Additionally, the results indicate that the relationships are stronger for projects developing highly innovative products as opposed to less innovative products

Development of technological capability by Cuban hospitality organizations

This study investigates the key elements that affect the ability of hospitality organizations to cultivate technological capability through innovation. The focus of analysis is not on the institutional context, but on the hotel and tourist companies. A theoretical framework that links the type of innovation undertaken by the firm, the firm's managerial capabilities, learning culture, organizational structure, systems and procedures, technological absorptive capacity and level of government support with the level of technological capability is presented and tested empirically based on the data on innovation projects from 62 Cuban hospitality companies. Analysis of the data confirmed hypotheses that group management skills, project management skills, learning culture, and government support are significantly related to the development of technological capability in these companies

Extent of Internet-based Technology Use in New Product Development Projects in Canada and the United States

Internet-based technologies (IBT) have become very popular tools in new product development. However, there is lack of research on how extensively different technologies are used and what they are used for. The objective of this study is to investigate the current state of adoption of Internet-based technologies by Canadian and American manufacturing companies and also to investigate the differences in their applications and use in projects with different levels of product innovativeness, team proximity, and suppliers’ involvement in the team. The research uses data collected from 278 NPD projects conducted by Canadian and American manufacturin

Performance measurement by TQM adopters

Purpose - Organizations wishing to implement TQM face unavoidable profound changes in performance measurement and are in need of guidance and better understanding of the role of different performance measurement methods and systems. The objective of this paper is therefore to provide guidance for future TQM adopters through investigation of existing practices implemented by a group of finalists in the total quality category of Canada Awards for Business Excellence. Especially the usage and perceived appropriateness of different methods are of interest. Design/methodology/approach - A sample of finalists in the total quality category of Canada Awards for Business Excellence was surveyed. The data were collected either through in-depth personal interviews or by mail/phone using a questionnaire. Next, descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. T-statistic tests were performed in order to determine the significance of the results. Findings - Regarding the extent of use and appropriateness of the traditional and TQM-related performance measures (PMs) and systems/methods (PMS) found in TQM environment, the findings reported that PMs and PMS, used and considered appropriate by TQM adopters, are predominantly process-oriented (process sequence flow charts, Pareto chart, cause and effect diagram), long-term-oriented (market research/customer survey, percentage of sales from new products and absolute market share), and customer-oriented (number of complaints, percentage on-time delivery, overall customer satisfaction). Research limitations/implications - The small sample limited exclusively to finalists in the total quality category of Canada Awards for Business Excellence may be a limitation. Practical implications - This research provides guidance for companies considering implementation of TQM or in the process of adopting TQM with regard to the design of a performance measurement system that would support their TQM efforts successfully. Originality/value - This research is looking at extent of use of performance measures and methods and at their perceived appropriateness by TQM adopters at the same time. Thanks to this approach it provides valuable insights into performance measurement in TQM both for academics and for practitioners

Impact of TQM on company's performance

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of total quality management (TQM) implementation on different dimensions of company performance. Design/methodology/approach - The study investigates Canadian finalists (winners and certificates of merit) in the Total Quality category of the Canada Awards for Business Excellence. The data were collected either through in-depth personal interviews or by mail/telephone using the questionnaire and then analyzed. Findings - The data analysis confirmed the hypothesized positive impact of TQM on all investigated dimensions of company performance, i.e. employee relations (improved employee participation and morale), operating procedures (improved products and services quality, process and productivity, and reduced errors/defects), customer satisfaction (reduced number of customer complaints), and financial results (increased profitability). Research limitations/implications - Small sample size limited the scope of statistical analysis. Also, the results of this study are only valid for TQM adopters and give an indication of what performance can be achieved by companies that undertake a successful TQM program. Practical implications - The study provides useful insights into the performance improvement that can be achieved through TQM. Originality/value - The study provides evidence on how different dimensions of performance are affected by TQM and gives insights into how long does it take to obtain these benefits. Business performance Canada Performance management Quality awards Total quality managemen

Assessing motivations for carbon offsetting by environmentally certified tourism enterprises

This paper presents survey results on tourism operator preferences and motivations for carbon offset options by environmentally certified tourism enterprises in Queensland, Australia. It found that less than a third are involved in carbon offset programmes, whereas just over a third plan to implement offsetting in the near future. Preferred offset projects are regional tree planting or renewable energy. Motivations for offsetting are related to environmental concern, commercial benefits of climate-friendly tourism, and financially supporting offset projects. This study found motivations for offsetting by larger tourism enterprises aligning with the more general business motivations and drivers for adopting corporate social and environmental responsibility practices. However, the extra cost and uncertainty about carbon issues limited the uptake of offsetting by smaller tourism operators