Browsing by Subject "Human resource management"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Open Access
Analyzing impact of experience curve on ROI in the software product line adoption process
(Elsevier BV, 2015) Tüzün, E.; Tekinerdogan, B.
Context Experience curve is a well-known concept in management and education science, which explains the phenomenon of increased worker efficiency with repetitive production of a good or service. Objective We aim to analyze the impact of the experience curve effect on the Return on Investment (ROI) in the software product line engineering (SPLE) process. Method We first present the results of a systematic literature review (SLR) to explicitly depict the studies that have considered the impact of experience curve effect on software development in general. Subsequently, based on the results of the SLR, the experience curve effect models in the literature, and the SPLE cost models, we define an approach for extending the cost models with the experience curve effect. Finally, we discuss the application of the refined cost models in a real industrial context. Results The SLR resulted in 15 primary studies which confirm the impact of experience curve effect on software development in general but the experience curve effect in the adoption of SPLE got less attention. The analytical discussion of the cost models and the application of the refined SPLE cost models in the industrial context showed a clear impact of the experience curve effect on the time-to-market, cost of development and ROI in the SPLE adoption process. Conclusions The proposed analysis with the newly defined cost models for SPLE adoption provides a more precise analysis tool for the management, and as such helps to support a better decision making.
Open Access
Coordination of staffing and pricing decisions in a service firm
(John Wiley & Sons, 2008) Serel, D. A.; Erel, E.
Customer demand is sensitive to the price paid for the service in many service environments. Using queueing theory framework, we develop profit maximization models for jointly determining the price and the staffing level in a service company. The models include constraints on the average waiting time and the blocking probability. We show convexity of the single-variable subproblem under certain plausible assumptions on the demand and staffing cost functions. Using numerical examples, we investigate the sensitivity of the price and the staffing level to changes in the marginal service cost and the user-specified constraint on the congestion measure.
Open Access
Foreign banks: executive jobs for Turkish women?
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2007) Culpan, O.; Marzotto, T.; Demir, N.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the employment policies and practices of Turkish banks and how these practices affect the hiring and promotion of women. Turkey's banking sector consists of state-owned, private, and foreign banks. The overall restructuring of this sector along with the increase of foreign banks is an opportunity to enquire whether human resource (HR) policies of foreign banks have a differential effect on women's employment. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected in three phases. Phase 1: employment data for all three bank types were analyzed with particular reference to women's employment. About 12 of the largest banks were selected for in-depth study representing each of the three bank categories. Phase 2: bank-specific data were collected from the HR directors including: bank structure, personnel and recruitment policies, management levels, women in each level and professional employment application. Phase 3: structured personal interviews were conducted with the HR directors in the 12 selected banks. Findings - The HR departments of foreign banks use different assessment and selection criteria compared with Turkish private and state-owned banks. These criteria emphasize rank-in-person, which enhances the upward mobility of employees. Because of their flexibility, they may advantage female employment. Research limitations/implications - Survey data from female employees by type of bank would demonstrate a close relationship between organizational structure and women's career advancement. However, this study only interviewed HR managers. The methodology does not indicate whether and to what extent women in three banking types perceive the effect of structure on their career advancement. Practical implications - HR practices of the three categories evidences that foreign banks in Turkey add a variety of competencies of their prospective employees in their application forms. These additional dimensions may improve the recruitment and promotion of women into management positions. It is argued that employment applications that include individual or rank-in-person characteristics rather than job-based criteria advantage women. Originality/value - This is the only study that examines women's employment stratified by Turkey's three banking categories. The effect of culture and structure on employment practices and how this influences the mobility of women are explored.
Open Access
Human resources: A hidden advantage?
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2007) Collins, A. B.
Purpose - This study seeks to identify the general characteristics of the profile of staff at five-star hotels, and methods of recruitment, and makes suggestions for improvement in this sector. It is hoped that it will lead hotels to a greater competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach - Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze the data. Comparisons were made with existing data in order to determine trends and characteristics of hotel staff. Findings - The results show that there is room for staff improvement and improvement in recruitment methods, even within five-star hotels. All hotels, regardless of their rating, should understand their human resources make-up and what needs to be implemented to retain staff. Practical implications - With these improvements one might better compete for the first time guests and repeat clientele. Other studies should be undertaken on an international basis in order to widen the database. Originality/value - There are few studies that address these particular issues, yet there is still additional room to expand the study and comparisons that need to be performed. It would be advantageous include hotels of a lesser rating in future studies.