Suchergebnisse

This article draws on implications of the Arab Spring so as to elucidate the dynamics that characterize its revolutions. The analysis builds upon the results of major public opinion surveys conducted in the Arab world, both immediately before and after the Arab Spring, in order to facilitate the identification of developments that shape the relationship between Arabism and Islamism in the context of mass media, the demographic 'youth bulge' and Arab ongoing intellectual debates. The argument advanced here is that the Arab Spring consolidates the view that Arabism and Islamism have maintained their position and hold on public opinion and prevailing attitudes as the primary and inseparable trends of Arab thought. The interaction and shifting relative weights of both trends provide the context for the identity, conceptual outlook and reciprocal framework of contemporary Arabs; and the Arab Spring seems only to confirm the two trends as constituting the essential point of reference and departure for Arabs. Within this context and scope of analysis this article traces the emergence of a 'historical mass' for change that, coupled with an indelibly engrained link between the two trends is opening up a new conceptual sphere and public space for the emergence of a new Arabism. Such development is also supported by the role of mass media and the thoughtful intellectual contributions that have been advancing a new Arab paradigm which further refutes the 'End of Arabism' thesis.

Examines the impact of the intensity level of design for
manufacturability (DFM) on the time‐to‐market. Hypothesizes that
companies which use the DFM technology strategically are more likely
than their counterparts to exhibit a shorter time‐to‐market, introduce
new products and processes more often, and are more responsive to their
customers needs. An index for measuring the intensity level of DFM is
developed. The analysis was based on data collected from 165
manufacturing firms in three industry groups in US – industrial
machinery equipment, electronic and electric machinery equipment, and
transportation equipment. Suggests that differences in time‐to‐market
among firms with different intensity level of DFM do exist. Shows the
existence of moderate association between DFM and time‐to‐market, and
between DFM and introducing new products and new processes.

Examines design for manufacturability (DFM) which has become of a
paramount interest to academicians and practitioners as well. The
emergence of advanced manufacturing and information technologies and
recent managerial philosophies such as JIT, TQM have made it easier for
manufacturing enterprises to carry out many of their activities
concurrently. This new approach to business would no doubt result in
increased efficiency, as measured by cost savings, and increased
effectiveness as measured by improvements in quality, flexibility, and
responsiveness. This new approach to manufacturing emphasizes that
simultaneous improvement in these competitive priorities rather than
trade‐offs will be the norm in many manufacturing establishments. Design
for manufacturability, as a time‐based strategy, has been used by the
Japanese for many years, and there is no reason to think that it will
not work for Western manufacturers. However, if not planned for
carefully, it can hurt rather than help manufacturing companies. In the
cases that have been reported in literature so far, successes outnumber
failures. Sheds light on the theoretical foundation of DFM as a
time‐based technology. Examines the different approaches to product and
processes design and compares and contrasts the traditional and
concurrent approaches to manufacturing. Examines a number of DFM
definitions in an attempt to offer a more representative definition.
Analyses the main pillars of DFM and explains the necessary
characteristics for successful implementation of DFM. Elaborates the
benefits of DFM as reported in literature. Explains some of the
drawbacks of DFM and introduces the reader to Part 2 of this article.

Examines the impact of the intensity level of computer‐based
technologies (CBTs) on quality. The intensity level of CBTs is
empirically‐based. The main thrust of the intensity level of CBTs is
fourfold. First, the technology must, intuitively, exist. Second, it
must be integrated with other available technologies. Third, it must be
utilized to a certain extent. Finally, it must have been used long
enough to produce synergistic results. Determines whether there are
differences in quality among firms with different intensity levels of
CBTs. The analysis was based on data collected from 165 manufacturing
firms in three industry groups in the USA. These are industrial
machinery equipment, electronic and electric machinery equipment, and
transport equipment. Descriptive statistics show the following: (1) the
level of technology integration is low; (2) the level of programmable
automation is also low; (3) most of the CBTs are used as stand‐alone
technologies; and (4) most of the CBTs are used in the early stages of
designing the product. The results also suggested that differences in
quality exist among groups with different intensity levels of CBTs.
These findings have many implications for both practitioners and
academicians. For practitioners, the intensity level of CBTs, as
operationalized here, can be used by manufacturing firms as a vehicle to
benchmark their performance against that of their competitors. For
academicians, introduces a new measure for operationalizing the
intensity level of CBTs. Also discusses other implications.

Huit ans après la première situation révolutionnaire de l'hiver 2010-2011, la question sociale est toujours centrale dans les scènes protestataires tunisiennes. Or, si les mobilisations pour l'emploi public ont beaucoup gagné en visibilité après 2011, le secteur industriel privé a connu une éclosion de mouvements ouvriers moins documentés. Par-delà les revendications matérielles, ces mobilisations sous-tendent aussi des dimensions morales, liées à la rupture de pactes sociaux protecteurs. À partir de l'étude de la mobilisation des travailleurs de la verrerie « Technoverre », cet article se propose de montrer la manière dont le repreneur de l'usine, en rompant les promesses de redressement et en mettant en péril l'identité professionnelle des verriers, contribue à alimenter une contestation qui défend indissociablement l'entreprise, l'emploi et le « métier ».

Recent developments in information technology such as the Internet, enterprise resources planning systems and knowledge management systems necessitate the use of these technologies in order for the next generation manufacturers to co‐evolve and survive on the new business landscape. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of these technologies on managing next generation manufacturing, (NGM), and the benefits that can be reaped by effectively utilising these technologies. We present a model on how NGM companies develop, implement and manage these technologies to support their manufacturing operations. Our model is an extension of Youssef's agile manufacturing model. The implications of this new model are discussed in detail. Our analysis indicates that perceived benefits, as well as potential business opportunities for next generation manufacturing companies, are likely to become key drivers for the use of electronic business.

While the importance of SAP software in business applications and in process redesigning may have received attention recently, its effects on fostering process thinking have not been fully recognised. For example, SAP technology has facilitated a process‐oriented approach to system development because an SAP database can be shared by several functions in different functional units participating in the same business process. The SAP system has been built around business processes that cross functional units. In addition SAP technologies provide opportunities for improving collaboration among personnel from different functional units in their efforts to accomplish a common business process. The analysis reveals that while both computing and communication technology generate an undercurrent of process thinking, it is important to realise that SAP is a facilitator for process improvement and re‐engineering. This paper presents an overview of the role of SAP software as an enabler in business process re‐engineering. The paper also discusses the impact of the SAP system on organisations' information and business integration strategies.

Under production economies of scale, the trade‐off between production and transportation costs will create a tendency towards a decentralized decision‐making process. First, reviews previous approaches suggested in the literature for solving the production‐ distribution problem. Then offers a non‐linear programming model of the transportation problem under production economies of scale to illustrate the computational complexity of the problem. Discusses and proves the convergence of the "tangent line approximation procedure". Finally, introduces and solves a numerical example.

Purpose– This paper aims to examine five distinct consumer reactions, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) awareness, consumers' complaining, boycotting behavior, work preferences and consumer donation behavior.Design/methodology/approach– The analysis in this paper was based on data collected by a team of experts in the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry from more than 555 United Arab Emirates (UAE) individuals, aged 18 years or older. Our study postulated that there will be no statistically significant differences in any or all of the five reactions among respondents with different age, varying degree of CSR awareness, working preference, donation and boycotting behavior, and methods of complaining about companies or their products.Findings– Gender analysis indicated that there is a statistically significant difference between male and female in terms of boycotting and complaining behaviors. Our analysis also showed that young consumers in the age group of 18-24 years react significantly different than older age group in terms of job preference. Third, the results of location analysis indicated that the UAE consumers' contacting behavior to a company to voice an opinion about a company's product or services are significantly different across the seven Emirates of UAE.Research limitations/implications– The findings of this study have many implications. First, there is no doubt that such findings will raise the consumers' awareness of CSR. UAE companies will become more cognizant of their consumers' behavior, especially when the consumers' voice their opinion and show interest in the products or services offered by these companies. The implications of this study for the academics are that this study can be replicated in different parts of the globe to confirm or refute our findings.Practical implications– The findings of this study will enable UAE companies to design and implement strategies that aim at increasing their efficiency, competitiveness and the ability to compete in global markets.Social implications– Many of the developing economies started to realize how important CSR is. A fast growing economy such as that of UAE has given such topic an unprecedented attention. The social implication of our findings is that UAE corporations will have to rethink their strategies when it comes to their social responsibility toward society in which they exist. Our findings also enlighten consumers when it comes to their dealing with socially responsible corporations.Originality/value– This study is unique in that it is the first empirically based study to address the consumer behavior and their reaction toward socially responsible corporations.