Split (2)

train · 145k rows

title stringlengths 6 301	keywords listlengths 0 23	messages listlengths 2 2
Sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures in Rastin banking	[ "Islamic banking", "Rastin banking", "Sustainable finance", "Overconsumption", "Squandering", "Sustainable investment" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Usury is extensively considered and discussed in practical Islamic banking, but squandering of resources has been ignored. This is while the latter has worse economic and social effects than the former and wastes the resources of the human community to a greater extent. For this purpose, \"ethic economics\" considers this subject, which has been less attended in economic theories and can bring significant positive effects for human lifestyle (Bidabad, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c, 2014a, 2014b). Economically, squandering means to vitiate or decay the resources and is in contrast to the principle of maximum utilization of resources. The term \"squandering\" has also more general meanings, including indulgence in any affair, whereas the term \"wasting\" does not encompass such a conceptual variety.\nSquandering worse than usury: In the definition of tabzir (overconsumption) in Arabic, Isfahani (1108) wrote that: \"tabzir refers to the meaning of dispersion and principally means the sowing of seeds; this word is used for any person, wasting his/her property\"[2]. On the other hand, Tabarsi (1153) defined tabzir (overconsumption) as the dispersion of property due to squandering and said that its root refers to the sowing of seeds, with this difference that overconsumption is generally accompanied with corruption and spoilage (wastage), and if it is done towards reformation, it is not called overconsumption.\nAnti-squandering measures in banking operations: Squandering has harmful economic and social consequences and its impacts are broader than those of usury that are highlighted in Islamic banking. Investors often use financial resources to maximize their short-term profit, whereas their investment can be organized in a way to bring benefit for them and the society in the long run. To reform the patterns of resource utilization, product manufacturing and investment and to prohibit squandering and overconsumption, prevent the wastage of resources and increase efficiency, it has been recommended in Rastin banking[15] that the bank must be obliged to consider specific principles when donating the financial resources of the depositor[16] to the entrepreneur[17] (i.e. the borrower) (Bidabad, 2014a, 2014b). If the bank takes the following points into account, it can reduce its operational costs and facilitate the banking services to customers. Moreover, it can ultimately enjoy a better position for providing more economical loans with reduced expenses.\nSustainable financing: \"Sustainable development\" is a development that meets the needs of the present time without compromising the ability of next generations to meet their own needs. It contains two key concepts. At first, the important concept of \"need\" must be stressed, which includes the essential needs of the world's poor, for which an overriding priority should be given. Secondly, the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet the present and future needs (WCED, 1987)[18]. In practice, modification of the resource allocation procedure in accordance with the principles of sustainable development means to provide a reasonable pattern for applying and consuming the resources in banks, whereas human beings' needs are satisfied and the natural environment is preserved in such a way that not only the needs of human beings at the present time can be satisfied but also they can be secured in far futures for the coming generations.\nAnti-squandering financial measures: To complete the abovementioned topics in connection with sustainable investment, some subjects should be explicitly added to them (including construction, housing, infrastructure, structures, equipment and machineries), which are among the critical subjects for allocating the banking resources to investment projects. To develop and generalize the sustainable development criteria for the sustainable financing processes, a series of specific standards and guidelines with respect to the cited categories and topics must be considered at a national level to enforce the banks at the time of allocating financial resources to investment projects. In addition to the above subjects and the proposed categorization, generally in Rastin banking, the bank is obliged[23] to allocate its financial resources to those projects[24] that the following points have been already studied in them and the operational solution has been already inserted in the project proposal[25] to prevent squandering in resources.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to define a set of anti-squandering guideposts to improve the sustainability and efficiency of allocating financial resources to investment projects.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A set of sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures are proposed for a better allocation of the bank's financial resources. These measures were derived from the doctrine of \"ethic economics\", humanitarian principles and Islamic teachings. Rastin banking provides a base to apply these measures.\nFindings: A draft of the regulations for sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures was compiled for Rastin banking operations, which is briefly presented in this paper and can be used as a basis for the codification of the respective laws.\nResearch limitations/implications: Such kinds of regulations are novel and need to be deeply discussed in the first place. After adaptation, adjustment and performing the necessary modifications, the text of the law can be codified.\nPractical implications: Banks through granting loans, credits and other financial facilities can affect the investment projects in such a way to prevent the extravagant consumption of financial resources in investment projects and consider the sustainable development guidelines.\nSocial implications: The proposed guideposts can be detailed and adopted in other countries, especially those that are inefficient in their banking and financial operations.\nOriginality/value: Wasteful allocation of financial resources leads to the wastage of resources and reduction of productivity and provides benefit neither for the people nor for the society. Hence, the present paper tries to practically solve the problem for financial operations.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Performance analysis of new product development projects: An approach based on value stream mapping	[ "New product development", "Added value", "Lean production", "Waste" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: A new product development (NPD) project is not just a series of predictable steps that can be identified and planned in advance (Schilling and Hill, 1998). For many product development projects, particularly those with some non-trivial level of technology uncertainty, the resulting capabilities of the product and the exact means to achieve the product are not known with certainty at the start of the development project. Often, before project execution starts, there is no precise understanding of the detailed project tasks, task sequence, task interdependencies and task times (Tatikonda and Rosenthal, 2000).\n2. Literature review: The literature review has been divided into two sub-sections in order to take into consideration the two aspects analysed in this paper: what are the most used performance criteria for NPD projects (Section 2.1) and what are the CSF that must be taken into consideration before NPD project execution starts (Section 2.2).\n3. Hypotheses: 3.1. \"Product innovation aspects\"\n4. Methods: 4.1. Research sample and data\n5. Results: Table IV summarizes the characteristics of the projects and their overall performance. From Table IV, it is possible to highlight the high value of over-processing type of waste (1.75: mean number of wastes per project). Basically, this waste involved carrying out activities that customers do not require.\n6. Discussion: Table IX summarizes the hypothesis testing results.\n7. Conclusions: This work aims at defining how some technical and management characteristics of a NPD (i.e. product innovation aspects, information process, supplier's integration and project team aspects) may influence the success of NPD projects in terms of observed value-added time. In this context this work aims at identifying:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of technical and management practices of a new product development (NPD) project on the project success in terms of observed value-added time. The authors address the research questions: \"How do the product innovation aspects, information process, suppliers integration and project team aspects influence the success of NPD projects in terms of observed value-added time?\"\nDesign/methodology/approach: Specific hypotheses are posed based on literature research and semi-structured interviews with project managers used for the pilot study. In total, 40 projects carried out by multinational corporation, concerning NPD, are analysed, comparing product and project features with results obtained in terms of performance indexes usually used in \"Lean Production\" sector: \"waste time\"; and \"type of wastes\".\nFindings: This research highlighted that \"over-processing\" is the most important waste made in the projects when the product concept is Completely New. Great support has been found for the hypothesis that a clear definition of products' concept can reduce waste time. Unexpected result has been obtained analysing \"Information process aspects\" category where the more frequent use of support systems (i.e. quality function deployment, computer-integrated manufacturing, computer-aided design, etc.) tended to increase waste time. Important connections have also been found between project team aspects and low waste time.\nPractical implications: The identification of sources of waste can help managers to assess their current innovation practices, identify gaps between their current practice and best practice, and define action plans to close those gaps.\nOriginality/value: In literature, researches exploring the effects that both organizational and managerial factors have on value-added has received only scant attention. This study attempts to bridge this gap, and takes a first step to investigate the role of product innovation aspects, information process, supplier integration and project team aspects in \"value-added time\" in a NPD project.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Improving a patient appointment call center at Mayo Clinic	[ "Modelling", "Process redesign", "Service delivery" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction and background: At 8:01 on February 21, 2011, the Scheduling Operations manager at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota received an email from a Central Appointment Office supervisor alerting the operations manager, other supervisors and the analytics team, that service-levels were well-below target since the office opened an hour earlier. Call volumes were significantly higher than projected. Additionally, an overnight snow storm accounted for seven staff absences. Staff were aware of the performance issues and logged-in to the call handling system, even before their scheduled shift. In the email, the supervisor outlined the steps taken to improve performance, which included changing staff schedules, adjusting agent skills and monitoring real-time call center reports. This response by supervisor and staff followed initiatives to improve performance at the Appointment Information Desk - Referring Physician Service (AID-RPS). In this article, we discuss a case study that led to the quick response discussed above and significant ongoing service improvements. Our primary objective is to show how applying simulation and optimization modeling operations research tools resulted in a better staff match to patient call demand. This results in significantly better service to callers as measured by the average-speed-answer (ASA) and average abandonment rate (AAR). We discuss how using data and analytics were change drivers by ensuring administrators were accountable and provided motivation for change.\nQuality and process improvement initiatives: The CAO is important for connecting call-center activities to Mayo Clinic's strategies, clinical practice and managers' overall plan to improve quality (Stier, 1999). Several components were required for CAO staff to achieve the desired performance.\nSimulation and optimization modeling: Simulation and other operations research modeling methods are being increasingly applied to healthcare settings. Common applications are in outpatient clinics (Clague et al., 1997; Rohleder et al., 2011) and surgical processes (Lehtonen et al., 2007). Several articles also broadly review the literature on applying operations research to healthcare. For example, Jun et al. (1999) apply discrete-event simulation and van Sambeek et al. (2010) provide a review simulation and analytic methods found in the medical literature. The latter article notes that in most studies, the models developed are not used for decision making; a shortcoming our research addresses.\nResults: The process improvement initiatives changed CAO processes and practices in 2009; however, fully implementing most improvement actions including data-driven modeling discussed in the previous section were in place by early 2010. Thus, it is difficult to determine an exact time at which to perform a before-and-after analysis. Such evaluation challenges are typical in process improvement efforts, where processes are dynamically evolving over time. Nonetheless, comparing performance for 2009 and 2010 provides a reasonable approach. Only selecting a portion of each year (e.g. early 2009 vs late 2010) might entail clearer before and after implementation epochs, but would be confounded with the seasonal call and staffing patterns (e.g. lower winter-month call volumes). Figure 5 compares caller abandonment rates for 2009 and 2010 for the AID call center, where the most significant changes to scheduling were implemented. Performance is consistently better for 2010 (the plot for ASA shows a similar pattern). Table II shows that the mean and variance for ASA and the AAR are all statistically significantly lower in 2010 than 2009, despite call volumes being approximately 12 percent higher in 2010 than 2009 and staffing in 2010 was at or below the 2009 levels (precise FTEs are difficult to determine owing to structural changes, but no additional staff were added). This time-series approach has been used by other researchers to show process improvement initiatives' statistically significant effects (Chaboyer et al., 2012).\nConclusions: Contact centers are important service resources for large medical centers. In this article, we presented a process-improvement case study at the Mayo Clinic CAO. The initiative's primary goal was to reduce the average answering-speed and caller abandonment rate without increasing staff levels. The major improvement method applied quantitative data analysis and operations research tools to improve staff scheduling. Analytics helped to lead cultural change, collaboration and other service improvement tactics. These efforts resulted in about a 70 percent improvement in the key response measures. These dramatic improvements were achieved without reducing patient/agent interaction quality (which is continuously monitored).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Contact centers for patient and referring physician are important to large medical-centers such as the Mayo Clinic's Central Appointment Office (CAO). The aim of this case study is to report the process and results of a major process improvement effort, designed to simultaneously improve service quality and efficiency.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Discrete-event simulation and optimization are used and linked to significant service improvements.\nFindings: The process improvement efforts led to about a 70 percent improvement in patient service performance as measured by average answering-speed (ASA) and average abandonment rate (AAR). This was achieved without adding additional staff, despite call volume increasing by 12 percent. Evaluating process improvement projects is difficult owing to the \"phased\" implementation of changes. Thus, there is no true control against which to compare. Additionally, the results are based on a single case study.\nResearch limitations/implications: Evaluation of process improvement projects is difficult due to the \"phased\" implementation of changes. Thus, there is no true control to compare against.\nPractical implications: Contact center data and operations research methods, such as discrete-event simulation and optimization, can be integrated with change management, which results in significant process improvements in medical call-centers.\nOriginality/value: Structured quantitative modeling of contact centers can be an important extension to traditional quality and process improvement techniques.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Some risks of informal business in Russia - a case study from Saint Petersburg	[ "Russia", "Entrepreneurship", "Risk", "Informal economy", "Socio-economic transformation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Research theme and its context: According to the data from Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS), approximately one in ten people in Russia tried to launch and run a business in 2012, and somewhat less than half of these succeeded (Kozyreva, 2015). Launching a business in Russia has become easier in the recent past: starting business in 2004 required 12 procedures and took 29 days on the average, while in 2015, it required only 4-5 procedures and took 10-11 days (World Bank, 2016). However, only 5 percent of Russian families rely on entrepreneurial income other than that from subsistence farming (\"dacha economy\"), and the economic environment has not been favorable to evolving small- and medium-sized entrepreneurship (e.g. Aidis et al., 2008; Ovcharova, 2012). The contribution of small- and medium-sized business in the Russian GDP remains at 21 percent, while in other BRICS countries[1] the corresponding level was 42 percent and in the EU 58 percent (Kozyreva, 2015; cf. Bosma and Levie, 2010).\n2. Material and methods: The paper is based on semi-structured interviews collected in the context of Research Project \"New Risks and Emerging Needs in Transforming Russia,\" funded by the Finnish Academy of Sciences (1998-2000) and its continuation, Project, \"Life Trajectories of Saint Petersburg People in Post-Soviet Russia,\" funded by the Russian Academy of Sciences in (2015-2017). Altogether 100 family interviews were gathered at the turn of the millennium covering a list of themes, with an aim to investigate risks of Russian everyday life and coping during the ongoing socio-economic transformation. At the second phase, altogether 40 interviews of the same families have been collected in order to capture what has happened with the families since the turn of the millennium. The interviewees were identified by snowball sampling aiming at various types of households in Saint Petersburg. The interviews were carried out at respondents' homes, and if the household included a married couple, both the husband and the wife were interviewed together. The interviews were taped and transcribed in Russian. The identity of the interviewees is not given, and in the collected data the only systematic pieces of information on the respondents recorded were gender, age and level of education. The interviewees were born in Saint Petersburg or lived there long; however, we did not set here a threshold. They lived in various parts of the city.\n3. Multiple risks: the case of shuttle trade: Shuttle trade and its practices have already been described earlier, for instance, from the point of view of smuggling, but research literature does not look at the trade from the point of view of risks (cf. Bruns and Miggelbrink, 2012b). Shuttle traders, \"chelnoks\" in Russian, \"traveled to neighboring countries to explore and exploit the differences in prices. They started bringing small quantities of goods (clothes, utensils, electronics, house supplies etc.) to their home countries or regions. This informal trading practice proved to be highly efficient because it was very sensitive to consumer demands and price regulatory mechanisms, made available a variety of cheap merchandise for a population stricken by poverty and required much smaller transaction costs comparable to that of retailers in the formal city shops\" (Nasritdinov and O'Connor, 2014).\n4. Business and crime-related risks: Martin Paldam and Tinggaard Svendsen (2000; cf. Rose, 1996) see the roots of the links between Russian public administration, business and crime in the networks of \"fixers\" needed and tolerated during the real socialism to provide the system with flexibility: after the collapse of the earlier system these networks became independent and are now counterproductive (cf. Ledeneva, 1998, 2006). The interviews hint that in small business you had to pay for protection, have a \"krysha,\" although the responses to a direct question were evasive. The law enforcement is according to the responses involved in the protection schemes, potentially as an arbiter keeping up a status quo (cf. Gaddy and Ickes, 2010). It is today easier to play by the rules of the game, but you must know the rules. This requires special skills, since the rules are of informal character, and \"the officialdom has room for manoeuvre\" (Barkhatova et al., 2001; Bain, 2007):\"The point is, I have just been talking to people, the times have, of course, changed, and such brutal unexpected things do not happen anymore. All that, of course, is still there, but in a more covered way, and the police tries to put some constraints on that kind of racketeers, since now everything already has been divided and all have 'kryshas'\" \"Well, we had just opened the doors, there came at once some people to us and proposed their services.\" \"Yes, they came at once.\" Question: \"They started to require something from you?\" \"Well, they did not. Let's say, they insinuated. Like, would you not like to have security we can provide it for you. We said, yes, guys, we already have all that. Good bye.\"(male and female, 44 and 48 years, shopkeepers)\n5. Concluding comments: Case studies in business, law and policy research, however, allow critical events of life and society to be studied in detail and in real-life context, in situations where experimental design would be impossible to undertake (cf. Crowe et al., 2011; Lucas et al., 2011) and where quantitative data would be either unavailable or unreliable. The analyzed interviews were drawn from a larger research material, which was not collected for analyzing risks of running business in Russia. This means that, unfortunately, it was not possible to address e.g. the perception of risks in detail and the ways of coping with them. The approach of the paper remains descriptive and interpretative, and the argument is linked with earlier research into Russian business. The analyzed cases illustrate \"how the social action was constituted\" for Russian small business during transformation (cf. Barth, 1981; Lonkila, 2000). However, an important limitation of a case study approach utilized here is the lack of generalizability. The key material of the paper was collected at the turn of the millennium, but the problems of informal economy linked with crime have not disappeared, although they may have changed (Belokurova, 2012).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe some risks and risk-taking when launching and running business in Russia during the socio-economic transformation. The risks are related to informal economy.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research material consists of 11 thematic interviews of families, who launched and ran a business during the turn of the millennium and follow-up interviews. The interviews were extracted from a larger material of 100 interviews and 40 follow-ups focusing on household coping in Russian socio-economic transformation.\nFindings: The paper focusses on risky shuttle trade as well as crime-related risks of business, as poignant illustrations of problems of entrepreneurship linked with informal economy. The risks are seen as social facts, objective or constructed, in some cases pointing out also how people speak about them. The testimonial stories of business show an individual or family focus on the risks, without major concern for legitimacy of action, albeit a need for distinction toward other corresponding risk-takers.\nResearch limitations/implications: The findings illustrate important aspects of informal economy in Russia, but they cannot be generalized. It would be most useful to carry out qualitative studies of small business to assess perception and construction of risks and coping with them, capturing the views of entrepreneurs themselves.\nOriginality/value: There is rather little micro-level information concerning the risks or uncertainty when launching and running business in the Russian Federation. Qualitative data enable deeper understanding of sensitive issues. The paper wants to introduce the concept of risk into the social research of informal economy.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Development of waste occurrence level indicator in Vietnam construction industry	[ "Vietnam", "Construction management", "Lean construction", "Construction wastes", "Frequency", "Non-value-adding activities" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: According to the General Statistics Office (2011) of Vietnam, industry and construction are the largest economic activity group that accounted for 41.1 percent of GDP. It can be easily seen that this is because Vietnam is a developing country. Many construction projects were built to meet the growing needs of population and economics in last two decades. Similar to other countries, especially developing countries, the construction industry in Vietnam has also coped with many problems during performance such as low productivity (Ho et al., 2007), lack of supply capacity (Luu et al., 2008), and low-technological innovation (Nguyen et al., 2009). Koskela (1993) indicated that poor safety, insufficient quality, lack of skilled workers, inferior working conditions, and defective design cause a considerable waste for construction projects. These wastes have reduced success of project; thus they need to be removed during construction (Khanh, 2011). In reality, while a few construction companies have begun to look into waste reduction problems by employing new concepts and techniques in lean production to improve performance processes, most companies have not concentrated on these problems yet (Ramaswamy and Kalidindi, 2009).\nLiterature review: Under the philosophy of lean manufacturing of Toyota Production System in 1980s, waste includes three types: Muda (also known as the seven wastes); Mura; and Muri. Muda is defined as any activity or process that does not add value to product, i.e., transport, inventory, motion, waiting, overproduction, over-processing, and defects (Ohno, 1988). Mura is defined as the waste of unevenness or inconsistency, and it is the latent source of Muda. For example, failing to balance between supply and demand causes the creation of inventory and other wastes. Muri is defined as the waste of overburden and created by Mura. Some of causes make Muri in production such as lack of training, unclear ways of working, or use of inappropriate tools (Womack and Jones, 2003). In recent studies, wastes have been defined as \"any inefficiency that results in the use of equipment, materials, labor or capital in larger quantities than those considered as necessary in the production of a building\" (Koskela, 1992), or \"any loss produced by activities that generate direct or indirect costs but do not add any value to the product from the point of view of the client\" (Formoso et al., 1999). In addition, Formoso et al. (2002) stressed the need to consider a broader view of waste that is not only related to materials but also related to other resources such as labor and equipment. Based on the possibility to add value to product, Koskela (1992) classified construction activities into: value-adding activities, and non-value-adding activities (also called wastes).\nResearch methodology: Questionnaire design\nAnalysis results: Respondents' profile\nDiscussion on waste problems: The results of analysis have confirmed that frequency of occurrence of wastes is fairly high in the construction industry. However, these wastes are not well perceived and controlled by professionals during performance of project because the concept of waste under lean production philosophies is very extensive (Khanh, 2011). Among them, wastes related to materials are predictable and avoidable (Formoso et al., 2002), and wastes related to time and efforts to finish the work are very hard to measure because people on site often do not care about them (Khanh, 2011). The fact that most construction firms were unaware of the magnitude of waste at their sites points out a lack of transparency in the performance of their production systems (Greif, 1991). Indeed, very few of construction projects had well-prepared plans, specification, drawings and resource before and during performance. As a result, this has caused a considerable waste for project after completion.\nConclusions: Many past studies have tried to search for factors that influence the efficiency of project performance throughout the world. One of them has been found to be factors related to material and time waste. Among them, time waste has not been paid much attention by managers in the construction industry. Because the new concept of waste is not only related to resource but also related to time and efforts to complete the construction tasks, it is very difficult to quantify the percentage of wastes in the total cost of project if having no clear strategy before construction. Compared with previous studies, which have mainly focussed on defining and classifying waste and its causes, the major contribution of this study is that the level of waste occurrence was qualitatively evaluated based on respondent's experience.\nRecommendation: The level of waste varies on each project according to its design and construction characteristics. Practitioners should estimate level of waste suited with their distinct projects before construction. Previous studies have shown that level of waste in construction projects will be reduced if their causes are prevented. Thus, future studies should be conducted to examine the sources causing the waste happened in the construction sites. Moreover, case studies about relationship between particular causes and wastes should be performed to assess the current status of waste level. The strategies to reduce the effect of waste on project performance can be then drawn based on their causes. By taking care of the main causes of waste in present and future projects, the managers can control wastes well in their performance processes. Therefore, a construction project can be achieved more success if all employees know how to control completely the wastes in every activity on their site. Since then, the profit of project may be increased through reducing or eliminating the wastes.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the waste occurrence level in the construction industry. It includes: first, identifying the mean value of frequency of waste occurrence according to respondents' characteristics; second, identifying the main predictive factors for waste occurrence based on latent relationships between initial waste factors; and third, identifying the waste occurrence-level indicator (WOLI) for the construction industry based on the main waste measurement factors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A total of 19 waste factors were sorted from the literature review. A structured questionnaire was adopted to carry out the survey. The respondents are professionals who have much experience in construction and management of project. Shapiro-Wilk test of normality, Levene's test, ANOVA test, and factor analysis technique were used to analyze the collected data.\nFindings: Frequency of waste occurrence in construction projects is quite high. There was no statistically and practically significant difference in means for waste occurrence between selected population categories. Based on factor analysis technique, there were five principal components extracted with 56.7 percent of total variance. The WOLI in the construction industry was found as 61.55 per the scale of 100.\nResearch limitations/implications: The non-probability sampling was applied to collect data because of several certain limitations and difficulties. The number of data sets is relatively small. This study has only examined the frequency of waste occurrence without quantitative information.\nPractical implications: This is another study of waste factors in the construction industry, which is different from traditional waste studies.\nOriginality/value: The contribution of this study to the practical project management is that a proposed evaluation sheet for WOLI could be applied for any construction firm.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Change communication: the impact on satisfaction with alternative workplace strategies	[ "Facility management", "Change management", "Hotdesking", "Communications", "Change", "Workplace", "Facilities" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The issues arising from changes to working environments can be hard for facilities management staff to engage with. There is very often an approach that \"it just has to be done\" and this results in a lack of engagement and communication between the facilities management staff and the end users (Donald, 1994; La Framboise et al., 2002; Price and Fortune, 2008). In particular La Framboise and her colleagues identified effective communication, or the lack of it, as a key determinant of perceived success in a review of all Canadian Federal Government property initiatives. There is existing literature in relation to importance of communication in general change management (Heathfield, 2008) and on how the lack of a communication strategy can impact on the satisfaction and engagement of staff in the long term. Little however is written about this from a facilities management perspective. The research reported below focused on the effective use of communication, rather than the value of any savings made or the impact of an alternative workplace strategy (AWS) on those people affected. This paper is therefore a detailed analysis of the communication used during an office move situation. The question was undertaken how effective communication (or the lack of it) had impacted on staff satisfaction within a new working environment.\n2. Background: The context was a \"blue chip\" organisation (FinanceCo) which had identified a need to reduce overheads and in particular facilities expenditure as a response to the current economic climate. The FinanceCo property and facilities management had to make changes with a sense of urgency and they entered into project mode immediately with very little focus on the strategic communication needs.The FinanceCo property and facilities management (PFM) team for the UK were challenged by executive management to develop a strategy for the reduction of organisational property overheads. As part of the strategy there was a decision to reduce property expense with the reduction in size of the property portfolio creating an impact on office space and the employees. FinanceCo is made up of mostly static workers whose work consists of customer interaction by telephone or e-mail and co-worker interaction by face-to-face, telephone or e-mail. Prior to the implementation of the new strategy, with a few exceptions, properties were occupied on the basis of everyone having their own desk. Previous internal studies (undertaken by FinanceCo) had shown that occupation levels averaged at 80 per cent; but at times could be as low as 40 per cent because not all users are permanently at their desks. Unused space was considered to be a waste of resources (Rogers and Simms, 2006), so flexibility of space was important. PFM concluded that to accommodate everyone into a reduced property portfolio the existing workplace strategies and space utilisation needed to be challenged and revised. In the terms distinguished by Becker et al. (1994) this was a classic cost driven workplavce initiative.FinanceCo carried out an alternative workplace trial in March 2008, based on sharing desks in team zones, rather than individuals having their own desks. Desks were allocated at the ratio of five desks per six full time employees (FTE), with an additional small number of shared touchdown points. After the initial trial there was anecdotal evidence that employees felt a significant amount of resentment and viewed the change as penny pinching. At no stage was a review undertaken to ascertain whether the pilot was successful or not and there was also no evaluation of the communication used to inform staff of the change.Further to the pilot, in November 2008 FinanceCo requested external consultants to undertake an occupancy review of another site. The report advised that as little as 50 per cent of space was being used and proposed a number of measures for the increased utilisation of space. At no stage in this study were staff canvassed on how they used their space or how much of it they actually needed. The suggestions put forward by the November 2008 study proposed an alternative workplace strategy based on zoning similar to that of the pilot. The solution was presented to the board by PFM and it was accepted and sponsored at CEO level, which meant that this project would form an integral part of FinanceCo's strategy to change the accommodation by 2010.Two months prior to the change taking place PFM held workshops for directors and heads of departments that were to be involved. The rationale for the change was explained along with significant detail as to how it would function. The workshop participants were then asked to disseminate this information to their teams. Although this was the predominant route for communication, unfortunately some end users became aware of the alternative workplace strategy via other means, such as office rumour.For such a considerable piece of work, sufficient time and resources would ideally have been required to not only develop and implement the solution, but also to communicate it. Unfortunately the timescales for delivery were driven by lease end dates; which meant that although considerable time and effort had been put into the design of the office space and how it would be used more efficiently, the communication of how this change would be implemented and its affect on employees was not undertaken. The research reported in this paper focuses on the communication used in the change programme and its impact on the relative satisfaction of the respondents. This change had the effect of cultural transformation, moving from having your own desk to sharing space. Undertaking an evaluation on the way in which this change was communicated provides useful evidence for future organisational change initiatives.\n3. Theoretical context: La Framboise et al. (2002) discussed the four stages of change process including discovery - what is happening - a critical phase in the communication plan; denial - it will not actually happen; resistance - a time of employee concern, a time when employees need personal communication to understand how this affects them personally; and finally acceptance, by which stage the communications plan should have eased the change process, and employees should be feeling fully communicated with and in full understanding of how the proposed change affects them. La Framboise et al. (2002) also recognised the need to not only allow the opportunity for staff to feedback, but also to evidence how their contributions have been valued. In FinanceCo's change programme due to limited time restraints, no such communications plan existed and there had only been a small amount of staff consultation.3.1 Communication theory\n4. Research methodology: FinanceCo frequently undertakes surveys of its employees to obtain feedback on satisfaction, the quality of leadership, provision of services, views on procedures etc. The format of these surveys is usually an online self-administered questionnaire. Typically employees are made aware in advance via the intranet and/or e-mail communication prior to being sent a hyperlink to undertake the survey.The research followed the online questionnaire route as employees were used to, and comfortable with, this technique. The survey population was contacted by email several weeks prior to the questionnaire being initiated to notify them of the forthcoming study. A distribution list taken from the PFM moves team was used for this purpose - as they had the names of all the employees that moved. The survey was sent out as an explanatory email with a link to the online survey.4.1 Method of research\n5. Survey results: The questions asked within the survey were focused on understanding whether there was any correlation between the satisfaction of the alternative workplace strategy and the level of communication received. The correlation between results can be viewed in Table I. The table shows the correlation between the different variables and the significance levels. As identified in the correlation table there were strong links (significant at 0.01) between how satisfied staff were working for FinanceCo post implementation and the clarity, amount and frequency of the communication received and that feedback was taken seriously.5.1 Communication methods\n6. Conclusion and recommendations: The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that the lack of a communication strategy led to reduced staff satisfaction with the organisation overall and therefore negatively impacted on the implementation of the alternative workplace strategy.The research highlights that there was a lack of consultation to understand the respondent's requirements, or business needs, prior to implementation. From responses it was clear that the alternative workplace strategy is not a \"one size fits all\" solution. Many comments alluded to a flawed concept because it simply did not work for them. There are two potential outcomes from this feedback:1. The alternative workplace strategy does not work.2. The way the strategy was communicated was inadequate and therefore gives the perception of being flawed.Given that there was no universal disapproval of the concept (half the respondents were no less satisfied) it would be inappropriate to say that the workplace strategy does not work. Instead what was apparent was that its implementation, even though it was founded on previous reports or trials, was imposed without sufficient consultation. The data consistently indicates that there was insufficient opportunity to feedback criticism to those with influence, or when it was the response was \"it's going to happen regardless - just accept it\". This would reinforce the findings from La Framboise et al. (2002) research that recognised the importance to have a robust communication plan in place.The data obtained from this research would conclude with the hypothesis of the research; had the respondents had enough information via a range of communication mediums, which arrived in adequate time to allow them to understand the reason and impact of the change, together with the opportunity to participate in meaningful consultation and feedback, then the satisfaction levels of working with FinanceCo would have been approved. Feedback must be taken seriously and adhered to.In summary, sufficient time should be given to implementing any change, which should have a communications strategy at its heart. The full picture of why the change is occurring and what impact it will have for each individual should be painted using multiple means of communication in order to ensure everyone involved is aware and they receive the message without distortion. Once the change programme has begun, evidence from the study suggests that staff need to be continually informed of progress and given the opportunity to ask questions in order to understand the change. When the change has finished, an evaluation of the project and the communication strategy should be undertaken ensuring that any recommendations from the evaluation are taken forward to the next change initiative.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Communication is fundamental to the facilities management (FM) role within organisations; especially when the FM department is implementing changes to the workplace. This paper aims to present an evaluation of an instance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The research focused on responses to satisfaction with the communication methods rather than reviewing the merits of alternative workplace strategies.\nFindings: - Findings included the impact of communication on staff satisfaction levels, the need to provide timely and relevant information and communication via a range of mediums and the need to ensure there was opportunity to participate in meaningful feedback. The key findings are substantiated with existing internal communication and change literature.\nOriginality/value: - The research highlights the practical importance of the need to improve communication within the FM industry and especially in change circumstances.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Can universal leadership exist across borders? USA and Mexican insights on employees' perceptions of what constitutes effective managerial behavior	[ "Managerial behavior", "Managerial traits", "Effective leadership", "Mexico", "USA", "Culture" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Within workplaces, one of the universal yet challenging requirements of managers is to develop an effective leadership style so they can maintain successful relationships with employees, engage them in their work, and navigate those employees through organizational changes. Effective leadership's potential to generate greater firm performance is one reason why the subject has attracted much attention from researchers.\nManaging employees from across the border: Mexico and the US are not just tied geographically, they have strong economic ties due to the significant foreign investment that occurs between the two countries. Many US companies choose Mexico for their operations and similarly many Mexican companies operate in the US. These close economic ties have led to a greater focus on managerial and leadership practices in the two countries. Specifically, Human Resources (HR) professionals can add value by understanding how sharing insights into effective and ineffective managerial behaviors can help managers perform better. Effective performance can be defined as behavior that is viewed positively by the recipient, whereas ineffective performance refers to behavior that is viewed negatively and that causes recipients to question that manager's ability.\nThe results: similarities between Mexico and the US: The results revealed that there was significant cross-over between Mexican and American employees, with more similarities than differences uncovered in the managerial and leadership behaviors that were perceived as effective and those that were perceived as ineffective (64% and 71% respectively). Several of the same behavioral traits were perceived in the same manner by both American and Mexican employees, demonstrating that to some extent the two nations have similar values when it comes to leadership styles. The following managerial behaviors are likely to be perceived as effective in both Mexican and American organizations:\nThe results: differences between Mexico and the US: A number of differences were also identified, which is not surprising given the cultural and sociological variances between the two countries. For example, Mexican employees placed greater emphasis on receiving clear instruction and communication from their managers compared to American employees. Additionally, for Mexican employees, managers who behaved as team players by sharing the workload were perceived as effective whereas American employees did not identify with this managerial trait. This suggests that Mexicans place greater value on a managerial style that adopts a collectivist approach.\nChanging values in Mexico: When compared to certain widely-recognized characteristics of Mexican society, the study's findings could point to a shift in attitudes in Mexican employees. These insights include, that:\nInsights for enhancing management performance: The authors recommend that American managers should consider integrating the following behaviors into their leadership style when managing Mexican employees, given that Mexican employees in particular value a manager who:\nCommentary: The review is based on \"Perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness in Mexico and the USA: A comparative study of effective and ineffective managerial behavior\" by Carlos Enrique Ruiz and Hamlin (2019), published in the European Journal of Training and Development. This research paper concentrates on the similarities and differences between effective and ineffective managerial traits in companies operating in the USA and Mexico, and with cross-border employees. The results reveal that there are far more similarities than differences in employees' assessment of effective and ineffective management behavior in the two countries. However, when a manager from one country manages an employee from the other country certain behaviors should be actively adopted to optimize the effectiveness of the working relationship. Consequently the wider societal culture is not the definitive factor that determines what a good manager looks like.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.\nFindings: This research paper concentrates on the similarities and differences between effective and ineffective managerial traits in companies operating in the USA and Mexico, and with cross-border employees. The results reveal that there are far more similarities than differences in employees' assessment of effective and ineffective management behavior in the two countries. However, when a manager from one country manages an employee from the other country certain behaviors should be actively adopted to optimize the effectiveness of the working relationship. Consequently the wider societal culture is not the definitive factor that determines what a good manager looks like.\nOriginality/value: The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
When and how managerial ties matter in international competitive strategy, export financial and strategic performance framework: A standardized or customized approach?	[ "Networking", "European Union", "Export performance", "Developing countries", "Contingency theory", "International competitive (differentiation and low cost) strategy", "Managerial (business and political) ties", "Developed vs developing region", "Standardization/customization process" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: A differentiation strategy denotes offering a product that customers perceive as unique in the market, where the product is specifically tailored to the needs of each customer, thereby creating high levels of customer loyalty and satisfaction (Porter, 1980; Knight and Cavusgil, 2005). A low-cost strategy occurs when a firm becomes the lowest cost producer competing in the industry in which it operates (Porter, 1985). Firms can achieve superior performance when their product sells at a lower price than rivals in the market (Li and Li, 2008). Though a significant amount of research has been dedicated to competitive business (differentiation and low-cost) strategy and performance in the past decades (Acquaah, 2007; Jusoh and Parnell, 2008), extant research primarily focuses on the direct relationship between international competitive strategy and export performance but fails to consider the contingent framework in the international competitive strategy-export performance dyad (Aulakh et al., 2000; Julien and Ramangalahy, 2003; Knight and Cavusgil, 2005; Namiki, 1988; Murray et al., 2011). The contingency theory suggests that the association between two variables is contingent upon internal and external factors (Zeithaml et al., 1988) and, thus, a firm's performance is an outcome of the subject variables' interactions (Chung et al., 2012). This theory provides guidance on what firms should do, and how they should do it, when the direct effect of an international competitive strategy on export performance is absent. In this study, we argue that the contingency approach can be used as an alternative technique for generating marketing theory in the dyad, especially when the direct effect of international competitive strategy on export performance is lacking (Zeithaml et al., 1988; Chung et al., 2012). Our study explores the contingent effect of managerial ties (MTs) (business and political ties) on the international competitive strategy-export performance framework.\nLiterature review and research hypotheses: International differentiation strategy, business ties and export financial and strategic performance\nResearch methodology: The postal survey method was adopted to collect the primary research data. A sampling frame of 380 New Zealand firms exporting to the EU region was selected from Kompass and Dun & Bradstreet's business databases. Most of the exporting firms operating in the EU region were listed in these commercial databases. The survey was completed by the executives who were in charge of their firms' exporting business in the EU markets with regard to their most important product in their most important EU host markets. This product-market (i.e. export market venture) practice is widely adopted by research on exporting sectors (Cavusgil and Zou, 1994; Morgan et al., 2004). A total of 114 firms completed the questionnaires, yielding a response rate of around 30 per cent. The study utilized the wave response technique to explore its research non-response bias (Armstrong and Overton, 1977), with no significant differences detected between earlier and late respondent firms in key variables such as export performance, international competitive strategy, MTs, industry and international business experience. The wave response testing technique confirms that this study is free from the non-response bias issue (Knight and Cavusgil, 2005). Moreover, we performed a comparative analysis between our respondents and the non-respondent firms in firm size and international business experience (number of countries operating) variables. To do this, we randomly selected 150 non-respondent firms in the sampling frame and compared their firm size and international business experience with that of our respondents. Our results on both variables showed a non-significant difference between these two groups (firm size: 333 vs 384; international business experience: 15 vs 17). This analysis also supports that our research is free from the non-response bias issue.\nMeasurement: The financial performance is measured by export sales growth in percentages (Johnson and Arunthanes, 1995; Lages et al., 2008). Prior research indicates that a firm's financial performance is better measured as an average over a period of time (Cavusgil and Zou, 1994; Styles, 1998). This practice can help reduce the effect of cross-year variation and can better represent the true export financial performance value. Thus, Cavusgil and Zou (1994) and Styles (1998) estimate their financial performance by using average sales growth over five years, while Chung (2010) assesses the sales growth as the average over a three-year period. Following this method, our sales growth is measured by the average sales growth of an export market venture over a three-year period.\nReliability, validity and statistical analysis method: The research construct reliability and validity is evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability assessment procedures recommended by Hair et al. (2010) and prior research (Aulakh et al., 2000). Our results showed that all reliability indices measured by Cronbach's alpha are greater than 0.63, all factor loadings are greater than 0.65 and eigenvalues are greater than 1. These results indicate that the chosen factor items are properly matched to their designated constructs.\nFindings: The average size of the respondent firms is around 384 employees. The average number of countries operated in is 17 and the average duration of operation in the host country is 10 years. The most important EU host countries include the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland and Portugal. The sample firms were operating in several industrial sectors, including electronic, communication, equipment, components, food, marine, wood, sporting, software, education and tourism. Around 70 per cent of respondents were operating in the product sector and 30 per cent of them were operating in the service sector.\nRobustness testing: To ensure that our results are robust, we conducted an additional round of regression robustness analysis. In the robustness analysis, we have randomly selected a sub-sample (n = 80). The results of the robustness testing are consistent with the overall sample size results. With the hypotheses examined, the results concerning H1b, H2a, H3a, H3b and H4a are significant and supported (not listed because of the content length limit). Thus, the robustness results demonstrate that the models established in our study are reliable and consistent (Hair et al., 2010).\nDiscussion: Research implications and directions for future research\nResearch limitations: Though it has established a number of new and interesting findings, this research has suffered from several key limitations, including the scope of MTs and the research measures used. Despite this study having explored the functions of two frequently cited MTs (business and political), recent research suggests that other forms of MTs, such as professional and community ties, might also provide a significant effect on the competitive strategy-performance framework (Acquaah, 2007; Geletkanycz and Hambrick, 1997). Thus, it would be worth exploring the function of other types of MTs by using the research settings outlined in this study.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to present two new contingent frameworks that hypothesize the moderation role of managerial ties (MTs) in the international competitive strategy-export financial and strategic performance framework. The purposes of this study are to explore whether a common standardized or individual customized conceptualization consisting of MTs, international competitive strategy and performance can be used to achieve export financial and strategic performance; to offer contingent factors for the current international competitive strategy-export performance framework; and to generalize the roles of MTs in the developed vis-a-vis developing region.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study uses the experience of 114 exporting firms operating in the European Union region to test its theoretical frameworks. MTs include both business and political ties.\nFindings: Business and political ties have completely different moderation effects on the relation between international differentiation/low-cost strategy and export financial/strategic performance. Business ties have a positive influence on the international differentiation strategy-export strategic performance and international low-cost strategy-export financial performance dyads, but a negative effect in the international low-cost strategy-export strategic performance framework. In contrast, political ties are revealed to have a negative effect on the international differentiation/low-cost strategy-export financial performance framework.\nOriginality/value: This research advances extant international competitive strategy-export performance literature by revealing the bright and dark sides of business ties and the down side of political ties in the framework. Performance should be investigated in terms of financial and strategic performance. The moderation effect of business ties is more complex than that reported in the developing region; thus, a cross-regional generalization on these ties' effects is more difficult to establish. In contrast, the dark side effect of political ties is consistent across developed and developing regions; a cross-regional generalization on these ties is more viable. Collectively, the results show that a standardized process for achieving both export financial and export strategic performances is not feasible, while a customized process for each export performance is needed.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A problem-solving routine for improving hospital operations	[ "Operations management", "Healthcare", "A3 Process", "Metaroutines", "Operating performance", "Organizational problem solving" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The topic of how to deal with process-related problems and produce sustained improvement continues to challenge organizational researchers. Some scholars assert that, when faced with a process failure, organizations should enact short-term measures to tide over the immediate crisis, but then continue to investigate the process critically and collaboratively to determine the root causes of the failure and implement improvements that prevent a recurrence of that problem (Hayes et al., 1988). Yet, Feigenbaum (1991) reports rarity in applying the second step, and it appears that the trend persists even today (Tucker, 2007; Lee, 2010; Edmondson, 2011). Organizations, therefore, continue to find that sustaining change within work systems a significant challenge.\nLiterature review: The key to enduring process improvement hinges on challenging the assumptions of existing processes and developing new ways to accomplish the work. Adler et al.'s (1999) empirical study in NUMMI finds that the workers achieved high efficiency in their day-to-day work and yet were very creative in improving routines collaboratively using a six-step standardized problem-solving procedure, i.e., a metaroutine.\nBackground: From prior research (Sobek and Smalley, 2007), the second author found that Toyota Motor Corporation uses a structured problem-solving methodology as a metaroutine to improve its internal work routines. The metaroutine, termed the A3 Process, is captured on one side of A3 size paper (30 cmx42 cm) often called the A3 problem-solving report. The metaroutine follows nine steps which are as follows:\nResearch methodology: The pre-study work provided preliminary evidence that the metaroutine seems effective in a healthcare context. However, we wanted more explanation for why it seemed to work; but to our knowledge, no empirical research existed that examined its effectiveness in the healthcare industry or elsewhere. Thus, to generate novel and accurate insight on why it is effective, a grounded theory approach was adopted (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, 1998; Charmaz, 2006). Grounded theory involves the systematic collection of qualitative data by the researcher from the field, and then analyzing using systematic coding and categorizing to develop concepts (codes and categories). This research approach is appropriate for developing a new theory from field research, as opposed to testing hypotheses based on existing theoretical knowledge. Yin's (2003) prescription on case research design was also sought in developing the research methodology. We used a multiple case research design because when evidence comes from multiple cases, the study becomes more compelling and robust (Eisenhardt, 1989; Miles and Huberman, 1994; Yin, 2003).\nResults: The results of the initial analysis indicate that ten of the 18 cases studied, followed all the steps of the metaroutine, and that the magnitude of improvement ranged from 77 to 100 percent (see Table I). In contrast, those that skipped one or more steps realized improvements that ranged between 17 and 60 percent. These results seem to indicate that adherence to all the steps of the A3 Process significantly correlated with higher order improvement, and that sacrificing even one of the steps resulted in a significant decrease in its effectiveness. In particular, discussion, execution, and follow-up studies steps were omitted in many cases.\nDiscussion: This research as a first step examined factors associated with short-term approaches to resolving process failures. Limited communication, inadequate accountability, and unclear work expectation appeared to promote the culture of individualistic behavior that we observed. This individualistic behavior is further attenuated by at least three factors: limited boundary knowledge, lack of shared understanding, and inheritance of functional knowledge leading to a superficial knowledge of work practices. The existing literature is quite vocal about the lack of openness (Lee, 2010; Edmondson, 2011) and silo mentality contributing to lack of shared understanding (Bohmer, 2010; Gardiner, 2010; Edmondson, 2011), for which our study provides additional empirical support. For instance, in the lab specimen case, that the completeness of the information provided on the label was typically not verified between parties suggests lack of shared understanding between departments as to the informational needs. That this practice continued over a long period of time suggests strong departmentalization and a reluctance to share openly across departmental boundaries.\nConclusion: Our empirical research attempts to make several contributions to the existing body of knowledge on root cause problem solving specific to a healthcare context but extendable to other contexts. We present our empirical findings and a model to explain why in the absence of a metaroutine first-order problem solving was much more common than root cause problem solving. The empirical data suggest that problem solvers rarely get to the root cause of the problem due to the inadequate shared understanding of the work, coupled with individualistic behavior. Hence, they did not expend sufficient effort to engage in second-order problem solving. Subsequently, we find that second-order problem solving is indeed possible, and demonstrate how the A3 Process can be a conduit in transforming the behavior and cognitive processes of individuals engaged in problem-solving efforts. We then present a model that characterizes the metaroutine and highlight three characteristics that appear indispensable to achieving second-order problem solving and sustainable change.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically why a systematic problem-solving routine can play an important role in the process improvement efforts of hospitals.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data on 18 process improvement cases were collected through semi-structured interviews, reports and other documents, and artifacts associated with the cases. The data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.\nFindings: Adherence to all the steps of the problem-solving routine correlated to greater degrees of improvement across the sample. Analysis resulted in two models. The first partially explains why hospital workers tended to enact short-term solutions when faced with process-related problems; and tended not seek longer-term solutions that prevent problems from recurring. The second model highlights a set of self-reinforcing behaviors that are more likely to address problem recurrence and result in sustained process improvement.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study was conducted in one hospital setting.\nPractical implications: Hospital managers can improve patient care and increase operational efficiency by adopting and diffusing problem-solving routines that embody three key characteristics.\nOriginality/value: This paper offers new insights on why caregivers adopt short-term approaches to problem solving. Three characteristics of an effective problem-solving routine in a healthcare setting are proposed.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The corporate responsibility to respect human rights: a status review	[ "Human rights", "Supply chain", "Impact assessment", "Due diligence", "Corporate accountability", "UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council's Protect, Respect and Remedy (or \"Three Pillar\") Framework on Business and Human Rights and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (GPs) represent a significant marker in the contemporary evolution of norms and standards on the responsibility and accountability of corporate actors for their social, environmental and human rights impacts (UN Special-Representative of the Secretary-General (United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), 2008; United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), 2011)).\n2. Human rights due diligence: The GPs state that the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, which forms the second \"Pillar\" of the UN Framework on business and human rights, requires businesses both to avoid infringing human rights and to address adverse human rights impacts in which they may be involved. Businesses should thus seek to prevent or mitigate impacts that they have \"caused or contributed to\", as well as those \"directly linked\" to their operations, products or services through their business relationships, whether contractual or non-contractual (UNHRC, 2011, GP13). Given its ethical rather than legal basis, in scope, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights refers to all relevant internationally recognised human rights, not just those formally applicable in any one particular jurisdiction (UNHRC, 2011, GP11).\n3. Human rights policies: While there can of course be no guarantee that paper promises turn into reality, without an explicit written commitment, systemic change within a business towards respect for human rights can be seen to be unlikely; at a minimum, a company human rights policy should help gradually to raise awareness of the need to consider human rights impacts. According to the GPs, a high-level policy statement expressing company commitment to respect human rights is a pre-requisite to effective due diligence: only board-level buy-in will give a policy the weight required to secure its proper implementation, especially in the face of conflicting business imperatives. A company's human rights policy should furthermore be public, so that external stakeholders have a clear platform for engagement with, and scrutiny of, companies affecting them (UNHRC, 2011, GP16).\n4. HRIA: HRIA is the first step in the GPs' due diligence process. An adverse human rights impact may be said to occur when an action removes or reduces the ability of an individual to enjoy his or her human rights (International Business Leaders' Forum and International Finance Corporation, 2010). Companies can be connected to adverse human rights impacts in a number of distinct ways. According to the GPs, they are potentially responsible for: causing a human rights impact through intended or unintended actions, for example, deliberate discrimination in hiring practices, or accidental pollution of a local waterway; contributing to a human rights impact, by being one of a number of entities whose conduct together curtails human rights, for instance, where a global brand changes its order specifications at short notice so that its suppliers breach labour standards in fulfilling it; or impacts directly linked to a business' operations, products or services, through its business relationships, including those with suppliers, joint-venture partners, direct customers, franchisees and licensees (UNHRC, 2011, GP13).\n5. Integrating findings: Once an assessment is completed, the GPs call for businesses to respond to its findings, so as to prevent future human rights abuses and address any existing ones that may have been uncovered. Clearly, the potential range of actions required of companies is broad. Internally, a company might need to amend recruitment processes or contractual terms for employees; change its purchasing, sales or marketing practices; improve worker accommodation; or introduce due diligence for land acquisitions, for example. In addition, implementing such changes will usually require the allocation of new resources, for instance, for training and awareness-raising, monitoring and management of human rights impacts on a continuous basis (Gap Inc., 2011/2012; Nestle Global, n.d.). Businesses are expected to address all their actual or potential impacts, though they may prioritise: the GPs recommend that companies first seek to prevent and mitigate their severest impacts, or those where a delay in response would make consequences irremediable (UNHRC, 2011, GP24).\n6. Corporate human rights reporting: With the rise of ethical investment, and increasing recognition of the materiality of social and sustainability issues (Hopwood et al., 2010; Unerman and Zappettini, 2014), corporate sustainability reporting, as a device by which companies can be held accountable to markets and stakeholders, has become increasingly prominent, to the extent that some suggest there has been a \"disclosure revolution\" (Cooper and Owen, 2007; Hohnen, 2012). In line with this trend, which of course began long before the advent of the GPs (Islam and McPhail, 2011), the final step called for by the GPs' due diligence process is for businesses to \"communicate\" on how they are addressing their human rights impacts (UNHRC, 2011, GPs 20-21). This may be done in a variety of ways, including through formal and informal public reporting, in-person meetings, online dialogues, and consultations with affected rights-holders. Information provided should be: published in a format, and with a frequency, matching the scope and severity of impacts, and should be accessible to intended audiences (e.g., company communications should be in relevant languages, address any issues of literacy amongst impacted rights-holders, and be accessible even to remote communities affected by their activities); sufficient to permit evaluation of the adequacy of company responses to any specific impact; designed not to pose risks to rights-holders or others such as human rights defenders, journalists, local public officials or company personnel, or to breach legitimate commercial confidentiality requirements. Businesses whose operations or operating contexts pose risks of severe human rights impacts are expected to report formally (GP21).\n7. Conclusion: The GPs assert the corporate responsibility to respect human rights as a free-standing, universally-applicable minimum standard of business conduct, driven by social expectations, but implied by international law. Though it may arguably be criticised for being a legal \"fudge\", its hybrid status can perhaps be understood, and forgiven, as a necessary compromise: it recognises, simultaneously, the enduring role of states as de jure duty bearer under human rights standards, but also the ethically unacceptable limitations of the latter, given the still state-centric structure of international law, and the harmful externalities affecting people and planet of globalisation's governance \"gaps\".\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss a wide range of significant developments that have emerged in the wake of the UNs endorsement of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (GPs) in June 2011. In particular, the paper offers a preliminary assessment of how the GPs' corporate responsibility to respect human rights has been interpreted and to what extent it has been operationalised through government action, business behaviour and the praxis of other social actors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The paper provides a comprehensive assessment of a number of key developments related to Pillar 2 of the GPs - concerned with the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. More specifically, the paper considers a range of elements relating to corporate human rights due diligence, including: establishing a corporate human rights policy; the undertaking of human rights impact assessment; integrating findings of impact assessment, and; corporate human rights reporting.\nFindings: Based on the assessment of recent developments and initiatives, the paper suggests that the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, as expressed in Pillar 2 of the GPs, embodies the culmination of significant progress in the sphere of corporate accountability. In doing so, the paper documents a plethora of innovations in regulation and praxis, led by actors in government and the corporate sector, civil society organisations, labour unions and others, in the areas of human rights due diligence, impact assessment and reporting. Yet overall, change is slow and partial and the results achieved are still unsatisfactory. Severe business-related human rights abuses remain endemic in many industry sectors and in many countries.\nResearch limitations/implications: The implementation of the GPs is at a key stage of development, with a multitude of initiatives and actors attempting to develop and influence new forms of corporate governance. This paper provides an overview and assessment of these key developments.\nOriginality/value: This paper provides an important assessment and synthesis of key developments related to corporate responsibility for human rights.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Is public procurement efficiency conditioned by market types? A critical test in park and road sectors in Sweden	[ "Market structure", "Contracting out", "Cost-efficiency", "Local park management", "Local road management", "Metropolitan municipalities" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Since the initiation of procurement regulations in the public sector, it has generally been assumed that public procurement costs will diminish, based on uniform models imported from the private sector (Murray, 2009). In this paper we argue that the extent to which the contracting out of jobs has led to perceived resource savings has been dependent on qualifying factors such as the types of municipalities involved and their budget capacities. Our strategy has been to explore the attitudes of managers in the park and road sectors of Swedish municipalities quantitatively. Few such studies have been carried out at a micro level in Sweden before.\n2. Marketization theory, and its critics: Scandinavian states have undergone gradual marketization since the 1980s, however, those reforms have lacked any evaluation, documentation or research (Christensen and Laegreid, 2014; Foss Hansen, 2011; Petersen and Hjelmar, 2013). Since joining the European Union in 1995, Sweden's public sector administrations have been especially prone to adapting their core procurement activities. Contracting out was initially introduced at the national level, and was then also introduced at local levels. Compared to the Anglo-Saxon countries where the pursuits of privatization and contracting out have been more pronounced, the Scandinavian countries have pursued a more incremental policy of adaptation. The extent to which contracting out has been undertaken due to the pressurization of liberal-conservative political representatives has been discussed by others but, as previous findings have suggested that there has been no important conflict about the policy between these liberals and conservatives and their social democratic government opponents, we have chosen to delimit this aspect of the debate from our analyses (Pallesen, 2004; also confirmed by Sundell and Lapuente, 2012), especially as changes in the park and road sectors are typically not \"election-winning issues.\"\n3. Why test the assumptions in Sweden?: The formulated propositions (a) and (b) could easily be tested wherever public procurement reforms have been implemented. A country comparison would be complicated as we would have to deal with different contexts, diverging degrees of procurement implementation and possibly various specifications for how policy sectors are divided. By choosing the local governments of one country, we had the advantage of not dealing with variations related to divergent national characteristics. Instead we established a laboratory of 290 local government units in one nation for in one nation only. As several local government studies had already been carried out in Denmark (Blom-Hansen, 2003; Pallesen, 2004; Lindholst, 2009; Balle Hansen, 2010; Houlberg and Dahl, 2010; Petersen and Hjelmar, 2013; Vrangbaek et al., 2013; Kjaer Foged, 2016), but very few such had been undertaken in Sweden, we thought it would be a good idea to contrast earlier Danish findings with what would possibly be the results in a neighboring country with a similar constitutional context. So, how was contracting out introduced in Sweden in the local park and road sectors?\n4. Study design and methodological considerations: A desirable strategy to test the formulated questions would have been to use a pre-existing source of data concerning the contracting out practices of the park and road departments. Such a register unfortunately does not exist, and the team decided it would be too costly to put such a database together ourselves. The INOPS project chose the second-best option, which was to construct a survey and distribute it among managers in the relevant sectors. We assumed that the targeted managers would have the most in-depth knowledge of the matter under scrutiny.\n5. Findings from the municipal park and road sectors in Sweden: Let us first consider the various management rationales for how management tasks are solved in the public administration of local parks and roads. Table I provides an initial mapping of the mixed practices witnessed in the two sectors.\n6. Theoretical implications and practical lessons: Contracting out in the park and road sectors in Swedish municipalities can save economic resources, but it is not anything that can be taken for granted. The cost effects found were -2 percent for the park sector, and -3 percent for the road sector, but this result is limited to a relative few respondents, and could be a result of the perceptions of measures undertaken by the study population. The majority of the municipalities that have contracted out saw no cost changes, or even increase their costs. The cost-saving argument (a) was applicable for 20-25 percent of the respondents (parks-roads), but for the rest it was not. Therefore, the cost-saving argument is accepted, but with conditions. Contracting out seems to be more common and rational in urban-regions with well-developed markets and with higher budget shares per capita (Johansson, 2008; Levin and Tadelis, 2010; Vrangbaek et al., 2013; Kjaer Foged, 2016). These findings are also supported by the Danish findings of Pallesen (2004), who concluded that \"contracting out is the politics of 'good times,' rather than a tool to solve local government economic problems\" (p. 575). This result rejects the suggestion that \"contracting out will save your money\"; rather it should be qualified by, \"it saves your money, if you are lucky.\" Municipalities in the study with smaller budgets were less likely to take the risk of finishing with no savings, or increased costs, which supports the transaction cost type of argument (Carr et al., 2009; Williamson, 1981). The municipal economy-of-scale argument is supported here, as has been concluded by Houlberg and Dahl (2010) and Kjaer Foged (2016). \"No cost changes\" is the most likely outcome, and hence, contracting out is a possible, but not necessarily an attractive, option compared with other strategic possibilities, or even compared with the status quo.\n7. Conclusion: The hypothesis that cost efficiencies result from contracting out holds for \"the few lucky ones\" in the park and road sectors in the Swedish municipalities, as it is more likely that newcomers end up with no cost change, or even increased costs. Cost efficiencies are often conditioned by municipality market types and budget sizes. The hypothesis holds for the metropolitan city regions (i.e. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo) with regard to roads, but less so for parks. In addition, budget sizes per capita influence which municipalities contracts out and which do not, especially in the road sector. This reflects how local contexts matter, but also it reflects on available resources, as resource cuts seem to relate to those areas that are already high-spenders. Contracts go where the resources are. However, mid-sized or rural municipalities may employ contracting out as a strategy, as they sometimes lack an in-house capacity to supply services or they prefer flexibility when choosing forms of maintenance. This might not necessarily be a cheaper method for service delivery.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent contracting out practices has led to perceived resource cuts in the Swedish park and road sectors.\nDesign/methodology/approach: E-survey sent to managers in park and technical departments in the municipalities. Response rate: 39.7 percent.\nFindings: Decreased costs were found in 25 percent of the responding road departments, in 20 percent of park departments. 49 percent of the road departments responded \"no change\" or \"increase\" (48 percent parks). Findings indicate that tendering practices tend to be most commonly centered in Swedish municipalities situated in the three metropolitan regions (Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo with suburbs), while such practices are not as common in mid-sized and rural municipalities. In addition, contracting out practices correspond with higher per capita budgets, not with smaller.\nResearch limitations/implications: The research implications are that contracting out tend to occur \"where the resources are,\" while poorer municipalities either have to contract even if it is more expensive, or, contracting out is combined with other provision models. The limitation of the data are that it based on managers' perceptions, while hard data have been impossible to map.\nPractical implications: The uniform assumption that contracting out saves public resources need to be conditioned with context, and initial resources at hand. Contracting out is one option among several possible strategies, especially for mid-sized and smaller municipalities with small budgets.\nSocial implications: The rationalities of local government procurements are bounded by the local market situations and local the budget capacities.\nOriginality/value: This is the first study of manager's perceptions in the Swedish park and road contexts.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Exploring the drivers, scope and perceived success of e-commerce strategies in the UK retail sector	[ "E‐commerce", "Marketing", "Marketing strategy", "Retailing", "United Kingdom" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: For many years it has been recognised that the internet's power, scope and interactivity provide retailers with a unique opportunity to transform their customers' shopping experience (O'Keefe et al., 1998; Dennis et al., 2004; Evanschitzky et al., 2004; Doherty and Ellis-Chadwick, 2006). In particular, its ability to provide information, facilitate two-way communication with customers, collect market research data, promote goods and services and ultimately to support the online ordering of merchandise, provides an extremely rich and flexible new retail channel (Basu and Muylle, 2003). In so doing, the internet gives retailers a mechanism for:* broadening target markets;* improving customer communications;* extending product lines;* improving cost-efficiency;* enhancing customer relationships; and* delivering customised offers (Srinivasan et al., 2002).Indeed, such a rich variety of potential rewards have driven the uptake of online shopping to the extent that it is estimated to be the fastest growing area of internet usage (Forsythe and Shi, 2003). Despite the internet's apparent commercial potential, when the \"dot-com bubble\" burst in 2001, many of the electronic marketplace's pioneers were driven into insolvency due to their unrealistic business models. Electronic commerce is now enjoying a second period of significant - and probably more sustainable - growth, but it now tends to be the established retailers rather than the \"pure-plays\" who are likely to play the more dominant role (Min and Wolfinbarger, 2005). However, there is also much evidence that for many retailers success is proving to be rather more elusive, as web traffic does not always readily translate into improved turnover and increased profitability (Phan, 2002; Evanschitzky et al., 2004).Against this backdrop, there is a pressing need for empirical studies - such as the one presented in this paper - that shed light on the factors that affect the scope of an e-commerce strategy, and perhaps most importantly the degree to which it is perceived to be successful. In tackling this issue, we were hoping to identify those managerially actionable factors that affect the scope and success of online strategies. In terms of the paper's structure, the following section reviews the background literature for this study, before describing the research methods adopted, in section 3. The research results are presented in a series of tables that are discussed in the fourth section, whilst their importance and implications are assessed in the concluding sections.\n2. Conceptual background and research objectives: This section aims to review existing literature with respect to the three constructs that form the study's primary focus, namely the drivers, scope and success of e-commerce strategies. However, as two of these constructs - drivers and scope - have been jointly addressed in many previous studies (Doherty et al., 2003; Gibbs and Kraemer, 2004; Wymer and Regan, 2005), they will be reviewed together. In critically reviewing the literature, the motivations and academic justification for this research will be established.2.1 The drivers and scope of e-commerce strategies\n3. Research method: It was felt that a questionnaire-based study should be used to investigate the research objectives, as this approach is best suited to the generation of results, which are generalisable in terms of their host population (Hair et al., 1997). The aim of this section is to review the process by which the questionnaire instrument was developed, validated and ultimately targeted and distributed.3.1 Design of the internet retailing questionnaire\n4. Research results: This section presents a discussion of the research results relating to the four specific research objectives proposed earlier.4.1 Data reduction through the identification of factors\n5. Discussion: contribution, implications and limitations: This wide-ranging empirical study makes a number of important contributions to the retail marketing literature by providing one of the first empirical studies of the factors that affect e-commerce success and then comparing these with the antecedents of the scope of the retailers' e-commerce strategies. With regard to the determinants of success, it has been found that although the drivers of cost- and marketing-oriented benefits differ, both are strongly associated with the retailer's resources. Not only must the retailer be able to deploy a portfolio of resources and capabilities that are well-suited to their internet operations, they must also be able to fund it appropriately, as cost concerns have been shown to exert a negative influence on success. By comparison the scope of internet adoption is more strongly associated with the strength of management support behind the strategy and the perceived strategic fit of the initiative. Moreover, the finding that there is a very strong, positive association between the scope of adoption and e-commerce success is very important, as it suggests that a significant level of e-commerce success will only be registered once a comprehensive and sophisticated web site has been deployed.These findings offer a number of important implications for managers within the retail sector. More specifically, managers should be aware of the subtle differences between the factors that affect the scope of a strategy and determinants of success: it might be best to launch e-commerce initiatives only when the strategic circumstances are favourable and when they enjoy the full support of the management team, whilst the chances of a successful outcome are more likely to be influenced by the development and deployment of appropriate resources and capabilities. The close relationship between the scope and success of e-commerce should also be of interest to retail managers, as this indicates that success is unlikely to stem from half-hearted or partial strategies of internet adoption. The findings of this study should also be of interest to the researcher, as a number of important new item measures have been developed and tested, which might be usefully incorporated in future research. In particular, the novel conceptualisation and operationalisation of our two dependent constructs - e-commerce scope and e-commerce success - could be applied within both retail-specific studies as well as more widely within the ongoing study of the adoption, usage and diffusion of the internet.In common with all research into the adoption of innovative technology, within the organisational context, this study contains a number of inherent limitations. In particular, we were rather disappointed with the survey's response rate, although the follow-up interviews did provide some reassurance that any effects of non-response bias should be fairly minimal. However, the level of response is perhaps not surprising given the commercially sensitive nature of some of the questions. A further limitation relates to the adoption of the survey format, which restricted the range of issues and constructs that could be investigated. There is also potential response bias associated with the single-informant, as different managers, even within the same organisation, might have different perceptions of these very complex issues. Indeed, there is no guarantee that all the questionnaires were completed by the same class of respondent - namely marketing directors - as in some instances the questionnaire might have been passed on to a colleague for completion. A final potential limitation relates to the use of multivariate statistical analyses, which can demonstrate association but not causality. Consequently, whilst the study provides many interesting and novel insights, these limitations do highlight the need for further quantitative studies, perhaps targeting different populations, to ensure that our finding do not suffer from bias, as well as follow-up, qualitative studies, to help confirm the direction of causality. Indeed, we are currently planning a follow-up, qualitative study to help interpret, extend and contextualise the findings, and to explicitly explore the direction of causality.\n6. Concluding remarks: This empirical study has applied rigorous statistical methods in the development of a taxonomy of distinct and meaningful factors that have been used to explore the drivers, scope and success of e-commerce strategies within the UK, retail sector. More specifically, the results suggest that senior management commitment, strategic fit and the deployment of appropriate resources and capabilities can all have a role to play in the scope of internet adoption and its ultimate success. Such insights are of particular importance at this period of time, when many organisations are still developing or extending their web presence. Whilst the findings will be of most significance to those organisations operating within the UK retail sector, it is likely that they will also be of interest to companies in other countries that have still to establish a significant web presence. Finally, given that the internet is an increasingly important, highly dynamic and global phenomenon, it is important that a variety of follow-up studies are conducted. In particular, it is important that similar studies are conducted in a range of sectors and within a variety of countries to identify areas of commonality and variation in terms of the drivers of e-commerce scope and success.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this study is to explore empirically the relationship between the scope of the e-commerce strategies currently being deployed by the largest and most influential UK-based retailers, the drivers for their adoption, and perhaps most importantly the degree to which they are perceived to be successful.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The objectives of this research were addressed by using a quantitative research strategy, based on a postal questionnaire survey of the UK's largest retailers. The research strategy produced a wealth of primary data, which were thoroughly analysed using a variety of multivariate, statistical techniques.\nFindings: - The study's findings suggest that the scope of the retailers' e-commerce strategies is strongly associated with the strength of management support behind the strategy and its perceived strategic fit. By contrast, the perceived success of their strategies is most strongly associated with the degree to which the retailer has deployed a portfolio of appropriate resources and capabilities, in support of its online operations.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The major limitation associated with the study is with respect to the rather disappointing response rate of 10 per cent. However, this level of response is similar to many previous surveys in this domain, and it is probably not surprising, given the commercially sensitive nature of the data. Moreover, the extensive phone-based follow-up of non-respondents has provided an important reassurance that any resultant bias is likely to have only a modest effect on the results.\nPractical implications: - The findings highlight that, despite their close relationship, the scope of an e-commerce strategy and its success are rather different entities, and therefore the factors that affect the scope of adoption cannot be relied on to deliver success. In particular, retailer managers must recognise that, while their support and commitment may well be the impetus necessary to deliver a wide-ranging strategy, its ultimate success may be dependent on their ability to deploy a suitable portfolio of resources and capabilities.\nOriginality/value: - The study makes a major contribution in a number of ways. It provides one of the first attempts to measure the relationship between the drivers, scope and perceived success of e-commerce strategies, and, in so doing, it delivers an objective comparison between those factors that affect the scope and the success of e-commerce strategies. Moreover, important new measures of e-commerce scope and success have been developed and deployed.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of online retail grocery shopping on retail space: a Cape Town case study	[ "Electronic commerce", "Internet shopping", "Retailing", "South Africa" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Recent research reported by Cattell et al. (2004a, b) involved surveys of consumers and tenants in Cape Town's large regional shopping centres. Further detail on this research can be found in Cattell et al. (2004a, b). The study described in this paper builds on this previous work by focusing on a particular market segment - i.e. groceries - where e-commerce has the potential to have a significant influence on space in retail centres.By way of background, Cattell et al. (2004a) described a study involving a varied sample of consumers; retail centre managers and investors; and tenants in retail centres, where it was found that there had been no reduction in leased retail space as a result of e-commerce. Several tenants in the centres reported that e-commerce had had a favorable effect on their businesses, but this appeared to depend on the type of store. Book and grocery shops were the only types of stores where the majority of respondents felt that e-commerce had had a positive effect on their businesses. The majority of grocery shop tenants also felt that e-commerce opened up opportunities for their businesses, rather than threatened them. Cattell et al. (2004b) focused on a sample of Cape Town shoppers and addressed the issue that findings in developed and developing countries might differ for a variety of reasons and compared, where possible, findings of Cape Town surveys with those published by the College of Estate Management (2001, 2002). An observation made in this comparison was that none of the Cape Town shoppers surveyed bought groceries online, citing uncertainty about the security of internet transactions as the reason. The research revealed that there was significantly more potential for growth in online grocery shopping than any other category of good/service, provided that the security issue could be satisfactorily addressed. A contradictory but equally important finding published in the 2004 Goldstuck Report indicated that online grocery shopping accounted for the largest proportion of online sales of any category surveyed (Goldstuck, 2004).There are potentially serious implications of these findings for shopping centres, since South Africa only has two major grocery e-tailers and both of them are typically the preferred anchor tenants in every South African regional and super-regional shopping centre (South African Council of Shopping Centres, 2003). Sustained growth in online grocery shopping could have the effect of decreasing foot traffic in shopping centres, thus decreasing rental income.\nResearch question: The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to investigate the implications of an increase in online grocery shopping by applying a revised version of Miller's (2000) rent model. The research question was: \"Is on-line retail shopping in the grocery sector having an effect on traditional retail space with respect to foot traffic generation and rental income?\". The research propositions were:* that the online grocery market is of sufficient magnitude to pose a threat to traditional retail shopping; and* that online grocery retail is affecting the ability of food anchors to generate foot traffic (and therefore rental income) in shopping centres.\nMethodology: Non-probability convenience sampling was employed to interview shoppers in the five largest regional shopping centres in Cape Town tenanted by Retailer A and Retailer B. The centres at which the surveys were conducted were:* Canal Walk (125,000 m2);* Tygervalley (82,844 m2);* N1 City (54,200 m2);* Somerset Mall (51,808 m2); and* V&A Waterfront (54,456 m2).As noted in the Introduction, there are only two major grocery \"e-tailers\" in South Africa, referred to in this paper as Retailer A and Retailer B, and both are anchor tenants in all five shopping centres from which the survey sample was selected.Surveys were conducted during a one-week period in September 2004 on Tuesday (10.00 to 13.00), Thursday (17.00 to 19.00) and Saturday (11.00 to 13.00). None of these days were public holidays and there were no major promotions at any of the centres that could have rendered the chosen survey days atypical. Research assistants were employed to conduct the surveys, which were held at the entrances to Retailers A and B in each centre. The method of selection adopted was that of non-probability convenience sampling. In order to reduce interviewer bias, the interviewers were instructed to \"study their watches\" and at a predetermined time, look up and attempt to interview the first person they saw. Non-respondents to the interview approach were ignored. This method of data collection in shopping centres is endorsed by Parker (2003), who is one of South Africa's leading retail researchers. Four hundred and thirty-seven questionnaires were completed, distributed approximately evenly across the five shopping centres. Several questionnaires had to be discarded because they had been completed incorrectly, which left 414 available for analysis. Forty per cent of these came from respondents entering Retailer A and 60 per cent from those entering Retailer B. The questionnaire used in the survey can be obtained from the authors on request.\nAnalysis: Survey findings\nConclusion: The research propositions were:* that the online grocery market is of sufficient magnitude to pose a threat to traditional retail shopping; and* that online grocery retail is affecting the ability of food anchors to generate foot traffic (and therefore rental income) in shopping centres.Regarding the first proposition, while it must be conceded that at 0.032 per cent of the total South African grocery market in 2001, the online grocery shopping market appears small, it does appear to be growing. This growth is significant in actual Rand value, even if the percentage share remains static. The percentage share has, however, not been static as e-commerce has continued to develop and the online food and beverage category is listed as one of the fastest growing online categories in South Africa. This appears to mirror international trends, with global online grocery sales reaching US$ 2.4 billion, or 0.4 per cent of the total global grocery market, in 2004. The analysis above also revealed that the majority of those who purchased groceries online were in the top income brackets and that their influence on the value being spent online is relatively greater. Further, there was an indication that half of the survey sample would consider purchasing online as their predominant form of grocery shopping. Thus, the first proposition must be accepted if one believes that the growth in online grocery shopping, of which evidence has been shown, continues unabated. Goldstuck (personal communication) believes that growth in total online sales will peak at about 1 per cent of total retail sales and at that level it will definitely not be a threat to retail shopping, from the retailer's point of view, and the proposition would have to be rejected. In any event, the growth in total retail sales is currently greater than the growth in online sales, which diminishes the impact of the latter (Goldstuck, personal communication). Thus, no firm conclusion can be made in this regard without further research, particularly into exactly what consumers buy online from food retailers.Regarding the second proposition, it is important to emphasise the influence that the two retailers selected for this study have on shopping centres, i.e. that 86 per cent of South African shopping centres exceeding 40,000 m2 are tenanted by Retailer A and 51 per cent by Retailer B. Forty-three per cent of these centres are anchored by both of these retailers. There is no evidence in the comparison of 2003 with 2001 foot traffic figures for one of the centres studied that online buying has had a detrimental effect. However, the research has shown that food anchors are important generators of foot traffic in the shopping centres studied and that the majority of consumers who had shopped online for groceries reduced their in-store visits as a result. Thus, the second proposition would have to be accepted. Again, further research is needed to establish the maximum potential reduction in foot traffic attracted by food anchors.The research objective of demonstrating the implications of an increase in online grocery shopping by applying a revised version of Miller's (2000) rent model was achieved. It was concluded that Miller's (2000) rent model could be successfully employed to accommodate the detrimental effects on rentals of an increase in online grocery buying. A key factor appears to be whether growth in online grocery sales will plateau at a level which retailers will find unthreatening, or whether such growth will get to a point where it exceeds growth in total retail sales. If this point is reached it could cause food anchors to downscale their presence in centres.The scenario in which there is a reduction in the total amount of floor area rented by anchor tenants has implications for both the designers of retail centres and investors. Designs would need to be more flexible to accommodate the changing needs of the anchor tenants, and the spatial implications of a change in the anchor tenant-line shop relationship (i.e. the assumption that the anchors draw foot traffic which can be directed past line shops) would need to be carefully thought through. Investors would need to entertain the possibility that the function of regional shopping centres might change in terms, for example, of their becoming more community/entertainment orientated venues while neighborhood centers and filling station stores as well as online buying become more important players in the grocery retail market.In conclusion, while this study might not have provided definitive answers to the research question, it does provide a useful opportunity to speculate in respect of the likely impact of a loss of rental income as a result of online grocery sales.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of completed case studies of two major multi-channel grocery retailers in South Africa. The aim of the research was to establish the potential that online grocery retail has to undermine traditional retail by decreasing foot traffic and undermining rental income.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The growth of online shopping in the retail sector is a matter of concern for those involved in the development and management of shopping centres. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed to interview shoppers in the five largest regional shopping centres in Cape Town tenanted by the two major grocery \"e-tailers\" in South Africa.\nFindings: - The findings show that the online grocery market is an expanding market segment. Furthermore, diminished foot traffic is likely to affect the ability of smaller retailers to pay turnover rentals. Miller's revised rent model is adapted and used to illustrate the potential savings that may be generated by changing the rent models currently in use.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Future research into exactly what consumers buy online from food retailers needs to be undertaken in order to establish the maximum potential reduction in foot traffic attracted by food anchors.\nPractical implications: - It is concluded that the South African retail industry is heavily reliant on traditional retail centres and although the loss in rentals resulting from online grocery sales is not currently considerable, it does represent a potential future threat.\nOriginality/value: - The paper speculates about the effects of growth in online buying on rental agreements in shopping centres. The paper would appeal to property investors, property developers and facilities managers.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
An examination of the survivability of reverse stock splits	[ "Survival", "Exchange listing requirements", "Reverse stock splits", "Stock splits", "Survivability" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: A reverse stock split is an exchange of a certain quantity of old shares for a lesser quantity of new shares that should cause the stock price to increase proportionally. Although a substantial literature focusses on regular stock splits, the studies of reverse stock splits are relatively few. Unlike regular stock splits that generally exhibit a positive market reaction, reverse stock splits are typically poorly received[1]. However, reverse stock splits allow companies to quickly raise their stock price in an attempt to maintain their exchange listing and increase liquidity. Although many of these companies are nevertheless delisted shortly after the reverse split, some survive for a reasonably long period of time. This raises three interesting questions: How long do reverse split companies remain viable? What factors are associated with survival? Can the market discern which firms are most likely to survive and which ones will fail?\n2. Sample selection and variables: 2.1 Sample selection procedure\n3. Descriptive statistics and statistical methods: 3.1 Descriptive statistics\n4. Results: 4.1 Logit model results\n5. Conclusions and implications: As documented in previous studies (Peterson and Peterson, 1992; Kim et al., 2008; Martell and Webb, 2008), we find that small, Nasdaq-listed, low-priced stocks generally undertake reverse-splits. We add to this knowledge by showing that reverse-splitting firms are typically highly unprofitable companies that are experiencing poor stock price performance before the split. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to clearly establish that firms that undertake a reverse stock split are unlikely to survive for more than a few years after the reverse split. This is especially true of firms with pre-split prices <$1 that presumably undertake the reverse split to avoid violating exchange listing requirements. We find that the majority of these firms are unsuccessful in their efforts with only about one-quarter surviving for five years post-split.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the survivability of 810 reverse splits during the 1995-2006 period and show that companies that undertake reverse stock splits often fail within a relatively short time following the split.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Applying both a logit model and an adapted version of the Hensler et al. (1997) accelerated failure time model to 810 reverse splits during the 1995-2006 period, the authors are the first to study the survivability of reverse split companies.\nFindings: The paper finds that the market reaction to the reverse split on the ex-date is an important predictor of the likelihood of survival and of survival time. The paper finds that the likelihood of survival also depends on firm size, pre-split firm returns, and the post-split share price level. The paper finds that post-split survival time also depends on firm size, pre-split operating performance as measured by return on assets, pre-split firm returns, leverage, and the post-split share price level.\nPractical implications: The study may be of interest to investors considering investing in stocks that have undergone reverse splits.\nOriginality/value: The research sheds light on which reverse splitting firms are most likely to survive and for how long.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
From legislation to implementation : A distributed leadership view of one districts response to the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law of 2010	[ "Leadership development", "Bullying", "Educational policy", "Legislation", "Educational administration" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: On May 3, 2010, following a number of high-profile adolescent suicides directly related to bullying and internet cyberbullying, the Massachusetts Legislature passed one of the most comprehensive anti-bullying laws in the nation. According to the new Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 71, SS 37O), \"school leadership is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive bullying prevention and intervention plan\" that includes response and reporting protocols, delivery of age appropriate curriculum K-12, and appropriate training for all school faculty, staff, and outside contractors working directly with students.\nTheoretical framework: From a distributed leadership perspective, leadership is defined in the interaction of three essential constituting elements; leaders, followers, and their situation and in the execution of particular leadership tasks, and \"it does not reside in any one of these, and each is a pre-requisite for leadership activity\" (Spillane et al., 2004, p. 10). Most often, leadership tasks are \"stretched over\" material and cultural artifacts (Rogoff, 1990) and may be viewed as the products of particular social and cultural situations and form a \"socio-cultural context\" within which activity happens. Material and cultural artifacts are elements of Spillane's third pillar of distributed leadership theory, the situation, and can affect how leadership is practiced (Spillane et al., 2004). This study extends the work of Spillane, Diamond and Halverson and highlights the role of various aspects of the situation that influence not only the artifacts created by individuals and teams, but how leadership is ultimately practiced. The primary question that drove the case of the BPAC was: How was leadership practiced during the design and implementation of a district bullying prevention program?\nDistributed leadership theory: In a broad sense, distributed leadership has been described normatively and analytically. Normatively, distributed leadership is considered more democratic or shared than traditional, top-down forms. Normatively, distributed leadership is seen as a way to expand the administrative range of schools or to give more authority to teachers (Harris, 2007). Analytically distributed leadership theory has been used as a perspective to understand how leadership is spread among leaders, followers, and the situation (Spillane et al., 2004). Central to the analytical perspective is the absence of normative loading (Harris, 2007). In other words, there is no right or wrong pattern of leadership. Leadership is a force that exists regardless of organizational labels or structures - a force that is constantly moving between the follower, the leader and the situation. Based on the situation, from moment to moment, a follower becomes the leader and vice-versa.\nMethodology: Identified using the pseudonym \"Merton Public Schools,\" this purposefully selected site was a medium-sized suburban school district located just south of Boston, Massachusetts. At the time of the study, the Merton Public Schools served 3,900 students with four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Semi-structured interviews lasting between 40 and 65 minutes were conducted with each of the ten members of the BPAC. The ten members interviewed represented four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, as well classroom teachers K-5, guidance and adjustment counselors K-12, and one elementary school principal.\nReliability/limitations: Prior to and during this study I was both the Chair of the BPAC committee and the researcher. This brought with it certain biases and assumptions from my own life experiences or my relationships with the members of the BPAC. Allowances for reflexivity were embedded in the design of this study. I maintained a self-reflective journal throughout the investigation. Emerging self-understandings were examined, acknowledged, and set aside or incorporated into the analysis, depending on the relationship between the bias and the research questions. Another limitation was sample size.\nFindings: Employing a distributed leadership perspective revealed a number of structural considerations specific to Merton. These structural considerations exerted a significant influence on the leadership practice of BPAC members, the tools that were ultimately created by the team, and the ability of the team to implement these tools. Data from this case suggests that because the subject being addressed by the BPAC was bullying and not math or English language arts (ELA), it was necessary for the BPAC to first: construct a network; define the problem (in this case, bullying); and navigate a series of what I have identified as structural considerations.\nAnalysis of my role as a participant-observer: I played a dual role throughout this study. Because I was a vice principal as well as the Chair of the BPAC, I was a leader-researcher or a participant-observer. Given this dual role, allowances for reflexivity were embedded in the design of this study. Rennie (2004) defined reflexivity as \"self-awareness and agency within that self-awareness\" (p. 183). Allowances for reflexivity included my use of a self-reflective journal throughout the data collection and data analysis phases of this study. In it I kept an ongoing record of my experiences, reactions and attempted to track my emerging awareness of any assumptions or biases that arose during the process. Although I served as a vice principal and the chair of the BPAC long before I conceived of this study, it is possible that a significant part of the story of the BPAC was influenced by me, by my actions, and perhaps more importantly, by my beliefs. A number of members made comments about my role during the interviews. When asked to describe the biggest challenges facing the BPAC, one respondent said:\nInferences and implications: The primary purpose of the case of the BPAC was to understand how members of the BPAC practiced leadership during the implementation of a district bullying prevention plan. As previously stated, used analytically, distributed leadership theory assumes there is no right or wrong, better or worse pattern of leadership. However, what the case of the BPAC does suggest is that leadership tends to distribute, that it wants to distribute. When people in an organization come together to address a problem of mutual concern, leadership will naturally emerge.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the leadership practice of an 11-member district team of educators assembled to respond to one of the most comprehensive bullying laws in the nation - the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law of 2010. This three-year case study provides school leaders and legislators with an in-depth, fine-grained analysis of how leadership was practiced by a district team of de facto leaders charged with implementing mandatory legislative policy throughout a six-school, 5,000-student, K-12 public school district.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This three-year case study employed an analytical, distributed leadership framework to identify, categorize, and analyze key artifacts used by a team to design and implement system-wide the comprehensive requirements of legislation. Using Weft qualitative data analysis software and the open, axial, and selective coding guidelines of Strauss and Corbin, data from semi-structured interviews and document analysis revealed a number of hidden structural considerations exerting significant influence on the leadership practice of the team.\nFindings: Findings from this study suggest that leadership is perhaps more fluid than previously theorized. Defining leadership as a force that moves between and among organizational stakeholders (as opposed to a person or position), this study identified a number of structural considerations exerting influence on the leadership practice of a team. Furthermore, this study suggests that foreknowledge of these structural considerations may help to foster organizational learning, to leverage preexisting social and intellectual capital, and to more successfully navigate the requirements of complex organizational change such as legislative mandates and standards-based reform.\nResearch limitations/implications: Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to replicate this study in other school districts or large organizations who are responding to state or federal legislation.\nPractical implications: The paper includes implications for state and local educational leaders as they struggle with the increased demands of standards-based educational reform.\nSocial implications: This study has implications for those seeking to understand how legislation is received and assimilated by schools as well as those seeking a greater understanding of formal and informal leadership.\nOriginality/value: This paper fulfills an identified need to study how leadership is practiced in response to standards-based state and federal legislation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Mind how you go towards leadership: Paying attention for professional growth	[ "Leadership", "Emotional intelligence", "Leadership theory", "Mindfulness" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: A conversation among a group of people attending a conference of the American Library Association - which exists to promote libraries and library education internationally - focused on a need for a program to help new college library directors with their transition to the director's position. That informal discussion was the beginning of what was to become the College Library Directors' Mentor Program, created to help meet the challenges involved in directing libraries at small colleges.\nSeeking out divergent views and maintaining sensitivity to operations: Mindful leadership has been defined as the connection between the brain and leadership and focuses on being \"in the moment and paying attention\". Studying the act of paying attention and focus as a neuroscientific phenomenon bridges emerging knowledge about human intelligence and is a framework that supports leadership that is mindful (i.e. thoughtful and attentive) of the nature and nurture of intelligence in influencing others toward the achievement of goals.\nTaking time to be \"present and aware\" in one's daily work: Acknowledging that further research is needed to examine whether or not a mindful approach in a mentoring program develops leadership, Stephanie Beverage et al. maintain that it does appear to provide a grounding in an emotionally intelligent leadership approach and, particularly for the mentors, one that is focused externally to the new directors' institutions. This focus is intended to help the new library directors be more mindful of their leadership within their new positions.\nComment: This review is based on \"Mindful leadership defined and explained\" by Beverage et al. (2014). From the perspective of library leaders, they chart a path to mindful leadership by providing definitions, theories and organizational and cultural applications. The authors bring personal experience and knowledge to the topic by outlining practical examples of applying mindfulness in the workplace and in leading the library profession.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.\nFindings: Mindfulness and the application of mindful practice can have a powerful impact on leadership. Being mindful and taking the time to be present and aware in one's daily work can make a significant difference to both employees and organizations. Scientific research into how brains function and the neuroscience of attention shows that mindfulness and mindful practice increase awareness and enhance our emotional intelligence. Mindful leaders are perceived as more self-aware and empathetic, and can more effectively motivate their employees and colleagues to achieve the goals and vision of an institution.\nPractical implications: The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.\nOriginality/value: The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Flipped learning and formative evaluation in higher education	[ "Physical education", "Questionnaire", "Self-appraisal", "Active methodologies" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The predominance of traditional methodologies in higher education has been one of the predominant pedagogical features. This tendency has affected the evaluation as part of the entire teaching-learning process in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). General evaluation approaches arise from the division of knowledge of Habermas (1992). That distinction can be summarized in technical rationalism and practical rationalism. Each model has specific characteristics that are transferred to their evaluative approaches (Lopez Pastor, 2011). In the case of technical rationalism, the evaluative intention is the technical verification of the achievement of objectives and their efficiency through measurement. Teachers are passive executors of the measurement, which is designed by experts. At the other end, evaluation under practical rationalism does not aim to measure the results but to understand them. Effectiveness assessment disappears in favor of educational value. That is, the purpose of evaluation is to be of use for learning. Scriven in 1967 was responsible for coining this concept as \"formative evaluation\" (Jorba and Sanmarti, 2009). Although the first precedent related with formative evaluation is found in Dewey's pedagogy, which established learning focused on experience and its subsequent reflection (Dewey, 1916). In short, this is the procedure followed by formative evaluation: acting to then reflect on the action and generate learning in a new situation. This is the sequence that specific formative evaluation strategies develop, such as self-appraisal or co-assessment.\nMethodology: Participants\nResults and discussion: The results obtained show good and excellent Cronbach's a coefficients in 12 of the 14 categories of the self-appraisal instrument (Table II). The coefficient obtained in the \"BE\" category (0.375) is questionable and of the \"PT\" category unacceptable (0.107), both in Amount of Students' Classroom Activity. Note that in 11 of the 14 categories, the internal consistency is very significant (p<0.001). Although all the coefficients are not quantitatively good, the instrument can be considered globally relevant if the sample size is taken into account (n=66) and the data obtained are not obtained to make subsequent experimental decisions.\nConclusions: Given the need to introduce and generalize competency approaches in university education, this work fulfills the objective of designing and validating a questionnaire that involves students in mechanisms of reflection on their teaching-learning process. As an added value of the validated tool, it should be noted that it is applied in a Flipped Learning model and that, above all, students are involved in the assessment of their non-classroom work, which is so important in the ECTS system and for the acquisition of generic and specific skills of university students.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to design and validate a continuous self-assessment tool that involves university students in reflection processes on their Flipped Learning model learning.\nDesign/methodology/approach: For this, 66 students (18.77+-1.36) of the first year of the Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences participated for nine weeks in the weekly completion of a self-assessment tool. The questionnaire followed a content validation by a group of experts and, subsequently, reliability was found from the internal consistency perspective through Cronbach's a.\nFindings: The results obtained show a reliable tool that facilitates the work by competencies in university education under the Flipped Learning model.\nOriginality/value: This work is the first step that responds to the almost non-existent practices of democratic evaluation in Higher Education. The design and validation of questionnaires that consider the measures adopted by the European Higher Education Area and that takes into account European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is scarce.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A conceptual model of the holistic effects of atmospheric cues in fashion retailing	[ "Consumer behaviour", "Retailing", "Retail atmospherics", "Store design" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Research on how retail environments can affect consumer behaviour owes much to the work of Kotler (1973-1974). Coining the term \"atmospherics\", Kotler (1973-1974) argued that buying environments can be purposefully designed to produce specific emotional effects in shoppers, thereby enhancing their purchase probability. Work in this area was further popularised by Donovan and Rossiter (1982), who used the framework provided by Mehrabian and Russell (1974) to help understand consumer responses to retail atmospherics.\nLiterature review: Store atmosphere has a measureable effect on emotional factors such as pleasure and arousal, which in turn can affect the time and money spent in a store (Donovan et al., 1994), with customers' moods also affected by pleasant/unpleasant store environments, and customer satisfaction with a store directly affected by the atmosphere, and indirectly mediated by customers' moods (Spies et al., 1997). There is also a suggestion that the customer's motivational orientation (recreational vs task) may moderate the effect of arousal produced by a store atmosphere on the pleasantness of the environment (Kaltcheva and Weitz, 2006), perhaps due to the functional theory of attitudes and store atmosphere acting as a social identity appeal (Schlosser, 1998).\nMethodology: Research was conducted using a within-subjects comparative case study design, with the data being qualitative in nature (Miles and Huberman, 1994). This allowed for the examination of a large range of cues and interactions that would not be possible in an experimental design due to complexity issues. The context in which this study was conducted is the women's fashion sector. The rationale behind choosing this is that it has a proportionally larger number of stores in shopping centres than any other retail sector (West, 1992).\nFindings: Figure 1 presents the conceptual model developed from the findings of this study. Each box represents a separate main theme of participants' cognitive, affective and behavioural responses to women's fashion store atmospherics. Atmospheric variables that create the response are listed underneath the main themes. The model also highlights how atmospheric cues are able to affect successive stages of the retail experience.\nDiscussion: The findings reinforce the importance of storeowners manipulating atmospheric cues to create a store image congruent with their target market's self-image. The findings-based model shows perceived store image congruency to be the primary antecedent towards forming intentions to enter a store within the women's fashion sector. This finding is consistent with the Mehrabian and Russell (1974) model, which suggests individuals approach pleasant stimuli, but avoid unpleasant stimuli. In relating this concept to the role of self-image and store image congruence, it was found that an incongruent store image provided an unpleasant stimulus that was avoided, whereas a store image congruent with self-image provided a pleasant stimulus that would be approached.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine how the holistic atmospheric cues encountered in a retail environment contribute to the creation of a retail experience. The interaction between these cues, and how they impact on the various stages of the retail experience is also explored.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology was employed, using protocol analysis and in-depth semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 18 participants. Data were collected in the context of the women's fashion sector.\nFindings: The findings highlight the importance of store owners ensuring atmospheric cues create a store image congruent with their target market's self-image. A model is also developed which highlights how atmospheric cues are able to affect successive stages of the retail experience.\nOriginality/value: This paper provides a holistic understanding of how retail atmospheric cues are able to influence the overall retail experience; from how a retail store is initially evaluated through to the intention to purchase.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Why do online grocery shoppers switch or stay? An exploratory analysis of consumers' response to online grocery shopping experience	[ "Switching", "Netnography", "Critical incident technique", "Online customer experience", "Repurchase", "Online grocery" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Online grocery retailing has overcome a grim start (Ramus and Nielsen, 2005) and is positioned for explosive growth (Melis et al., 2016). The total market value of online grocery shopping is projected to reach PS197bn by 2021 in Europe (www.statisa.com), making it the most sought-after retail channel for many retailers (Martin et al., 2015). This growth in the online grocery retailing reflects a digital transformation of the food sector, as companies such as Amazon in the USA and Ocado in the UK are shifting consumers from the traditional offline grocery stores to online stores. These complementary options have produced significant changes in the behavior of grocery shoppers (Teller et al., 2012), who now want consistent and seamless experiences across all touch points (Verhoef et al., 2015, Picot-Coupey et al., 2016).\nLiterature review: Overview of research on customer experience\nMethodology: This study employed a netnographic methodology. Netnography, as described by Kozinets (2010), is an \"interpretative method\" that aims to explore consumer behavior by focusing on \"cultural insights,\" viewing online communications or reviews not as content but as a form of \"social interactions.\" This unobtrusive, interpretative fieldwork, which \"resulted from the written account of the cultures and communities that emerged from online communications\" (Kozinets, 1998, p. 366), has provided \"rich, encompassing and influential insights\" (De Valck et al., 2009, p. 200) about online consumers experiences and its subsequent behavioral consequences (Colliander and Wien, 2013).\nResults and discussion: The findings, analysis and discussion serve the purpose to answer the research questions:\nConclusion: The proposed framework summarizes the experiential attributes and factors that influence consumers' patronage intention expressed as their intention to repurchase, WOM and intention to switch. As discussed above, shoppers are looking for a frictionless and pleasurable experience in online grocery shopping; they want their retailer to fulfill its promises efficiently and provide excellent service so that they can get maximum return on their investment. When the customers do not get the benefits (both intrinsic and extrinsic) that they expect, their behavioral response in terms of recommendations to others and intention to repurchase is negatively affected, leading to a search for alternative retailers that can meet their expectations. Consumers' statements on online forums, more than their actual use of the service, communicate how they feel about their shopping experience. As Holbrook (2006) stated, \"What people desire are not products but satisfying experiences. [...] people want products because they want the experience-bringing services which they hope the products will render\" (p. 715).\nLimitations and future research: The qualitative nature of this study presents a limitation in that there was no empirical testing of possible causal relationships between the experiential attributes and the behavioral dispositions. Future researchers could empirically test these identified attributes and their impact on purchasing outcomes. At a theoretical level, consumer experience finds its roots in the \"nature and types of customer values\" (Holbrook, 2006, p. 715). Although this study has briefly introduced key customer values and has sought to identify attributes that support them, further theoretical and empirical research is needed to integrate these values and attributes into the online grocery customer experience framework along with other pertinent theoretical perspectives.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to add to current knowledge of online customer experience (OCE) by examining various drivers and outcomes of online grocery shopping experience that can help researchers and retailers answer the pressing question: \"Why do online grocery customers stay or switch?\"\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study applied netnography and critical incident analysis to a pool of 1,004 reviews captured from forum and review sites dedicated to online grocery shopping.\nFindings: Two broad dimensions of OCE, four attributes and 13 factors corresponding to shoppers' psychological states and their utilitarian and hedonic orientations emerged from the data analysis. The proposed framework, containing these four attributes and corresponding 13 factors, captures the consumers' intention to stay with the current retailer or switch.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study contributes to existing knowledge of OCE by providing a dynamic and yet holistic framework that encompasses experiential states and utilitarian or hedonic orientations in an online grocery context. Although its contributions are valuable to both researchers and practitioners, further quantitative analysis is needed to validate the findings.\nPractical implications: In addition to providing superior customer experience by implementing the various drivers of OCE identified here, online grocery retailers can use the study findings as a strategic guide toward building a frictionless and pleasurable shopping experience.\nOriginality/value: The study employs netnography and critical incident technique to identify experiential attributes such as reliability, responsiveness, return and refund, which are unique OCE attributes in online grocery, a relatively unexamined field of retailing.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Risk perception in young women's collective alcohol consumption	[ "New Zealand", "Public health", "Alcohol", "Women’s health" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The New Zealand drinking culture has long been characterised by heavy episodic consumption of alcohol (McEwan et al., 2013). In recent years, public health officials, the police and the media have drawn attention to the high-risk alcohol consumption behaviours that put young New Zealand women at risk of physical, psychological and social harm. Young women, age 18-24 years, have a higher rate of hazardous drinking than the general population, although this rate was still lower than that of men age 18-24 (Ministry of Health, 2013). The literature suggests that the consumption of alcohol impairs judgement and increases the likelihood of an individual taking risks that they would not take while sober (Fry, 2011; Szmigin et al., 2008). Responses in the media, public policy on this issue and the degree of academic attention given to the vulnerability of young women while consuming alcohol all suggest that this is a topic of wide concern.\nMethods: Sample\nFindings: Two interrelated themes impacting on the young women's alcohol consumption experience emerged from the data; the ritualised pattern and the collective nature of the Alcohol Consumption Journey. Within the theme of collective nature of the alcohol consumption, there were three binary sub-themes of mundane/celebratory, individual/collective, and insiders/outsiders. These themes are elaborated next.\nDiscussion and recommendations: The young women's Alcohol Consumption Journey is a complex collective phenomenon in which there is deliberate management of intoxication levels within a group, and the employment of protective strategies to maximise the experience of shared pleasure within an environment of high perceived risk. This research applied Tiger's concept of \"socio-pleasure\" (Tiger, 1992) and Lyng's theory of \"edgework\" (Lyng, 1990) to examine the social and cultural contexts of young women's ritual alcohol consumption. The discussion is framed within a set of binary constructs to describe the alcohol consumption experience and illustrate the perceived risks and protective strategies in the ritualised Alcohol Consumption Journey.\nConclusions: The young women's Alcohol Consumption Journey is driven by the desire for pleasure in the company of trusted friends and enhanced through the collective consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is consumed to facilitate the formation of a strong group bonding which carried them through their night out, safely together. The Alcohol Consumption Journey starts as sober, preloading with alcohol at a private residence, going out into the NTE and finally recovering to sobriety. Alcohol also facilitates an escape from the mundane existence to the celebratory of the NTE. The young women were insiders to the ritual surrounded by outsiders. The perceived risks centred on the unpredictable behaviour of the bystanders and lack of control in the NTE setting. To mitigate the potential harm and their feeling of vulnerability, the young women used collective protective strategies to navigate the edge between risk and pleasure. The safety plans that they collectively constructed for ensuring the group got home safely at the end of the night out were essential. The young women's drinking culture is bounded temporally, contextually, spatially and socially.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Heavy episodic drinking in young women has caused concern among many groups including public health professionals. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of young women's alcohol consumption so as to facilitate better health education targeting.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This qualitative descriptive study examines the narratives of 16 young women's experience of a \"night out\" framed as the Alcohol Consumption Journey.\nFindings: The young women's Alcohol Consumption Journey is a ritual perpetuated by the \"experienced\" and \"anticipated\" pleasure from social bonding and collective intoxication. The data showed three sequential phases; preloading, going out and recovery, which were repeated regularly. The young women perceived that going out was riskier than preloading or recovery and employed protective strategies to minimise risk and maximise pleasure. Alcohol was consumed collectively to enhance the experience of pleasure and facilitate enjoyment in the atmosphere of the night time economy. Implications for health interventions on collective alcohol consumption and perceived risk are presented.\nOriginality/value: The concept of socio-pleasure is valuable to explain the perpetuation of the young's women ritualised Alcohol Consumption Journey. The binary concepts of mundane/celebration, individual/collective and insiders/outsiders are useful to illustrate the balancing of collective intoxication with group protective strategies in navigating the edge between risk and pleasure.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Exposure to air pollution and crime in the neighbourhood: Evidence from life satisfaction data in Turkey	[ "Turkey", "Life satisfaction", "Crime", "Well-being", "Environmental economics", "Self-reported air pollution", "Pseudo panel data", "I31", "Q53" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The aim of this study is to present a detailed analysis of life satisfaction from a sample of respondents in Turkey. In addition, the effects of air pollution and crimes in the neighbourhood on well-being in Turkey are examined. However, the use of categorical self-reported air pollution and crime variables, instead of continuous ones, has limitations. More specifically, this only allows examination of by how much individuals exposed to these problems are willing to pay more than individuals who report not being exposed to these problems. In addition, various determinants, such as socio-economic status (SES) factors, body mass index (BMI) and smoking, among others, are also considered. The analysis relies on detailed micro-level cross-sectional using the cross-sectional health survey in Turkey during the years 2010 and 2012. In addition, this study explores these effects on well-being using various econometric approaches, such as the ordered logit. Moreover, the adapted probit model proposed by Van Praag and Ferrer-i-Carbonell (2004) based on pseudo panel data is followed. The second model is the \"blow-up and cluster\" (BUC) estimator (Baetschmann et al., 2015).\n2. Literature review: Earlier research studies exploring the happiness direction over the life cycle found mixed results. From one perspective, Myers (2000) found that happiness remains constant, while other studies suggest that happiness is increased with age (Argyle, 1999). Lastly, other studies found that happiness is increased with age at some point and then is declined (Easterlin, 2006).\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Ordered logit for cross-sectional data\n4. Data: The health survey used in this paper offers information on health conditions and other individual characteristics (e.g. gender, age, education level and marital status among others) of children and adults. Also, the survey contains information related to access to health care services, satisfaction of using these services, daily activities and habits related to health such as diet, consumption of cigarette and alcohol (Turkish Statistical Institute, 2013). The health survey was carried out on 14,400 households in urban and rural regions of Turkey. The aim of the survey was to obtain information on health indicators, which represent a major indicator that shows the degree of the country's development.\n5. Empirical results: In this section, the empirical estimates are presented. In Table III, the results estimated with the ordered logit and generalized ordered logit model are reported. Initially, the ordered logit estimates are discussed. From the results of Table III, it seems that women are less satisfied with their lives, while income has a positive effect on life satisfaction as expected. For age, an inverted U-shaped curve is found. More specifically, age has negative effects on life satisfaction in general, while after 48 years of age on average, positive effects on well-being have been found. This result is consistent with the study of Easterlin (2006), who found that happiness is increased with age and peaked in midlife. In contrast, Myers (2000) found that happiness does not change over the life period. It should be noted that additional estimates including a cubic term for age are obtained, but they are not reported as the remaining coefficients do not change. However, the results do not confirm Easterlin's (2006) findings, where a significant cubic relationship a peak in life satisfaction is found. More specifically, similar to Easterlin (2006), a peak in life satisfaction is found; however, after the age of 75 years, individuals reported lower levels of life satisfaction than younger individuals. This may also be associated with poorer health because of age.\n6. Conclusions: This study has used a set of repeated cross-sectional and pseudo panel micro-data from a health survey in Turkey, examining self-reported life satisfaction. Various econometric approaches have been used for robustness checks. The results showed that the MWTP for individuals who reported a problem in air quality and crime in the neighbourhood is higher by 13-32 TL than the individuals who did not report a problem. Thus, the finding supports and confirms that exposure to air pollution and crime has direct effects on individuals' life satisfaction and well-being. In addition, most of the determinants examined in this study have significant effects on life satisfaction, with education being the most important one, followed by marital status, job status and the number of individuals who are close to the respondent. Moreover, various factors have been examined such as urban vs rural areas, and different sexes and age groups.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the determinants of life satisfaction in Turkey. Moreover, this study explores the effects of air pollution and crime problems on well-being.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The estimates are based on cross-sectional data from the health survey in Turkey during the years 2010 and 2012. Various econometric models are applied such as the ordered logit and the random-effects generalized latent class ordered logit. Moreover, using pseudo panel data created based on age and region cohorts adapted probit fixed effects and the \"blow-up and cluster\" estimators are applied. In addition, various estimates by sex, age group, urban and rural areas as well as between individuals with good and poor health status are followed.\nFindings: The results show that the individuals who self-reported who are exposed to air pollution and crimes present on average 0.2-0.5 less satisfaction scores than those who are not exposed to air pollution and crimes. In terms of monetary values, they are willing to pay more than those who are not exposed to air pollution and crimes by 13-19 Turkish Liras per month. Moreover, the generalized latent class ordered logit shows that there is considerable heterogeneity among the most satisfied and least satisfied individuals.\nOriginality/value: The originality of the paper lies in the fact that this is the first study to provide an analysis of life satisfaction using micro-level data from Turkey. Moreover, various econometric approaches are applied to compare the results. In addition, examining the heterogeneous effects among individuals with different life satisfaction rankings, it is possible to examine the effects of various factors on well-being and how they differ among individuals. Finally, by examining exposure to air pollution and crimes in the neighbourhood and their effects on well-being, it is possible to control for characteristics of the deprived areas.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The corporate university landscape in Germany	[ "Corporate universities", "Learning methods", "Germany", "United States of America" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introductory remarks: In the human resources literature of past years a \"new\" trend in human resources training and development is described: the corporate university. This concept is rooted in the USA, where the label first appeared in 1955 with the foundation of the Disney University (Solomon, 1989), and has been continued in Europe and Asia. According to official statistics in the USA more than 1,800 corporate universities are now in existence; 40 per cent of the Fortune 500 companies have implemented a corporate university (AACSB, 1999).In Germany, where the label \"corporate university\" first appeared in 1998, determination of their absolute number led to widely differing results ranging from 13 institutions (Maier and Westermann, 1999) to 47 (Wimmer et al., 2002). Topfer (1999), for example, mentioned the problem of fraudulent labelling. This discussion indicates a certain lack of clarity concerning the corporate university concept. In our paper we focus on the 15 largest corporate universities in Germany. Among them are Bertelsmann University, Deutsche Bahn Akademie, e.on academy, GEA Group Academy, Infineon University, Lufthansa School of Business, Merck University, Print Media Academy, SAP University, Schering Corporate University, VW Auto Uni, just to mention a few.The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we present an overview of the corporate university landscape in Germany contrasting it to the US-American corporate university market and, second, we outline the development in Germany during the last 15 years and have a look at future trends.\n2. The German corporate university concept: a copy of the US-American market or a market on its own?: 2.1. Defining the concept\n3. Learning alliances: a future trend?: The term learning alliance has been used in the 1990s mainly for learning co-operations between corporations (Lichtenberger, 1998a, b, c). The GEA Group Academy constitutes a new development in the German corporate university market in the sense that the learning institution is managed both, internally and externally by educational experts of the Malik Management Centre St Gallen (MZSG). The MZSG is active in the fields of management education, management development, and management consulting for internationally operating companies worldwide.The GEA Group Academy - formerly mg academy - was initiated and implemented by the CEO in 1999 in a centralised period of the corporation. In 2003, the mg academy got under high cost and legitimation pressures when the CEO and project sponsor left the company and the group entered into a decentralisation. In 2004, the decision for a learning alliance with MZSG was taken. The decision was not only driven by the economical obligation of a fast-changing marketplace, but also by the challenge to improve productivity and operational efficiency with shrinking budgets for the costly operation of a corporate university. The aim was to keep the vision of a strategic-aligned educational body managed with high expectations towards the competence and experience of those who are in charge of the operation.The learning alliance is basing their foundation on the experiences in the management of networked organisations and the scientific management foundation of the St Gallen Management Model.Over the past years, experiences with network organisations shows that work on basis of a flexible, spherical structure that can rotate competent, self-managing teams and other resources around a common knowledge base. This is the capability which provides quick action on the firm's behalf both externally and internally to provide a competitive advantage.The common knowledge base in this case was applied through the introduction of the St Gallen Management Model by the Malik MZSG. The St Gallen Management Model was developed in the 1960s at the University St Gallen guided by Professor Hans Ulrich in cooperation with Professor Fredmund Malik. Thereafter it has been continuously further developed at the Malik-MZSG.The system-oriented management theory is based on the scientific principles of general systems theory and cybernetics. It applies their findings, conclusions and methods to all types of management problems. The St Gallen Management Model represents the conversion of these findings, conclusions and methods for the practice of either corporate management or the management of other types of organisations. It takes into account the fact that the field of management is fundamentally more comprehensive. Management must address all aspects of an organisation. The centre of the St Gallen Management Model (see Figure 7) is thus the manager - as an agent in the context of complex systems. The technical and conceptual basis of the model is composed of the:* environment plan;* business plan; and* management plan.The St Gallen Management Model allows the implementation all of the four learning strategies described in section 2.4. This means that learning in the GEA Group Academy takes place on an individual-to-organisational level and covers both short- and long-term objectives of the company in its programmes. In addition, MZSG supports initiatives regarding the contextual strategies.The steering committee of the GEA Group Academy is composed of the responsible project manager of Malik MZSG and six to seven GEA Group representatives such as selected members of the board of directors and supervisory board, trusted stakeholders from all over the organisation, and the HRD responsible manager. The steering committee has the strategic task and responsibility to assure the policy and strategic foundation and link of the Academy. In this respect it fulfils the system 5 function as defined in the model of the viable system developed by Stafford Beer over a number of years (Beer, 1979). System 5 then makes policy decisions about which of the alternatives for the academy will best allow the whole organisation GEA Group to remain viable; to survive in the long term.The role of MZSG covers then all basic services project management, the delivery of a contracted amount of programmes, and a variable catalogue of services. The basic services project management include administrative management (e.g. planning and budgeting of annual programmes and trainings, co-ordination of participants together with divisional HR, production and distribution of programme and training materials), programme management (e.g. nomination and management of external and internal providers, referees, tutors and guest speakers, delivery of programmes training) as well as communication (e.g. newsletter, internet/intranet, publications). The variable catalogue of services comprises for example benchmarking and best practice studies, potential analysis, change management and competency management. Having the operative lead in this learning alliance, MZSG has defined an approach to manage the complexities of vendor management.\n4. Summary and critical reflections: It can be concluded that from a historical point of view the concept of corporate universities in the USA is comparable to the traditional education concept in German companies. As global organisations in Germany increasingly aligned education to business strategy, many companies changed the label for their education activities into \"corporate university\". Today more and more German companies are following this trend and also use the name \"corporate university\" for their traditional education units whether they are strategically oriented or not. Looking at the historical development of corporate universities and in view of the fact that this label is not protected, this change in Germany cannot be described as fraudulent labelling. However, when restricting the corporate university concept to pure business-strategy oriented education, the number of companies in Germany to be considered is decimated. According to our estimation approximately 20 companies in Germany built up a larger institution which would fit this restricted definition.As indicated in the definition, corporate universities in practice vary from company to company as they are adapted to each organisation's specific needs. In order to have strategic impact the concept of corporate universities has to be adapted to the business environment so as to leverage its strengths, minimise its weaknesses, actively seek out and select opportunities, and protect against threats. Accordingly, the learning strategies and contextual strategies pursued by individual companies vary with their degree of globalisation and the pace of change they face, the stage of development of its workforce, and the stage of corporate university development.In sum, the major differences of German corporate universities to their US-American counterparts are a more limited target group of primarily management-level employees, a stronger relation to strategic and organisational change, a stronger focus on learning strategies as well as contextual strategies and the anchoring of company-specific and strategic knowledge, a stronger interest in co-operations with institutions of higher education as in trainers and coaches, and their smaller size. Hence, the German corporate university market has very specific characteristics and cannot be equated with the US-American corporate university concept.The business model of a learning alliance as in the case of the GEA Group and the Malik MZSG might well be a solution to the major challenges German corporate universities are facing: How must the structure or architecture of a system be configured so that its complexity can be brought under control in the first place. And how to manage corporate universities in a sustainable way, so that they are not a transitional stage, that is finished at the first signs of an economic recession.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The paper seeks first to present an overview of the corporate university landscape in Germany contrasting it with the US-American corporate university market and, second, to outline the development in Germany during the last 15 years and to have a look at future trends such as learning alliances.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The comparison in the paper is based on empirical data of the largest corporate universities in the USA and Germany gathered by interviews with the heads of the institutions and by evaluations of data such as homepages, brochures, and presentations by the companies. In addition, reference is made to surveys and case studies published by other researchers.\nFindings: - The paper works out major differences between Germany and the USA regarding the educational level, target groups, strategic directions, partnerships, alliances with external vendors, accreditation, focus on internal versus external job market, and organisation that can be led back to the stronger strategic orientation of German corporate universities. It presents the business model of a learning alliance as a potential solution to the major challenges German corporate universities are facing.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Research data being based on interviews and corporate data risk being biased due to marketing purposes. Future research should include internal observations and evaluations.\nPractical implications: - The paper gives an example for a learning alliance in practice that could be of relevance for a larger number of institutions.\nOriginality/value: - The comparative study helps to understand the US-American and German corporate university markets as well as their specificities and investigates future developments.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Factors impacting participation of Hispanic small businesses in government contracting in the USA	[ "Hispanics", "Small enterprises", "Financial management", "Electronic commerce", "Worldwide web", "United States of America" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Small businesses strongly support the US economy and keep productivity, creativity, and employment flowing (Twist, 2001). Census data show that Hispanic Americans own 6.9 percent of the 23 million small business firms in the USA. This number has grown and will continue to grow at a faster rate than small businesses in general. A 55 percent growth is expected in the next six years, which will result in 2.46 million Hispanic-owned small businesses (IDC Market Research, 2004). However, the potential of Hispanic small businesses' (HSBs) contracting opportunities with the government and with private corporations seems undermined by difficulties encountered while pursuing such opportunities. Recent studies found evidence of difficulties pertaining to financial and market disparity between minority-owned and non-minority-owned small businesses (Bates, 1995; Fregetto, 1994; Rasheed, 2004). These results are of concern since government programs created in the last two decades and recent legislation aimed to assist minority-owned business to overcome these disparities. Our area of interest in this study pertains to Hispanic-owned small businesses, given the estimates for HSBs growth (www.sba.gov/advo/).Searches of HSB literature find little prior investigation of the HSB's ability to pursue and secure contracts with the government and/or private sector. Some of the difficulties are financial, which consequently delay HSBs in adopting the internet and e-commerce components and in pursuing electronic contracting opportunities. This is especially critical at a time when the government and private companies have moved their contracting systems to an internet base (Ursery, 2003; Dillehay, 2002; Norris et al., 2001; Mitchell, 2000; Public Management, 2000; Dholakia and Kshetri, 2004; Temponi and Chahin, 2003; Tucker and Lafferty, 2004). The compound effect of HSBs' limited financial resources and decreased ability to secure human and technical resources seem to lessen their contracting opportunities and participation (Woo and Ennew, 2005; Ursery, 2003). In addition to this complex situation, social factors, such as demographics of the business owners, have been found to act as structural barriers in initiating, securing, and/or continuing contracting with the government (Rasheed, 2004; Bates, 1995; MacManus, 1990). Previous studies did not relate these issues and their effects on the ability of HBSs to pursue contracting opportunities. This void in the literature motivated the development of three constructs:1. Financial factors (annual revenue, access to capital, etc.) impact HBSs' participation in government contracting.2. Internet and related issues (components for electronic access) impair HBSs' abilities to pursue contracting opportunities and secure them.3. Government procurement processes influence HSBs' ability to participate and maintain a competitive business position in government procurement, which is significantly conducted through the internet via electronic procurement.The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among the identified constructs as they pertain to HSBs and their current capacity to gain access to government procurement. It may be possible that the factors identified as having an impact on HSBs' abilities to pursue government procurement would also have an impact on other small businesses, regardless of ethnicity. Our study focuses only on Hispanic-owned small business and their involvement in USDA contracting activities.The remainder of this paper includes a section on literature review related to the main government programs available to Hispanic-owned small businesses and research studies associated with the influence of financial capabilities, e-commerce, and government procurement processes on HSBs. A section on research design and methodology describes how the proposed objectives of this study were carried out. The subsequent section addresses the analysis of data collected for this study. We conclude with discussion and implications of results and directions for future research.\nLiterature review: Here we are interested in reviewing: aspects that could affect small business in general and Hispanic Small Business in particular; the main government programs available to Hispanic-owned small businesses; and research studies associated with the influence of financial capabilities, e-commerce, and government procurement processes on HSBs.Relevant aspects of small business\nMethodology: Sample\nResults: The analysis consists of two parts. The first part is an overview of the respondents' financial status and the possession of e-commerce components. The second part is a study of the relationship and differences in the perceptions of the contracting process of the USDA by HSBs that secured contracts and HSBs that did not. A common factor analysis was performed prior to hypothesis testing to assure appropriateness of the four pre-specified factors - \"Accessibility to e-components,\" \"Difficulty in the process of contracting with USDA,\" \"Importance,\" and \"Availability of services of USDA to HSB.\" The Fisher's exact test for nominal variables and Kendall's tau-b for ordinal variables were used for testing the hypotheses; correspondence between the survey questions and hypotheses are presented in Table III.Overview of the respondents' financial status and ownership of e-commerce components\nDiscussion: This empirical study assessed three main factors that influence the participation of HSBs in government contracting within the USA. The first factor related financial aspects that impact participation of HSBs in business opportunities with the USDA and the corresponding outcome (securing a contract). The second factor investigated e-commerce and its components. The third factor was the concerns and perceptions of HSBs regarding the USDA's quality of services provided to HSBs.From the analysis of results, we found that HSB owners supplement funds with informal sources (personal funds and/or family loans) as well as formal sources (bank loans, government loans, and trade credits); our findings support earlier research by Nute (2002), Benton Foundation (2001a; b), Cutler (2001), Chaston et al. (2001), and Ferguson (2000). We also found that HSBs' financial status has no impact on HSBs pursuing contracts with the USDA. However, HSBs with annual revenue greater than one million dollars have a greater likelihood of securing contracts with the USDA than HSBs with annual revenue below one million dollars (Table V). Moreover, HSBs with annual revenue below one million dollars might also have a decreased ability to secure other human and technological resources, consequently limiting contracting opportunities and participation (Woo and Ennew, 2005; Ursery, 2003).Having e-commerce components did not impact HSBs' ability to try and/or secure contracts (Table IV, section V). This result came as a surprise; earlier research (Iacovou et al., 1995; Strandholm et al., 2004; Grandon and Pearson, 2004; Dholakia and Kshetri, 2004) suggested that one of the factors and problems preventing small businesses and HSBs from participating in e-commerce was the lack of e-commerce components and that internet access has been of concern for HSBs (Ferguson, 2000; Benton Foundation, 2001a, b; Tucker and Lafferty, 2004). Our findings indicated that most HSBs have at least one component of e-commerce - among the 203 HSBs that responded, 193 (95.1 percent) owned at least one e-commerce component. Our results are encouraging and should generate programs from the private sector, the government, and the USDA to entice more HSBs to participate in e-procurement.The perceptions of services provided by the USDA to HSBs were found to be different depending on whether a HSB has secured a USDA contract. The median evaluation score of the perceived quality of USDA services for the group that secured contracts is lower than the median score of the group that did not secure contracts. HSBs with annual revenue greater than one million dollars are more likely to secure contracts than those with lower annual revenue (H2). Moreover, the higher annual revenue seems likely to bring a different perspective to HSBs in securing contracts and perceiving the quality of services with the USDA. It should be noted that not only is the quality of services unsatisfactory to HSBs, but also specific issues of the quality of services, such as availability of bid opportunities, points of contact and contact information, and lead time to respond to bids, are perceived as deficient by HSBs that \"did not secure contracts.\" Results also indicate that HSBs are well aware of the importance of learning required procedures and that learning these required procedures increases their ability to do business with the USDA; the median score was 1 for both groups.Our findings suggest that additional work needs to be done to remove HSBs' perceptions of inequality and assure capital access to this growing segment of the economy. Complex forces will shape and define the emerging structure of the USA. Hispanic economy for the next several years; therefore, a broad set of national public policies should emerge to adequately address access to capital, education to diversity in the workplace, business and government procurement, and professional advancement of HSBs. Strategic alliances should be developed between vendor programs and private and government agencies by efficiently using Hispanic small business databases. Private and government agencies need to hold small business fairs throughout the country. These fairs should emphasize workshops that address HSBs' negative perceptions of government agencies. Workshops should also focus on providing HSBs with information on how to get involved and how to prepare bids electronically. Assisting minority-owned small businesses to gain access to financial resources is crucial to increasing their participation in e-procurement. Therefore, a comprehensive plan should include a join effort among the government, businesses (large, medium and small), and communities.\nConclusion: These findings suggest that:* HSBs' average annual revenue does impact their participation in government procurement opportunities.* HSBs' readiness level and capacity to engage in e-procurement do not impact their pursuit of contracting opportunities with the USDA.* Owning an e-commerce component, or of a specific set of e-components, does not impact the outcome of pursuing the contracts.* HSBs' ability to secure contracts with the USDA is, in fact, affected by the HSB's financial status (Table VII, H2).* HSBs that have successfully secured contracts with the USDA had a higher perceived quality of the USDA services than HSBs that have not secured contracts.* Perceptions of the role of learning the required procedures to acquire contracts with the USDA do not differ significantly whether or not a HSB has secured a contract.This research contributes to the literature in two complimentary ways. One contribution supports some of the earlier research on barriers for engagement of small business in government procurement, specifically the financial status and the perceptions of services provided by the USDA to HSBs. The second contribution offers specifics on Hispanic small businesses - perceptions of the quality of services and opportunities offered to them by the government and by the USDA.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This study aims to examine the relationship among three main constructs of financial status, e-commerce components, and Hispanic small businesses' (HSBs') perceptions regarding the contracting process of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as they pertain to HSBs and their current capacity to gain access to government procurement.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper employs descriptive statistics and association analysis conducted on survey data from a random sample of 206 HSBs.\nFindings: - The analysis indicates that the HSBs' financial status has no impact on HSBs pursuing contracts with the USDA; instead, it impacts HSBs' ability to secure contracts. E-commerce components seem to have no impact on HSBs' ability to pursue and/or secure contracts. The perceptions of services provided by the USDA to HSBs were found to be different depending on whether an HSB has secured a USDA contract.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Findings on HSBs in government contracting with the USDA might also be relevant to small businesses, regardless of ethnicity. This study was conducted for the USDA procurement process, but the process may vary due to the types of services contracted or the function of the agency/business itself. Non-response biases were tested and found not significant.\nOriginality/value: - This paper contributes to the literature in two complimentary ways. One contribution supports some of the earlier research on barriers for engagement of small business in government procurement. The second contribution offers specifics on Hispanic small businesses.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Online brand communities as heterogeneous gatherings: a netnographic exploration of Apple users	[ "Web 2.0", "Netnography", "Online brand communities", "Sub-tribes", "Tribes" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Consumption is a social phenomenon that not only occurs at the individual level but also at the group level (Arnould et al., 2006). Working consumers idea (Cova and Dalli, 2009) suggests that consumers need to be analyzed as the members of groups (brand communities, subcultures of consumption and consumer tribes) as well as individual consumers. In a world where the Internet brings people together, we do not see the consumers who only share their consumption experience, but also the prosumers' creation of their own world. Consumers take upon a variety of roles, including that of a producer, a distributor, a marketer and a user of product (Pitt et al., 2006). Today's consumers are more active and collaborative inside a community where they can develop social interactions with like-minded consumers.\nOnline brand communities: Most of the consumers value the brand for its functional and symbolic benefits, and a compliant relationship with the brand leads consumers to look for and interact with like-minded individuals (Algesheimer et al., 2005). Consumers who consciously join groups of like-minded individuals (Koh and Kim, 2004) to interact around a brand (Veloutsou, 2009) with a shared enthusiasm (Bagozzi and Dholakia, 2006) constitute a brand community. Brand community defines a group of people who create a social universe (subculture) around a specific brand with a common goal, common myths, common values and rituals (Cova and Pace, 2006). The term, first, described by Muniz and O'Guinn (2001, p. 412) as \"a specialized, non-geographically bound community, based on a structured set of social relationships among admirers of a brand\". Brand communities are the places where strong brand loyalty is expressed and advanced, and emotional links with the brand created among consumers (Bagozzi and Dholakia, 2006). In brand communities, people engage jointly in group actions to accomplish collective goals with shared emotions and commitments for the brand (Stokburger-Sauer, 2010).\nConsumer roles in online brand communities: Online brand communities are the virtual working environments where consumers collaborate and generate value. These communities meet the consumer empowerment (Prahalad and Ramaswarmy, 2004) which encourages firms to treat their customers as partners, let go of control to a significant degree and absorb their competence in ways that are mutually beneficial and profitable (Bagozzi and Dholakia, 2006). Brand communities are developed and altered by the brand users, as they become part of the brand and as a result they create additional value for the brand (Schau et al., 2009). Consumers interact with other consumers and often with company members in value co-creation process in brand communities. Prahalad and Ramaswarmy (2004) defines co-creation as a \"joint creation of value involving the participation of producers and consumers\" and value co-creation refers to all the processes which consumers and producers collaborate and participate in creating value (Pongsakornrungsilp and Schroeder, 2011). Lusch and Vargo (2006) explain that value is generated by the customers and the suppliers who co-create solutions. They suggest that customers co-construct value for themselves and \"the customer is always a co-creator of value\".\nResearch methodology: This research investigates different types of online brand community members in the context of an online brand community dedicated to Apple. Apple is famous for its devoted customers and is often used to emphasize the value of brand communities (Muniz and Schau, 2005). To explore the online brand community, a netnographic research is applied. Netnography has been defined as \"ethnography adapted to the study of online communities and cultures\" (Kozinets, 2001, p. 61). Similar to traditional ethnography, netnography is naturalistic, open-ended, interpretative and flexible, but usually faster, simpler and less expensive than traditional ethnography (Kozinets, 2001, 2006). In netnographic studies, the advantage of accessing Internet easily enables the researcher to observe the research environment more naturally (Langer and Beckman, 2005). Online brand communities are suitable online platforms for conducting netnography, as they meet the criteria proposed by Kozinets (2001): having a focused topic, high posting traffic and a high number of discrete message posters, detailed or descriptively rich data and a high level of member-to-member interaction.\nFindings: Findings of the study reveal that although the brand community members unite around a common goal, they are different in their interest and commitment to the brand and the community. In other words, they differ in the roles they play and they do not constitute a community which shares a common commitment. This refers to Apple users who adopt different roles in the brand community. With this study, the member types which can be seen within the brand communities are classified as: the learner, the pragmatist, the activist, the opinion leader and the evangelist.\nDiscussion: This paper identifies different members of an online brand community and emphasizes the importance of these member types. Based on an 18-month netnographic study, the paper offers a deep insight into heterogeneity of online brand communities. Findings of the study also highlight the importance of destructive consumer roles that have been overlooked by previous research.\nImplications for marketing theory and practice: Previous research by Muniz and O'Guinn (2001), McAlexander et al. (2002), Algesheimer et al. (2005), and Bagozzi and Dholakia (2006) approaches brand communities as somewhat homogenous groups described by shared consciousness, moral responsibility and rituals and traditions. But, recent research (Ouwersloot and Odekerken-Schroder, 2008; Schau et al., 2009; Fournier and Lee, 2009; Pongsakornrungsilp et al., 2010; Pongsakornrungsilp and Schroeder, 2011; Healy and McDonagh, 2013) questions this homogeneity and studies brand communities from a heterogeneous perspective to better understand the community's population. These studies warn brand managers that approaching brand communities as homogenous groups could be a mistake. They suggest that marketers should consider different types of brand community members and their roles in the brand community, instead of approaching brand communities as homogenous groups.\nConclusion: Building and maintaining a strong brand community has become a crucial marketing strategy for companies. In brand communities, consumers seek for giving a meaning to their life and developing a sense of self through the social ties they developed with other consumers who have the similar passion for the brand. Today, these communities have emerged as \"online brand communities\" through the interaction developed via online tools. Online brand communities give their members the opportunity to get useful information about the brand which cannot be found in any other websites. They can find answers to their problems in product use by exchanging ideas, opinions and experiences. Online brand communities have the potential to be an effective communication channel where companies can interact with their customers and get real time feedback about their products. These communities help companies to get closer to their markets and learn more about their existing and potential customers. They can also help marketers to better understand the customer needs and enhance the brand loyalty.\nLimitations and future research: Findings from this study need to be generalized in other community settings, such as replication in different product categories, brands and different countries. Although the member types can be applied in general to brand communities, the findings require further research on more communities before generalization. Further, this research offers new insights on online brand communities. The current research contributes to our understanding of the heterogeneity of brand communities which helps marketers approach brand communities as a marketing tool. In addition, the classification of online brand community members in this research is expected to guide the future research but different types of members in different brand communities is an issue that should be further investigated. Future research may also focus on the destructive roles in online brand communities which can be crucial for market researchers.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the different types of members based on their roles within an online brand community dedicated to Apple.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Design/methodology/approach Data are drawn from an 18-month netnographic study, including participant and non-participant observation.\nFindings: Findings reveal that members of the online brand community share a common goal but they are heterogeneous in many respects. In this research, five different types of brand community members are identified: learner, pragmatist, activist, opinion leader and evangelist. These findings emphasize the heterogeneity of the brand community or the differences of members and subgroups they form in the community.\nPractical implications: This paper offers some insights for brand managers. There are different sub-tribes in online brand communities and these sub-tribes develop their own meanings of the brand. This means that online brand communities do not form one single homogenous target group and can be segmented into subgroups. Findings also offer a deeper understanding of negative characteristics of online brand community members. The role \"activist\" found in this study may be crucial for marketers, as activists can represent the negative side of online brand communities.\nOriginality/value: The literature on brand communities has focused predominantly on the homogeneity of these communities. This paper extends the literature by demonstrating the heterogeneity in an online brand community. The paper contributes to the brand community literature by substantiating that online brand community members can be segmented into subgroups based on their roles within the community. In addition, the paper extends the existing literature on brand communities that has overlooked the destructive consumer roles.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Integrating corporate responsibility principles and stakeholder approaches into mainstream strategy: a stakeholder-oriented and integrative strategic management framework	[ "Strategic management", "Stakeholder analysis", "Social capital", "Corporate social responsibility" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Since the early 1990s, corporate responsibility issues have attained prominence in the political and business agenda. The need for a more pro-active role by states, companies and communities in a development process aimed at balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and social cohesion has motivated the following three interlinked business movements:1. Corporate social responsibility (CSR).2. Corporate sustainability.3. Worldwide reforms on corporate governance.CSR and corporate sustainability involve assessment of the company's economic, social and environmental impact, taking steps to improve it in line with stakeholder requirements and reporting on relevant measurements. Corporate governance reflects the way companies address legal responsibilities and therefore provides the foundations upon which CSR and corporate sustainability practices can be built to enhance responsible business operations.The CSR and corporate sustainability movements are building an impressive momentum with support from governments and the investment community through socially responsible investing (SRI) and associated corporate sustainability indexes. There is no doubt that businesses are doing far more than ever before to tackle the sustainability challenge by recognizing their social responsibilities, reducing their environmental impacts, guarding against ethical compromises, creating governance transparency and becoming more accountable to their stakeholders. However, it is widely recognized that CSR and corporate sustainability as business practices remain isolated from mainstream strategy and therefore mainstreaming has become the key challenge for the corporate responsibility movement.Theoretical developments in the field of business in society have focused in two areas, the ethical and accountability responsibilities (Sethi, 1975; Carroll, 1979) and the stakeholder approaches to strategic management (Freeman, 1984; Donaldson and Preston, 1995). The stakeholder theory provides the foundations of a strategic view of corporate responsibility issues and advocates a single strategic management framework. However, stakeholder approaches can be regarded as another strand of strategic management theories and do not attempt to define a single strategic management framework, which is the objective of this paper. The motivation for the paper is therefore to establish a strategic management framework that could contribute from a methodological perspective to charting ways for corporate responsibility mainstreaming.The baseline of the proposed framework is the 4CR classification of strategic management theories against criteria of value, responsiveness and responsibility.The main theories included in the 4CR classification are:* industrial organization/environmental approaches;* resource based view (RBV) and related theories of core competencies and dynamic capabilities;* business networking and relational perspectives;* knowledge view of the firm;* corporate responsibility and sustainability; and* stakeholder approaches.A reference model for stakeholder-oriented integrative strategic management is derived from the 4CR classification illustrating the interaction of the above theories in developing a single strategic management capability. The concepts for advantage-creating knowledge and advantage-creating stakeholder relations are developed according to resource based theory, and a baseline descriptive mathematical model is outlined specifying their composition and clarifying key interactions between constituent elements.To resolve the issues surrounding the impact of corporate social responsibility strategies on performance we differentiate between the instrumental elements of stakeholder approaches that are integrated in the value and responsiveness dimensions of strategic management and become an integral part of competitive strategy. The ethical aspects or intrinsic elements of stakeholder approaches are dealt with in the responsibility dimension enabling integration through contextual links with the competitive dimensions.\nBackground research: The work reported in this paper is based on research carried out initially in the CSRQuest project and subsequently in the ongoing 4CR research and development program.The CSRQuest project (2004-2006) entitled \"A customisable e-learning environment for CSR\" was a collaborative research project with seven partners co-ordinated by K-NET SA and funded by the Greek General Secretarial for Research and Technology - Research and Technology in the Information Society (www.csrquest.net). The main CSRQuest objective was to develop e-learning services supporting the Greek business community to adopt CSR strategies and practices efficiently and effectively.Research was focused in the following areas:* market research on CSR trends particularly in Greek businesses;* evaluation, collation and development of support and training content for corporate social responsibility;* review of methodological frameworks for corporate responsibility, stakeholder approaches and strategic management;* knowledge management in the context of the \"responsible\" organization and stakeholder networks;* learning CSR related models; and* e-learning services with customization facilities and integration with operational business processes.A major project output was the CSRQuest methodology, developed by Athens University of Economics and Business in co-operation with other project partners, which provided the basis for the e-learning services. The CSRQuest methodology was developed combining a top down investigation on the interrelationships between strategic management theories and CSR related concepts and principles with a bottom up approach looking at industrial practices and expectations. The market research was carried out in two individual phases: the qualitative phase and the quantitative phase of investigation. The combination of the two phases produced a complete picture of CSR interests, needs and attitudes in the Greek companies. The sample of companies that participated in the qualitative research was representative from all the sectors: industrial, commerce, services, as well as from companies that played a leading part in the promotion of corporate social responsibility in Greece. The information that was drawn from the qualitative phase of investigation guided the definition of the questionnaires used in the quantitative investigation. The quantitative phase identified the perceptions and behavior of Greek companies with regards to corporate social responsibility and management intentions on adoption of CSR programs and prevailing challenges.The CSRQuest methodological framework was presented and debated in special workshops with different stakeholder groups such as CSR managers, CSR consultants and business managers that helped in the exploration of frontier developments in selected subjects. Furthermore, a number of case studies with large and small companies were conducted helping to illustrate different aspects of the methodology in practical settings and to obtain an initial evaluation.The CSRQuest methodology is being currently developed by the 4CR network representing a group of organizations and individuals dedicated to advancing the initial work into a full methodology to support primarily educational courses and corporate training. Currently the 4CR methodological framework provides the basis of the course \"Business strategy and corporate social responsibility\" of the AUEB MSc in applied economics and finance for executives.\nThe reference 4CR strategic management classification: The reference 4CR classification of strategic management theories against value, responsiveness and responsibility criteria (Katsoulakos and Katsoulakos, 2006) is summarized in Table I. Each strategic element in the classification is linked to the strategic management theory dealing with it.Six strategic management theories are included in the classification with corporate responsibility and sustainability and stakeholder-oriented approaches being considered as two separate strands of strategic management. Corporate responsibility and sustainability represents the strategic issues arising from CSR, corporate sustainability and corporate governance. Stakeholder-oriented strategies represent strategies to enhance value, responsiveness and responsibility capabilities by utilizing enhanced stakeholder relations.In general, all three dimensions of strategic management must be addressed through an iterative process supporting refinement and convergence between the various elements. Importantly, responsibility and stakeholder strategic elements that impact competitiveness are included in the value and responsiveness dimensions. This allows the responsibility dimension to contain only intrinsic responsibility elements related to ethical issues and accountability, thus differentiating clearly between competitive and responsibility strategies.Each strategic management theory focuses in one or two dimensions (italicized areas in Table I). In contrast stakeholder approaches address all three dimensions, possibly with equal weight, and could therefore provide the central link to an integrative strategic management framework.The main contributions of each theory along the value, responsiveness and responsibility dimensions are analyzed in the following sections.The value dimension of strategic management\nA stakeholder-oriented integrative strategic management framework: Basic principles\nConclusions: The stakeholder oriented integrative strategic management framework presented in this paper provides a contextual approach linking strategic management theories across value, responsiveness and responsibility dimensions. Essentially it describes a single strategic management capability representing the strategic intellectual capital of the organization. In this context intellectual capital is defined as the knowledge that can be exploited by organizations in setting and managing their competitive and responsibility strategies. Strategic intellectual capital includes the strategic structural capital (the knowledge that is embedded in the strategic management elements), human capital (the human resources involved in strategic management within the organization and its network) and social capital representing the company's knowledge and relationships with its stakeholders.The approach allows instrumental elements of corporate responsibility to be fully integrated in the competitive strategy (value and responsiveness dimensions) and therefore to contribute to sustainable competitive advantage. It also highlights that optimized financial and responsibility performance in companies adopting intrinsic approaches would imply suboptimal financial performance but positive \"second order\" effects of intrinsic responsibility on investor demand and on social capital may offset or reduce the responsibility related cost.A baseline descriptive mathematical model defining the constituent elements of advantage-creating knowledge and stakeholder relations has been presented supporting:* the development of advantage-creating knowledge and stakeholder relations; and* the maturity assessment and development of a strategic management approach incorporating corporate responsibility principles.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this article is to establish a strategic management framework that supports the integration of corporate social responsibility principles and stakeholder approaches into mainstream business strategy.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A top-down and bottom-up approach was used to develop the proposed framework. The top-down approach focused on analyzing the main strategic management theories including social responsibility movements to identify complementary concepts and create a relevant topology. The bottom-up approach was based on empirical research on the views of business companies on corporate social responsibility, a review of best practices and case studies mainly in Greece.\nFindings: - The paper describes a stakeholder-oriented integrative strategic management framework linking the main strategic management theories across value, responsiveness and responsibility dimensions. A mathematical model is presented describing the synergistic development of advantage-creating knowledge and advantage-creating stakeholder relations in accordance with the criteria of the resource-based theory.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The proposed management framework is based on the results of research projects and is not fully developed and tested. The approach will be refined, exploiting results from ongoing research including further empirical research and testing in business organizations.\nOriginality/value: - The paper defines a novel conceptual framework extending the resource- and stakeholder-based approaches by introducing two interlinked concepts: advantage-creating knowledge and advantage-creating stakeholder relations.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Shifting feminisms: Collaborative or individualized managers? An exploratory study in three UK universities	[ "Collaborative", "Individualization", "Senior managers", "Middle managers", "Feminists", "Neoliberalism" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: This paper seeks to shed some light on the perceptions and experiences of a group of feminist managers and leaders who work in the academy in departments of education and social studies.\nChanging working practices in the Neoliberal higher education workplace: Clarke and Newman (1997) inform us that neoliberalism is a strand of New Right ideology which focuses upon the importance of market individualism. As they (Clarke and Newman, 1997, p. 14) put it:\nWomen, management and leadership in the contemporary higher education marketplace: Within the literature that considers neoliberalism and new managerialism from a gendered perspective, different perspectives are apparent. Studies by Reay and Ball (2000), Acker (2005), Leathwood and Read (2009), Coleman (2011) and Thompson (2017) indicate that career prospects for some women academics, including those who work in higher education, are improving, particularly at lower levels. Some see this as an opportunity for women (Currie et al., 2000), whereas others (Thompson, 2017) sound a warning that management in the current climate is akin to doing the housework for others.\nFemale managers/feminist managers?: It is important not to conflate the term \"woman manager\" with \"feminist woman manager\". As Edwards (2000) points out, not all women managers are feminists and neither do all women endorse feminist principles in the carrying out of their management or leadership roles.\nTheoretical framework: This paper is written from a feminist perspective, and the changes in feminist theory over time have been documented earlier in this paper. On my journey through feminist theory, I have increasingly found the insights offered by feminist poststructuralism useful. At the same time, whilst recognizing differences between some women, as well as the similarities between some men and women, I do not seek to fracture the experience of women to such an extent that there is a denial of any material reality.\nRosalyn's tale (VF): Rosalyn, a senior woman at Fallowfield University (pseudonym) was tasked with introducing new efficiency procedures to her institution and was conflicted by having to enforce what she termed a \"harsher regime\" than she would have once employed. As Rosalyn put it:\nCynthia's story (VF): Cynthia's story provides an example of the way that policy, practice and principles intersected to cause a situation where a feminist manager with over 20 years of management experience was finally overwhelmed by the struggle to carry out her management role in an increasingly alien situation in the education marketplace. The dictates of government policy resulted in demands from senior managers to carry out practice in a way that Cynthia felt to be wrong and an assault on her deeply held principles about what it means to be an educator and a manager. This is her story.\nExpectations of Pamela (YF): changing priorities and a breakdown of trust: Pamela, a senior manager, positioned herself as feminist. However, two feminist middle managers in her team described what they saw as changes in Pamela's management practice. This, they felt, had become increasingly didactic and less person-friendly over time. At interview, Kate who was newly appointed to a middle management position said:\nDiana (YF)... the individualized feminist?: Of all the women discussed in this paper, Diana is the most senior, albeit the youngest, of the women in the sample group. She is also the most overtly feminist of the group, in that she openly demonstrates her feminist principles, sets up women's groups and supports gender equality initiatives. How Diana defines her feminism is unclear, but what is clear is that she is an advocate of women attaining senior management roles. However, with regards to supporting other women, something which might be seen by some as a feminist principle (Mauthner and Edwards, 2010), Diana, when asked for her support by a more junior colleague, refused this request. Diana was approached by Brenda who was seeking advice regarding problems that she was having with her line manager. However, Brenda reported that she did not get the sympathetic response for which she was hoping. Brenda said:\nDiscussion and conclusion: This paper has explored some of the challenges faced by seven feminist managers who carry out their management and leadership roles in the contemporary academy. Even within this small sample group, a number of shifts in the ways that these women carry out their roles are visible. There is no wish to take an essentialist position which argues that VFs who began their management roles prior to the incursions of neoliberalism, represent the universal good, and YFs who have been promoted to management positions when neoliberalism was more firmly established, represent the universal bad. It is important to acknowledge that feminist managers and leaders are likely to encompass a variety of approaches to the ways in which they carry out their roles. However, even when bearing this in mind, analysis of the data reveals a shift in feminist management practices over time away from person-centred discourses, to a style which privileges the individual manager and the needs of the institution rather than the needs of their colleagues (Table II).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The paper aims to shed light on how a group of feminist managers/leaders, in education and social studies departments, a notably under-explored and under-theorised group, \"do power\" in the increasingly corporatized education marketplace.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research draws on the narratives of a small group of feminist women who hold authority positions at middle or senior levels. It draws on data from ethnographic interviews and participant observation carried out as part of an in-depth narrative inquiry (Andrews et al., 2008), carried out at three higher education institutions in the UK.\nFindings: From a small sample such as this, any findings are necessarily tentative. Nonetheless, findings suggest that, whilst taking account of individual differences in styles, there has been a shift, over time, in the ways that the management role is approached by some feminist women. Analysis of the data also reveals that gendered expectations remain for those who carry the \"feminist\" label and asks whether these expectations are realistic.\nResearch limitations/implications: The sample group is small which raises questions about what can and cannot be claimed. However, along with Maguire (2008), the author's purpose is not with generalizability but seeks to explore issues and open up further areas of study.\nOriginality/value: This paper is an original empirical research which explores an under-researched group of women, namely, feminist managers and leaders who operate within the education marketplace. As they negotiate the challenges of working within the neoliberal academy, these women try, to varying degrees, to remain true to their feminist values and beliefs.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The relationship between international business travel and sleep problems via work-family conflict	[ "Personal health", "Family", "Labour mobility", "Globalization" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The modern globalized economy has increased the volume of work undertaken in an international context. International business travel is an important part of the international working environment and one that is increasing. Employees traveling abroad to work often make a very important contribution to their companies' success (Inkson and Myers, 2003; Ramsey et al., 2011). In order to meet the expectations of their employers, international business travelers (IBTs) need to complete their tasks efficiently and perform well in their jobs abroad. However, working in an international context involves elements such as working in geographically and/or culturally distant environments and long absences from home that can create stress and strain, and adversely affect travelers' well-being (Meurs et al., 2008; Ramsey et al., 2011).\nMethods: Participants and procedure\nResults: Descriptive results\nDiscussion: Main findings\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study well-being among the internationally mobile work force by exploring the relationships between international business traveling, work-family conflict (WFC), and health issues. In this study, these relationships are examined on the basis of the health impairment process of the job demands-resources model. More specifically, the study examines the role of WFC as a mediator between international business travel and sleep problems using a full panel design.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The data for this study are drawn from Finnish employees whose work involved international business travel (n=868) and who answered two surveys with a one-year time lag.\nFindings: The results showed that international business travel in terms of the number of travel days per year, while not predicting sleep problems directly over time, did significantly increase WFC, which in turn increased sleep problems. Thus, WFC functioned as a mediator in the relationship between business travel and subsequent sleep problems.\nPractical implications: The results indicate that family-friendly HR policies and practices might help international business travelers (IBTs) reduce levels of WFC, which could in turn protect them from harmful health effects, particularly sleep problems.\nOriginality/value: The study examines the understudied professional group of IBTs and contributes to the knowledge on their well-being and WFC issues.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
E-recruitment and training comprehensiveness: untapped antecedents of employer branding	[ "E-recruitment", "Antecedents", "Employer branding", "Organizational development", "Training comprehensiveness" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Organisations are transforming their people and processes to cater to global needs. Traditional methods and techniques are becoming obsolete. Modern techniques and processes are going to capture the upcoming generation Z. The traditional method is a paper-based recruitment of prospective applicants (Zusman and Landis, 2002; Holm, 2012a, b). Lee (2005) defined the modern recruitment method as a two-way communication process, web-enabled, time and space independent and a universal system for recruiters and job seekers. A study by Zusman and Landis (2002) clearly outlines that prospective applicants prefer job posted on web pages to those presented in a traditional format. However, the threat to manage talent exists worldwide. Organisations are adopting different strategies to overcome the challenge relating to competition for talent. Employer branding (EB) is one of such strategies of talent management which has gained popularity in recent times (Sengupta et al., 2015). In simpler terms, EB is the process of building the employer identity targeted at prospective and present employees, in order to differentiate the firm from its competitors (Sivertzen et al., 2013). It very well results in managing employer-employee relationship (Biswas and Suar, 2016).\nResearch gap and objective: In the recent past, there have been numerous studies (Berthon et al., 2005; Srivastava and Bhatnagar, 2010; Hillebrandt and Ivens, 2013; Biswas and Suar, 2016; Tanwar and Prasad, 2016a, b) regarding the antecedents and consequences of EB. A study by Ambler and Barrow (1996) identified EB dimensions, such as functional, economic and psychological benefits. Another study traced several EB attractiveness dimensions - developmental, application, economic, social and interest values (Berthon et al., 2005). Srivastava and Bhatnagar (2010) found several EB dimensions, such as career growth, caring, enabling, credible and fair, flexible and ethical, product and service brand image, positive employer image and global exposure. A research study revealed several employer brand factors, namely, task, team, internationality, reputation, benefits, development, work-life balance, culture, diversity and job security (Hillebrandt and Ivens, 2013). A study by Tanwar and Prasad (2016a) indicated training and development, reputation, work-life balance, ethics and corporate social responsibility, organisational culture and diversity as the employer brand dimensions. Another study reported that work environment, corporate social responsibility, work-life balance and training and development were the antecedent variables of EB (Tanwar and Prasad, 2016b). A pioneering study by Biswas and Suar (2016) noted equity in reward administration, perceived organisational support, perceived organisational prestige, realistic job previews, organisational trust, leadership of top management, psychological contract obligation and corporate social responsibility as the antecedents of EB. Earlier researchers (Berthon et al., 2005; Srivastava and Bhatnagar, 2010; Hillebrandt and Ivens, 2013; Biswas and Suar, 2016; Tanwar and Prasad, 2016a, b) have found that traditional methods of recruitment and training as the enablers of EB. But none of these studies has highlighted e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness as possible drivers. However, a study by Backhaus (2004) has thrown some light on how organisations market their employer brand using internet recruitment technique, and another study by Sivertzen et al. (2013) has emphasised the use of social media similar to internet recruitment in EB.\nMethodology: Generally speaking, conceptual articles do not have methodology section (Callahan, 2010), but to make our search process clear and replicable, we have included this section. This paper adopts an exploratory conceptual modelling (Callahan, 2010) approach based on extant literature and develops a framework. In order to strengthen this section, the study adopts the methodology process (Callahan, 2010, 2014; Denyer and Tranfield, 2006) of the recent past.\nFindings and discussion: For the sake of convenience and a better appreciation of the subject discussed below, Table III provides a glimpse of summarised definitions of EB and its antecedents, e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness.\nProposed implications for research: By the virtue of our research, we contributed to the EB literature in the following way: first, this study identified two new antecedents of EB which were under studied in the earlier research. Even though past studies have revealed several antecedents of EB, yet there is less exploration of EB antecedents adopting modern techniques. Second, this paper provides a conceptual foundation in the emerging area of EB. Third, a statistical model needs to be tested to see if these relationships are there (and how strong they are). Fourth, the ideas expressed in this study can be approached by academicians in the field of strategic HR management, organisational studies and information technology management. Fifth, views highlighted in this study would immensely contribute to make EB a sustainable approach.\nFuture research: This study has some limitations that pave way for future work: first, the identified antecedents, e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness, need be theoretically developed to establish their relationship with EB. Second, the aforementioned antecedents need be empirically tested to validate and make a substantial contribution to the body of literature. Third, the antecedents highlighted in this study are not exhaustive but somewhat indicative. Thus, there is a further scope to explore several other untapped antecedents of EB. Fourth, future research can predict possible outcomes associated with the antecedents of EB mentioned in this study. Fifth, in order to advance the EB strategy, future study should focus on narrowing the gap between employees' preferred dimensions and actual dimensions offered by the employer. Sixth, it would be interesting to assess the impact of EB antecedents, e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness, on different industries and culture so as to help academicians and practitioners to understand them in a better way.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness as the untapped antecedents of employer branding (EB) in the relevant literature, which might enhance the employer's knowledge and lead to organisational development.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study adopts an exploratory conceptual modelling approach based on the extant literature from 1964 to 2017 using the databases of Emerald, EBSCO, Scopus, Proquest, JSTOR and search engines such as Google Scholar to ensure the reliability of the literature.\nFindings: This paper suggests that e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness might be the untapped antecedents of EB as compared to traditional recruitment and training process explored in earlier studies.\nResearch limitations/implications: The viewpoint can be further refined through academic conceptualisation and empirical validation.\nPractical implications: This paper lays a conceptual foundation in the emerging area of EB. Ideas expressed herein can be approached by academicians.\nOriginality/value: Past studies have not explored e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness as the antecedents of EB. This work provides knowledge that candidly contributes to the conceptualisation of e-recruitment and training comprehensiveness. Further, this research has the potential to help academicians to understand the antecedents of EB leading to organisational development.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
E-learning training in work corporations: a review on instructional planning	[ "Training and development", "Distance education", "VosViewer", "Training planning", "Organizational Psychology", "People management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: The research landscape on Training and Development (T&D) started to take shape in the 1970s. The construction of this field of knowledge is multidisciplinary, complex and still emerging, with gaps in relation to empirical research that creates, evaluates and validates planning models for instruction events and effectiveness evaluation models in terms of final value and training transfer at and for work.\nResearch landscape on training and development (T&D): According to Aguinis and Kraiger (2009), the importance of the theme training in work organizations and the academic interest in it is due to the regular publication of critical and theoretical studies in the Annual Review of Psychology desde 1971 (Campbell, 1971; Goldstein, 1980; Latham, 1988; Salas and Cannon-Bowers, 2001; Tannenbaum and Yukl, 1992; Wexley, 1984). In Brazil, the theme begins to composse the scientific agenda from the 80's with Borges-Andrade (1982), Bastos (1991), Malvezzi (1994), Abbad (1999), Pilati (2004), Meneses (2007), Zerbini (2007). Since the 1970s, the increase in the number of face-to-face or distance T&D actions has been considered essential for companies to maintain a privileged position in terms of competitiveness. The optimistic expectation about the results that people may produce after training has led to a trivialization of the practice in T&D though (Abbad et al., 2006; Meneses and Abbad, 2010). On the one hand, there are organizations that finance high-cost professional training events and, on the other hand, there are professionals from various areas of knowledge who propose and execute training without technical mastery of the fundamental concepts of the instructional technology.\nMethodology: This bibliometric and descriptive study covered the period from 2010 to 2020, based on journal articles or studies published in congress proceedings and made available in five database. Some of these databases offers software tools that permit retrieving a wide range of metadata of interest for research, such as the abstract, cited references, times cited, authors, institutions and countries. For a better understanding the path taken to map the scientific production studied, a review protocol was used as a guide (Figure 2). A bibliometric analysis was chosen because the function and depth of the results it offers serve several areas of knowledge and seek to improve the performance of new studies or to evaluate trends in research, by raising information such as: authorship and co-authorship; research sources; themes (gaps and trends); geographical origins; knowledge areas; citations and co-citations (Watanuki et al., 2014).\nFindings: Our research in the five databases returned 260 publications considering the areas Business Economics, Psychology, Social Science, Management, Education Research, with the following periodicity (Figure 5):\nDiscussion: Many studies have confirmed that the use of internet as a means of delivering instruction rather than as a method of instruction is a pedagogically efficient strategy in planning distance learning courses (Lee et al., 2011; Bremer, 2012; Niculescu, 2016; Rudak, 2012; Salas et al., 2012; Singh and Hardaker, 2014; Wan et al., 2012). The literature studied implies discussions in the field of interdisciplinarity and suggests that, in the practice of training planning, there should be an effort on the part of the responsible professionals to establish partnerships with professionals in the areas of communication and computing technologies in order to optimize the:\nConclusion: In conclusion, we identified specific characteristics of the training planning stage, understanding it as part of a set of activities that make up the T&D system or Instructional Technology, regardless of the mode of delivery (face-to-face, e-learning). As presented at the beginning of the article, such system is subdivided into three:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The main purpose of this work is a bibliometric and descriptive review of the literature on instruction planning of training offered in the e-learning modality in work corporations to identify methodologies and experiences that will serve as a model for professionals working in planning e-learning training in the corporate context.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The timeline from 2010 to 2020 was adopted. Data were extracted from five databases and were compiled in the software Zotero. Based on defined criteria, 260 productions were identified. The interrelation and metric presentation of the data from these studies were done in the software VosViewer. Subsequently, were selected only free access papers, resulting in 64 publications. From these, we chose 6 empirical studies for a descriptive analysis based on specific criteria.\nFindings: The range of hardware and software platforms has stimulated the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) resources in corporative training. The use of management tools, such as Voice of Customer (VOC) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), can support those responsible for instructional planning. The literature presented important elements that should be considered for the proper planning of an e-Learning training: learner: feedback, control of self-learning process, classification of cultural profiles in the case of courses in which participants are geographically distant and training management: content and delivery mode of instruction.\nOriginality/value: We selected 6 empirical studies that presented models, systems or experiences on training planning to support decisions in this area. This article contributes to the area of T&D showing an updated context of practices for the implementation of training systems that have been adopted in several countries. We present quantitative indicators of scientific production using two additional software to support the bibliometric review: Zotero and VosViewer. This article used five databases and a research equation to systematically present the current panorama of research on training planning from the perspective of the areas of management and organizational psychology.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Beyond mainstream management: a breakthrough passage construct	[ "Competitive advantage", "Ideas generation", "Employee involvement", "General management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nRole of ideas: Ideas and managers hold the potential for major improvements in the complexion and performance of the modern enterprise.Ideas are a primary source of our advances. Ideas are pervasive. An idea is intangible, and evidenced indirectly. Many ideas become part of the fabric of our lives, our organizations, our existence, and our world: they are a potentiality, and they offer us something else. Ideas are usually disruptive: they can arise from inside or outside of conventional wisdom, and they tend to challenge orthodoxy. We acknowledge the importance of some ideas, while also resisting others: ideas can be lauded and espoused, at the same time as they are effectively suppressed. In our organizations, this paradox continues.I argue that there is a failure to include an appropriate theory of ideas in the management frameworks that we use, and that we are locked into management theories and mindsets that do not adequately address the role of ideas. This topic is an idea about the role of ideas.Drucker (2002, pp. 289-290) concludes that \"Top management in big organizations needs a new concept\", while others have suggested: \"The central question to be answered in this century is whether the current model of the corporation needs to be modified\", (Dunphy et al., 2003, p. 3). Following the approach outlined below, there seems to be a malaise in management theory.If there is a problem with the role of ideas in enterprise outcomes, it is equivalent to remaining silent about the role of leadership, or strategy, or colleagues in those same enterprises. The role of ideas, I argue, is a neglected, fragmented part of the landscape of mainstream management theory. I am defining an \"ideas gap\" to be a discontinuity in the explanation or understanding about what is happening to an idea. It is a gap that is also inconsistent with a presumed serious role for creativity and imagination in organizations.The approach involves three sections:1. The research question is whether there is a problem with the role of ideas in mainstream management. Some examples of \"Idea Gaps\" in management theory together with some workplace evidence about an ideas gap in management practice are provided in the next section. It suggests there is need and opportunity to improve the role of ideas.2. If there is a problem with the role of ideas in mainstream management, it might be resolved through a new construct, which is outlined in the section, \"Bridging Idea Gaps\".3. To improve the way in which managers address ideas in their organisations, a more inclusive approach is indicated in the Conclusion.\nIdea gaps: Scope\nBridging idea gaps: To bridge the types of idea gaps that have been identified in management, it is proposed that a framework of mainstream management theory provides a foundation, which is then extended with an ideas profile. The new construct will accommodate both the interaction of ideas and the progression of ideas integrated with mainstream management theory, to produce improved management practice. The construct and its applications are discussed below.Representing idea interaction\nConclusion: While ideas are espoused, their use is selective and fragmented, and they appear to be neither adequately integrated into conventional business models, nor into managers workplaces. Consequently, for managers, there are discontinuities in explanations and understandings about what is happening to ideas in theory and practice: there are idea gaps.A wide range of idea gaps is evident in management theory, illustrated through the sub-theories of competitive advantage, organisational change, leadership and efficiency, and their variants. Each of the theories-in-use emphasises a particular idea without recognising that there is a broader role for ideas because of the attributes that they have in common.In the workplace, there appears to be a level of disengagement with ideas. This reported behaviour among managers and their colleagues is also consistent with an ideas gap in management theory. That is, an ideas gap might explain how managers address (or fail to address) ideas in the workplace, and generally explain what they do (or fail to do) with ideas. Managers need a more integrated perspective.In the absence of emboldened ideas in organizations, there is a notable reliance upon a functional mindset favouring efficiency and process, protected in defending the status quo. This includes a predilection among managers for: rearranging what already exists, remaining with what they know, and who they know, attending to responses rather than initiatives, whether they are succeeding or not.To overcome these shortcomings, there is a need to make the role of ideas explicit, integrated, interactive and progressive. Outlined is an imaginary breakthrough passage: it promises more effective contact among participants and knowledge professionals, so that they are heard, challenged, encouraged and integrated.The breakthrough passage accommodates most management theories and practices, with their differences being reflected in coordinates among ideas, management concepts and orthodoxies. It is a simple, comprehensive construct. It includes the interaction and progression of ideas in management theory and practice: explicitly and actively rather than implicitly and passively. It provides improvement by connecting disparate management models, and by bridging the old reality with the new, to enhance and extend what managers already know.As ideas impact on value propositions, such as by connecting a steam engine to wheels, or making a disk drive more convenient among alternate computer users, or by sending the human voice across wires, the value platform is initiated, or enhanced. Ideas can be applied to separate aspects of management, including leadership, task, process, people and environment. The value proposition then is considered to move through the stages of origin, acceptance and implementation. We can review the value platform at a moment in time, as well as track its progression through these stages. We can also accommodate ideas about ideas in the new construct.Ideas are resident among stakeholders with whom managers participate. Ideas are not the preserve of the specialist few. By systematically recognizing the potential role of ideas in everything they do, managers can improve their enterprise outcomes. Enhanced roles for ideas will assist managers tackle an enlightened workforce that is increasingly fractured by higher levels of specialisation and unsupported by conventional management theory.Faced with an apparently intractable problem, the breakthrough passage for ideas encourages managers to consider their problem as belonging to a broader solution framework, system, or experience, whether it is familiar or not. They are no longer limited to the functional discontinuities of mainstream management thinking. Here, using their new construct, managers are encouraged to take a more informed responsibility for group and enterprise development, by addressing both the interaction and the progression of ideas. In this way, they will have moved their solution boundary beyond mainstream management.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this article is to illustrate and address idea gaps to bring improvement and add value to organizations.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A framework for ideas is developed to enhance and extend conventional management theory and practice.\nFindings: - It recognises the essential interaction and progression of ideas so that managers can more comprehensively encourage, promote, integrate, and advance ideas in their organisations.\nOriginality/value: - A breakthrough passage is suggested and constructed.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Employees come first at high-flying Southwest Airlines: Model contrasts with the Ryanair approach to low-cost aviation	[ "Airlines", "Employee relations", "Human resource management", "Job satisfaction", "Customer service management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: It is widely known in the airline industry that before Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary took over the leadership of Tony Ryan's sideline business and set about squeezing out costs and driving up performance, he spent time in the USA studying how the original low-cost airline, Southwest, achieved its stellar performance.\nMain differences between Southwest and Ryanair: There are, however, major differences between the two airlines in the way they treat their passengers and employees.Ryanair pledges simply to get its customers safely from A to B, on time, and at the lowest price. The company does indeed have one of the youngest fleets in European aviation, and an impressive record for on-time arrivals. Some of its seats are sold for as little as PS1 or EUR1. But if your Ryanair flight is delayed, do not expect free refreshments. And if it is cancelled, arrange your own hotel for the night. A refund on the cost of the ticket, or a seat on the next day's plane (if one is available), is the most you can expect.Ryanair is similarly tough with its own employees. Their working hours often get close to the legal limits, and their trade unions receive no official recognition.Like Ryanair, Southwest Airlines has some of the most productive employees in the business - but Southwest also has an impressive record on customer service and employee satisfaction. The airline delivers on basic customer expectations - about on-time arrivals, baggage delivery, ticketing and check-in - with a smile as well as a profit. The airline believes that customers deserve respect, dignity ... and a little fun.Surprisingly, though, customers do not come first at Southwest. That place is reserved for employees, in the belief that you treat your employees the way you want them to treat your customers. Employees are rewarded according to their teamwork, flexibility and willingness to go the extra mile to provide good customer service. These are not merely empty words. Superior performance ratings - and the recognition that goes with them - must be backed up with actual examples of this behavior in action. But the company is prepared to measure performance broadly, rather than through a narrow set of indicators.\nSelecting the right people for the job: The company's selection procedures - which include a number of tests to ensure that new employees have the right attitude for the airline - heavily favor people who like others and are willing to work with others to get the job done. Southwest has no time for rigid job descriptions, functional hierarchies or a culture of blame. When a flight delay looms, everyone - from pilots to flight attendants and from customer-service agents to baggage handlers - pitches in to help to ensure that the aircraft leaves on time.Operations agents have overall responsibility for coordinating the flight-departure process. At most airlines, these agents coordinate a number of flights simultaneously. Southwest operations agents, in contrast, work on each flight individually. This ensures that they are able to be anywhere - in the departure hall, at the gate, in the baggage hall, on the tarmac or aboard the aircraft - that glitches occur. Operations agents are recognized as performing a vital role at Southwest Airlines, and employees work their way up to this job. They also get extra training and mentoring for the role.Lifelong learning is part of the Southwest Airlines culture. Supervisors are expected to work with each employee on a career-development plan and suitable training.The airline's \"people department\" has a key role in communicating brand values to the employees. It emphasizes the importance of employee brand image - the image that employees project to those around them. \"Covenants\" set out what is expected of employees, who are regularly made aware of the importance of good customer service - and of the impact that losing customers can have on the company as a whole. The company's advertising and public relations are directed towards employees as well as customers. The corporate newsletter, LUV Lines, is an important vehicle for celebrating outstanding employee performance.Southwest Airlines is highly unionized, but a high level of trust exists between trade unions and management. The company also tries to build close and trusting relationships with its suppliers.While Ryanair and Southwest Airlines share many common characteristics, then, there are major differences between them, particularly in the areas of customer service and human resource management. There is evidently no single answer for success in the low-cost airline sector - and so plenty to challenge the aspiring aviation entrepreneur.\nComment: Some of the information about Southwest Airlines, contained in this article, is drawn from \"Growth, customer service and profitability Southwest style\", by Dawna L. Rhoades, in Managing Service Quality. The article outlines the history of Southwest since 1967 and how the airline established new standards in customer service and employee satisfaction while setting records in unbroken profitability. The article, written in a lively and accessible style, considers what quality means in the airline industry, how the Southwest low-cost model emerged and the keys to the airline's continued success - disciplined growth, cost focus, customer service and people focus.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The paper aims to contrast the approaches to human-resource management taken by two low-cost airlines - Ryanair in Europe and Southwest in the USA.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper considers the similarities between the two airlines before explaining that Southwest puts much more emphasis than Ryanair on the importance of treating its employees well. It examines what this means in terms of recruitment, recognition and reward.\nFindings: - The paper explores in particular the role of Southwest Airlines operations agents and finds that they are prepared and able to work anywhere - in the departure hall, at the gate, in the baggage hall, on the tarmac or aboard the aircraft - to help to ensure that flights leave on time.\nOriginality/value: - The paper argues the case for putting employees first, on the basis that you treat your employees the way you want them to treat your customers.\nPractical implications: - Illustrates that there is evidently no single answer for success in the low-cost airline sector - and so plenty to challenge the aspiring aviation entrepreneur.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Time to focus coaching on the team	[ "Team coaching", "Coaching", "Team learning", "Learning" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: Most large organizations have invested in coaching individuals. A typical pattern is to hire external executive coaches to work with the top layers of management (and/or to develop a cadre of professional executive coaches in-house), and to expect everyone else to be coached by their line manager. Neither of these approaches has proved to be as successful as hoped. Assessment centre data tells us that the less than half of the external coaches demonstrate the required level of competence and awareness of boundaries. Similarly, sheep-dip training of line managers as coaches has relatively little sustainable impact on behaviour.\nWhere team coaching helps: Given the range of definitions, it is to be expected that team coaching can be applied in a wide range of circumstances. The most common appear to be:* When a new team is being created and needs to hit the ground running.* When an existing group of leaders needs to evolve into a team.* When an existing team is not performing as well as it could.* When a team wants to reinvent itself to meet challenges in its environment.* When the team acquires a new leader or changes membership significantly.* When a team is currently highly effective and successful and wants to keep ahead of the game.The great majority of team coaching interventions appear to be at leadership team level (though this has not been validated by research). Next most common are project teams, particularly those concerned with major product launches or large-scale technological or cultural change. However, there is no reason - other than cost - why it cannot be equally helpful at any level.So what does a team coach actually do? The roles described here come from dozens of interviews and workshops with practising team coaches around the world.Help the team become honest with itself\nWhere is team coaching going?: One sign that team coaching is joining the mainstream include the arrival of professional development programmes to help experienced one-to-one coaches step up into this considerably more complex and arguably more demanding arena. Team coaches need to have a good understanding not just of coaching basics, but of team dynamics and team psychology, of collective decision making, of systems theory and a variety of other topics not needed in one-to-one coaching. Another sign is discussion within the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and elsewhere of the requirements to be an effective supervisor for team coaches. A set of competences can be expected for this role before too long.It is also predictable that companies, which have so far mainly just talked about adding team coaching skills to the portfolio of their professional and lay internal coaches, will take the plunge and invest in relevant training and support. When this happens, team coaching will become much more widely used across those organisations.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of the role and nature of team coaching.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper undertakes a review of research and practical experience in team coaching.\nFindings: - Team coaching has multiple definitions and is only now emerging as a clear area of practice that requires specialist knowledge, skills, experience and supervision.\nPractical implications: - The paper provides a pragmatic view of how organizations can approach the development of team coaching as part of their coaching strategy.\nOriginality/value: - This is a relatively unexplored field, with only three books so far in English.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Performance perceptions among food supply chain members: A triadic assessment of the influence of supply chain relationship quality on supply chain performance	[ "Agribusiness", "Supply chain performance", "Relationship quality", "Multi-group analysis", "Structural equations modelling" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The general agreement from previous studies in supply chain management (SCM) is that analysis of practices underpinning supply chain relationships have shifted from dyadic perspectives, where relationships are seen as isolated phenomena to a relationship perspective which emphasises interdependence, connectedness and intimate relations (Gellynck and Molnar, 2009; Mentzer et al., 2001; Molnar et al., 2010). Therefore, a good supply chain relationship quality (RQ) is a crucial precursor for any stable exchange relationship that ensures relationship continuity. Although several studies have analysed the influence of RQ on supply chain performance (SCP) (e.g. Chang et al., 2012; Fynes et al., 2008; Molnar et al., 2010; Nyaga et al., 2010); there still remains some critical gaps in SCM literature that deserve critical attention.\n2. Theoretical perspectives and hypothesis: This paper explores the influence of RQ on SCP. To facilitate our understanding of this relationship in a triadic context, we apply the social network theory (SNT). SNT suggests that firms strive for closer relationships with other supply chain members when mutual benefits can be achieved. These benefits can be derived from inter-dependencies or complementarities, or when access to knowledge, resources, markets or technology is sought (Wynstra et al., 2015). Since the 1990s, social capital theory has become an important branch within the SNT (Holma, 2012; Trienekens, 2011). Social capital increases the efficiency of an action and, in the form of high levels of trust, social capital reduces opportunism and costly monitoring processes.\n3. Methods: 3.1. Data collection\n4. Analyses: Content validity of the constructs used to measure SCP and RQ was supported by previous literature and pre-tests. After data collection, a number of tests were again performed to assess the validity and reliability of the constructs.\n5. Results: Our results provide empirical support for the general hypothesis that RQ has a positive effect on SCP (Table IV).\n6. Discussions: Measurement of supply chain level performance has recently attracted a lot of interest within SCM literature. This paper contributes to this discussion by looking at the supply chain members' perception of how their relationships with supply chain partners contribute to their individual performance as well as the performance of the whole chain. We used data from 50 direct supply chains, each composing of a supplier, a focal firm and a customer. This conceptualisation goes beyond the scope of most previous studies that predominantly collected and analysed data from a single supply chain member's perspective using a dyadic approach. The shift in analysis from dyad to triad as well as multiple group SEM, looking at individual supply chain member's perspectives, further add a new dimension to SCM literature. Additional contribution of this paper lies in the fact that it provides insights into SCP from an agribusiness supply chain operating in a developing country context.\n7. Conclusions: With evidence from an agribusiness supply chain in a developing country, our study provides evidence that relationships are bi-directional in nature. Our results underscore the importance of RQ in SCP by showing that better RQ leads to improved SCP. Consequently, the paper therefore contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the role of RQ in influencing SCP in agribusiness SMEs from a developing country context. The paper also provides empirical insights into SCP perception differences amongst supply chain members. For instance, while focal firms perceived the existence of conflict and coercive power to significantly influence their individual performance with respect to the supplier, suppliers perceive that trust and non-coercive power are important when dealing with their focal firms. We also show that these perception differences are not only amongst supply chain actors, but also vary between the upstream and downstream of the chain.\n8. Limitations and future research: This study focused on only one agribusiness supply chain in one country-Uganda. Therefore, the findings can only be taken as a first indicator of the SCP in the Ugandan context. Consequently, generalisation of these results to the entire MSMEs population should be done cautiously. Future studies should confirm these results using datasets covering more than one agribusiness supply chain. Such studies could compare differences in RQ perception amongst different supply chains. Additionally, this study did not consider the different typologies of transaction (e.g. contracts, spot market) along the supply chain. This dimension if taken into consideration in future studies could provide some insights into whether the nature of relationships amongst supply chain members varies depending on the nature of transaction. Whereas our results highlight the significant role RQ on improving SCP, our sample size was small. Consequently, these results deserve further considerations in similar contexts using a larger sample size.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: A good supply chain relationship quality (RQ) is a crucial precursor for any stable exchange relationship which ensures relationship continuity. Although empirical research suggests that strengthening RQ improves supply chain performance (SCP), most studies have focused on dyadic business relationships. To fully understand the relational behaviour of a firm embedded in a supply chain, we need to look beyond the dyad into triads. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how SCP is influenced by RQ in a triadic agribusiness supply chain.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Evidence is drawn from a quantitative survey of 150 agribusiness firms in the maize supply chain in Uganda. Data were collected in triadic context from 50 direct supply chains each composing of a supplier, focal firm and customer. Multi-group structural equations modelling (SEM) was used to assess the differences in perception on the influence of RQ on SCP amongst the supply chain members.\nFindings: Results provides empirical support for the positive influence of RQ on SCP. SEM reveals differences in perception between the upstream and downstream and amongst the supply chains members. While focal firms considered conflict, coercive power, commitment and trust to be important; suppliers considered trust, dependency and non-coercive power; and customers considered trust, dependency and coercive power to be important RQ factors affecting SCP.\nPractical implications: For agribusiness managers to enhance business performance there is need to cultivate strong and mutual relationship with supply chain members. It is also important to know how to handle conflicts and use of power so as to realise the benefits of supply chain relationships.\nOriginality/value: The paper is novel in that it assesses SCP in a triadic context in an agribusiness sector from a developing country context. The authors used novel approaches including analysis of a triad, and multiple groups SEM to assess perceptions of each supply chain member's.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Ownership structure and bank performance in EU-15 countries	[ "Ownership concentration", "Bank performance", "Ownership nature", "Panel data stochastic frontier analysis", "G21", "G32", "C33" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Bank distress can induce systemic effects (Stulz, 2015): banks played a central role in the 2007-2009 global financial crisis, too often failing in their mission to allocate resources efficiently and attenuate systemic risk[1]. This crisis, along with the consequences of the Eurozone crisis, brought about a surge in empirical research investigating its causes and effects, including the role of ownership and shareholding structure[2]. Indeed, scholars generally agree that the recession was partly due the shortcomings of the banking sector, and that banks' excessive risk-taking before the crisis is related to their respective corporate governance mechanisms (Brunnermeier, 2009; De Young and Torna, 2013). Furthermore, Peni and Vahamaa (2012) document that US bank holdings with better corporate governance practices performed better during the 2007-2009 financial crisis.\n2. Literature review: This section reviews previous studies regarding the relationship between banks' financial performance and the two main corporate governance profiles investigated in the present analysis, that is, shareholder concentration and shareholder nature.\n3. Econometric methodology and data: This section describes the econometric specification and presents the data used to infer bank performance.\n4. Results: This section discusses the empirical findings regarding the bank performance measures. More specifically, Tables III and IV report the results of specifications (1) and (2), respectively. Table V shows the IV-RE estimates considering the two efficiency scores of the SFA analysis.\n5. Conclusion: This paper aims to provide an innovative contribution to the current literature on corporate governance by determining bank performance from different perspectives. First, with respect to earlier studies this paper's approach is novel, as it considers both the ownership nature and concentration, as well as their interaction, using continuous variables. Specifically, we distinguish eight categories of shareholder, which should be characterized by specific return-risk profiles consequence of their institutional roles and incentives. We use the proportion of each shareholder type participation to investigate how a change in ownership structure is related to bank performance. In this way, our analysis allows more precise inference in the data, attenuating both the aggregation bias among heterogeneous owners and the possible distortion in adopting a binary variable. Second, the empirical model provides new evidence on the above-described ownership structure along the profile of time-varying technical efficiency measures, controlling for random bank effect (bank heterogeneity).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of ownership structure on bank performance in EU-15 countries. Specifically, it examines to what extent shareholder type and the degree of shareholder concentration affect the banks' profitability, risk and technical efficiency.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study uses a sample of 1,459 banks operating in EU-15 countries from 2011 to 2015. It constructs a set of continuous variables capturing the ownership nature, the concentration and their interactions, and estimates an instrumental variable random effect (IV-RE) model. In addition, a panel data stochastic frontier analysis is conducted to estimate the time-varying technical efficiency for profitability and costs.\nFindings: The empirical analysis shows that bank performance is affected by shareholder type. When regressed against the entrenchment behavior of the controlling owner hypothesis, banks with large-block shareholders are more profitable, less risky and more profit efficient. Further, ownership concentration reverts the negative effect related to the institutional, bank and industry ownership.\nResearch limitations/implications: The results support the hypothesis that concentrated ownership helps to overcome agency problems. They also confirm that managerial involvement in banks' capital enhances a bank's profit and its volatility.\nOriginality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to consider the ownership nature, the concentration and their interaction using continuous variables, which allows for more precise inferences. The results provide new evidence that bank profitability, cost efficiency and risk are affected by the type of direct shareholders.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Linking packaging to marketing: how packaging is influencing the marketing strategy	[ "Marketing strategy", "Supply chain", "Packaging" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Intensive competition requires firms to develop innovative solutions in order to remain competitive and survive in the long term. Entrepreneurial activities and creative marketing contribute to such initiatives. Packaging and packaging design have therefore come increasingly to be seen by firms as an effective way of differentiating product offerings from those of competitors (Rettie and Brewer, 2000). Well-designed packages can in addition build brand and drive sales. Major retail chains devote considerable resources to packaging, in-store promotion and visual issues to remain competitive and packaging has developed from a silent salesperson to a brand builder (Clement, 2007). New packaging solutions have also contributed to more efficient distribution systems in several packaging industries and to customer convenience in others (Packaging Federation, 2008). Packaging innovation has also contributed to a revolution in distribution within the food sector (e g TetraPak), as well as the development of packages for meeting new customer demands (take-away food). Further, new packaging design has helped to provide better opportunities for customer information and marketing communication at the store level (Underwood and Klein, 2002; Young, 2004). Packaging innovation has even played an important role in achieving better logistic solutions such as conforming packaging size to pallet sizes. Despite the importance of the subject area product marketing, packaging has generated little research interest among scholars from a management point-of-view (Rundh, 2005). Basic textbooks in marketing include packaging as an important variable for the decisions of marketing managers, but treat it in a general way and ignore the importance of the possibilities that packaging can offer for marketing purposes (De Pelsmacker et al., 2007; Kotler and Keller, 2009). However, packaging is also an important aspect of trade in industrialized countries and is becoming more significant for logistic purposes in developing countries (World Packaging Organisation, 2009). Large quantities of food are now wasted due to poor logistics and packaging processes. The packaging industry accounted for a turnover of $485 billion including machinery sales in 2004 and the turnover was estimated to reach $564 billion in 2009 (World Packaging Organisation, 2008). Studies in the US market show that many new packaging solutions reach the market annually. This development is especially important for the distribution and protection of food products in emerging market areas. This paper reviews packaging research and relates it to marketing theory. The empirical section consists of four case studies. The main aim of the paper is therefore to highlight the importance of packaging within the marketing concept and link packaging to marketing strategy. The rest of the paper is organised and structured as follows. First, there is a discussion of the contribution of packaging to business success, followed by a review of the literature in the packaging area. Then, the research method used in the study is presented. Two subsequent sections discuss the research findings in four case studies together with other research material. In the final section the conclusions and implications for managers are drawn.\nPackaging contributes to business success: Numerous factors have made packaging an important marketing tool. The main function that companies have traditionally assigned to packaging has been related to the protection of products during distribution from a producer to an end consumer. However, new customer needs have led to a consideration of new requirements for the design of a package and a development process involving the logistic, commercial and environmental functions of packaging. The logistic function includes the way a product travels from a producer to the consumer and the physical requirements that packaging must fulfil within the actual supply chain. The commercial function concerns the different requirements for marketing communication, the necessary information to the consumer (e g about the content; how to use the product), knowledge of customer demand and its potential impact on the purchase-decision process. The environmental function relates to the re-utilisation, recycling and reduction of packaging materials as well as general ecological awareness. The function also includes the market environment with consumer, competition and legislative requirements (see Figure 1).\nTheoretical context: The distribution of products and commodities has become an even more important function in our society today. Without packaging, we would not be able to export or supply food products over long distances. According to the Swedish research organisation Innventia (2011), \"the packaging material costs for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) can be as much as 20 per cent of the sales price. Every day, a consumer faces - and handles - 20-30 packages, some of them several times\". However, even if there are arguments for using less packaging, large quantities of food are now wasted in developing countries. This is often due to poor packaging and packaging processes, resulting in damage during logistics and storage, as well as the lack of cold chain facilities. Up to 10 per cent of all fruit and vegetables at an estimated value of 10 billion Euros are also destroyed during transport within the European Union (World Packaging Organisation, 2009). Even if packaging has become a recognised marketing tool, relatively few studies have been devoted towards the theoretical work in marketing literature. Some of the early research was done in the area of general characteristics and the role of packaging design as a variable influencing product evaluation (Banks, 1950; Schwartz, 1971). Packaging related research has also included studies of its communicative role (Nancarrow et al., 1998; Underwood and Ozanne, 1998; Underwood et al., 2001) and ethical packaging matters (Bone and Corey, 2000). Another research area has discussed packaging design with respect to the use of material (Lee and Lye, 2003); advertisement and package coordination (Garreston and Burton, 2005) and packaging size and shape (Wansink, 1996; Raghubir and Greenleaf, 2006). Packaging design and its contribution to creating competitive advantage has been studied by others (Rundh, 2009). The multi-function of packaging has been investigated by Prendergast and Pitt (1996) and Rundh (2005). Despite these works, little is known about packaging and its relation to marketing strategy. The intention with this study is to contribute to this area.\nResearch method: To gain more detailed knowledge of packaging for marketing purposes, a multiple-case study was conducted in accordance with Yin (1994) and Eisenhardt (1989). Multiple cases are used rather than a single case since, as Eisenhardt (1991) argues, multiple cases encourage the researcher to study patterns common to cases and theory and avoid chance associations. Even though there is no ideal number of cases in a multiple case study approach, the recommendation is to use between four to ten cases. In this study, we use four cases on the basis of innovative packaging solutions. When a study has less than four cases, theory might be difficult to generate, whereas with more than ten cases the volume of data can be difficult to handle. Meredith (1998) defines a case study as a method that \"typically uses multiple methods and tools for data collection from a number of entities by a direct observer(s) in a single, natural setting that considers temporal and contextual aspects of the contemporary phenomenon under study, but without experimental controls or manipulations [...] The goal is to understand as fully as possible the phenomenon being studied through perceptual triangulation, the accumulation of multiple entities as supporting sources of evidence to assure that the facts being collected are indeed correct\" (pp. 442-3). Meredith (1998) gives example of suitable sources such as financial data, interviews, memoranda, business plans, questionnaires and observations of managerial or employee actions and interactions. Lyons (2005) has also discussed the value of case studies for the communication of applied research within the food industry. A major contribution to the case stories has been \"corporate stories\" from three companies where two corporate stories relate to the same company. The use of \"corporate stories\" has been discussed by Benjamin (2006) and Denning (2006). \"The story typically consists of narrative that is interspersed with quotations from key informants and other important evidence\" (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007, p. 29). We have also interviewed the marketing director, the communications manager and sales people at exhibitions. Together with other documents, this has provided us with an extensive basis for developing the cases. In this study we have used the following sources:\nFindings in the case studies: In order to conduct the research and answer the research question four \"corporate stories\" have been used. The empirical context in these narratives has been obtained from the communications manager in each company (Billerud (2011), Korsnas (2011) and Stora Enso (2010, 2011)). Together with other data about the products and interviews with sales people at exhibitions, these data have been categorised in a short description in the form of a case study and then interpreted and analysed in a matrix. The unit of analysis has been the product package. The cases are presented in the following, and the first case with a product based on a white packaging board for a liquid product.\nDiscussion: Even though the primary function of packaging is protection from damage and contamination during distribution in the supply chain, other factors have become more vital. From a consumer perspective packaging plays a major role when products are purchased and packaging has become more crucial since this is the first thing a consumer sees before making the final decision to buy a product in a store. This function has also increased with the increasing level of self-service systems in most retail branches. In this situation, packaging provides suppliers with the last opportunity to persuade presumptive buyers before product and brand selection. Recent studies show that more than 70 per cent of customer decisions to purchase a product are made at the point of sale (POPAI, 2011; GfK, 2011). Packaging and packaging design has therefore been recognised as an important ingredient for marketing purposes. All packaging elements such as selection of packaging material, design in the form of shape and colours, text, structures and image need to be combined to provide the consumer with visual sales arguments when buying and using the product. This is in line with what Ampuero and Vila (2006) found in their research on consumer perceptions of product packaging. The possibility of designing innovative and consumer-friendly packaging is obviously only limited by the creativity and imagination of the design team, although material properties and costing can place limitations on the packaging solution. One of the major contributions of a successful packaging concept lies in the role that packaging plays, for instance, in a supply chain for the distribution of food products. The distribution of liquid products has been considerably improved by innovations in the product package and its role in increasing cost effectiveness. Another contribution has been the reduced risk of contamination and damage to the liquid product (compare Case A). This supports P1 that packaging enhances market performance for actors in a supply chain. Another important benefit of packaging is its function as a marketing tool. In the competition between similar products on a shelf, a package can be effective in attracting and retaining the attention of the customer through its format in terms of colour, size or shape. Previous research has shown that a moderate alteration in the package design may be the best solution for attracting attention and generating a favourable judgement of a package (Schoormans and Robben, 1997). This has been proven in cases B and C, which also support P2 and P3. A communicative capacity in the packaging concept is a necessity for marketing in a competitive environment. Further, close co-operation between material suppliers (packaging board material), fillers and converters also supports P4 in this study. However, the study also reveals diverse factors that will contribute to, or limit, a packaging solution in relation to marketing strategy (see Figure 2).\nConclusions and managerial implications: This study has highlighted some factors that managers need to consider when developing new packaging solutions. The case studies show the importance of innovative packaging solutions in order to stay competitive. This is underscored by changing consumer behaviour and a number of other factors which have a direct or indirect effect on packaging demand irrespective of the size and growth of the market (World Packaging Organisation, 2009). Packaging has become more than a logistic function to protect and preserve the product during its distribution in the supply chain and, to be successful, it must fulfil several marketing functions before reaching its ultimate customer. A functional packaging must also contain the product, maintaining the quality of the product without any spillage. Another major function is communication in relation to the customer. A package must communicate the content of the product and how it can be used, together with other necessary information. In international trade the use of unambiguous text and symbols is essential. Proper labelling includes information about the content and other premium data. The significance of packaging in relation to branding and other marketing variables has become increasingly recognised among managers, especially within the wide range of consumer products, but also for industrial products. Almost every product on the market requires some sort of packaging and it is often the first thing a customer will see when they consider purchasing a product. Selecting the right packaging for a product requires time and effort on the part of marketing management. The consumer must feel that they will receive some benefit from using the product in relation to competitive offerings and this needs to be presented on the packaging. An effective and convincing packaging is the best way to present the product to the consumer.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose with this paper is to investigate the relationship between packaging and the influence it has on marketing from a management point of view.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Based on case studies different packaging solutions are discussed in relation to requirements by customers in the supply chain. Data for the cases were collected by different means including narratives and personal interviews.\nFindings: New packaging solutions offer the prospect of improved functions in the supply chain, delivering protection and preservation before reaching the ultimate customer. It also offers improved opportunities for better information and communication with the customer. However, the possibilities for innovative packaging solutions must be analyzed in relation to increased costs for packaging and the influence they can have on the environment.\nResearch limitations/implications: This study extends previous research by linking packaging to the marketing strategy. Even though it is based on four case studies it combines different data sources including both qualitative and quantitative data.\nOriginality/value: This paper evaluates the implementation of new packaging solutions in the supply chain from a managerial point of view, discussing benefits against challenges. This paper therefore fulfils an identified need for recognising the importance of packaging in relation to the marketing strategy.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The heterogeneity of incumbents' perceptions and response strategies in the face of potential disruptions	[ "Forecasting", "Communication technologies", "Innovation", "Technology‐led strategy", "Mobile communication systems", "Strategic management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Technological change and its implications for established incumbent companies and industries have been studied from different perspectives in the technology management literature (Charitou and Markides, 2003; Christensen, 1997, 2002; Gilbert, 2001, 2005; Koberg et al., 2003; Tripsas, 1997). According to these studies, incumbents often fail to respond adequately when faced with technological discontinuities. Forecasting, analyzing and responding to technological discontinuities requires an adequate categorization of the discontinuity's nature to effectively and timely formulate response strategies (Christensen et al., 2004; Gilbert, 2001, 2005; Husig et al., 2005), which can be undertaken by corporate forecasting and foresight when dealing with new business fields and discontinuous technological change (Rohrbeck and Gemunden, 2011). The ex ante identification of disruptive innovations as one important category of technological discontinuities seems to be especially difficult, since those innovations appear to be unattractive for leading incumbents according to their current business model, because disruptive innovations initially under-perform on attributes that mainstream customers value. At the beginning they are solely relevant for small niche market segments that do not seem to be capable of meeting the growth and profitability requirements of established companies (Christensen and Bower, 1996; Christensen and Raynor, 2003). As a consequence, disruptive technologies can cause a dilemma in response (Christensen, 2000, Gilbert, 2001; Gilbert and Bower, 2002), as they conflict with incumbents' current way of competing and their strategic priorities.This study explores differences in incumbent response behavior in the face of a technological discontinuity. We considered the initial perception of the disruptive potential of that discontinuity to gain a better understanding of incumbent response behavior and the need to interpret response behavior with respect to motivation, strategy and structural implementation decisions. To study this phenomenon, we analyzed a potentially disruptive technological change in the telecommunication industry, which got attention in the literature before from an ex ante and ex post perspective: the wireless local area networks (W-LANs) technology and its disruptive potential for the telecommunication incumbents (Christensen et al., 2004; Husig and Hipp, 2009; Husig et al., 2005). Here, we have focused on the perception and impact that public W-LAN had on incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) in Germany and how they reacted in terms of motivation to respond, development of W-LAN strategy and structural implementation of the W-LAN strategy. We used a case study research approach and focused on a cross-case analysis to compare the different characteristics and interpretations at the individual firm level by building a theoretical framework based on the theory of disruptive technological innovation by Christensen and recent extensions of it. As a result, this paper seeks also to contribute by investigating incumbents' response behavior to changes induced by the potentially disruptive technology W-LAN. It aims at enhancing the theoretical understanding not only of how incumbents develop their strategy under these circumstances, but also of why they arrive at specific strategic decisions and their structural implementation.To achieve this objective, the paper on hand is structured as follows: past research on the disruptive potential and impact of W-LAN for the German MNOs and its limits, theoretical framework, methodology, presentation and discussion of results of the case study, conclusions, limitations and recommendations for future research.\n2. Theoretical framework: 2.1 Introduction to the disruptive technology theory\n3. The case study: the German MNOs' perception of W-LAN and their respective response strategies: 3.1 Research strategy and methodology\n4. Conclusions and limitations: 4.1 Summary and conclusions\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to study how three incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs) in Germany forecasted, framed and responded in terms of their strategy to the emergence of the wireless local area network technology (W-LAN) and how they interpreted this potential technological disruption in their own strategic context.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Drawing on empirical evidence from case studies conducted with these three major MNOs in Germany using the theoretical framework of disruptive technology, the results were then evaluated in a cross-case analysis to study how these firms interpreted and reacted to the potential disruptiveness of W-LAN. To meet this objective, an explorative, multiple and holistic case study design was utilized. Data was collected by the combination of information gained through semi-structured interviews with key informants and background information that were publicly available. Interviews were conducted with company representatives using a semi-structured interview guide. Information gathered from the interview, documentation and direct observations was transposed into a content analysis framework to enable easy analysis of the information gathered for each company.\nFindings: - As a result, significant differences for the respective MNOs between their perception of W-LAN as a potential disruptive technology, their strategic development processes inside the organisation to understand the potential impact of W-LAN on their respective business model, and to enforce an appropriate response strategy and structural implementation were identified. The results indicated that corporate representatives from each incumbent interpreted potentially disruptive technologies like W-LAN from a different perspective and direction depending primarily on the strategic and structural context and their organisation's resources, processes, and values. The findings also identified that practitioners inside the organisation were aware about the disruptive technology concept but however did not react in accordance with the theory. Forecasting results and categorisation that prove wrong can still lead to taking the right action since it seems to provide better results than non-forecasting and inactivity due to a lack of awareness of potential risks.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisation and need to be further studied in a larger number of cases with different technologies and industries.\nSocial implications: - For managers and forecasters the study indicates that they should consider the impact of the heterogeneity in firms when formulating a response strategy based on their respective perception of the impact of a potential disruptive technology on their business. They should also be considerate about the consistency between their motivation to respond, the strategic development processes inside their organisation supporting the development of the response strategy and the subsequent structural implementation. Threat-framing seemed to be a key factor in unlocking resources even in the face of sustaining technological change and can be activated by threatening forecasts.\nOriginality/value: - The consideration of incumbent heterogeneity in different framing settings and the resulting innovation categorisation with respect to the organisational actions and outcomes was not studied before.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Multicultural ethics and diversity discourse	[ "Corporate culture", "Dictionary of affective language", "Diversity statements", "Diversity", "Ethic of care", "Visual communication rhetoric" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Diversity and diversity management (DM) have traditionally operated within the lens of \"bottom-line\" business strategies. These traditional responses to DM have resulted in disappointment for many organizations (Cox, 2001). Stewarding an organization's culture, including its DM , is becoming increasingly complex with globalization and a multicultural workforce. Pless and Maak (2004, p. 129) claim that if diversity is about cultural norms and values, more attention should be paid to organizational culture and specifically a \"culture of inclusion (that) has to be built on solid moral grounds.\"\nLiterature review: The concept of \"DM\" surfaced in the 1970s as a positive valuing of differences. Kandola and Fullerton (1998) argued that DM will lead to employees being and feeling valued and organizations being productive. The DM approach developed after the legalistic lens that had been initiated in the USA in the 1960s. Mazzei and Ravazzani (2008) recognized these two approaches, assimilating diversity, DM and named a third: leveraging differences. The following sections review literature on shifts in diversity approaches, ethic of care as a diversity rationale, and visual rhetoric relative to diversity statements.\nMethod: The current research examined the diversity statements of organizations named to Fortune Magazine's \"2012 Best Companies to Work For\" (http://money.cnn.com.pitt.idm.oclc.org/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/full_list/). The purpose of corporate messages, whether advertising or diversity policies, are intentional and meant to be persuasive. These messages are both textual and visual. The first research question addressed the purpose of the diversity statement, examining it for ethical rationale. The second set of research questions examined the audience through visual images. The third set of research questions examined context such as tone, title, and location.\nResults and discussion: The data for this study was the diversity statements that were published on company web pages of the 2012 \"100 Best Companies to Work For.\" Only 82 of those companies had diversity statements that could be located. The first research question addresses the author's purpose in terms of the presence of the ethic of care in these 82 statements. The second and third research questions addressed visual rhetoric elements of audience and context in the diversity statements that used the ethic of care as a primary means of valuing diversity, as compared to those that did not use the ethic of care as primary rationale.\nImplications for future research and conclusion: Previous work has situated the rational for diversity in deontological ethics by equality scholars, while the BCD has commonly rested on utilitarian ethics (van Dijk et al., 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine a possible shift in rational for diversity - to explore if and how the ethic of care has been utilized in the diversity statements of companies earning recognition as one of the \"100 Best Companies to Work For\" in 2012. This study utilized visual rhetoric analysis and was designed to examine multiple elements of these diversity statements as published in the company web sites, including presence of the ethic of care, visual communication, and logistics. Of note are the results of the presence of the ethic of care as a primary or secondary rationale in 70 percent of the statements studied. Statistically significant results were found in the number of images of people from diverse backgrounds, as well as levels pleasantness and activation of the tone of the ethics statements. This study contributes to a better understanding of identifiable characteristics of these diversity statements at organizations which have been identified by their employees and the Great Place to Work Institute.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Responses to diversity management have resulted in disappointment to many organizations (Cox, 2001). Previous work has situated rational for diversity in deontological ethics by equality scholars, while the business case for diversity has commonly rested on utilitarian ethics (van Dijk et al., 2012). The purpose of this paper is to examine a possible shift in rational for diversity - to explore if and how the ethic of care has been utilized in the diversity statements of companies earning recognition as one of the \"100 Best Companies to Work For\" in 2012.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study utilized visual rhetoric analysis and was designed to examine multiple elements of these diversity statements as published in the company web sites, including presence of the ethic of care, visual communication, and logistics.\nFindings: Of note are the results of the presence of the ethic of care as a primary or secondary rationale in 70 percent of the statements studied. Statistically significant results were found in the number of images of people from diverse backgrounds, as well as levels pleasantness and activation of the tone of the ethics statements.\nOriginality/value: This study contributes to a better understanding of identifiable characteristics of these diversity statements at organizations which have been identified by their employees and the Great Place to Work Institute.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Patient satisfaction in a Riyadh Tertiary Care Centre	[ "Customer satisfaction", "Patient care", "Saudi Arabia" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Patient satisfaction has always and will be a fundamental requirement for clinical and financial success of any organization providing health care, regardless of specialty. Monumental changes in health care delivery systems have focused attention on more affordable, more available, more efficient and higher quality health care. Traditionally, managing quality in health care processes entail such activities as measuring outcomes (Do the patients get better?), checking providers' credentials (Are providers well qualified?), auditing clinical activities (Are clinical guidelines and protocols being followed?) and auditing medical records. But, care quality is more than good outcomes and cost-effective processes; it must also give rise to satisfied patients, loyal to the health care organization. Patient satisfaction surveys are vital to a dynamic healthcare industry where many care providers are faced with cutting costs while maintaining high-quality services. Patients, employers, business groups, health plans and insurers are scrutinizing care delivery from both a quality and cost perspective. In today's shortened length of stay and increasing outpatient procedures, healthcare providers are competing to maintain a strong patient base. Patient satisfaction is therefore instrumental when monitoring the hospital's quality of care in relation to costs and services.There have been a number of Saudi Arabian studies on this topic. It is obvious that hospital patient satisfaction is a top priority in Saudi Arabia-a care system that is a mix of public and private facilities. As a result, many of the studies distinguish between public and private facility performance. The Ministry of Health oversees the system and operates 77 percent of the whole country's health system (World Health Organization (2004), www.who.int). Of the remaining hospitals and clinics, the majority is operated by the private sector or facilities are run by separate government departments such as the military. The functions of these facilities and staff training are supervised and supported by the Ministry of Health. The following studies cover both hospital-based and primary care. In our setting, primary care is considered part of ambulatory care-covered in this study.One study we reviewed focused on people selecting private hospitals. Twenty-eight percent of patients chose \"medical services\" as the highest influencer on their reason for selecting a Riyadh hospital (Al-Doghaither et al., 2003)-interesting because patient satisfaction was not the top reason for selecting a hospital. Although, according to results from additional studies, patient satisfaction is also a highly considered measure when selecting a hospital. A similar study was conducted in Jeddah primary health services, which found that communication skills were the most important patient satisfaction-determining factor. Additionally, this study found that when an interpreter was needed to translate between Arabic and English, patient satisfaction levels remained steady (Al-Doghaither and Saeed, 2000). In another Jeddah primary health care study, researchers found that staff communication could have a strong impact on satisfaction scores:The summary satisfaction score was 3.77 points and the mean satisfaction with the services provided by physicians was 2.56 points out of a maximum five points. The highest satisfaction was for discussing psychological aspects of patients' problems (2.96 points) and the lowest was for attentive listening to patients' complaints (2.22 points).\" (Saeed et al., 2001, p. 262).Not listening to patient's complaints is a theme among several Saudi hospital patient satisfaction studies. Another study of cancer patients in eight Riyadh hospitals showed that the lowest level of satisfaction on a five-point scale was attentive listening to patients' complaints, which received only 2.22 points (Ibrahim et al., 2002). An earlier Saudi health care study revealed that cancer patients were more satisfied with their care and their care was more successful when the physician took the time to communicate clearly with the patient (Al-Alwal, 1998). Clear communication from the physician resulted in the patients' ability and willingness to follow prescribed treatment, which led to higher levels of success in fighting diseases. With this in mind, it is obvious that communication and proper medical treatment are mutually dependent in determining patients' ability/willingness to follow treatment and achieve acceptable satisfaction levels. Another study conducted at household level in primary health care in Qateef found other factors were important to patients:The factors that showed the greatest association with satisfaction were the type of the primary health care centre building (purpose-built or rented), household head's literacy status (literate or illiterate), the extent of the primary health care centre utilization (regular or infrequent) (Al-Qatari and Haran, 1999, p. 529).This study reveals two major variables that determine patient satisfaction: type of facility and frequency of use. Health education is another patient satisfaction aspect that has been scrutinized in Saudi Arabia. In a recent study, satisfaction levels with health care education were low:The mean satisfaction regarding health education services was low. This finding is similar to that shown by other workers and can be accounted for by the lack of health education resources as well as poor doctor/patient communication (Makhdoom, 1997, p. 528).Patient satisfaction is closely linked to communication between doctor and patient. This means that even if a doctor is a competent physician, he may generate low levels of patient satisfaction if he is not a good communicator. Finally, another Saudi Arabian health care study revealed that there are three main areas that are important to patients and their levels of satisfaction:They [patients] cited three main requirements: (1) looking for more experienced physicians or specialists; (2) accessibility to doctors; and (3) availability of investigations (tests) and drugs. (Al-Faris et al., 1996, pp. 16).According to this study, experience and accessibility to doctors are what patients found most important. Consistent with other surveys that found patient-physician communication important; these patients consider access-or ability to communicate-to doctors to be essential. After reviewing all information on patient satisfaction in Saudi Arabian hospitals, two conclusions can be made: first, patient satisfaction is a major concern to health care institutions in Saudi Arabia. The amount of research on health care satisfaction reveals that it is important and that providers consider it a top priority. The second conclusion derives from the diversity of methods and results found in Saudi Arabia patient satisfaction research. The problem with this second conclusion is that the authors have not described their methods. Although results can be helpful to hospitals, individually the lack of uniformity makes aggregated data less useful. For example, questions asked were measured on different scales, different sample groups were used and questions were worded in a variety of ways. Statistically, it is not safe or sensible to compare these studies. Consequently, there needs to be a uniform system in Saudi Arabia for measuring patient satisfaction. Results can then be used to compare satisfaction between hospitals and not just within individual hospitals.There are some primary health care centers and hospitals that have adopted total quality management (TQM) programs that could be applied to other Saudi Arabian hospitals (Hoskins et al., 1994). Total Quality Management includes measuring patient satisfaction as a thorough and calculated process. If more hospitals adopted this type of system then satisfaction research could be formalized and therefore be more valuable for Saudi Arabia hospital comparisons. As one of the healthcare organizations that strive to reach optimum quality, King Abdulaziz Medical City staff believe that knowing the patients' perspective is an important service quality indicator. Therefore, we spotlight the level of patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction in a tertiary healthcare center in Riyadh.\nMethods: A multidisciplinary team was formed to develop a standardized patient satisfaction survey throughout King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) for Outpatient, Inpatient as well as Emergency Care. We used the survey method. The study population consists of all inpatients, outpatients and emergency care patients who presented to KAMC-Riyadh during October 2003. Data were obtained from questionnaires designed by the Patient Satisfaction Team. Three questionnaires (approximately fifty eight questions on four pages) were used to collect data. To assure research questionnaire validity, the Patient Satisfaction Team reviewed relevant literature and conducted a pilot study. Alpha coefficients were used to find out the questionnaires' reliability: 0.8, 0.7, 0.9, and 0.79 for inpatient, outpatient and emergency care questionnaire, respectively. Questionnaires were coded, fed into and processed by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). We used frequencies, percentages and the independent sample t-tests to calculate the results of this study.\nResults: Inpatient satisfaction survey\nDiscussion: The F test showed that while inpatients report high satisfaction, outpatients and (especially) emergency care patients were the most satisfied. However, emergency patients' mean parking satisfaction scores were two points lower than those for inpatients and outpatients. The mean score for the emergency care visits may not be entirely indicative of their overall satisfaction because the standard deviation for emergency patients was higher than inpatient and outpatient groups, which reflects patients' volatile responses.Another difference between the three datasets was that women have a significantly higher mean satisfaction score than their men in all test groups. For inpatient and outpatient services, women report a higher mean score in all categories, but women in the emergency test group only had higher mean scores in four categories. The means show the same relationships-women have lower means in inpatient and outpatient services, but have a higher one in emergency services. The results also show trends-while women report higher degrees of satisfaction after their hospital visits, both sexes feel different about their care. Women averaged 4.47 for inpatient care, 4.07 for outpatient care and 3.3 for emergency care. Male means show the same downward trend but were lower - 3.95 for inpatient, 3.77 for outpatient, and 3.08 for emergency care. There are two obvious conclusions. First, women significantly feel more satisfied than men with their hospital experience. Second, while inpatient means are high, outpatient means are relatively lower and emergency service means are lower still. To discover why, we need to look to other statistics to gain a clearer picture. When we compare inpatient and outpatient results, there exists a positive relationship between the means of these two groups. Inpatient and outpatient males had a higher mean than women: 0.72 to 0.63 for inpatients and 0.83 and 0.57 for outpatients. This relates the trends between genders for these two groups, but then when we look at the emergency group, this trend is reversed. Women have a higher mean than men. The reason is the positive relationship that exists between the inpatient and outpatient groups, which reverse when we compare them to the emergency group. For example, women have lower mean for waiting time in the inpatient and outpatient groups but a higher one in the emergency group. A negative relation in the emergency group is apparent in two other categories as well- satisfaction scores for parking area and direction signs also have higher standard deviations for women. The reason for this is unclear. One possible explanation is that while women constitute a higher percentage of inpatient respondents, men outnumber women almost seven to one in emergency visits. The result of our survey accords with the literature that showed a general higher level of satisfaction with health services in female gender (Al-Doghaither et al., 2003 and Al-Doghaither, 2004).It appears that women's higher standard deviation indicates a more varied response to emergency room experiences. But this is not applicable to all seven categories. For example, there are two categories-satisfaction with medical services and paramedical services-in which men have larger standard deviations. Therefore, although the overall standard deviation for women may be higher, this does not automatically trickle down to the each individual inpatient, outpatient or emergency care category. But the overwhelming relationship in our survey is that regardless of gender, the degree of satisfaction decreases from inpatient to outpatient to emergency room. Although the lowest mean scores for both groups are emergency room parking services, the consistently lower emergency room overall mean scores in all seven categories indicates that the emergency room experience is unsatisfactory.Our study has limitations. First, questionnaires were distributed only to KAMC, Riyadh. They were not distributed to National Guard hospitals in other regions; therefore the results cannot be generalized to all Riyadh hospitals or to National Guard Health Affairs Hospitals. Second, only the overall satisfaction dimensions were studied. Socio-demographic data were not studied in detail. However, detailed socio-demographic dimensions could be the subject of future research. Third, answers provided by patients may not be accurate since there is a percentage who might have understood the question differently thereby providing answers that do not reflect their real satisfaction. Consequently, we recommend that the patient satisfaction dissatisfaction issues we highlight should be raised at the highest leadership and organizational levels so that they can be sustained or improved.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - As one of the healthcare organizations striving to reach optimum quality level, King Abdulaziz Medical City staff believed that knowing the patients' service perspective is one core service quality indicator. This article aims to spotlight the level of patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction in one Riyadh tertiary centre.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Cross-sectional survey involving 1983 inpatient, outpatient and emergency care patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh using a self-developed patient satisfaction questionnaire.\nFindings: - There was a significant satisfaction with room comfort (88.5 percent), room temperature (78.1 percent), room call button system (87.9 percent), room cleanliness (79.6 percent) and respectful staff (87.4 percent). Patients were significantly dissatisfied with phlebotomists not introducing themselves (74 percent), not explaining procedures (57.2 percent) and physicians not introducing themselves (59.1 percent).\nResearch limitations/implications: - Only the overall satisfaction dimensions were studied in a socio-demographic context. Not every service was studied separately, so the patients' answers may not represent the hospital.\nPractical implications: - It is recommended that service standards in the areas in which patients were significantly dissatisfied should be raised by involving senior leaders. Areas for which patients were significantly satisfied will need to be sustained or even improved.\nOriginality/value: - So far no similar service quality and patient satisfaction based studies from Saudi health care systems are reported in international peer reviewed journals.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Scale development and modeling of intellectual property creation capability in higher education	[ "Intellectual property", "Measurement scale", "Intellectual capital", "Higher education", "Intellectual assets", "IP creation capability" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Higher education institutes (HEIs) which are primarily responsible for the development of human resources by providing education and conducting research are now responsible for cultural, societal and economic development in a more direct manner (Cricelli et al., 2018). HEIs are not only an important source of technical change, innovation (Freeman, 1995; Nelson, 1993) but now active in establishing start-ups and similar commercial projects (Di Gregorio and Shane, 2003). The acronym HEI is used for both \"Higher Education Institutions\" and \"Higher Education Institutes\" (Janetius et al., 2016). As our study is based on technical institutes, we have considered the second form throughout the paper.\n2. Theoretical framework and hypotheses formation: There are different forms of IP. Patent, copyright, trademark, geographical indicator are some of the well-known forms of IP rights. With respect to the creation of new processes and products using science and technology, \"patent,\" is the most popular type of IPR. However, trademark protection is the most revenue generating IP right.\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Instrument for the study\n4. Data analysis and results: 4.1 The measurement model\n5. Discussion and conclusion: HEIs are considered as the key actors in the production, preservation and dissemination of knowledge. Depending on knowledge use or reuse, there are changes in knowledge value, purpose and nature that varies in relation to the evolving situations (Del Giudice and Della Peruta, 2016). The patterns of teaching in Indian universities are primarily based on theoretical concepts only and less concerned about the applied research resulting in low IP (Kashyap et al., 2018). In the context of organizational effectiveness the knowledge creation process requires innovative networks of experts with access to knowledge technologies (Armistead, 1999). This work is the first endeavor to develop a scale for measuring IPCC especially in the context of the Indian higher education system. The scale is based on three independent variables and one mediating variable. This scale provides practitioners with a reliable and valid analytical tool for the measurement of faculty's perceptions about IP. Successful application of the scale would increase the competitiveness among HEIs related to IP matters and would be beneficial for institutes having lower academic rankings. As the contribution of Indian educational system to the national economy is not very encouraging (Jain et al., 2018; Kumar, 2018), increasing IPCC in HEIs would certainly improve the existing scenario. The outcomes of our research are more precise because the questionnaires were filled by the faculty members of the premium HEIs that have been selected for the TEQIP and having significant achievements in their name.\n6. Implications of the work: 6.1 Theoretical implications\n7. Limitations and future scope: Though the study provides useful insights regarding IPCC from an important perspective, it suggests many interesting possibilities for future research endeavors. First of all the model could be improved by classifying the variables into an intrinsic and extrinsic group, it will have a greater improvement in understanding the relationship between the construct of the model in a better way. Second, as this study is confined to academic universities only, future research studies could include other types of HEIs like research universities, research-based institutes to generalize the findings. In India, higher education is highly varied and there is a huge gap between HEIs some are at the pinnacle of the innovation capability and some are at the bottom. Third, though this study is limited to HEIs which are well established old institutes who have attained a significant level in IC creation, this could be seen as an opportunity for further research as well and may expand the scope of the study to underdeveloped or new HEIs. The scale is constructed for measuring the IPCC using the perception of the faculty members considering that they are the primary source of innovation and IP creation, further research could be done taking students and research scholars at HEIs as the primary sample. Fourth, the future researchers could also propose a reflective IPCC model using SPSS and AMOS tools instead of a structural model based on the formative approach using the PLS technique. Finally, this work could be taken to a higher level by unwinding the relationship between IPCC with academic start-ups, spin-off and entrepreneurship.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: At present, the contribution of higher educational institutes (HEIs) to economic development and society at large is under constant evaluation. One important parameter that is counted in their performance is generating intellectual capital. To maximize intellectual property (IP) (specifically patents which are considered to have maximum economic value) pool, the purpose of this paper is to conceptualize IP creation capability (IPCC) relevant to higher education. Furthermore, a scale is developed and validated to measure IPCC in Indian HEIs.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted for multi-dimensional scale development. The use of pragmatic approach also complemented exploratory design of the study for exploring relationship and developing a new instrument. The study further maps the connection between constructs of IPCC by proposing a structural model using the partial least squares path modeling method.\nFindings: A significant positive relationship was seen among policy, incentives, research facility, working culture and IPCC subjected to Indian conditions. The findings based on data analysis suggest that incentive has a mediating effect between policy and IPCC.\nPractical implications: Findings of the study could be used for formulating strategies to improve the current state of IP creation in HEIs. The results of the study could also be applied for a better understanding of the IP creation scenario in HEIs of India and similar developing countries.\nOriginality/value: This study presents the first endeavor to develop a well-structured scale for measuring IPCC especially in the context of the Indian higher education system. It contributes to research on higher education studies, innovation and IP creation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Digitalization of learning resources in a HEI - a lean management perspective	[ "Case studies", "Continuous improvement", "Higher education", "Lean production" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Continuous improvements in education service delivery\nLiterature review: In an age of knowledge economy, the growing speed of advancement and changing information technology (IT) and network technologies have increased the pace of learning. Trends in the digitized world result in drastic changes in the microenvironment and many organizations, and, in turn, impact on individuals learning and connecting to the society at large. Therefore, it is important to include modern IT applications in education. With progressive technological advancements in computer software, developments in web applications and data network bandwidth, e-learning systems have changed the educational ecosphere of schools, universities, and corporate training systems.\nResearch method - case study: As the digitalization of learning resources is a complex process and it involves multiple functional groups and departments, we chose a single case study approach (Yin, 2003). We conducted an in-depth case study (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007; Siggelkow, 2007) and followed a standard approach for case study research by defining the research question, selecting the case, collecting and analyzing field data, and concluding by organizing the insights gained (Eisenhardt, 1989; Stuart et al., 2002). Our data sources included three key sources, interviews, direct observation of the studied process, and analysis of e-learning resource database related to the studied process.\nFindings: A process view of the digitalization journey\nDiscussions: In addressing our research question:\nManagerial and practical implications: Lean thinking is not only relevant to the manufacturing sector; this study shows that it is also a complete educational management thinking system that can be used for improving the service processes in a HEI. In addition, integrating the lean management using ICT and digital technologies creates additional value through enabling a more interactive learning experience.\nResearch limitations and future research recommendations: Finally, it must be emphasized that since this research is an exploratory case study, the results obtained cannot be generalized. Additionally, the enhanced connectivity enabled by online access to download digital learning resources requires internet connectivity to be readily available. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of specific infrastructural capabilities and constraints that may vary across different contexts is necessary to enable an accurate assessment of similar digitalization initiatives. Future research can be conducted to provide an impact analysis of the potential risk factors if the use of printed study materials is eliminated, in favor of e-study materials. Future studies can investigate the likely risk impact to the HEI in the event of a data network failure. Future studies can also assess the quality of the learning services that is supported by the e-resources by gathering student feedback and examine the integrity of the quality assurance process in the development of online digital learning resources.\nConclusions: The study examined the conversion process of the print to e-learning resources in an HEI with an aim to identify the key enabling factors that have facilitated a HEI to successfully implement the digitalization of learning resources. Through a unique case study at a HEI in Singapore, we examined how the HEI increased customer value, expanded its reach to regional market, whilst at the same time contribute to environmental sustainability by spearheading the digitalization of learning resources through a three-year implementation plan that spans from 2014 to 2016. We utilized well-established lean principles to conceive the case and focused on how the diverse functional departments (academic faculty and administrative offices) achieve superior performance despite encountering a highly uncertain and variable customer demand - a context considerably different from that of the typical lean manufacturing environment.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Lean is considered as a major management approach for improving operational productivity and organizational performance. It is a systemic philosophy that emphasizes on fulfilling customer needs, waste minimization, and a commitment to a culture of continual improvement. In recent years, many higher education institutions (HEIs) have leveraged on the use of technology to provide flexibility in learning and just-in-time training for learners in the efforts to improve both the internal processes of course delivery and enhance the provisions of education quality. In recognizing these trends in HEIs, the purpose of this paper is to identify the key factors that facilitate the conversion of printed learning resources to e-learning resources in a HEI.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study used a qualitative exploratory case study approach and examined a unique case of a HEI that is undergoing the transformation process from printed learning resources to digital sources to simplify the processes involved in educational service delivery and operational complexity. Data sources include semi-structured interviews with key personnel directly involved in the project of converting printed learning resources to digital sources, notes taken from informal discussions, and secondary data such as minutes of meetings, learning resource archives, and relevant literature. A retrospective perspective was adopted in the case analysis since the HEI has already completed 50 percent of the conversion phase when this study was carried out.\nFindings: Abductive reasoning approach and well-established lean principles were used to make sense of the digital transformation process of the HEI. Based on the retrospective case analysis, the authors found evidence that characterizes lean management principles and identifies the critical factors (CFs) that have facilitated the HEI to achieve the key milestones in the conversion journey. These include common vision, top management support and leadership, timely information sharing, and relationship management with key stakeholders in the transformation processes.\nResearch limitations/implications: Since this research is an exploratory case study, the results obtained cannot be generalized. Future research can be conducted to provide an impact analysis of the potential risk factors of a system that employs only the use of e-study materials. In addition, future studies can also assess the quality of the learning services that is supported by the e-resources by gathering student feedback on their e-learning experience that is supported by the online digital learning resources and learning management system.\nPractical implications: This study provides managerial insights into the levers to engender the transformation from a traditional print learning resources model to leaning with digital e-learning resources. The insights into the CFs aid education managers to introduce process innovations and encourage behavioral changes that will benefit learners, instructors, and administers.\nOriginality/value: The study is one of the first to apply lean management principles in making sense of the transformation processes involved in the use of digital innovation in higher education context. The findings provide a holistic view of the process transformations.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Contribution of the three-dimensional model to the reliability allocation of multiphase systems	[ "Model", "System", "Reliability" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The dependability is the science of failures (Laprie, 1992). For Avizienis et al. (2013), dependability is a set of attributes, constraints and methods. Its main attributes are as follows: the reliability, the availability, the maintainability and the safety (RAMS). The constraints of dependability can be summarized as follows: the fault, the error and the failure.\n2. Motivations and related work: In dependability, the evaluation of systems' performance (or underperformance) is not the only possible quantification. The optimization and the allocation are also commonly used in dependability (Mellal and Djebabra, 2015). Their common aim is to find the best \"quality/price\" ratio of a system (Ingenbleek and Van der Lans, 2013). Indeed, the systems optimization, according to the dependability clauses, aims at finding the most powerful optimal architecture of a system (Kontoleon, 2009). This optimization is carried out either by the cost reduction of dependability attributes (e.g. reliability) or by its increase under the cost constraints (Ray et al., 1980; Elena and Richard, 2013; Bumblauskas, 2015).\n3. The proposed three-dimensional model: 3.1 Presentation of the proposed three-dimensional model\n4. Results: Table V shows the values of SFI, RII and ICI indices as well as the allocation weights\n5. Discussion of results: It should be noted that the reliability allocation to the subsystem SS1 is also detailed in Figure 7 in which we note that this allocation is realized at the same time with regard to the nature of the event tree gates and the weights of equipments (E11, E12 and E13).\n6. Conclusion: In this paper, we have shown that complex systems must be decomposed according to three dimensions (temporal, then structural and functional). The suggested three-dimensional model allows highlighting the interactions between the system structure and the different functions associated with it. These interactions are carried out in a non-intuitive manner in order to satisfy certain number of functions and, consequently, to meet a set of requirements. In this context, this paper aims at exploring the suggested three-dimensional model and capitalizing it in terms of a dependability requirement.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to deal with the allocation requirements of the dependability of the multiphase systems.\nDesign/methodology/approach: It consists of a proposal for a combined methodology based on the simultaneous use of decomposition systems and reliability allocation method.\nFindings: In the developed methodology, the authors use the principles of risk assessment and propose a new formulation of weight allowance with reference to the structural-functional dependence.\nPractical implications: The suggested methodology provides invaluable help to implementation process analysis.\nOriginality/value: The adopted allocation approach is based on the use of a three-dimensional model: temporal, structural and functional decomposition of systems.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Sustainable food security futures: Perspectives on food waste and information across the food supply chain	[ "Sustainable", "Food security futures", "Food supply chain", "Food waste and information" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Since the inception of the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 (United Nations General Assembly, 1948), the United Nations (UN) has recognised the individual's right to food going even as far as noting that this right is vital for the enjoyment of all other rights and therefore integral to our very existence (United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, 1999). Hence, political and social concerns about society's relationship with food are increasingly becoming important in an era of mass consumption, where the stable and secure supply of food is becoming a key topic of transnational debate. This debate encompasses not only nutritional and health aspects but also how food is produced, distributed and consumed.\nThe intractability of food security: Our basic human needs are driven by a desire to eat, which is polarised by two extremes: pure survival through to greed. Even in the twenty-first century, there are millions of people starving and going hungry who rightly observe and require food as a basic human need, whilst at the other extreme first-world inhabitant see food as a resource which can be consumed and enjoyed extravagantly without fear of understanding the basis for its ongoing supply. This raises fundamental questions around where the real challenge about food security (as defined previously) lies: is this with agriculture (farming), manufacturing (operational management of food processing), or distribution (supply chain and logistics) or is it simply related to demand fulfilment (economics)? Perhaps that is simplifying or even trivialising the challenge - however the inherent complexity involved in teasing apart all of the various elements of food production through to consumption (and importantly also, waste) this topic has evolved over recent generations from being a puzzle to be solved into being a type of \"mess\", that is a set of interrelated and hence system of problems (Ackoff, 1974).\nThe two-sided coin: understanding food waste and integrating information: Noting the key drivers behind food security, we therefore posit that there should be better ways to understand and therefore identify drivers for ensuring the safe supply of food. In doing so, we draw together two seemingly disparate but intrinsically connected underlying drivers that are seeing rapid traction in this wider debate.\nConclusions: Food security is set to become one of the dominating factors that defines our future existence, as the supply of food and water starts to struggle in satisfying our growing consumer needs. Yet, countries around the world will tackle different aspects of food security in varying degrees of order. Some will seek to use science to navigate through these challenges, advantaged through their developed nation status, while others may use same financial resources to secure their food supply chains by buying or leasing the natural resources often existing in abundance in less developed countries. Indeed, the challenges around developing robust food supply chains are contemporary and do range from production through to consumption.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to signpost the genesis of food security and associated factors such that organisations, enterprises, policy makers and interested stakeholders can seek to explore and understand this important societal issue. The challenges that food security poses are eclectic in nature and cut through country, society, organisation and individual boundaries. Only through identifying these factors - hence identifying underlying factors of food waste and usage of information within food supply chains to untangle them - can we adopt enterprise interventions in order to initiate and mitigate food security risk.\nDesign/methodology/approach: As a viewpoint piece, there is no empirical work to report in this paper. An exploratory review of the literature has allowed for the extraction of food security concerns that need the attention of stakeholders across the enterprise to ensure robust food supply chains can be are created, maintained and sustained through a better understanding and usage of information, knowledge and data.\nFindings: This paper articulates six constructs that underpin the challenges of establishing food security. It is suggested that information relating to factors may support decision-makers within communities, organisations and enterprises to better understand these factors that then contribute towards enhanced food security. Relevant strategies or policies can then emerge and be developed such that strategic as well as operational interventions can be prioritised across national, regional or industry level. Underpinning the above, the waste within and across the food supply chain contributes to the six factors, also highlighting where additional focus may need to be applied to sustain food supply chains.\nResearch limitations/implications: This paper is a position paper that does not offer factual insight but rather highlights a direction of thought that others can consider exploring as part of wider research agendas in the topical area where enterprise, organisational, and information-based contributions may support the development of strategy-led food security policy.\nPractical implications: This paper provides reassuring insights that will help decision and policy makers assemble their thoughts when it comes to prioritising their communications and interventions amongst organisational/enterprise-level stakeholder groups involved in food security and food supply chain contexts.\nSocial implications: This paper has highlighted the need for more research around the human and organisational factors that are identified as both underpinning the need for food security and, as drivers of waste throughout the food supply chain. Indeed, there is further work needed to highlight the inter-relationships that exist and, which then feed into resulting interventions.\nOriginality/value: To raise the importance of food security amongst differing stakeholder community groups at the organisational and enterprise level.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Recommendations as personalized marketing: insights from customer experiences	[ "Customer satisfaction", "Personalization", "Critical incidents", "Consumer preference", "Recommendation agent" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: An executive summary for managers and executive readers can be found at the end of this issue.\nIntroduction: Recommendation agents programmed to \"learn\" customer preferences and make personalized recommendations of products and services (Gershoff and West, 1998; West et al., 1999) are considered a very useful tool for personalized marketing, i.e. targeting each customer individually in marketing (Rust and Chung, 2006; Simonson, 2005). Some leading service firms have developed proprietary recommender systems in the hope that making personalized recommendations could engage customers and increase customer satisfaction, thus sharpening the competitive edge of their businesses (Netflix Annual Report, 2010; Amazon Annual Report, 2010).\nResearch methodology: Critical incident technique\nResults: The classification scheme\nDiscussion: This paper is an exploratory study of customers' \"lived\" experiences of commercial recommendation services. The critical incident technique was used to analyze 650 critical incidents collected from 358 online group discussion participants and bloggers. A classification scheme with 15 categories was developed, and all incidents were sorted into a category in the scheme. Categories in the classification scheme are illustrated with satisfactory incidents and dissatisfactory incidents. Each category (except the \"other\" category) is further defined in terms of an underlying customer expectation, typical instances of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and, when possible, conditions under which customers are likely to have such an expectation. Three pairs of themes emerged from the classification scheme. Tentative research propositions were introduced regarding how personalization with recommendation agents can create value to customers, whether and when customers are motivated to maintain a learning relationship with the service firm. Next, I will discuss the managerial and research implications of findings in this research.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is an exploratory study of customers' \"lived\" experiences of commercial recommendation services to better understand customer expectations for personalization with recommendation agents. Recommendation agents programmed to \"learn\" customer preferences and make personalized recommendations of products and services are considered a useful tool for targeting customers individually. Some leading service firms have developed proprietary recommender systems in the hope that personalized recommendations could engage customers, increase satisfaction and sharpen their competitive edge. However, personalized recommendations do not always deliver customer satisfaction. More often, they lead to dissatisfaction, annoyance or irritation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The critical incident technique is used to analyze customer satisfactory or dissatisfactory incidents collected from online group discussion participants and bloggers to develop a classification scheme.\nFindings: A classification scheme with 15 categories is developed, each illustrated with satisfactory incidents and dissatisfactory incidents, defined in terms of an underlying customer expectation, typical instances of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and, when possible, conditions under which customers are likely to have such an expectation. Three pairs of themes emerged from the classification scheme. Six tentative research propositions were introduced.\nResearch limitations/implications: Findings from this exploratory research should be regarded as preliminary. Besides, content validity of the categories and generalizability of the findings should be subject to future research.\nPractical implications: Research findings have implications for identifying priorities in developing algorithms and for managing personalization more strategically.\nOriginality/value: This research explores response to personalization from a customer's perspective.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Knowledge building about performance evaluation in lean production: An investigation on international scientific research	[ "Performance measurement", "Best practice", "Benchmarking", "Lean manufacturing", "Performance indicators", "Manufacturing management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: To introduce the subject of performance evaluation in lean production, first it is important to understand its origin and the concept behind lean production. Historically, the term \"lean\" was first coined by Krafcik (1988) to describe the Toyota Production System (TPS). Womack et al. (1990) also presented the term \"lean production\" in their book The Machine that Changed the World to characterise TPS. This book explored the results of a five-year research project sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This project focussed on the management practices of Japanese automobile industries (Womack et al., 1990). Womack et al. (1990) specifically used \"lean production\" to describe the manufacturing techniques that had been developed over the past 100 years by the Toyota Motor Company (Baines et al., 2006; Emiliani, 2006; Holweg, 2007 cited in Stone, 2012). Later, Womack and Jones (1996) went beyond this work and published Lean Thinking, which helped to clarify the meaning of lean production and its principles.\n2. Literature review: 2.1 Performance evaluation\n3. Research methodology: 3.1 Intervention instrument: ProKnow-C\n4. Results and discussion: 4.1 Temporal evolution of the research theme\n5. Final considerations: Summary of the main findings of this research:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to focus on the analysis of the characteristics and gaps of a literature fragment from the international scientific publications on performance evaluation in lean production, aiming to generate new knowledge and suggestions for future scientific research.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors have adopted \"ProKnow-C\" methodology, a qualitative research approach that is used for literature selection, identification, analysis and reflection on the established characteristics.\nFindings: From a bibliographic portfolio of 67 research works, 91 per cent of the works have individual metrics and 84 per cent have sets of metrics. Evaluating the focus of the performance measurement system, 34 per cent of works measure performance, 43 per cent compare performance and only 18 per cent assist in strategic planning. Evaluating the phases of the PMS life cycle, 87 per cent attend to the design, and 66 per cent attend to the activities of data collection, allow diagnosis, evaluate performance and communicate results. However, only 3 per cent of the studies analysed the use of PMS after its implementation and no research evidenced the review of metrics and objectives based on strategic planning.\nResearch limitations/implications: The search formula to capture the bibliographic portfolio (BP) was limited to the following terms: performance measurement, performance evaluation, performance assess, performance appraisal, management, indicator, critical factors, best practices, lean production, lean manufacturing and lean system. The BP was determined based on the limitations set by the research authors: articles published in English and Portuguese languages, from 2000 to 2018, in the Engineering Village, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, ProQuest and Science Direct databases, which were freely available on the internet. Lastly, conceptual knowledge was used to select the articles, so there is a chance that unintentional losses could happen.\nPractical implications: As practical implications for practitioners, the authors have identified that a PMS from an organisation that aims to become \"lean\" needs to be defined and revised considering its strategy, adjusting its set of metrics and targets to the internal and external challenges. As practical implications for researchers, opportunities have been identified to develop longitudinal studies in PMS utilisation and review to understand how the measurement system must evolve over time through changes in the internal and external environments of organisations.\nOriginality/value: This research adds value because its results allow researchers and practitioners to visualise the boundaries of the knowledge from the BP, about performance management in lean production, and what their gaps are in relation to the reference model of performance evaluation. This research is original because it was not observed in the literature review, a research that used the ProKnow-C methodology for analysis of the alignment and gaps between lean production and performance evaluation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Analysis of relationship marketing factors for sports centers with mixed methods research	[ "Mixed methods research", "Intention to recommend", "Commitment to relationship", "Relationship marketing factors", "Sports centre", "Sports facility management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In a survey conducted in the early 2000s by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Korea to investigate overall participation in sports, 33.6 percent of the respondents stated that, among other types of sports facilities, the sports center was most required (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2003; Seok, 2007; Lee, 2010). However, as the number of sports centers has increased sharply due to growing demand from the early 2000s, an increasing number of them have also been suffering from financial problems brought on by intense competition (Kim et al., 2010). According to the 2014 sports industry statistics from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, there are 92,293 nationwide sports businesses, an increase of 1,800 businesses compared to 2013. Among these, sports facility businesses comprised of 34,942 (37.9 percent) of the businesses in 2014; 35,314 (39 percent) in 2013; and 35,412 (42 percent) in 2012. However, recently the number of sports facility businesses has reduced significantly, although the overall sports industry has been showing an increasing trend (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2015; Lee, 2017).\nResearch method: Research design\nResults: Quantitative research results\nDiscussion: This study tested the effects of the sub-elements of relationship marketing, such as bonding, service price, employee expertise, and satisfaction with facility, on commitment to relationship, which represents the sense of unity between sports centers and their clients, and on clients' intention to make a positive recommendation of the centers. As commitment to relationship and intention to recommend can have considerable influences on the performance of sports centers, the two variables warrant attention.\nConclusion: The study found that, among the relationship marketing factors, bonding, facility, and price positively affected commitment to relationship. Expertise and facility exerted a positive impact on customer intention to make a positive recommendation. Moreover, commitment to relationship has a positive effect on intention to recommend. Among factors of relationship marketing, the facility is related to both commitment to relationship and intention to recommend, which suggests that sports center managers should focus on facility maintenance, equipment purchase, and management based on diverse customer surveys. Managers should also consider adopting measures to promote sports center group meetings for greater bonding. They must provide an expertise-building program for employees to nurture personnel who fit the current market trends. In other words, the findings of this study offer practical information on how to run sports centers, which are currently facing difficulties, by identifying factors of sports center promotion.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of relationship marketing factors of sports centers on commitment to relationship and intention to recommend.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A statistical survey was conducted for quantitative research, and in-depth interviews, for qualitative research, according to the mixed methods research.\nFindings: The results of the quantitative research show that the relationship marketing factors of bonding, facility, and price positively influence commitment to relationship. Expertise and facility positively influence intention to recommend. Finally, commitment to relationship positively influences intention to recommend.\nPractical implications: Sports centers could build relationships based on polite and hospitable service, and host monthly events for building rapport among members. Instructors' expertise promotes bonding and serves as the most essential factor for intention to recommend. Sports centers must adequately introduce promotions related to rational consumption and specialized promotion. Centers that are managed too carelessly or frugally will have a highly negative impact on customer relationship and intention to recommend.\nOriginality/value: This study aims to empirically analyze customer needs by comparing the results of in-depth interviews with customers based on the results of quantitative studies through mixed methods research. It determines the relationships between the aforementioned variables, providing practical implications through analysis of the customers' subjective consciousness by focusing on sports facilities in order to secure competitive advantage, and thus, overcome financial difficulties.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Maximising the socioeconomic value of indigenous knowledge through policies and legislation in Kenya	[ "Kenya", "Knowledge management", "Intellectual property", "Indigenous knowledge", "Legal aspects", "Policies and legislation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Indigenous knowledge (IK) is defined as the distinctive, local knowledge which is developed within and around the specific conditions of indigenous community of a given area (Kwanya, 2015). Other scholars have provided varied definitions of what constitutes IK. Masango (2010) defined IK as the totality of all knowledge and practices established on past experiences and observations that is held and used by people. Semali and Kincheloe (1999) argue that IK reflects the dynamic ways in which the residents of an area have come to understand themselves in relationship to their environment and how they organize that folk knowledge of flora and fauna, cultural beliefs and history to enhance their lives. According to Agrawal (1995), IK has become a new area of attraction in socioeconomic development as demonstrated by the growing interest in it from researchers, donors, writers and scholars. He further explains that although IK was earlier seen as inferior, inefficient and an obstacle to development, today's thinking has recognized the value it holds for sustainable development.\n2. Statement of the research problem: IK plays an essential socioeconomic development role in indigenous communities (Kwanya, 2015). Therefore, the preservation, management and sharing of IK is crucial for social and economic development in Kenya. Nevertheless, many developing countries like Kenya do not maximize the socioeconomic value of IK in the enhancement of sustainable socioeconomic development. Consequently, the potential of IK in supporting socioeconomic development is lost because it has not been mainstreamed in development initiatives (Wole and Ayanbode, 2009).\n3. Purpose and objectives of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate how socioeconomic value of IK can be maximized in Kenya through effective implementation of relevant policies and legislation. The specific objectives were to:\n4. Literature review: Implementation of policy involves the interpreting the objectives of the policy into a working programme. This process entails assigning of responsibilities to an agency to implement or change the policy goals into operational guidelines for development and moving of programmes and coordination of resources and personnel in the institution to achieve what the policy is intended for (UNESCO, 2009). Making people accept and implement policies is easier if they feel that they are part of the decision-making process. This is at the heart of change management. If the stakeholders are not brought along, no matter how good the ideas are, no matter how good a process is, the course will be lost. According to Sullivan (2005), strategic communication to stakeholders is not only important but crucial. Roseveare (2008), posits that designing good policies is not enough and that countries need to go beyond good policy designing to successful implementation. To effect successful implementation, policymakers need to build genuine consensus among all stakeholders so that they all work towards a common purpose as opposed to heading in different directions. To do this, all stakeholders have to be brought on board.\n5. Research methodology: This study used a mixed methods research approach involving the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The population of the study comprised of 104 top- and middle-level managers from the organizations implementing the IK policies and legislation identified earlier. These are the people who are mandated to implement the IK policies and legislation. Given the relatively small population size, the authors did not sample respondents from the population. Therefore, all the 104 top- and middle-level managers in the identified organisations were considered as respondents in the study. Primary data were collected using semi-structured self-administered questionnaires. The authors dropped the questionnaires to the respondents' offices and picked them after one week. Table I shows the distribution of the population according to the organisations. The authors conducted a pilot study to test the reliability of the instruments using two similar organisations but which were not participating in the study. The organisations were the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The results of the pilot test were used to improve the structure and content of data collection tool.\n6. Findings and discussions: Of the 104 questionnaires distributed, 93 were filled and collected by the authors. This yielded a response rate of 89.4 per cent. Recognising the fact that the target population consisted of busy officers, this response rate was considered adequate for the purposes of the study. The findings are presented and discussed hereunder according to the objectives of the study.\n7. Conclusion: From the foregoing, the authors conclude as follows: the organization level of awareness on indigenous knowledge (IK) in Kenya is extremely low although there is consultation with stakeholders and resource centres for information sharing; development and review of the necessary policies and legislation to support IK is on-going; IK policies and legislation create socioeconomic value through generation of income, promotion of awareness and creativity, as well as food production and security. In spite of their potential in facilitating the maximisation of socioeconomic value of IK, there are systemic challenges that hinder IK policies and legislation. Although appropriate mitigating strategies have been put in place to support and promote the practice, more needs to be done. Recruitment of competent and qualified human resource, increased budget allocation, as well as technological adoption and change are likely to play a fundamental role towards the successful implementation of IK policies and legislation in Kenya.\n8. Recommendations: Based on the findings of the study, the authors recommend the following:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the anchor of survival and stability for indigenous communities. The purpose of this study was to establish how the socioeconomic value of IK can be maximised in Kenya through effective enactment and implementation of relevant policies and legislation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study adopted a mixed methods research using a survey design. The target population comprised 104 top- and middle-level managers drawn from organisations implementing diverse IK policies and legislation. Primary data were collected from the target population using questionnaires. Additional data were collected using content analysis of IK policies and legislation. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of IBM's Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22) software.\nFindings: The findings revealed a low awareness of the IK policies and legislation by the stakeholders. It also became evident that the policies and legislation relevant to IK are not implemented effectively. The authors conclude that policies and legislation do not maximise the socioeconomic value of IK in Kenya.\nOriginality/value: This is an original study which has practical implications for the use of IK for socioeconomic purposes. The findings of the study may be used to influence policy formulation and implementation; theory on IK; and practices which mainstream IK in socioeconomic activities in Kenya and beyond.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The relationship of social capital with objective career success: the case of Tunisian bankers	[ "Mentoring", "Social capital", "Training and development", "Network resources", "Objective career success" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: During the past two decades, research on social capital in the western context has flourished and pointed out that network resources and mentors are the two distinct components of this capital (Bozionelos, 2006; Seibert et al., 2001). Social capital has been associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including group effectiveness (Oh et al., 2004), innovation (Zheng, 2010), knowledge sharing (Chiu et al., 2006), employee performance (Ben Hador, 2016) and career success (Seibert et al., 2001).\nTheoretical background and hypotheses development: Toward a social capital definition\nMethod: Sample and procedure\nResults: Initial analyses\nDiscussion: The main objective of our study was to understand the influence of social capital on objective career success and to verify whether it was mediated through training and development. Thus, we developed and tested a model that theorized how social capital is related to objective career success. Specifically, we assumed that mentoring received is positively related to network resources. We further hypothesized that these networking resources will contribute to career success. Additionally, we evaluated the mediating role of training and development in the relationships between the two forms of networking and objective career success.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Although much research has investigated the impact of social capital on objective career success, the process through which this relation is established remains under-explored. In addition, studies conducted in the Middle East and North Africa region are scarce. The purpose of this paper is to examine and potentially bridge these gaps.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Data were collected via survey from 348 Tunisian bankers. Path analysis using AMOS was used to explore the relationships between mentoring received, network resources training and development and objective career success. For testing the mediating hypotheses, the authors employed bootstrapping.\nFindings: Results support the conjecture that social capital is useful for career success. The authors found that when the employees receive mentoring, they seem to develop more instrumental network resources, and consequently they have wider access to training and development, which, in turn, will be related to better promotion outcomes. However, expressive network resources were not related to objective career success, and training and development did not mediate the relationship between these network resources and career success.\nOriginality/value: To the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore the relationship between social capital and objective career success in the Tunisian context. This paper also reveals the mediating role of training and development in the above relationship. These findings add to the cross-cultural literature on careers.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Augmenting versus exploiting entry modes in soft services: Reconsidering the role of experiential knowledge	[ "Internationalization", "Services", "Foreign direct investment", "Resource management", "Resource augmentation", "Host country experience", "Entry modes", "Mode experience" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Foreign market entry mode as a way to enhance a firm's knowledge base requires tapping into internal and external resources to compete in local and global markets (Meyer et al., 2011). Current research on foreign entry can be reinforced not only by analyzing this decision as a simple trade-off between more or less control and resource commitment, but also as a formula to augment firms' resources and knowledge. The latest importance of this variable suggests that traditional classification into equity or non-equity, full vs shared control entry modes should be reconsidered (Ahsan and Musteen, 2011), specially in some industries such as soft services (Erramilli, 1991) in which there is a need for high interaction with the local market to learn and transfer firms' knowledge. This fact calls for a more sophisticated perspective on foreign market entry decisions.\nTheoretical background: Resource augmentation and exploitation in the hotel industry\nMethodology: Sample and data collection\nResults: To test our hypotheses, we use binary logistic regression analysis. Table I presents the correlation matrix, descriptive statistics and the variance inflation factor values (VIF). Most of the correlations among the variables were small and did not exceed the maximum level. Furthermore, the VIF reveals that the largest VIF value is 3.961 which is well below the cut-off of 10 or even 5 (Hair et al., 1999). This evidence reduces concerns about multicollinearity problems. Nevertheless, as we included interaction terms in our regression we centered the covariables in order to provide rigor in the moderating effects; otherwise products among independent variables might be highly correlated with the original variable. We extracted the mean to these continuous variables, so that results are referred to the mean of the variable, hence these are more robust and easily interpretable.\nDiscussion and conclusion: Drawing on a knowledge-based perspective, this study examines the importance of the interaction between experiential knowledge and cultural differences as determinants on the entry mode choice in a soft service industry. We have extended previous studies on entry mode choice by testing a theoretical classification proposed by Meyer et al. (2009). According to these authors, this new framework based on knowledge exploration and exploitation is particularly interesting for knowledge-intensive service multinationals. The hotel industry is a good research setting to test this new approach. In this sector the necessity for close and personal interaction enhances the importance of the characteristics of the services being offered. This is a type of tacit knowledge that can only be acquired through experience, generally accumulated through resource-augmenting modes. In this industry, intangible assets can be separated from other physical assets; thus, when the firm has achieved the required level of experience, this advantage can be exploited by third parties. In fact, and contrary to the findings for a manufacturing industry, there is a tendency for using exploiting strategies in larger and more experienced firms.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address foreign market entry mode as a way to enhance firm's knowledge base, providing new insights into traditional explanations of entry mode choice for soft services. The authors offer an alternative knowledge-based approach to assess foreign investment decisions by considering the role of resource-augmenting (direct investment) and resource-exploiting strategies (licenses). In addition, the authors untie the type of experiential knowledge, i.e., host country and mode experience, to analyze its interactions with environmental uncertainties such as cultural distance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Based on a customized database of the Spanish Global Hotel industry covering practically all foreign entries until 2012, the authors use regression analysis to test the proposal.\nFindings: The authors demonstrate how in hotel chains (a) cultural distance influences the use of high resource-augmenting modes, due to both the difficulties in transferring the knowledge to third parties but also the imperative need of learning from local markets and (b) how strong brands tend to use resource-augmenting modes in their first steps abroad as a strategy to achieve a minimum level of resource basis to exploit it in a later stage.\nOriginality/value: The findings question the appropriateness of prior assumptions from traditional internationalization process theories for soft services MNE and provide an alternative approach to assess entry mode choice in this context.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A cross-level analysis of management commitment and work ability among senior casino dealers in Macau	[ "Supervisor support", "Management commitment", "Casino dealers", "Group trust", "Work ability" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: A trend of aging in the labor force has been observed worldwide. According to the United Nations (UN), a key demographic trend in the twenty-first century has been the rapidly aging world population, which has important consequences and implications in all facets of human life (United Nations, 2001). Older workers - who the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines as those age 55 and older - are projected to increase in number in the labor force to 40.6 million and to represent 25 per cent of the labor force in 2024. As the most populous country in the world, China is joining the ranks of aging societies at a rapid pace. Due to its shrinking workforce, rising dependency ratios, and aging populations, Chinese officials are softening birth restrictions from its one-child-per-couple fertility policy. In addition, according to a recent reform plan, the Chinese Government is considering a proposal to gradually increase the retirement age.\nLiterature review and hypothesis development: Senior workforce\nMethodology: Survey instrument\nResults: Confirmatory factor analysis\nConclusions: Because of their accumulated job-relevant knowledge and skills, senior dealers are skilled at adjusting their actions to respond to changing demands and tasks for various gamblers (Wan, 2010). However, casino operators confront issues, such as how to upgrade the skills, competencies, and employability of an aging workforce. The purpose of the present study was to use a cross-level framework to investigate the relationship between top management commitment (a casino-level construct) and work ability at the frontline employee level in a gambling setting. In organizational literature, a primary portion of work ability research has identified a broad range of outcomes of the work ability of employee (Berntson and Marklund, 2007; Bethge et al., 2013; Roelen et al., 2014). However, the present study has focused on the top management commitment as the antecedent of employee work ability. In addition, a cross-level analysis was also performed to further examine the moderating effect of team-level variables on the commitment-ability relationship in a casino setting. The empirical findings corroborated the theoretical assumption that the strength of the relationship between management commitment and work ability is moderated by team-level variables in the gambling workplace.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the corporate-level determinants (i.e. management commitment) of work ability. It also examined whether mid-level contextual variables intensify the relationship between management commitment and the work ability of senior casino dealers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A three-level hierarchical analysis of data from 432 casino dealers from 16 casinos was performed to determine the proportion of variance in the dependent variable when the explanatory variables were at varying hierarchical levels.\nFindings: The findings suggest that management commitment has a positive and significant impact on frontline dealers' work ability. Furthermore, supervisor support and group trust have moderating effects on the relationship between management commitment and dealers' work ability.\nResearch limitations/implications: The current study provides important information on how to increase the ability of aging dealer to remain active and learn new skills.\nOriginality/value: Work ability has received substantial attention from recent studies of human resources because of its close relationship to employee job skills and competencies. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no conceptual model explains the role of work ability role in promoting and updating human resources management practices and policies.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Kaizen: a Japanese philosophy and system for business excellence	[ "Japan", "Continuous improvement", "Quality management", "Business excellence", "Genba", "Kaizen" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nMade in Japan: In attempting to decode the competitive success of industrial Japan, researchers and practitioners in the West, and those in the Anglosphere in particular, have identified with the tangible tools and techniques of the Japanese quality management philosophy of kaizen (Brunet and New, 2003). Those tangible tools are evident in manufacturing plants across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. In businesses as diverse as Caterpillar (Illinois, USA), Harley Davidson (Wisconsin, USA), Husqvarna (Jonkoping, Sweden) and GDM Group and Q-West (Wanganui, New Zealand), the tools of kaizen are used to enhance production techniques, systematise operations and seek greater contributions from employees. However, the data collection methodologies used by researchers, and the significant cross-cultural limitations encountered have resulted in kaizen being largely misinterpreted and misunderstood outside of Japan.\nJapanese management: Japanese-style management is enigmatic. It involves respect for authority with deference to hierarchy, titles and seniority; trust and relationships; conflict avoidance; and conformism. In addition, it holds in the highest regard group orientations; consensus decision-making; close relationships among governments, companies and workers; and, paternalistic management processes (Hill, 2007). Hence, kaizen is paradoxical by nature. The very energy (or philosophy) on which kaizen is dependent appears to be antithetical to Japanese-style management.\nDefinitions of kaizen: Definition from Japanese literature\nFinal words: Although Japanese literature rarely defines kaizen per se, it tends to use the term loosely in a number of contexts in the presence of the pervasive underpinning philosophy. By contrast, Western literature, through the need to find determinism, presents a vast array of simplistic mechanical outputs with little or no regard for the underpinning philosophy. The authors' research, conducted within the bounds of kaizen-active Japanese industrial organisations in Japan, finds kaizen to be much more than continuous improvement, but a way of life that is embedded in the Japanese workplace culture, passive at times and active at others, but always pervasive.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a definitive and insightful working definition of kaizen for practitioners and academics in the West through which they may better understand the kaizen phenomenon and its intangible but critical underpinning philosophy.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A phenomenological study of the utility of kaizen within in the bounds of active kaizen environments in name Japanese industrial organisations was conducted over a three-year period in Japan. The research explored how Japanese workers acknowledge, exercise, identify and diffuse kaizen in a sustainable manner.\nFindings: Kaizen is found to be a broad philosophical approach to work that serves different purposes for different members of the organisation, where no universal definition appears to exist yet differing ideologies are tolerated. Kaizen in Japan has a considerably deep meaning: it channels worker creativity and expressions of individuality into bounded environments, and creates an energy that drives a shared state of mind among employees to achieve proactive changes and innovation in the workplace.\nOriginality/value: This paper competently bridges the Japanese-Anglosphere cultural divide in social and business contexts. It contributes to the development of practitioner understanding of the utility of kaizen in Japan through unhindered cross-cultural research methodology, enabled by researcher competency and fluency in Japanese language and culture.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Sustainability and academic air travel in Australian universities	[ "Australia", "Air travel", "Sustainability", "Mobility", "University", "Travel", "Air" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Environmental sustainability is now a common part of the policies and practices of Australian universities. Many universities have begun to publicly acknowledge the environmental impact of their energy, water and material use on campus and, in some cases, have made systematic improvements to reduce these impacts through infrastructure upgrades, efficiency measures, recycling schemes and various other initiatives (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008). The procurement of food and materials from sustainable and ethical sources is also increasingly commonplace, as the importance of sustainable consumption and sourcing principles become incorporated into practice. This commitment to sustainability has been formalized in agreements such as the \"Talloires Declaration\" (AULSF, 2016), which has been signed by 24 universities in Australia. Such initiatives might lead to the conclusion that universities are some of the more progressively oriented contemporary institutions in terms of embracing and practicing sustainability. However, as Bekessy et al. (2007) note, universities may unduly benefit from sustainability related declarations if they are non-binding and unaccountable.\nPolicy analysis: The small body of research on the sustainability of air travel in the university sector points to a relatively low level of policy engagement by institutions. Hopkins et al. (2016) reviewed the policies of three universities in New Zealand, with respect to their sustainability commitments for the environmental impact of staff air travel. Their analysis focused on three themes that were prevalent in these policies: a lack of meaningful commitment to sustainability (\"Hollow words\"), an assumption of the necessity of air travel (\"Unspoken words\") and a promotion of air travel for academic staff in other non-travel policies (\"Facilitating mobilities\"). They also point to New Zealand's geographical remoteness as a reason why air travel has been justified and prioritized by their universities. Air travel presents itself as a type of environmental impact for which New Zealand's universities have had difficulty addressing. In our research, we sought to identify whether a similar situation has arisen in Australian universities, which are also characterized by their remoteness from the centers of knowledge production in the \"global north\" (Connell, 2007).\nAir travel ignorers: We classified 23 out of 43 (53 per cent) Australian universities as \"air travel ignorers\". This means that they did not identify air travel as a sustainability issue or seek to address it any way as part of their sustainability policies or action plans. Many universities that fell into this category had substantial and rigorous sustainability policies in other domains. Nevertheless, they were unified in their lack of recognition of air travel as a major source of university greenhouse gas emissions.\nRecognition without intervention: For a smaller group of Australian universities (16 per cent), air travel was recognized as a source of emissions and environmental impact, but no notable changes in staff flying practices were proposed. Seven out of 43 Australian universities were classified in this way.\nAir travel substituters: The final cluster of universities in our analysis included those that did acknowledge air travel as a source of carbon emissions, and sought to reduce those emissions by substituting air travel with another practice, mainly video-conferencing. Thirteen of 43 universities (30 per cent) were classified as substituters. In this section, we identify how universities frame the strategy of substitution, and critically reflect on this policy approach as a means of addressing air travel emissions.\nDecreasing and denormalizing: Air travel, both for academics and non-academics more generally, has become thoroughly embedded and normalized in contemporary professional practices (Storme et al., 2013; Gustafson, 2014). Strengers (2015) argues that the perceived need and benefits of co-present or co-located bodies - rather than \"face-to-face\" interactions replicated by video - is a crucial element of what makes air travel so ubiquitous in professional practices. Corporeal mobility offers a much richer means to interact with partners, including time spent outside of formal meetings where people become known at a more personal level. The policies of air travel substituters described previously show how difficult it is conceptualize academic collaboration and practice in a way that is not predicated on the affordances of travel. For instance, the notion that one could engage in \"digital transport\" still retains the notion of hypermobile academics transporting themselves digitally, if not physically, to remote locations to do their work. So long as travel and transport are seen to be integral to being an academic, air travel is unlikely to decrease significantly.\nInterventions in academic work life: A report into academic and research related air travel by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change (2015) research recognizes that academic conferences are perceived as worthwhile events because of the professional interactions they facilitate. The report argues that to reduce air travel emissions, research cultures should move away from traditional conferences, and \"towards more open platforms of exchanges distributed more evenly throughout the year\" (Quere et al., 2015, p. 19). While this may reduce one type of air travel - the annual conference \"pilgrimage\" to large disciplinary gatherings - it remains unclear whether these more open platforms would complement air travel rather than replace it. As we have argued throughout this paper, events that have previously relied on physical co-presence may not be so easily supplanted into online environments, given the interactional affordances of physical co-presence.\nConclusion: In this paper, we have argued that air travel has received relatively little engagement in Australia's university sustainability policies when compared to other sources of environmental impact. This is neither the result of ignorance and apathy, definitions and categories regarding the responsibility for emissions nor an inability to effect change. Instead, we have suggested that academic mobility is largely ignored in sustainability policies because it as an integral and growing aspect of the academic career. Resonating with Urry's contention, academia is now highly dependent on \"physical intermittent proximity to peoples, places, or events [...] [which] is felt to be obligatory, appropriate, or desirable\" (Urry, 2004, p. 29).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Air travel is becoming increasingly recognized as a source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. This is particularly relevant for the university sector, which relies heavily on staff air travel for domestic and international mobility.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative content and textual analysis of Australian university sustainability policies, documents and Web pages, this paper discusses the extent to which these organizations take the task of reducing emissions from flying seriously.\nFindings: Universities fall into one of three groups in this regard. \"Air Travel Ignorers\" are organizations that either have no sustainability policy or none that recognize air travel as a source of greenhouse gas emissions. The second group - \"Recognition without Intervention\" - describes universities that do acknowledge the role of air travel in their carbon footprint, but do not propose any means to reduce the amount of flying they do. Third, \"Air Travel Substituters\" seek to substitute their air travel with a digital form of mobility, usually video conferencing.\nResearch limitations/implications: The authors then highlight the need to decrease and denormalize university air travel through shifting shared expectations of mobility for events such as conferences and meetings.\nPractical implications: By way of a conclusion, the authors discuss the nature of air travel for Australian academia and the relationship between various forms of mobility, connectedness and co-presence.\nOriginality/value: This is the first comprehensive analysis of Australian university sustainability policies with respect to air travel.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Overcoming knowledge barriers to health care through continuous learning	[ "IT assimilation", "Continuous learning", "Healthcare domain", "Knowledge barriers" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The dramatic technological development affecting information technology (IT) and associated systems and services is leading to disruptive changes in the social and economic arenas (Del Giudice et al., 2016; Caputo and Walletzky, 2017). It is likely that the smart use of IT will be a critical factor for achieving innovation, competitiveness and growth. This is particularly true of such fields as health care, finance and IT. Given the increasing importance of innovation, competitiveness and growth many organizations are actively concerned with assessing how to engage in digital transformation. In the context of health care, the use of advanced IT systems and services may have the potential of addressing the increasing complexities associated with providing high quality health care under budget constraints and dramatically increasing demand. In addition many more patients are living with chronic disease and there is an increased emphasis on providing improved support of patients in non-hospital situations and, in particular, in the home. Thus, the assimilation of these advanced IT systems by multiple stakeholders and, in particular, end users (patients and medical professionals) becomes of critical concern (Papa et al., 2018).\n2. Conceptual framework: 2.1 Information technology assimilation\n3. Method: 3.1 Data collection\n4. Discussion: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the extension of the rather limited findings available to date in terms of identifying and dealing with knowledge barriers in the health-care domain affecting the assimilation of new IT - in this case telemedicine. Referring to the knowledge-based-view of the firm, and since, it is argued that, knowledge resides within individual, research on knowledge management has progressively stressed human resource and learning implications instead of addressing technology aspects. It can be argued that knowledge improves the work performance of individuals enabling them to generate and embed knowledge in the organization (Bennet and Bennet, 2008). As resource-based and knowledge-based view approach suggest, this led to consider learning as a strategic factor for overall organizational development (Real et al, 2014). In the context of the research reported in this paper the focus is on IT assimilation and how continuous learning can assist in overcoming knowledge barriers. Rather than simply focusing on learning and knowledge the focus is on the assimilation of IT.\n5. Conclusion: While the importance of IT in our daily lives is well acknowledged, there is a general lack of understanding as to how a variety of knowledge barriers that impede IT assimilation can be overcome. This paper focuses on the role of continuous learning in counteracting knowledge barriers and supporting IT assimilation. Therefore, our primary contribution is to illuminate the role of continuous learning in overcoming knowledge barriers to IT assimilation. A learning process where hospital staff can understand health-care end users' problems and facilitate patients' understanding of telemedicine technologies and the utility of these tools is likely to help in overcoming knowledge barriers to IT assimilation arising out of lack of knowledge, trust, and resistance to change.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the role of continuous learning and the mitigation or elimination of knowledge barriers affecting information technology (IT) assimilation in the health-care sector. Most of the problems with IT assimilations stem from a poor understanding of the nature of suitable information, the lack of trust, cultural differences, the lack of appropriate training and hierarchical bureaucratic structures and procedures. To overcome these barriers, this study provides evidence that a continuous learning process can play a part in overcoming some of the obstacles to the assimilation of IT.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This study investigates how a continuous learning environment can counteract the presence of knowledge barriers, and, along with such an environment, can, in turn, facilitate IT assimilation. The study uses ADANCO 2.0.1 Professional for Windows and involves the collection and analysis of data provided by 210 health-care end users.\nFindings: The study provides evidence in support of the proposition that continuous learning may facilitate the assimilation of IT by health-care end users through the mitigation of knowledge barriers (e.g. lack of trust or resistance to change). The mitigation of these barriers requires the gathering and utilization of new knowledge and knowledge structures. The results support the hypothesis that one way in which this can be achieved is through continuous learning (i.e. through assessing the situation, consulting experts, seeking feedback and tracking progress).\nResearch limitations/implications: A limitation of the study is the relatively simple statistical method that has been used for the analysis. However, the results provided here will serve as a preliminary basis for more sophisticated analysis which is currently underway.\nPractical implications: The study provides useful insights into ways of using continuous learning to facilitate IT assimilation by end users in the health-care domain. This can be of use to hospitals seeking to implement end user IT technologies and, in particular, telemedicine technologies. It can also be used to develop awareness of knowledge barriers and possible approaches to mitigate the effects of such barriers. Such an awareness can assist hospital staff in finding creative solutions for using technology tools. This potentially augments the ability of hospital staff to work with patients and carers, encouraging them to take initiative (make choices and solve problems relevant to them). This, in turn, allows hospitals to avoid negative and thus de-motivating experiences involving themselves and their end users (patients) and improving IT assimilation. This is liable to lead to improved morale and improved assimilation of IT by end users (patients).\nSocial implications: As ICT systems and services should entail participation of a wide range of users, developers and stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, social workers, patients and programmers and interaction designers, the study provides useful social implication for health management and people well-being.\nOriginality/value: The paper contributes to a better understanding of the nature and impacts of continuous learning. Although previous studies in the field of knowledge management have shown that knowledge management procedures and routines can provide support to IT assimilation, few studies, if any, have explored the relationship between continuous learning and IT assimilation with particular emphasis on knowledge barriers in the health-care domain.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Performance improvement, culture, and regimes: Evidence from the Ontario Municipal Performance Measurement Program, 2000-2012	[ "Canada", "Organizational culture", "Benchmarking", "Local government", "Performance improvement", "Performance regime" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Over the past two decades a number of important structural reforms have been implemented in public sector organizations, with many promising greater performance and improved accountability. A hallmark of these reforms is the concurrent expectation that organizations should be more efficient and effective after reforms are implemented. This, coupled with the new normal expectation that public managers should \"do more with less,\" has become so ubiquitous that we rarely question the complexities of the performance improvement process. One of the most substantial challenges is that managers are faced with competing expectations for performance from multiple stakeholders.\nPerformance improvement: Performance in the public sector is complex. Governments serve a number of stakeholders and are held to account by a number of principals. Hence, conceptualizations of the performance of an organization may vary depending upon the perspective from which it is viewed. Some perspectives are contradictory, creating an especially challenging task for managers as they try to achieve improved results. As Williams (2003, p. 653) notes, an \"[o]utcome is a political concept. While management certainly should be interested in outcomes, it is also of great interest to the elected executive, the legislature, and the public.\" Place this in contrast with the concept of \"productivity,\" which Williams (2003, p. 653) writes \"is a management concept. Productivity measurement relates the use of resources to produce direct outputs - that is, products or services - of governmental processes.\" Additionally, public sector performance is multidimensional, and includes explicit considerations of quality and quantity of outputs, service outcomes, and citizen and user satisfaction (Boyne, 2002, p. 19).\nPerformance regimes: A performance regime is \"the entire ensemble of formal and informal institutional influences that direct or steer the expected performance of public sector service delivery units\" (Talbot, 2010, p. 96). Performance regimes, captured as performance frameworks by Downe et al. (2010, p. 666) are \"interconnecting systems of reporting arrangements, resource flows, performance measures and organizational assessments, and interventions that are designed to steer the performance of public service organizations.\" Performance regimes are institutional arrangements that can influence an organization's performance with interventions like performance contracts, imposed or agreed-upon targets, rankings (league tables in the UK), or other means (Talbot, 2008, p. 1570). The implicit goal of a regime is to create a shared understanding of to whom and for what managers are accountable. This is accomplished through explicit rules and definitions, and implicit norms. Hood (2012) postulates that these explicit and implicit conditions of regimes, when combined with a dominant culture, have lasting effects on organizational performance. He suggests that traditional factors associated with performance improvement may not capture the entire picture; rather, the purpose of performance measurement effort and the culture within which those data are collected and analyzed will have a significant impact on the efficacy of performance systems. Hood (2012) weaves together concepts of performance regimes and CT to provide a conceptual framework within which one may assess performance improvement. We first address different types of regimes, and then discuss the contributions of CT to the discussion.\nThe contribution of culture: In parallel with the concept of performance regimes are the ideas expressed in CT. While CT may take on many forms, Hood subscribes to Mary Douglas' two dimensional concept of grid-group theory (Douglas, 1999). This theory attempts to capture both individualistic and group behaviors in concert. Grid represents the individualistic dimension and group represents the group dimension. These two dimensions - grid (vertical) and group (horizontal) - establish four cultural biases into which all groups fall.\nMPMP's context: type of performance regime and cultural components: Essential to understanding performance improvement is the context within which measurement is taking place. \"We need more carefully designed performance regimes that reflect the complexity of contemporary governance. We need to caution against the belief that performance measurement will make the messy business of governing simple\" (Moynihan et al., 2011, p. i142). Therefore our first step in this research is to describe both regime and cultural aspects. Public reports and internal documents of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) of Ontario provide context for regimes and culture at the ministry. These documents include minutes from 22 meetings of the MPMP Advisory Committee spanning the period from January 2002 to December of 2013, as well as other internal and public reports, presentations and memos outlining the use of performance data. Local government in Canada is responsible for fire, police, public works, water treatment and distribution, refuse collection, parks and leisure, land use, and transit services, and follow the council-manager model often found in the USA. In Ontario, municipalities also share responsibility for affordable public housing.\nMethods: Different analyses for performance improvement\nResults: Our results differ from local governments in England in the 2000s, where virtually all local governments saw their performance improve over the 2002-2008 period (in some cases 2002-2006) (Murphy et al., 2011, p. 596). When examining effectiveness indicators, we find three clear upward trends (or downward for negative indicators) out of the 36 indicators that span at least three years. These three trends demonstrating clear improvement are in disparate areas of solid waste (\"percentage of residential solid waste was diverted\"), recreation programs (\"the participant hours of recreation programs per 1,000 persons\"), and the in library services (\"percentage of library uses that are electronic\"). Figure 1 illustrates one example of the three clear positive trends.\nDiscussion: This paper examines efficiency and effectiveness trends within the context of a relatively egalitarian intelligence-based performance measurement regime. Our attention is specifically focussed on assessing performance improvement across large numbers of municipalities. Of the three types of regimes, the intelligence variant is the most difficult one to evaluate for performance improvement. In a target regime, one could count the proportion of targets that are met. In a ranking regime, one could see if laggards' and bottom performers' overall score gets closer to top performers over time. In an intelligence regime, where there are no formally shared objectives and aggregated ways to compare municipalities, determining if performance improved is difficult. It is plausible that some municipal managers, benefitting from the nurturing environment of an intelligence regime, took advantage of the indicators to drive improvement. In some cases this marked improvement did indeed occur. The Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network, a joint initiate of the Association of Municipalities Ontario and MMAH has provided detailed examples of best practices for several service areas. Our analyses are aimed at assessing if the MPMP, as an intelligence regime piloted by the MMAH behaving in an egalitarian fashion, could steer (Behn, 2012, p. 30) hundreds of municipalities into improving their performance. We have few pieces of evidence supporting this hypothesis.\nConclusion: 30 years ago, it was said that \"[...] productivity improvement, while desirable, is not always seen as contributing to the resolution of immediate and more pressing problems\" (Ammons and King, 1983, p. 119). We agree with Kelman (2007, p. 228) that performance improvement sits on top of preoccupations within our academic field. Many restructuration and reform efforts are implemented each year in search of improved performance. Our message to policy makers and public managers is that not all arrangements of incentives and structures - performance regimes - are equally fruitful for one level of government to steer a multitude of other governments on the generalized path to improved performance. Nor is it clear that it is possible for one level of government to steer a multitude of other governments on the generalized path to improved performance. Assumptions embedded within an intelligence regime with an egalitarian culture are that members can work collaboratively to learn and define value. The very nature of such a regime challenges the notion of an external definition of performance. We test the proposition of Hood, that, \"[m]anagement by numbers in the form of intelligence seems most likely to act as a performance-enhancing drug in some form of egalitarian social context.\" We conclude that by traditional measures of performance such evidence is not present. That said, we suggest future research to tackle this challenge from a different perspective. One might argue that the context of an egalitarian intelligence regime should rely on self-identified definitions of performance rather than externally defined measures.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to better understand the performance improvement outcomes that result from the interaction of a performance regime and its context over more than a decade.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A series of partial free disposable hull analyses are performed to graph variations in performance for 13 services in 444 municipalities in one province for over a decade.\nFindings: There are few examples of mass service improvements over time. This holds even for relative bottom performers, as they do not catch up to average municipalities over time. However, there is also little proof of service deterioration during the same period.\nResearch limitations/implications: A limitation results from the high churning rate of the indicators. The relevance of refining indicators based on feedback from practitioners should not be dismissed, even if it makes the task of proving performance improvement more difficult. It is possible that the overall quality of services on the ground improved, or stayed stable despite diminishing costs, without stable indicators to capture that reality.\nPractical implications: Not all arrangements incentives and structures of - performance regimes - are equally fruitful for one level of government to steer a multitude of other governments on the generalized path to improved performance.\nSocial implications: With the insight that was not available to public managers putting together these performance regimes in the beginning of the 2000s, the authors offer a proposition: mass performance improvement is not to be expected out of intelligence regime. It neither levels nor improves performance for all (Knutsson et al., 2012). Though there are benefits to such a regime, a general rise in performance across all participants is not one of them.\nOriginality/value: Performance improvements are assessed under difficult, yet common characteristics in the public sector: budgetary realities where there are trade-offs between many services, locally set priorities, no clear definition of what constitutes a good level of performance, and changes in the indicators over time.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
What matters to consumers of organic wine?	[ "Conjoint analysis", "Wine market", "Wine marketing", "Food and drink", "Alcoholic drinks", "Wines", "Organic foods", "Consumers" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The factors determining consumers' wine preferences are quite well-researched. Apart from price and colour, the country of origin is an important attribute (Gil and Sanchez, 1997; Stolz and Schmid, 2006), in most countries berry fruit plays a major role (Petzoldt et al., 2007), awards may boost wine sales (Lockshin et al., 2006; Jaeger et al., 2009). More recently, a great deal of attention has been devoted to the design characteristics of the wine bottle (Weiss, 2008; Szolnoki, n.d.). In addition, there is evidence that age, gender and income make their own contribution towards defining wine consumption behavior (Ndanga et al., 2009). It has also be shown that wine, compared to other alcoholic beverages, has been perceived as being more natural, reflecting a sense of agricultural seasonality and linked closely to a rural way of life (Unwin, 1996; Dimara and Skuras, 2003; Gade, 2004; Charters, 2006).The latter point leads us to the issue of organic production. As for wine, the characteristics of consumers buying organic food are reasonably well-explored. Organic buyers are usually better educated than others (Lockie et al., 2002). They care for the environment (Loureiro et al., 2001), are keen to support organic farmers (Worner and Meier-Ploeger, 1999) or regard organic food as healthy and safe (Harper and Makatouni, 2002).However, there is an intersection between these two markets that has been less well explored, although analysing it has the potential to resolve important issues. The market for organic wine, though expanding (Crescimanno et al., 2002) has frequently lagged behind other markets for organic food. A good case in point is Switzerland, where the market share of organic food is over 10 percent, but only 3 percent in the wine market. Whereas organic food enjoys an excellent image in general (Mann, 2003), Delmas and Grant (2008) report that willingness to pay for wine labelled organic was 20 percent lower than for other wine because the quality image of organic wine is rather poor. This is in clear contrast to other segments of the food market where organic food has a high-quality image.Studies relating to the image of organic wine have hitherto been carried out in countries where organic food is still a small niche affair, not to be found on mainstream supermarket shelves (Fotopoulos and Krystallis, 2002; Fotopoulos et al., 2003; Brugarolas Molla Banza et al., 2005). Both the quantity sampled, and the information available on organic wine, were somewhat limited in these studies. For countries with a well-established organic market segment (such as German-speaking or Scandinavian countries) the literature tends to be based on assessments rather than on scientific evidence (Vaterlaus, 2000).The well-developed market for organic food in Switzerland provides scope for a response to the question about the strengths and weaknesses of organic wines and about the most important motives for choosing wine with an organic label. Thus, it is the objective of this paper to understand how important \"organic\" is as an attribute for choosing wine and what are the decisive arguments for and against selecting organic wine. For this purpose, a brief theoretical framework is outlined in section 2. The method used to promote an understanding of preferences for and against organic wine is outlined in section 3; section 4 describes the results whilst section 5 sets out the conclusions.\n2. The position of organic wine in Switzerland: The starting point for our analysis is the conclusion reached by Fotopoulos et al. (2003, p. 559) that Greek organic buyers mostly prefer extrinsic quality cues found on the wine label, because their purchasing motives are food's \"high quality\", \"healthiness/ purity\" and \"traditional image/ authenticity\". It should be mentioned that this conclusion is not only based on a sample of a mere 49 respondents, but applies to a very poorly developed market for organic wine. These findings are therefore not necessarily valid for more developed organic markets. In Switzerland, every supermarket buyer can choose freely between organic and conventional wine, whereas it takes some effort in Greece to find organic wine, which is mostly retailed by specialized organic stores and winemakers. A similarity, however, is the moderate consumption of wine in both countries (around 30 litres per head per year; Karayannis and Kelepouris, 2008).These conditions make it likely that the two commodities \"organic wine\" and \"conventional wine\" in Switzerland are on a more equal footing when it comes to consumer decision-making than they are in Greece. The (comparably) strong position of organic food in Switzerland with a market share above 10 percent implies that the choice between organic and conventional wine is always a conscious rather than an implicit one, such as the choice between red and white wine. This makes it useful to test the relative importance of the attribute \"conventional versus organic\" against other important wine attributes.The broad availability of organic wine means that organic wine-makers have a real chance on the main food market. To exploit this chance, it is useful to identify the attributes ascribed to organic wine by both users and non-users. The fact that the market is well-established makes it likely that most consumers will have some experience of or at least an opinion about organic wine. A thorough analysis of the image of organic wine therefore is essential to ensure the satisfactory development of the organic market in Switzerland.\n3. Method: An interview-based survey was carried out among a random sample of 404 wine drinkers in towns and cities of different size in the German- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland in the Autumn of 2009. The interviews were restricted to adults living in Switzerland and each took around 15 minutes. The questionnaire consisted of three parts. First, respondents were asked to judge different wine labels in order to enable a conjoint analysis to be carried out. In the second part of the questionnaire, respondents were asked to evaluate the image of organic wine based on a number of established criteria and to indicate their own consumption behavior. The third part was devoted to obtaining some statistical information about the respondents.3.1 The importance of attributes\n4. Results: 4.1 The importance of attributes\n5. Conclusions: The issue of organic versus conventional should be of limited importance for wine. This is a first notable finding as far as those involved with the marketing of wine are concerned. In the same way as with vegetables (Ekelund and Tjernemo, 2004) and apples (Wang and Sun, 2003), the country of origin is invariably of greater importance when it comes to wine purchasing decisions than the production method. One remarkable difference compared to vegetables and apples lies in the fact that this in no way describes the ambivalence between regionalism and environmentalism. The preferred region for Swiss wine consumers is not Switzerland but France. Given the fact that France has a longer tradition of high quality wine production than Switzerland, this shows that wine purchasing decisions are made with a clear focus on quality. The fact that the quality image of organic wine is yet rather poor explains a great part of the lagging market share of organic wine compared to other food market segments.Wine has several quality attributes and we have shown which ones are decisive when it comes to the choice in favor of organic wine. Therefore, the results enable us to outline a PR strategy for enhancing public preference for organic wine. Among an urban (and predominantly female) target group, it would appear worthwhile to communicate the positive social image of organic wine. In order to do so, the argument that connoisseurs of fine wines choose organic labels more often may initially constitute an important argument. In addition, health aspects of organic production processes like the absence of pesticide residues will be an important argument for potential consumers of organic wine. This is even more important than improving the image of organic wine as regards taste, a factor which is considered merely average.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to determine the importance of the \"organic\" attribute for wine in relation to other attributes and to identify the most important determinants as far as the consumption of organic wine is concerned.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A survey based on interviews with 404 Swiss wine drinkers was conducted. The data were evaluated by means of conjoint and regression analyses.\nFindings: - The \"organic\" attribute was more important than the colour of the wine but less important than the price and the country of origin, foreign French wine being preferred to local Swiss wine. Urban and female consumers were relatively likely to consume organic wine, as were consumers who perceive organic wine as being healthy.\nPractical implications: - Marketing for organic wine in well-developed markets should focus on the argument of image and health. Urban female consumers are the most important target group.\nOriginality/value: - The paper presents the first results on the important attributes for marketing organic wine in developed organic food markets.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The mediating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness	[ "Knowledge sharing", "Trust", "Team effectiveness", "Virtual team", "Personality-based trust", "Institutional-based trust", "Virtual team effectiveness", "Cognitive-based trust" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Advanced development in the world of information technology (IT) has provided the necessary infrastructure to support the development of new organizational forms. Virtual teams represent one of the forms of organizational structure that revolutionize today's workplace and provide organizations with unprecedented levels of flexibility and responsiveness (Powell et al., 2004). Though increasing in popularity, most organizations that are implementing virtual teams are doing it without solid knowledge on how to make this form of organizational structure works effectively, and this also holds true for the organization where this study was conducted.\n2. Research background: In essence, this study was conducted in an American-based multinational company which is recognized as a leader in producing electronic chips. This company employed about 80,000 people worldwide, and its Malaysian division has about 9,300 employees. Basically, employees of this company are located all around the world, and the majority of them, except for the manufacturing operators, are required to work in virtual functional or project teams. In fact, this company has been using the virtual team structure for more than a decade for the purpose of completing various projects such as technology transfer and deployment of corporate guidelines and systems to its subsidiary companies. However, since 2006, this company has been driving for flatter and more efficient globally functional team structure. Hence, some functional teams operate using the virtual team structure with a vertical reporting structure from the subsidiaries team directly to the headquarters' managers. Such organizational reporting structure was claimed to be able to help reduce roles duplication and drive efficiency through standardization of processes and guidelines across the corporation.\n3. Literature review: 3.1 Virtual team\n4. Research framework: Based on the literature review, there are three main variables in this study. The dependent variable is virtual team effectiveness, trust within the team is the independent variable, and knowledge sharing is the mediating variable. The trust variable consists of three dimensions, i.e. personal-based trust, institutional-based trust, and cognitive-based trust. The relationships of the variables are depicted in Figure 1.\n5. Methodology: This is a quantitative study whereby data is collected in a cross-sectional manner using questionnaires. For further clarification on the formation and implementation of the virtual teams, unstructured interviews were conducted with several respondents.\n6. Results: To achieve the objective of this study, various statistical tools were used to analyze the data. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the measurement scales. Next, Pearson correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationships among the variables. This is followed by multiple regression analysis to determine the impact of trust and knowledge sharing on virtual team effectiveness. In conjunction with this, hierarchical regression analysis was also performed to test the mediating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness. The results are presented in the following sub-sections.\n7. Discussion and implications: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the three dimensions of trust (i.e. personal-based, institutional-based and cognitive-based) and virtual team effectiveness, and also to investigate the role of knowledge sharing as a mediator to this relationship. It was found that the current study concurs with previous findings (Sarker et al., 2003; de Guinea et al., 2005), whereby these three types of trust are very important in ensuring virtual team effectiveness. Virtual team members work in a very special hi-tech environment. As is with any conventional team, each member is highly dependent on other team members in order to complete the task or project that is assigned to them. However, unlike the conventional team, virtual team members do not frequently meet face-to-face or sometimes do not meet at all, and as such they are unable monitor each other's work directly. Working in such an environment requires a lot of trust among the members because without trust, conflict might arise and this can jeopardize the success of the team, and this is confirmed by the findings of the current study.\n8. Conclusion: The workings of virtual teams are highly complex, and without doubt there are many factors that could influence its effectiveness. Nonetheless, this study contributes to the growing literature on the influence of trust and knowledge sharing on virtual team effectiveness. It provides empirical evidence to support the conceptual model that link virtual team effectiveness with trust and knowledge sharing. Specifically, this study identifies that team effectiveness are positively associated with trust and knowledge sharing, whereby knowledge sharing was found to be a partial mediator in the relationship between certain types of trust and virtual team effectiveness. This finding also emphasizes that organizations need to continue working on organizational support structures that increase trust, which will then help to promote knowledge sharing and finally boosts the virtual team effectiveness.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The limited proximal communication between virtual team members can create a lack of trust among members which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of these teams. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness by looking into the mediating effect of knowledge sharing.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a multinational company in Malaysia. Questionnaires were distributed to individuals working in a virtual environment. The questionnaire required the respondents to answer questions regarding three different types of trust (i.e. personality-based trust, institutional-based trust and cognitive-based trust), their knowledge sharing behavior, and their evaluation of the effectiveness of the virtual teams that they are involved with.\nFindings: Results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that knowledge sharing and all the three types of trust are significantly related to virtual team effectiveness. However, only personality-based trust and institutional-based trust are significantly related to knowledge sharing, but knowledge sharing only partially mediates the relationship between these two types of trust and team effectiveness.\nResearch limitations/implications: The population of this study are virtual teams working for an organization, hence the generalizability of the findings to other settings is unknown.\nOriginality/value: Trust has been founded to be a significant predictor of virtual team effectiveness. However, this paper shows the effect of different types of trust and the role of knowledge sharing in mediating the relationship between trust and virtual team effectiveness.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
What would people do with their money if they were rich? A search for Hofstede dimensions across 52 countries	[ "Consumer behaviour", "Hofstede’s cultural dimensions", "Collectivism/Individualism", "Masculinity/Femininity", "Monumentalism/Flexibility" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Approaches to the study of values in the cross-cultural literature\nMethod: Questionnaire design\nResults: A factor analysis across the 52 countries yielded four factors with eigenvalues over 1.00. Yet, the eigenvalues of the third and fourth factors barely exceeded 1.00, and they explained just a little more than 10 percent of variance each. Further, the fourth factor was defined only by the item about donating to the poor. The third factor was defined by an uninterpretable combination of items: donating for science and donating for sports vs saving. After dropping the item about donating to the poor and the one about donating for science, we obtained a fully interpretable two-factor structure with sufficiently high loadings for all items. The two factors explained 70 percent of the variance.\nDiscussion: Just like Hofstede's analysis of 14 work goals, our 52-country study of 12 ways in which people would use their disposable income yields two main dimensions of national culture, underpinned by values. Conceptually, the first dimension resembles Hofstede's MAS-FEM as it contrast values that he considered MAS (status-seeking or ego-boosting) and values that he considered FEM (compassion and maintenance of good human relationships). Remarkably, we obtained this cultural contrast in a manner similar to Hofstede's statistical method. Like him, we did not analyze raw item scores but prioritizations: the weights that a society ascribes to different types of values and the value ranking that these weights produce.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to test the replicability of Hofstede's value-based dimensions - masculinity-femininity (MAS-FEM) and individualism-collectivism (IDV-COLL) - in the field of consumer behavior, and to compare cultural prioritizations with respect to disposable income budgets across the world.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors asked 51,529 probabilistically selected respondents in 52 countries (50 nationally representative consumer panels and community samples from another two countries) what they would do with their money if they were rich. The questionnaire items targeted Hofstede's MAS-FEM and IDV-COLL as well as a wider range of options deemed sufficiently meaningful, ethical and moral across the world.\nFindings: The authors obtained two main dimensions. The first contrasts self-enhancing and altruistic choices (status and power-seeking spending vs donating for healthcare) and is conceptually similar to MAS-FEM. However, it is statistically related to Hofstede's fifth dimension, or monumentalism-flexibility (MON-FLX), not to MAS-FEM. The second dimension contrasts conservative-collectivist choices and modern-hedonistic concerns (donating for religion and sports vs preserving nature and travel abroad for pleasure) and is a variant of COLL-IDV.\nResearch limitations/implications: The authors left out various potential consumer choices as they were deemed culturally incomparable or unacceptable in some societies. Nevertheless, the findings paint a sufficiently rich image of worldwide value differences underpinning idealized consumer behavior prioritizations.\nPractical implications: The study could be useful to international marketing and consumer behavior experts.\nSocial implications: The study contributes to the understanding of modern cultural differences across the world.\nOriginality/value: This is the first large cross-cultural study that reveals differences in values through a novel approach: prioritizations of consumer choices. It enriches the understanding of IDV-COLL and MON-FLX, and, in particular, of the value prioritizations of the East Asian nations. The study provides new evidence that Hofstede's MAS-FEM is a peculiarity of his IBM database with no societal analogue. Some of the so-called MAS-FEM values are components of MON-FLX, which is statistically unrelated to Hofstede's MAS-FEM.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Enrolment scenario of LIS education in India through distance mode: a study	[ "Gender", "India", "Higher education", "Students", "Distance learning", "Library profession", "Distance education", "LIS education", "Students enrolment scenario", "LIS standardization" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: As long as the idea is to learn, there is no end to the ways and means of learning newer things & practices and so holds true about learning through different formal & informal means of education. Over a period, distance education has emerged as one of the strongest pillars in shouldering the responsibility of higher education in the world in general and the developing countries in particular. Developing countries face a range of problems and the foremost being economical, which hampers the growth in every other sector of any country, including education. Apart from the economic health of the country, individuals belonging to socially disadvantaged sections of the society and those suffering on account of other physical and geographical disadvantages lack on the educational front (Ghosh, 2001). Accordingly, the present study is an attempt to assess the overall enrolment scenario of Library and Information Science (LIS) education through distance learning in India. The study also focuses on the aspects like LIS courses offered through distance learning and enrolment scenario of LIS students on gender and caste basis.\nBrief background information about Library and Information Science education in India: LIS education in India was introduced in 1911 by W.A. Borden to impart training to Library professionals in the erstwhile Boroda (Kumar and Sharma, 2010). Don Dickinson is also one of the pioneers who visited India in 1915 in connection with imparting training to Library professionals (Neelameghan, 1975). Nevertheless, LIS education in India was formally introduced in Madras University in 1929, and the lead was taken by the son of the soil, Dr S.R. Ranganathan, who later came to be known as the father of Library Science in India given his enormous contribution to the Library Science education at the global level (Agrawal et al., 1996; Kumar and Sharma, 2010). After that, there was no looking back, and the LIS education as on date is being imparted across 32 states and union territories in India (Singh and Pandita, 2019).\nBrief background information about Library and Information Science education through distance education: Melvil Dewey is known as one of the founding fathers of Library Science, who started the first School of Library Science in 1887 at Columbia College (Richardson Jr, 2010). Very few people know this fact, it was Melvil Dewey, who in fact started the first correspondence course in Library Science in the year 1888, which in 1903 on the recommendations of ALA Committee on Library Training received formal sanction to offer correspondence course (Barron, 1990). Later on, Charles Williamson, who became enchanted with correspondence education in LIS in his 1921 and 1923 report recommended the adoption of correspondence methods of instruction at large scale, which ultimately led to the establishment of American Correspondence School of Librarianship (Barron, 1990). Similarly, LIS through distance mode in India was started in Andhra Pradesh in 1985 by B.R. Ambedkar Open University. This was followed by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), which as on date is the Largest Open University at the global level, offering a range of courses through distance mode, including LIS (Kawatra and Singh, 2006).\nRelated literature: Dutta and Das (2001) identified 20 universities in India, which were the then offering LIS courses through distance mode, whereas Singh and Babbar (2014) found 93 universities in India offer doctoral programmes and 130 institutes offering Bachelors' and Masters' degree-level programmes in LIS. National Knowledge Commission of India in its report highlighted the importance of libraries in supplementing the academic and research activities, which by no means should be undermined by the academic institutions (Pitroda, 2009).\nProblem statement: Keeping in view the limited number of seats available in higher education institutions (HEIs) offering education through regular mode and the number of applicants in the fray, a lot of students fail to seek admission in institutions offering education through regular mode. Given the fact, distance education came as a handy solution to the problem, and as on date, one can find distance mode of learning as a common practice all across the world. Similarly, people who for other different reasons could not pursue higher education took refuge in distance education. Accordingly, a good number of students can be found pursuing LIS courses through distance mode. Although LIS is being seen as one of the least popular subject disciplines, but given the population size of the country, the existing LIS schools all across the country are running to their capacity. Hence, a good number of students who aspire to study LIS education opt for distance learning.\nObjectives of the study: The objectives of the study are to assess the enrolment scenario of LIS education in India through distance mode, find out the enrolment distribution across different courses opted by LIS students through distance mode and analyse the enrolment scenario of LIS students on gender and caste basis through distance education.\nResearch methodology and scope of the study: The study is based on secondary data collected by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India (GOI) under All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) project. The data were retrieved from the official website of the said Ministry on 26 July 2019, available at http://aishe.nic.in/ (AISHE, D. of H. E. M, 2019). The data were retrieved for the period of eight years, namely,, 2011 to 2018. The data upon retrieval was in semi-structured form; hence it was structured based on the objectives of the study. Keeping in view, the variance in the nomenclature of different LIS courses offered through distanced mode, the courses leading to an equivalent degree were clubbed together under the popular nomenclature. Accordingly, five main popular LIS courses were identified, leading to Certificate course, Diploma course, Under Graduate (B.Lib.I.Sc.), Post Graduate (M.Lib.I.Sc.) and PG Diploma in LIS. The study primarily evaluates the distance education scenario of LIS education in India but will help to understand the potential and practical implications of LIS education through distance across the world in general and India in particular (Table I).\nLimitations of study: The data retrieved from the official website of the AISHE's website can be questioned for its inconsistency reflecting a sharp dip in the enrolment percentage from 2011 to 2015 and a sharp surge from 2016 to 2018. It appears that HEIs in India up to 2015 were slightly inconsistent in submitting enrolment details to the AISHE's portal, but post-2016, there is a consistency in the data uploaded. Presuming the data reflected by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, GOI, on its portal accurate, the study has been undertaken.\nResults: The percentage drawn at all the places has been rounded off to 100 per cent figure and has been drawn up to two decimal places using MS-Excel. Some common short forms used and computed in each column in each table have been drawn against total figures including Annual Corresponding Growth Percentage (ACG percentage) have been computed against the respective total figures across the rows and columns as applicable. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Caste (OBC) are some other common abbreviations used within the manuscript. It is pertinent to mention that the GOI has made constitutional provisions, where under seats have been kept reserved for the children belonging to socially disadvantaged sections of society in all educational institutions across the country, except minority institutions in proportion to their population share of the country. In all 49.5 per cent seats in all educational institutions across the country are reserved for SC, ST and OBC students in the proportion of 15, 7.5 and 27 per cent, respectively (Sekhri, 2011) (Table II).\nDiscussion: Comparing the regular and distance mode of LIS education, it appears that the LIS as a subject discipline is in good demand among the student community all across the country, with the result, those students who fail to seek admissions in regular LIS schools switch over to distance mode of learning. Although it cannot be considered as the lone reason, surely it is one of the main reasons. Secondly, it is a well-known fact that people who fail to complete their studies earlier for different reasons also seek advantage of distance learning and fulfil their desire for higher education. Similarly, early dropouts, later on, join distance education. From the overall enrolment figures, it is evident that three-fourth of the total LIS students in India pursue their higher education through distance schools.\nConclusion: Distance education has proved a big boom in the India's higher education system, which is not just acting as a cornerstone in supporting the country's forward march from illiteracy to literacy but has also helped in reaching out to those who hitherto remained elusive of taking advantage of the country's higher education, especially through the regular mode of study. LIS as a subject discipline in India is being pursued by the students more through distance education schools than through regular mode of study. In India, the job market for LIS graduates is neither too promising nor too dismal, but given the number of LIS graduates which country is producing each year, be it through regular or distance education mode, speaks volumes about the promise which LIS education offers. Employability seems to be a big concern among LIS graduates, as it would be too difficult to produce the LIS graduates to a sustainable degree. At the same time, it is equally true that as on date, Library Science graduates in India generally seek employment in academic institutions only, while as there is immense potential to explore the employment opportunities for such graduates beyond educational institutions, including the corporate sector. There is every need to observe caution, whereby attention is to be paid towards the sustainable means of enrolment and employability. Producing an excessive number of LIS graduates, ignoring the market requirement will lead to compromising with quality education, unemployment, chaos and confusion, imbalance in demand and supply. Lesser enrolment share percentage of caste category students in different LIS courses advocates the need to offer such vacant seats to other caste category and unreserved students. There is equal need to promote more enrolment of students in the certificate and diploma courses, as most of the library staff engaged in all type of libraries in India as support staff at the operational level are generally non-professionals, which most of the times results in rendering inefficient services to the users. Engaging library professional as support staff at the operational level having at least certificate or diploma course to his/her credit will help a great deal in rendering efficient library services at all levels.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to assess the enrolment scenario of Library and Information Science (LIS) education in India offered through distance mode.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The scope of the study is limited to India, reflecting the trend of distance education in LIS in India. The study is based on the secondary data collected by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India (GOI) under All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE). It is to mention that Ministry of Human Resource and Development, GOI, is regularly collecting data from higher education institutions all across the country under AISHE project. The data in the study have been analysed for the period 2011 to 2018.\nFindings: The findings of the study reveal that, of the total enrolments made in LIS education in India during the period 2011 to 2018, nearly one-fourth of students were enrolled through regular mode and three-fourth were enrolled through distance mode, signifying distance mode of education as the largest medium of LIS education in India. The enrolment figures through distance mode showed slight inconsistency with the result, a negative (-0.49%) average annual corresponding growth was recorded in the enrolment of LIS students through distance mode. Of the total students enrolled in different LIS programmes through distance mode during the period of study, the majority (67.78%) of students were enrolled in the Under Graduate programme (B.Lib.I.Sc.). Similarly, of the total students enrolled in LIS through distance mode during the period of study, 51.36% were female students and 48.63% male students. In terms of caste category, of the total students enrolled during the period of study, 10.12% belonged to the Scheduled Caste category, 4.7% to Scheduled Tribes category, 28.77% Other Backward Class and 56.08% to others, which include general category students as well.\nResearch limitations/implications: Learning through distance education is a welcome step as long as the idea is to improve the society and to reach out to those who hitherto remained unreached. Sustainable means of enrolment and employability has to be the order of the day, mostly based on demand and supply principle.\nOriginality/value: This study is original and first of its kind covering enrolment of the students in LIS courses.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Neoliberal shareholder value and the re-privatization of corporations: The disengagement of "transformative" corporate social responsibility?	[ "Corporate governance", "Corporate social responsibility", "Shareholder value", "Corporations", "Neoliberalism" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The Anglo-American shareholder value ideology has become a well-established code of corporate governance in many parts of the world (Lazonick and O'Sullivan, 2000; Clarke, 2014). This governance \"rhetoric\" has become, undoubtedly, the most profound corporate philosophy, in contemporary USA and the UK (Heilborn et al., 2014; Palmer, 2011; Armour et al., 2003; Bainbridge, 1993; Lazonick and O'Sullivan, 2000). Even in Germany and Japan, it is contended that shareholder value has triumphed (Hansmann and Kraakman, 2001)[1]. Within this ideology, the rights and interests of non-shareholders - so-called stakeholders such as employees, customers and the community at large - are entirely secondary, in the absence of rights protected by law or acquired through contract (Friedman, 1970; Jensen, 2010; Jensen and Meckling, 1976; Ireland, 2010). It is supported by many international organizations, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Monetary Fund (The IMF) and the World Bank (Soederberg, 2004; Lazonick and O'Sullivan, 2000).\n\"Transformative\" CSR and neoliberal ideology: Despite the prominent status of CSR in contemporary corporate governance, it appears there is no agreement on what it exactly means. In this context, the concept has come to be taken as a wide and all-inclusive term which includes everything from corporate philanthropy to corporate citizenship to corporate social performance (Feil, 2012). For Carroll (1999), it conveys the idea of the following: legal responsibility of liability, responsible behavior in an ethical sense, charitable contribution or social consciousness or the synonym for legitimacy. According to Smith (2011), CSR is seen as an economic arrangement that facilitates the production and distribution of wealth, through the execution and incorporation of ethical practices and sustainable management habits. Nevertheless, a working definition of the term is perhaps that assumed by the European Commission, which defined it as \"the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society\" (European Commission, 2011). It is a term which enjoins corporations to \"have in place, a process to integrate social, environmental, ethical, human rights and consumer concerns into their business operations and core strategy in collaboration with their stakeholders\" (European Commission, 2011).\nEarly years of corporations: nineteenth century to middle of 1900s: Before the advent of joint stock corporations (JSCs) - the precursor of today's large modern corporations - businesses were organized around small enterprises, managed either by a single owner (sole traders) or by a few partners (partnerships). In fact, even after the Industrial Revolution, partnerships continued to be the main form of business in most places. As Ireland (2010, p. 839) recounts, a major characteristic of early business forms was that:\nThe era of finance capitalism: 1910s-1940s: Between the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the development and progression of \"the corporation\" in the USA had diverged significantly from that of the UK. Whereas corporations in the UK still operated as privately owned family businesses until the 1930s (Toms and Wright, 2002), the US corporations, equally dominated at the inception by family businesses (Navin and Sears, 1955), had witnessed the process of dispersed ownership by the turn of the 1900s (Herrigel, 2006; O'Sullivan, 2000). It was only in the 1930s, following a \"succession of merger waves\", that \"dispersed ownership\" began to prevail in Britain (Franks and Mayer, 2001). As a result, securities markets in the UK were considerably and frequently under exploited \"for much of the early period\" of corporate transformation and the London capital market only developed appreciably \"in both depth and liquidity\" from the middle of the twentieth century (Ross, 1996).\nThe era of managerialism: 1950s -1970s: By the end of the Second World War in 1945, calls were made for a critical re-appraisal of the role of corporations and the functions of corporate managers. Corporations had contributed immensely to the war struggles, necessitating the call by many for them to play more central roles in the protection and development of society (Waddell, 1999; Corporate America, 2013). Accordingly, allowing managers to run corporations as public institutions will be in the overall interest of society (Khurana, 2007).\nThe re-assertion of shareholder value: from 1980 onward: With the high level of deregulation witnessed after the 1970s, in line with the wishes of anti-managerialists, active markets for corporate control were created. The creation of these markets led, arguably, to the de-legitimization of the conglomerate forms of corporations. The balance in the control of corporations subsequently tilted in favor of financial actors, as opposed to corporate executives. As a result, many corporations were broken up, forced to voluntarily shed unrelated businesses or made to borrow funds to engage in stock buybacks, to enhance their share value and repel the claws of the aggressive corporate raiders (Noriah et al., 2002). Executive attention shifted from the business to the share price and by the end of the 1990s, \"spurring the share price to the highest level possible had become an end in itself for many, many executives, who would go to any lengths to achieve it\" (Young and Scott, 2005, p. 21).\nCSR in the neoliberal agenda: the \"disengagement\" of transformative CSR?: It has already been stated that shareholder value is part and parcel of the wider neoliberal theory of social and economic development. Neoliberalism itself is a variety of the twenty-first-century form of capitalism. The culture of profit maximization and the tension that exists between shareholder value and transformative or radical CSR become clearer when the nature of the capitalist system is rationally de-constructed. In this context, one essential characteristic of capitalism is competition. This concept is so fundamental to a capitalist system that it operates without recourse to the individual position of capitalist actors (for instance by establishing monopolies). This is because the \"social conditions\" in every capitalist market decide how price competition operates, and this is outside the command of any particular actor (Woods, 2009).\nConclusion: The ascendancy (and eventual hegemony) of the neoliberal theories about economic and social development in the international financial architecture has contributed significantly to the re-emergence of shareholder value and to the re-privatization of corporations. This paper has argued vigorously that there is a fundamental tension between ideas about the desirability of socially responsible corporate behavior (CSR) and the belief that it is to the benefit of society as a whole for corporations to be run solely in the interest of their shareholders, and for managers to seek to maximize shareholder value. The paper concluded with the assertion that this apparent tension between the two ideologies acts as a barrier to the realization of transformative CSR and renders any attempt by corporations to be socially responsible ineffective. With the continued dominance of the neoliberal free market ideology in the governance mechanisms of corporations, any hope that the social responsibility practices of corporations will be effective is seriously undermined.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the extent to which the ideology of shareholder value is compatible with that of transformative corporate social responsibility (CSR). It traces the transformation of corporations from quasi-public institutions at inception to purely private enterprises beginning from the middle of the nineteenth century and attempts to locate the ideology of CSR within the wider viewpoint of shareholder value.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper adopts a doctrinal approach through a critical evaluation of the nature and implications of the shareholder value ideology. Using existing literature in the area, it traces the evolution of the shareholder value ideology and how it is antithetical to any meaningful CSR regime.\nFindings: The paper finds that there is a fundamental tension between ideas about the desirability of effective CSR and the belief that it is to the benefit of society as a whole for corporations to be run solely in the interest of their shareholders and for managers to seek to maximize shareholder value. This ideological tension renders contemporary CSR ineffective.\nOriginality/value: The paper offers a fresh insight or analysis into the transformation of corporations from quasi-social institutions to purely private enterprises in the middle of the nineteenth century. It does this by engaging in a historical narrative of the evolution of the corporate form and how contemporary ideas of shareholder value have resulted in the emergence of a contemporary CSR devoid of the radical spirit of CSR in the 1950s and 1960s.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Serving base-of-the-pyramid markets: meeting real needs through a customized approach	[ "Government aid", "Non‐governmental organizations", "Corporate philanthropy", "Corporate social responsibility", "Social entrepreneurship", "Economic development" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: At the top of the global population pyramid (Figure 1) is the small percentage of the world's population that lives in relative affluence. Found primarily in mature/developed markets, these 24.2 million people (less than 1 percent of the total population), own more than a third of global wealth and enjoy the highest standard of living and per capita income (Shorrocks et al., 2010). At the base of the pyramid (BOP) are the roughly four billion people who live at a bare-bones, subsistence level. Indeed, three billion of them live on $1-$3 a day, and another 1.3bn live in extreme poverty, on less than $1.25 a day (Ruvinsky, 2011). BOP markets tend to be concentrated in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with an estimated 60 percent in India and China. The poorest members of the BOP are concentrated in Africa, where 35 percent live on $1 a day or less. Most members of the BOP population (68 percent) live in rural areas (World Economic Forum, 2009). These markets are characterized by informal economic sectors that are unprotected by established institutional rules (Feige, 1990; de Soto, 2000) and therefore represent significant challenges to service providers (London and Hart, 2004; London et al., 2010).\nApproaches to serving base of the pyramid markets: Many factors affect the approach an organization may take for a specific BOP initiative. To offer a parsimonious framework that is managerially actionable, we focus on three critical factors. As shown in Figure 2, the dimensions in our framework include:Availability of BOP market individuals' resources to participate in problem solving, such as financial resources, literacy considerations, and basic motivations. In some BOP markets, the availability of such resources is extremely low. For example, Ethiopia in 2009 had per capita gross national income of $930 and a 2008 literacy rate of 36 percent (World Health Organization, 2011). Yet in some other BOP markets, people have basic (or more moderate levels of) literacy; they have a subsistence (or higher level) of income and hence, some degrees of freedom to re-envision the way things are done. Bangladesh in 2009, in contrast to Ethiopia, had a per capita gross national income of $1,550 and a 2008 literacy rate of 55 percent (World Health Organization, 2011).Availability of infrastructure in the BOP market, including functioning government institutions, roads and transportation, water, electricity, healthcare, etc., to support organizations' BOP initiatives. Where governments are corrupt and unreliable, where roads and transportation do not exist, infrastructure availability is low. Moderate infrastructure situations might include areas where governments have an established record to assist with initiatives such as distribution of food and medicines, and availability of schools, roads and other infrastructure. There is wide variance on this dimension across BOP markets. For instance, in Benin in 2008, government expenditure on health per capita was $32, while in Bangladesh, the expenditure was $14 (World Health Organization, 2011).Whether a BOP initiative is designed to be self-sustaining over time or whether it is viewed as ongoing assistance or a one-time response to a short-term crisis depends, to a large extent, on the goals, capabilities, and philosophy of the organization deciding how to serve the BOP market as well as the nature of the problem being addressed. For organizations to achieve sustainability, managers must integrate this goal into their corporate, business and functional level strategies (Bonn and Fisher, 2011).Based on these dimensions, we array different strategies for serving BOP markets in a 222 framework. The unit of analysis is a BOP market that is being evaluated for entry at a particular point of time. These eight approaches are not mutually exclusive: the same organization may and should employ different approaches across BOP markets and time based on the underlying conditions.Cells 1 and 2\nSuccessfully serving base of the pyramid markets: Experts continue to debate whether market-based mechanisms or governmental aid can best alleviate BOP problems (The Economist, 2008). In addition, businesses continue to wonder: is there a fortune at the base of the pyramid? The ostensible \"fortune at the base of the pyramid\" is neither a mirage nor an imminent source of financial returns.Rather than answering such questions from an either/or perspective, we believe that addressing problems in BOP markets requires careful delineation of the objectives, consideration of conditions and approaches, and thorough analysis that maps the approach onto the conditions.Pursuing opportunities in BOP markets depends on consideration of the level of infrastructure availability in the BOP market, the level of consumer resources available, and whether the initiative is undertaken with an eye to its self-sustainability over time. Different conditions in BOP markets may require different approaches. Understanding the conditions will help select an approach to maximize the possibility of a successful engagement.Where consumer resources are low and needs are immediate, local and foreign government aid and intervention by non-profit organizations such as the Red Cross or the Red Crescent can provide an immediate source of relief. However, just as consumers in BOP markets have limited resources, so do their governments and NGOs. Some evidence indicates that it may be unrealistic to expect that government programs or non-profits will be able to address chronic problems in a timely and effective manner. For-profit enterprises may participate in such situations for philanthropic purposes or with an eye to traditional CSR efforts focused on goodwill and/or economic objectives. Such a focus typically requires a moderate level of consumer resources to be attractive.Government subsidies and non-profit outreach may be used where consumer resources are low, but when initiatives are intended to be self-sustaining by the BOP market over time, some ongoing source of funding is necessary. One solution here might be for governments and non-profits to use a fee-for-service model, for example.Creative market-based approaches to addressing BOP issues are evolving. New trends in corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship are focusing on capacity-building and long-term viability. Ideally suited to situations where consumer resources are moderate, these initiatives might be pursued where infrastructure availability is low or moderate. The objective is to empower BOP individuals in a way that goes beyond aid and philanthropy. The benefits include establishment of relationships with local producers and distributors, the development of new business models and new product innovations that may be transferable to currently served markets, and most importantly, enhancement of the lives of people who live in BOP markets.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This article aims to propose a continuum of strategic engagement approaches to base-of-the-pyramid (BOP) markets ranging from non-profit and government aid to corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and social entrepreneurship. A framework is presented to identify which approach to serving the BOP market makes the most sense under certain conditions, depending on availability of consumer resources to participate in the initiative, the infrastructure available for the initiative to leverage, and whether the focus of the initiative is to be self-sustaining over time.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - This is a conceptual article based on literature review and synthesis.\nFindings: - Eight different approaches to engage with BOP markets are recommended under different combinations of three underlying conditions: consumer resources, infrastructure availability and self-sustainability goals.\nOriginality/value: - The paper presents a continuum of strategic engagement approaches to BOP markets.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The experiences of New Zealand-based children in consuming fruits and vegetables	[ "Children", "New Zealand", "Fruit and vegetables", "Schools", "Risk", "Nutrition" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In New Zealand and many other developed countries, children's consumption of fruits and vegetables is well below the recommended level and declining (Horne et al., 2009; Maddison et al., 2010; Vereecken and Maes, 2010; United States Department of Agriculture, 2012). This is concerning because it is well publicised that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables aids children's development, supports bone health and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer (Munoz et al., 1997; Baxter et al., 1999; Edwards and Hartwell, 2002). Furthermore, the World Health Organisation (2012) reports that low fruit and vegetable intake is one of the top ten risk factors that contributes to mortality, and that approximately 2.8 per cent of deaths globally are attributable to this. Addressing inadequate fruit and vegetable intake as early as possible is crucial because habits formed during childhood are likely to be carried into adult life, and one's quality of diet has a large impact on their overall health (Wardle et al., 2003; Godrich et al., 2016). However, a key challenge is that people see little relevance in disease prevention when they are young (Sondergaard and Edelenbos, 2007).\nMethods: In this qualitative descriptive exploratory study, peer group interviews were undertaken with 18 girls and 18 boys, aged 8-11, from schools in the Manawatu region of New Zealand.\nFindings: A central theme of \"perceived risks\" emerged from the data. The children's attempts to balance the risks and rewards of eating fruits and vegetables were the guiding factor to their consumption trends. They understood the importance of eating fruits and vegetables for good health but deemed consumption of some fruits and vegetables as risky. While overall they were interested in eating more fruits and vegetables: \"Oh yeah, I'd like to eat more because like Mum always tells me like that it keeps you strong\" (Bob Group 4), they were concerned that familiar fruits and vegetables would not meet their sensory preferences. Furthermore, the consumption of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables was considered risky due to the uncertainty around the outcomes of consumption. While the children were hesitant to try new fruits and vegetables due to the risk of the unknown, they did seek variety in the fruits and vegetables they consume: \"I just like getting a lot of different sorts of fruit and vegetables in my lunch box\" (Sarah Group 3). For some children, their motivation to consume fruit or vegetables was based on a preference to consume them quickly - and get \"it over with\": \"Bananas I like because um, sometimes they don't take too long to eat and they're not too filling\" (Jessica Group 3).\nDiscussion and recommendations: From the results of this study, we know that children appreciate the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and the physical outcomes they provide. They claim a desire to eat more fruits and vegetables but demonstrate behaviours counterintuitive to this claim, including actioning a variety of strategies to avoid eating disliked fruits and vegetables. Taste is both a key predictor of children's fruit and vegetable consumption and a barrier to it. Children seek variety in the fruits and vegetables made available to them. There are a number of risks children associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and this provides validity for the use of a framework of risk association as means to explain children's fruit and vegetable consumption.\nConclusions: Preference is a strong predictor of children's fruit and vegetable consumption. When children eat fruits and vegetables it is often to get the less healthy foods they hold a greater preference for. The major factor determining children's fruit and vegetable preference formation is taste. Children evaluate the risks of consumption with respect to all sensory preferences to make their decisions on which fruits and vegetables to consume, and they are less likely to consume a particular fruit or vegetable if it does not meet their sensory expectations. Consumption decisions are also shaped by the risk children associate with eating fruits and vegetables, particularly when they are not familiar with those fruits or vegetables and the outcomes of consumption are uncertain. As children are likely to avoid the actions with the highest perceived risk, the sensory risk is a barrier to their consumption of fruits and vegetables. A model of risk association is thus a valid theoretical framework for the development of future health education intervention programmes.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: It is known that the consumption of fruits and vegetables in children is declining despite wide-spread national and international policy attempts to increase consumption. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of children's consumption of fruits and vegetables so as to facilitate better health education targeting.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In this qualitative descriptive exploratory study, peer group interviews were undertaken with 18 girls and 18 boys, aged 8-11, from schools in the Manawatu region of New Zealand.\nFindings: The results show that children's consumption of fruits and vegetables is dependent on balancing risk and reward. Children know and understand the importance of eating fruits and vegetables; however, the perceived risks are typically the prevailing determinant of consumption. These perceived risks often stem from children's uncertainty about whether the fruits and vegetables will meet the child's sensory preferences. To mitigate the risks perceived in eating fruits and vegetables, children employ a range of avoidance strategies.\nOriginality/value: This study's results indicate that a model of \"associated\" risk is a valuable tool to explain children's fruit and vegetable consumption and preference behaviour and to assist in the development of future health education intervention campaigns.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Ageing and employers' perceptions of labour costs and productivity: A survey among European employers	[ "Denmark", "France", "Germany", "Italy", "The Netherlands", "Poland", "Sweden", "Employers", "Older workers", "Direct labour costs", "Employees productivity", "Ageing" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Employers play a key role in older workers' labour mobility and possibilities to retain their jobs. Barriers for employers to hire or retain older workers are often attributed to an increasing wage-productivity gap. For instance, the OECD (2006) states \"To the extent that labour costs of older workers rise faster than their productivity, employers may be reluctant to either retain workers beyond a certain age or hire older workers\" (p. 67). In this paper we examine the perceived consequences of an ageing staff on labour costs and productivity, and whether such perceptions are related to employers' behaviour towards older workers.Various methods have been used to examine the relationship between age, wages and productivity. Many studies use matched worker-firm datasets linking age-earnings profiles to plant-level production functions based on either cross-sectional information (e.g. Hellerstein and Neumark, 2004) or panel data (cf. Crepon et al., 2002; Van Ours and Stoeldraijer, 2011).Empirical evidence on the relationship between age, wages and productivity is inconclusive. Some studies find workers' wage-productivity gap to increase with age (Kotlikoff and Gokhale, 1992; Flabbi and Ichino, 2001; Crepon et al., 2002; Hellerstein and Neumark, 2004; Ilmakunnas and Maliranta, 2005), while others find little evidence of such a gap (Aubert and Crepon, 2007; Van Ours and Stoeldraijer, 2011). The cited papers predominantly try to establish a relationship between the age structure of the workforce and \"objective\" measures of labour productivity and costs.We approach the wage-productivity gap from a different perspective by examining the perceptions of employers using a survey. The central research questions of this paper are the following: first, what are the determinants of the perceived changes in the labour cost-productivity gap due to the ageing of the workforce? and second, to what extent does this perceived gap affect employers' recruitment and retention of older workers?In answering our first research question we focus on two factors that are assumed to hamper or stifle flexibility in the labour market: tenure wages and employment protection. Tenure wages are wages that rise with tenure, apart from the employee's formal qualifications and performance within the organisation. Organisations with a steep tenure-wage profile are more likely to be confronted with a labour-cost productivity gap in the face of an ageing personnel structure. In our study, employment protection refers to the perceived difficulty of firing a worker with a permanent contract. Employment protection regulations have been at the centre of heated policy debate in Europe (Siebert, 1997; Blanchard, 2004). The central issue in offering employment protection is to strike a balance between the interests of employers (flexibility for organisations) and those of employees (job security). From the employers' perspective, employment protection may hold both costs and benefits for employers. With respect to costs, employment protection can diminish the ability to cope with a changing environment. Employment protection may also strengthen wage bargaining positions of \"insiders\" (OECD, 2004; Addison and Teixeira, 2003). But protection may also have benefits for both employers and employees: long-term contracts create an environment that may enhance productivity by encouraging human capital accumulation (cf. Belot et al., 2002). Whether employment protection regulation is a boon or a bane remains an unresolved issue. This paper addresses the question of whether organisations experiencing high levels of employment protection have different expectations regarding a labour cost-productivity gap than those organisations facing low protection levels.Our second research question focuses on whether a perceived gap between labour costs and productivity affects employers' recruitment and retention behaviour towards older workers. Although there is no general consensus about the link between age, wages and productivity, the evidence seems to be unambiguous with respect to the vulnerability of older workers in the labour market. Early retirement tends to be a one-way street and older workers' opportunities to re-enter the labour force after a period of unemployment or to change jobs at the end of a working life are limited and largely determined by employers (OECD, 2006; Berger, 2009). It is suggested that negative perceptions about labour costs and productivity of older workers are critical barriers to their employment prospects (OECD, 2006).We collected data among European employers and asked about their attitudes towards older workers and retention and hiring behaviour. The cross-national dimension provides information on whether employers' perceptions vary per country or are a more European-wide characteristic among employers. The data come from surveys conducted in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden in 2009. Employers from the various countries face different labour market situations and institutional arrangements affecting both supply of and demand for older workers. The pooling of these diverse experiences provides more robust and clearer perspectives on how ageing and labour market institutions affect employers' views and behaviour.The next section addresses the theoretical background of the relationship between ageing, labour costs and productivity. Section 3 presents the data and variables of interest. The results are presented in Section 4 and in Section 5 we conclude with a summary of the main findings and discussion.\n2. Ageing, labour costs and productivity: Several strands of economic theory provide a basis for hypotheses examining the link between age, labour costs and labour productivity. The first strand is the spot market theory, which states that in a perfectly competitive labour market firms pay workers according to their marginal product, regardless of the age of the worker. In spot market theory an age-related wage-productivity gap would not occur by definition. As productivity is often difficult or costly to assess, in most organisations it is not a viable option for employers to pay workers according to their marginal productivity.The second strand of economic theory comes from human capital theory (Becker, 1962; for an overview, see Polachek and Siebert, 1993). The theory states that investments in human capital boost labour productivity, and productivity is positively related to remuneration of employees. In principle, people accumulate human capital through training and experience during the whole of their career, but most investments in training take place at younger ages. Human capital also may depreciate, e.g. because knowledge of older technologies becomes obsolete or because cognitive and physical skills deteriorate. Depreciation of human capital will lead to a decrease in productivity.In the late 1970s, the relationship between age, labour costs and productivity as described by human capital theory was called into question (Hutchens, 1989), giving rise to different kinds of contract theories, such as Lazear's (1979) delayed payment contract theory. This theory states that employers may have implicit contracts with their employees regarding the connection between productivity and income over their career: while earnings are lower than productivity during the first phase of a worker's career, earnings are higher than productivity during the second phase. Such contracts induce employees to perform at a higher level of effort and reduce workers incentives to shirk. A different type of contract theory, such as that of Harris and Holmstrom (1982), takes into account the uncertainty about the productivity of newly recruited workers, which translates into offering them relatively low wages. Another variation on the theme takes into account worker reliability. Since younger workers by definition cannot have a reputation for reliability, they pay a higher wage premium, thus effectively receiving lower wage offers (Grossman, 1977). All these contract theories imply a present value relationship between compensation and productivity, boiling down to a distribution in which younger workers' productivity exceed wages and older workers' wages exceed productivity.As Lazear (1979) argues, incentive theories are consistent with mandatory retirement. He stresses that \"A necessary consequence of this payment schedule is mandatory retirement, that is, a date at which the contract is terminated and the worker is no longer entitled to receive a wage greater than his VMP [value of the worker's marginal product]\" (Lazear, 1979, p. 1283). Employers will therefore either opt for mandatory retirement schedules or for the use of private pension schemes that penalise continued employment beyond a certain age. An additional complication with contract models, with their relatively high remuneration for older workers, is that the sustainability of the contracts is negatively affected by the ageing of the workforce. An increase in the number of older - and relatively highly paid - workers reduces the financial sustainability of an organisation and increases incentives for organisations to either decrease wages of older workers, renegotiate the promise to retain the workers until the mandatory retirement age or lay them off.An element that might affect employers' decisions is the level of employment protection. Strong employment protection rules may weaken the adaptability of organisations to alleviate the possible negative consequences of an ageing workforce. Contrary to a host of macro-economic research that focuses on the de jure level of employment protection as measured by the OECD, this study uses the level of employment protection as perceived by individual employers. There is some evidence as to why perceptions of regulations may be of importance in understanding actual decisions. For instance, Boeri and Jimeno (2005) show that small firms are often exempted from certain aspects of labour regulations, or do not comply when enforcement is weak. In general, one would expect de jure regulations to impact labour demand; research by Pierre and Scarpetta (2006), who employ the World Bank's Investment Climate Survey, show that firms in developing countries facing stricter employment legislation are more likely to report regulations being a major obstacle to their operation. However, they also show that larger firms and innovating firms tend to be more sensitive to the strictness of regulations. In short, it matters to pay special attention to the individual circumstances in which firms operate, and under those circumstances perceptions of the strictness of regulations may even offer a better approximation of the way rules and regulations function in a country. Employers face uncertainty about future developments in labour costs and productivity of individual employees, and this uncertainty plays a large role in hiring decisions. Although diplomas, job interviews and references may provide an idea of the abilities of new personnel, how productive they will be remains to be seen. Employers have access to what Phelps (1972) has called \"previous statistical experience\": information on how certain categories or groups of employees tend to behave and develop. This experience affects their hiring decision, and as formalised by Thurow (1975) it determines to a large extent the place of job candidates in the job queue. The \"job queue\" represents the idea of employers - who are in the process of recruitment and selection - ranking potential employees and placing them in a fictitious order of preference. Employers select the candidates in turn, until their demand for labour has been met. If employers associate seniority with a larger labour cost-productivity gap, it will presumably negatively affect the relative position of older workers in this \"job queue\".This short overview of the theory on the relationship between age, labour costs and productivity can be formalised into three specific hypotheses which will be the focus of this paper:(1) Tenure wage hypothesis: organisations that apply tenure-based wage profiles are more likely to expect an increasing labour cost-productivity gap due to ageing of the workforce than organisations without such seniority wage rules.(2) Employment protection hypothesis: employers who perceive the level of employment protection to be high are more likely to perceive a larger labour cost-productivity gap due to an ageing of the workforce than those employers who perceive this level of protection to be low.(3) Recruitment and retention hypothesis: the perception of a larger labour cost-productivity gap negatively influences employers' retention and hiring behaviour towards older workers.\n3. Methodology: Survey among employers\n4. Results: Perceptions of changes in labour cost-productivity gap\n5. Conclusions and discussion: Raising the labour force participation of older workers is a key policy objective in the EU. Negative perceptions of employers about older workers' productivity are often assumed to hamper a further increase of their labour force participation (OECD, 2006; Van Dalen et al., 2010). This paper has examined perceptions of European employers regarding the consequences of an ageing personnel structure. Not only the consequences for the organisation's labour productivity, but also perceived consequences for labour costs were examined. The results show that a majority of European employers in each of the countries studied does not expect the ageing of their staff to affect the productivity level within their organisation. With respect to employers' perception of the consequences of ageing on labour costs, the results show much more variation. Many European employers expect labour costs to increase as a result of an ageing staff, but the percentages differ widely across Europe, from 16 per cent in Poland to 75 per cent of Dutch employers. By combining perceptions about labour costs and productivity the survey shows that about half of employers associate ageing personnel with a net cost increase - a situation in which the change in labour costs exceeds the change in productivity. Perceptions of such a gap are not without consequences as they negatively affect both recruitment and retention of older workers.Tenure wages and employment protection are thus important factors explaining employers' perceptions of a divergence between productivity and labour costs. European employers tend to associate employment protection rules predominantly with a net cost increase, and employers who face a steep tenure wage profile make an association with larger net cost increases than those who face a flat wage profile. Although we find such relationships in each of the countries we studied, the observed differences in perceived employment protection and wage profiles across countries explain the differences in the perceived wage productivity gap between countries only to a limited extent. This raises two interesting issues for further research. First of all, which other country-specific factors influence the perception of a divergence between labour costs and productivity? Future research might focus on age-related fringe benefits, employers' contribution to sickness benefits and other institutional factors. The second issue relates to the variation in perceptions about level of employment protection within countries. Future research might examine the root causes of these different perceptions. For instance, employers may vary in their perception of degree of enforcement of employment protection legislation, or may see more of a problem in laying off workers when the number of union members is high within the organisation.A final note on the policy implications. The insights generated by this employer study might suggest avenues for policy makers in tackling the problems of ageing labour markets. Our empirical models shed only some light on unravelling the relationship between age pay and productivity, and many more elements not uncovered seem to play a role. A counterfactual in this study shows that even when employment protection and tenure wage systems are abolished, 40 per cent of employers still expect a net cost increase, compared to the baseline situation where 53 per cent expects such an increase. This suggest that labour market policy must have a wider scope than is usually assumed, and silver-bullet solutions like the abolishment of employment protection are not going to solve all the problems of an ageing labour market. Furthermore, the country specificity of employer behaviour and perceptions seems to be a hardwired element of most labour market studies, and in that respect it is a silent reminder to policy makers that popular solutions like exporting the Danish model of \"flexicurity\" to other countries must be met with some scepticism. Good or best practices are often hard to copy, as the tacit mechanisms of labour markets and organisations will be lost in translation.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to examine employers' perceptions of changes in the labour cost-productivity gap due to the ageing of the workforce, the effects of tenure wages and employment protection on the perceived gap, and whether a perceived labour cost-productivity gap affects employers' recruitment and retention behaviour towards older workers.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The authors analyse surveys administered to employers in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.\nFindings: - Approximately half of employers associate the ageing of the personnel with a growing gap between labour costs and productivity. Both the presence of tenure wages and employment protection rules increase the probability of employers perceiving a widening labour cost-productivity gap due to the ageing of their workforce. A counterfactual shows that even when employment protection and tenure wage systems are abolished, 40 percent of employers expect a net cost increase. The expected labour cost-productivity gap negatively affects both recruitment and retention of older workers.\nOriginality/value: - In this paper, the wage-productivity gap is examined through the perceptions of employers using an international comparative survey.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Managing online creativity for improving innovation performance	[ "Innovation performance", "Online creative climate", "Online creativity" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: As extensive research documents the importance of creative climate to innovation performance (e.g. Baer, 2012; Isaksen and Akkermans, 2011), it is no surprise that actively establishing creative climates in various environments is important for firms with the desire to generate superior innovations. Such arguments are of particular importance to the growing concept of computer-mediated platforms, referring to person-to-person communications and interactions over computer networks (Yadav and Pavlou, 2014). While research on computer-mediated platforms could be linked to non-online environments, this study focuses particularly on computer-mediated platforms in the online context that enable users to communicate and interact.\n2. Four types of computer-mediated platforms: Since the existing literature seems to lack a framework to describe the structure of computer-mediated platforms, to address this question, we integrate the extant literature with the results of the exploratory study. Following the principles proposed by Yin (2013), we first generated a protocol for in-depth interviews. By a snowball sampling (Creswell, 2013), we then conducted the exploratory study that involved in-depth interviews with 18 users of computer-mediated platforms and 13 senior managers who had experience in the relevant knowledge domains, including creative climate and innovation development.\n3. Theoretical background: Organizational climate is defined as the shared perceptions among employees concerning the practices, procedures and behaviors that are expected, supported and rewarded in the workplace (Schneider et al., 2013). Essentially, organizational climate pertains to the shared perceptions of the way things are around here, which become social norms in a particular setting (Baer, 2012). A variety of climates have been introduced, including service climate (Bowen and Schneider, 2014), team climate (Somech and Drach-Zahavy, 2013) or climate change (Holmberg and Hellsten, 2015). Schneider et al. (2013) provide support for multiple climates and further argue that there should be a specific climate for a specific context. Of interest in this study is the existence and effects of online creative climate that shapes creative behavior in computer-mediated platforms.\n4. Hypotheses development: The creative climate literature (Baer, 2012; Isaksen and Akkermans, 2011; Sundgren et al., 2005) suggests that organizational climate captures employee perceptions regarding the organizational norms that pertain to innovation. Specifically, if employees perceive their organization as having an orientation toward innovation, then the norm would be that the organization approves of behavior that benefits the innovation. In this regard, we argue that users' perceptions of innovation policy in computer-mediated platforms are positively related to online creative climate.\n5. Research method: 5.1 Sample\n6. Data analysis and results: 6.1 Validation of measures\n7. Discussion: This study sets out to better understand whether firms establishing online creative climates in computer-mediated platforms produce greater innovation performance, and whether any differences of these results lie in computer-mediated platforms. Results suggest that online creative climate positively impacts creative behavior. As users in computer-mediated platforms perceive that they are encouraged to make suggestions, they are more likely to do so. Online creative climate is positively related to innovation performance, suggesting that higher online creative climate has an influence on the effectiveness of firms' innovations. In addition, online creative climate continues to be a significant predictor of innovation performance when included with creative behavior, suggesting that online creative climate has a direct impact on innovation performance beyond its impact through creative behavior.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Building on the socio-cultural theory and the climate literature, the purpose of this paper is to examine: how to effectively manage computer-mediated platforms to improve innovation performance, and which types of computer-mediated platforms firms should be more involved with.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The multivariate mediated regression method and relative effect analysis were employed to test the model.\nFindings: Analyses reveal that online creative climate mediates the effects of the perceived innovation policy on both novelty and meaningfulness of creative behaviors. In addition, online creative climate is positively related to both radical and incremental innovation performance. Further, the relative performance results of the four types of computer-mediated platforms are found to be unequal.\nPractical implications: The results suggest to managers that establishing creative climates in computer-mediated platforms is a promising approach to improve firms' innovation performance. The results further indicate that managers should acknowledge the advantages and limitations of each type of computer-mediated platform in order to increase innovation performance. Otherwise, firms may misallocate resources and investment efforts in computer-mediated platforms.\nOriginality/value: By categorizing computer-mediated platforms into four types, this study provides the first synthesis of personal interactions that occur in computer-mediated environments. This study presents the first empirical assessment of how creative climate can be used as a facilitator for improving innovation performance and which type of computer-mediated platforms is more appropriate for radical or incremental innovations.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Improving check-in (C/I) process: an application of the quality function deployment	[ "House of Quality", "Quality function deployment", "C/I process", "Hotel reservation system", "Voice of Hotel" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Quality management is a crucial element for hotel management, namely, from long waiting and processing times, inadequately attending guest enquiries, to an impolite staff behavior, lack of staff competency and unwillingness to solve the problems. Certain problems that arise in hotel reservation operations require improvement on specific tasks and procedures in particular areas where those problems are observed.\nLiterature review: The main operations in front desk in any hotel are reservation and room allocation (C/I). Although it may be seen that front desks mainly handle two basic types of operations, one should say that it might not be as complicated; hence, these two operations may severely affect the rest. One of which might be long waiting lines, and other obstacle can be more of a house created, namely, lack of core competencies of personnel who deals with the guests. The previous research studies can be grouped in: overbooking (Hadjinicola and Panayi, 1997; Wang and Wang, 2010), mobile reservations and applications (APPs) and online reservation (Lu et al., 2017; Lin and Lee, 2010).\nMethodology: OFD\nCollecting VOC: In the first matrix, the researcher aims to understand the customer needs. It is mainly called as collecting VOC. It is the main part of the data collection in QFD process. A scholar should use a proper data collecting method that corresponds to specified problem. This process is to understand the customer's needs; it is also seen as \"whats\" parts in the HOQ. In other words, it is the step of understanding the expectations of customer. In order to prioritize customer needs, a rankings system was used. The main data gathering method for the study is deep interviews. After gathering the data, customers rank them from 1 (the least important) to 5 (the most important). The ranking of customer expectations was done for time saving and cost efficiency purposes by the hotel management. This way, the hotel management would know which issue has the first priority and rest would be prioritized according to their ranking attained in the1-5 ranking system.\nTechnical specifications matrix: In the technical specification matrix, the enterprise tries to meet customer expectations. The management elaborates on how those needs can be met. So it is called \"hows\" parts in the HOQ. Also it can be called voice of engineer (VOE).\nRelations matrix: The third part relates customer needs (whats) to technical specifications (hows). In this part the evaluation scale is used. In this Likert-type scale, 1 represents the least important and 5the most important service parameter in the figure. After determining technical specifications (so-called VOH), other columns are added which are: service performance, competitors (in this study competitors A and B), performance goals, sales point, improvement ratio, raw weight and relative weight.\nCorrelation matrix for the technical specifications: The missing fourth part shows the representation among the technical correlations. There are some symbols to show the correlations degrees between two technical specifications. Strong relationships symbol stands for 5, medium for 3 and weak for 1 (Xie et al., 2003, p. 15). In this study four symbols are used to represent the correlations degrees. They stand for: strong, possible, weak and no relations. This part constitutes the roof of the HOQ in the figure.\nBenchmarking matrix: The last matrix is benchmarking in HOQ. In this matrix, customers compare competition ability of enterprise to satisfy customer needs in relation to competitors A and B. In this part, two competitors were chosen. The numbers 1-5 are listed in the competitive evaluation column with a rating 1 assigned to the worst competitor, while a 5 is assigned to the best competitor (Xie et al., 2003, p. 15).\nResults: Reservation is the fundamental process in hotel business. Hotels are 7/24 open enterprises on a yearlong basis. They host quite a number of guests. Sometimes hotel guests are groups. If this is the case, operations becomes hard to manage and to handle. Small desk, lack of employee, lack of language skills, no physical planning for attending customers with special needs, late response and inflexible planning are the main reasons of poor services and are the few obstacles to name.\nImplications for future studies: Apparently a similar approach can be followed for new services and product development stages as well as for the hotel departments. For tedious analysis, every step and procedure in hospitality enterprise must be taken into account and scrutinized thoroughly.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Quality function deployment (QFD) is a suitable tool for understanding the expectations of hotel guests from services provided to them and designing the new one. It is also a well-known technique for improving service and product quality in general. First applied by Yoji Akao in 1960, the idea behind QFD is to understand the customer needs and determine the problem which might be associated with product or service provided by an enterprise. The purpose of this paper is to present how check-in operations in hospitality business can be improved with the help of QFD.\nDesign/methodology/approach: In this study, deep interview was employed as main data gathering instrument. Once customer expectations were assessed, a House of Quality scheme was established. Consequently, the QFD matrix was being analyzed as a whole.\nFindings: The results of the study demonstrate that customers do not want to wait in queue or for any process on the front desk.\nOriginality/value: The research contributes to the literature a new technical term on hospitality industry, \"Voice of Hotel.\"\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Board director disciplinary and cognitive influence on corporate value creation	[ "Corporate governance", "Board of directors" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Corporate governance literature has shown that the majority of studies that examined the board composition has largely focused on board independence and size (Dalton et al., 1998; Jackling and Johl, 2009; Bhagat and Bolton, 2013). Some other factors such as the gender diversity of the board have been relatively less examined. According to the resource dependency theory, the effectiveness of the board depends on the provision of its resources (Pfeffer, 1972; Pfeffer and Salancik, 1978) resulting from board human capital attributes (gender, education, financial or industrial expertise, management experience, skills, etc.). The presence of women on boards is considered as one of these resources. The decision to appoint women on boards may ameliorate firm legitimacy (Hillman et al., 2007) and improve board effectiveness (Hillman et al., 2002). Hence, the appointment of women may improve the board's ability to protect shareholder interests against a potential opportunistic behavior of corporate managers. The gender diversity is crucial, as it is likely to improve the monitoring role of the board.\n2. Theoretical background: 2.1 Gender diversity\n3. Empirical research: 3.1 Collection of data\n4. Results: 4.1 Descriptive statistics\n5. Conclusion: This research investigated the effect of gender diversity, educational skills, independence and size of boards of directors on corporate value creation. The empirical analyses are based on a panel data of French listed companies from 2008 to 2011.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to investigate board director disciplinary and cognitive influence on corporate value creation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Fixed-effect regressions are used to check whether gender diversity, education, independence and size of the board of directors affect measures of corporate value creation.\nFindings: The empirical results show that corporate value creation is positively influenced by the cross effect of the board independence and the presence of women. They also point out a positive impact of the cross effect of board independence and management education. They reveal that the board of directors contributes significantly to corporate value creation, particularly when there is a mix of independent, female and management-qualified directors.\nOriginality/value: The evidence presented and discussed in this paper should be of interest to managers and regulators. The methodological approach and the empirical results extend the existing literature. They enrich the limited empirical research devoted to this theme, especially in a continental European context, i.e. France. They shed light on the effect of board of directors' disciplinary and cognitive influence on corporate value creation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Determinants of Nordic entrepreneurship	[ "GDP", "R&D sector", "Barriers of entrepreneurship", "Entrepreneurial activity", "Nordic region", "Unemployment rate" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Promoting entrepreneurship has recently become one of the key targets of the European Union's cohesion policy (European Commission, 2016). Entrepreneurship is considered by researchers, public authorities and stakeholders as a source of new job opportunities and as a significant determinant of economic growth. Positive contributions of entrepreneurship towards the growth of a country's gross domestic product (GDP) were proven by previous scholars in entrepreneurial studies (e.g. Thurik, 1995; Berkowitz and DeJong, 2005; Van Praag and Versloot, 2007; Polok et al., 2016; Acs et al., 2016). Gartner (1985) stated that entrepreneurship is a multi-dimensional phenomenon which should be studied from different perspectives and with all its complexities. The importance of studying the regional differences in the distribution of enterprises and factors that lead to its increase were also mentioned by Karlsson et al. (1993). Different levels of analysis are usually being conducted, such as investigations on the micro (individual), meso (industry or region) or macro (country or group of countries) level. It is therefore relevant to study which factors contribute to the growth of entrepreneurship because these factors may vary over time and across countries (Koellinger and Thurik, 2012). The recent contributions investigating the determinants of entrepreneurship on the country or regional level (e.g. Carbonara et al., 2016; Cueto et al., 2015; Dvoulety and Mares, 2016a, b) illustrate that the topic of determinants of entrepreneurship is still not fully explored and requires further research attention.\n2. Theoretical background: The theoretical background is divided into two parts, where the first part deals with the theoretical and empirical findings of previous entrepreneurship scholars investigating the determinants of entrepreneurship and therefore serves as an important guidance for our own stated hypotheses and applied approach. The second part is more focussed on entrepreneurship in the context of Nordic countries and presents findings of existing research.\n3. Methods and the tested hypotheses: In the previous paragraphs, I have pointed out that the determinants of entrepreneurship belong to the category of topics that are currently interesting for entrepreneurship scholars and I have also demonstrated that there is a perceived need for conducting quantitative empirical research in the Nordic countries, since not many research studies aimed at entrepreneurial policies were published recently. Also, I have revealed that the Nordic countries are very similar to each other in terms of entrepreneurial activity, institutions and environment, and therefore it is relevant to conduct for them a common empirical analysis following a quantitative research design which is presented on the following pages.\n4. Data: This section aims to present the variables used in the regression analysis and introduce their sources and descriptive statistics. The presented variables depict the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) over the period of years 2004-2013 and were obtained from various sources. The variables are sorted into several groups according to their area. The first category of variables represents entrepreneurial activity in the Nordic countries, the second economic variables and the third category represents business environment and administrative barriers, respectively. The last part of this chapter is dedicated to testing the stationarity of variables to ensure that the econometric estimates are based on stationary variables.\n5. Regression analysis: In this chapter, first, the econometric approach towards the estimation of the regression models on the panel data is described; second, the main results of the econometric models investigating the determinants of entrepreneurial activity are interpreted. Finally, the control models with the dependent variable, established business ownership rate, are presented. The regression analysis allows us to quantify and analyse the relationships among the selected variables, choosing the explained (dependent) variable and several explanatory variables. The impact of explanatory variables on the dependent variable is interpreted through the estimated value of the coefficient of the variable following the assumption ceteris paribus[8] (Verbeek, 2012).\n6. Conclusion: This paper was written in the context of the European Union's cohesion policy promoting entrepreneurship as a source of the EU countries' competitiveness and economic growth (European Commission, 2016). The main aim of the study was to analyse the determinants of entrepreneurial activity in the Nordic countries over the period of years 2004-2013. The empirical analysis was conducted based on the research gap in the studies related to the Nordic entrepreneurial policies and perceived need for supporting materials helping to form the Nordic entrepreneurial policies (Norden, 2013). The main distinction of the Nordic welfare states from the rest of the world is the strong role of the public sector and governmental institutions which may affect the results obtained by entrepreneurial research and provide differences in traditional entrepreneurial patterns (Kuckertz et al., 2015). Another motivation for this quantitative study was to offer complementarily insight from the quantitative perspective and overview of Nordic entrepreneurship, since most Nordic entrepreneurial studies use a qualitative methodology (e.g. Hjorth and Steyaert, 2008; Hjorth, 2008).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of entrepreneurial activity in the Nordic countries over the period of years 2004-2013 to provide supportive material for the Nordic entrepreneurial policy makers with specific focus on the role of necessity/opportunity-driven entrepreneurship, administrative barriers and the research and development (R&D) sector.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Quantitative study employed panel regression analysis with fixed effects estimator to test the impact of determinants on entrepreneurial activity operationalized as a rate of registered business activity and as an established business ownership rate.\nFindings: The results obtained for the both dependent variables did not substantially differ from each other or the supported hypothesis stating a positive relationship between unemployment rate, GDP per capita and entrepreneurial activity. Also a negative impact of administrative barriers was found. However, no statistically significant positive impact of the R&D sector was observed.\nPractical implications: Nordic entrepreneurial policy makers should put more effort into the reduction of administrative barriers towards founding enterprises and support entrepreneurship during the times of higher unemployment rates. Further evaluation of Nordic R&D policies is strongly needed, since no positive impacts towards entrepreneurship were found.\nOriginality/value: The empirical analysis was conducted based on the research gap in the studies related to the Nordic entrepreneurial policies and perceived need for the policy recommendations that are provided.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Discovering the unfolding of service innovations	[ "Service innovation", "Ethnography", "Research paper", "Critical events" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In the service innovation literature, the innovation process has interestingly been modeled either as a strongly structured and sequential process (see de Brentani, 2001; Song et al., 2009) or as an unstructured and circular process (see Stevens and Dimitriadis, 2005). There is a strong research tradition that argues that the service innovation process in B2B is and should be managed as a series of steps or stages (Papastathopoulou and Hultink, 2012). Such a sequential development approach would ensure that successful innovations result. The opposite model supports an emergence perspective that emphasizes the interactions between participating actors, their sense-making, and the emergence of innovations within the process. This paper deals with the emergence perspective and delves into how innovations come about by analyzing a specific innovation process from an ethnographical perspective. We argue that by using the ethnographic approach, the development process of the new service can be observed in real-time, which reveals that details, unpredictable events, iterative activities, negotiations, and sense-making (e.g. Woodside et al., 2005; Woodside, 2010) may not only be naturally present in service innovation processes but also beneficial for the outcome. The retrospective research strategy most often used in innovation research does not fully capture the dynamic nature of innovation processes. To do so, detailed studies of micro-level processes and innovation activities in context are needed (see Perks et al., 2012; Tuominen and Toivonen, 2011). We, thus, argue that by looking closer at what really happens in a service innovation process, we will discover aspects that have so far gone unnoticed. The same contrast has been discussed in organizational decision making contrasting classical decision making theory with the \"garbage can\" approach (Cohen et al., 1972), or in strategy research contrasting planned strategies with emerging strategies (Mintzberg and Waters, 1985). Similarly, it has been suggested that service innovations in B2B contexts are more fluid and evolutionary than in the manufacturing industry and are dependent on the corporate culture (Lyons et al., 2007). Hence, an ethnographic approach that captures the unfolding of an innovation over time in organizational contexts is a fruitful one.\n2. Understanding service innovation through ethnography: To investigate service innovation processes, researchers have typically used retrospective methods (Brown and Eisenhardt, 1995; de Jong and Vermeulen, 2003), such as interviews or surveys. Although retrospective investigations provide insight about the innovation process, they do not capture the innovation process and activities in full detail.\n3. An ethnographic case study: This study's ethnographic case is the innovation process of an ICT-based financial service - a bank's web site. This choice was made on the basis of the possibility of gaining access to the \"closed setting\" of an innovation process. In ethnography, due to the researcher's up-close immersion and prolonged stay in the field, access is the main concern and usually constitutes the main selection criterion for the case and setting (e.g. Hammersley and Atkinson, 1983; Schwartzman, 1993).\n4. Four categories of outcomes of micro-level processes within the service innovation project: Within the service innovation process, micro-level processes concern issues that the project team deals with and where decisions are made, actions designed, and an outcome related to these can be observed. These micro-level processes can be classified into four categories:\n5. Discussion: The purpose of this paper was to explore and demonstrate how the ethnographic research approach can capture otherwise hidden aspects of the service innovation process and the inherent challenges and possibilities that this entails for innovation managers. As studies of innovation processes in B2B tend to use retrospective research strategies, we explored what can be discovered about a service innovation process in real time using ethnography. Thus, the theoretical contribution of the paper is related to the research approach that allowed us to broaden the insight into how service innovation processes actually evolve. It was possible to capture the systemic nature of innovation processes in the sense that we provided a detailed account of the interdependencies between the innovation project and the \"bigger\" context. This interdependency is a core characteristic of service innovation that makes innovation processes and their management complex, dynamic, and uncertain. We believe that innovation research would benefit from a critically reflective discussion on the research methods we use and the findings they generate.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to explore and demonstrate how an ethnographic research approach can reveal new aspects of the dynamics of service innovation processes. In contrast to the retrospective research approach found in most service innovation research, the ethnographic approach captures the innovation process as it unfolds.\nDesign/methodology/approach: An ethnographical investigation of an incremental service innovation at a bank was conducted. The innovation activities were performed jointly by a team of bank members from various functions and external business partners. This was a formal project with a pre-specified plan, budget, and timetable.\nFindings: The ethnographical approach, capitalizing on its real-time, multi-methods, longitudinal, and up-close characteristics, made it possible to capture unforeseen events and issues at the micro level. The authors suggest that such critical events determine what direction the innovation process takes. The initial intentions and plans were partly realized; new issues emerged during the innovation work and were realized, while other emergent issues were finally not realized.\nResearch limitations/implications: The study suggests a framework that can be used to identify four categories of micro-level processes. Critical events in the micro-level processes represent potential turning points and are important foci in practice and remain issues for further research.\nPractical implications: Managers may benefit from being open to including emergent issues and understanding the micro-level dynamics of the innovation process.\nOriginality/value: This study illustrates how the ethnographic research approach captures the dynamics of innovation processes and the potential challenges and possibilities for innovation managers. This finding suggests the need to address micro-level dynamics.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Impact of critical chain project management and product portfolio management on new product development performance	[ "Survey", "Theory of constraints", "NPD performance", "Critical chain", "Product portfolio" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: For marketable new product development (NPD) performance, it is essential that the initial decisions of the process are taken properly, because they will justify and restrict future decisions. One of the principal decisions of new product management occurs during its planning stages, when companies decide which product projects should be approved and how to allocate resources among these projects (Cooper et al., 1999). These are strategic decisions in relation to the innovation and NPD policies of firms, which present a high degree of complexity and involve the evaluation of occasionally conflicting alternatives (Zhang et al., 2019).\n2. Theoretical development: This section will present the theoretical grounds that form the framework of the research. The research hypotheses will be based on the definition of the constructs and variables used.\n3. Research method: The target group of this survey was made up of businesses that develop products and that preferentially form part of economic sectors considered innovators. For this reason, the database used in the survey brought together companies from sectors recommended in the past Industrial Research on Technological Innovation in Brazil (primarily known by its acronym in Portuguese: PINTEC) report: electronic, chemical, aviation, optical, aeronautical and industrial automation (IBGE, 2013). The subjects came from the following contact lists: the Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (mostly known in Portuguese by the acronym ABINEE) and the American Chamber of Commerce for Brazil (AMCHAM).\n4. Results and discussions: The sectors with the highest representation in the sample were: Electronic industry (19 per cent), Mechanical metal industry (15.2 per cent), Computing, Software or Hardware (15.2 per cent), Chemical/Petrochemical industry (11.4 per cent), Industrial Automation (8.9 per cent) and Automotive industry (7.6 per cent).\n5. Conclusions: Through a survey with innovative companies that develop products, this study verified the relationships between the adoption of practices and principles of CCPM and the performance of PPM and product development programs. The main theoretical and managerial contributions are described below, as well as limitations and suggestions for future research.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the adherence to critical chain project management (CCPM) practices and the new product development performance, in terms of the results of product development programs and product portfolio management (PPM).\nDesign/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted with 79 innovative companies operating in Brazil. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and non-parametric tests.\nFindings: Significant and positive correlations were found between CCPM adoption and the performance factors proposed. The adoption of CCPM offered stronger correlation with PPM performance than with the adoption of traditional methods. The results further indicate a possible indirect contribution of CCPM practices to the product development program by means of PPM improvement.\nOriginality/value: This study deepens the knowledge of the joint study between project management and new product development, by bringing empirical evidence that the adoption of specific practices suggested by CCPM is used by organizations with superior performance. Moreover, the results broaden CCPM literature by attesting that companies do not necessarily have to apply the CCPM approach in a formal and explicit way to obtain the performance results given. The analyses still have practical value when indicating which CCPM practices should be prioritized by managers seeking high performance in PPM.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
A survey on integrated IS and competitive advantage	[ "Information systems", "Integration", "Competitive advantage", "Business development", "Italy" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The purpose of this research is to study the means by which \"IS integration\" generates an organizational competitive advantage. We suggest that IS integration generates an organizational competitive advantage through the mediation effect of a specific complementary organizational resource: the \"IT organizational assimilation capacity\". In particular, the IT organizational assimilation capacity refers to a firm's ability to identify, assimilate and exploit the business potential from IT/IS solutions. This capacity encompasses four distinct groups of constructs or dimensions:1. training (or knowledge) orientation;2. change orientation;3. flexibility orientation; and4. process orientation.These dimensions should serve as the basis upon which organizations can be differentiated in their ability to obtain an organizational competitive advantage from investing in IS integration.IT business value is used to refer to the organizational performance impact of IT resources at both intermediate process level and organization level (Menville and Kraemer, 2004). IT resources generate business value when they are \"assimilated\" becoming a common element of firms' value-chain activities and business strategies (Brynjolfsson and Hitt, 1996). According to Menville and Kraemer (2004) IT business value comprises three domains:1. focal firm;2. competitive environment; and3. macro environment.This paper focuses at firm level. Within the focal firm level, IT business value is generated by the deployment of IT resources through a process that involves the deployment of complementary organizational resources within business processes. Referring to technological IT resources there are two categories of studies: studies aggregating diverse technological IT resources into a single measure and studies that examine specific information systems and types of IT. The paper is structured as follows. The next section introduces the research hypotheses, and the conceptual model. Thereafter, the research methodology is presented with the following sections reporting the empirical findings and the conclusions.\n2. Research model and hypothesis: Based on theoretical proposition that IT business value is generated by the deployment of IT and complementary organizational resources, we develop a research model and propose two hypotheses. In particular, we propose that the IS integration (a relevant IS characteristic) business value is generated by the mediating effect of the IT organizational assimilation capacity (Figure 1). This is because it is a complementary organizational asset that takes years to develop (Kraemer et al., 2000) and hence, years to successfully imitate: it is rare and difficult to imitate. Thus, differently form the TIR that is increasingly commoditized (Carr, 2003), when IT organizational assimilation capacity exist it is likely to lead to temporary competitive advantage. However, in line with above, these hypotheses do not exclude the possibility that other factors may mediate the influence of information system integration.2.1 IT organizational assimilation capacity and firm competitiveness.\n3. Construct operationalization: A survey in Italian companies was conducted to test the hypotheses and data were collected from 466 top managers. These companies were mainly SMEs and owned by a family. We developed the survey instrument by validating all items of different constructs. The following are the variables conceived and measured in this research:* Information system integration (ISINT). IS integration refers to application (APINT) and data integration (DTINT).* IT organizational assimilation capacity (ITACP). IT organizational assimilation capacity refers to firm's ability to identify, assimilate and exploit the business potential from IT/IS solutions or IT/IS characteristics. To capture the readiness of the organization towards assimilating IT/IS solutions or characteristics we have identified four distinct groups of constructs that represent the elements of the IT organizational assimilation capacity: training (or knowledge) orientation; change orientation; flexibility orientation; and process orientation (Figure 1 and Table I).These dimensions should serve as the bases upon which organizations can be differentiated in their ability to identify (training orientation), assimilate (change orientation and process orientation) and exploit (flexibility, process and change orientation) IS integration.* Educational and training orientation (ETORN). The training activities increase pre-existing knowledge, know-how, and skills possessed by the organization in areas related to the focal innovation (Fichman and Kemerer, 1997). This variable was operationalized with four-items scale (Table I): one item referred to educational and training investment in the last three yeas, one item referred to educational and training investment in the next two year and two items referred to the employee propensity to take educational and training course.* Change orientation (CHORN). Change orientation represents the extent to which managers or members of the enterprise are in favour of change and opposite to the organizational inertia (Damanpour, 1991). Furthermore, the change orientation of the management and enterprise team has significant shaping effects on organizational culture. This variable was operationalized with four-items scale (Table I): one item referred to the level of favour to change in general, one item referred to the level of change as a consequence of IS change, another two items referred to the propensity to ask for changing as a consequence of technology advance or new operating needs.* Process orientation (PRORN). A business process orientation culture is a culture that is cross-functional, customer oriented. In operationalization of process orientation construct we used three items (Table I) by adapting the market orientation framework, described in a process oriented way, by Jaworski and Kohli (1993). In particular, in our three items scale we included: a cross-functional (process) view of the business, a customer focused orientation and an organizational structure that enable this cross-functional organization.* Flexibility orientation (FLORN). The ambiguity of the term Flexibility could be attributed to the many different types or aspects of flexibility on which different studies have focused. In this paper we accept that there exist two types of flexibility: process flexibility and new product flexibility. In line with above, our operationalization of flexibility accommodates this distinction by simply referencing the stimulus for change in organization operations with two-items scale (Table I). That is, change in organization operations is stimulated either by the addition of new products or by changes in demands for existing products.* Organization competitive advantage (CPADV). The idea of a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) surfaced in 1984. For this research an SCA is the prolonged benefit of implementing some unique value-creating strategy not simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential competitors along with the inability to duplicate the benefits of this strategy (i.e. integrating IS). Concentrating on \"prolonged benefit\" we refer to superior organizational performances. Superior organizational performances, in our study, are designed as four items scale (Table I). Three items are referred to a subjective measure of financial and economic performance over the previous three-year period; one item is referred to subjective perception of future sustainability of organization superior performances themselves.In using subjective performance measures, we assumed, given the senior executives involved, that respondents had sufficient perspective and information to assess their firms' performances relative to competitors. Subjective measures have been widely used in organizational research (Powell and DentMicallef, 1997), and are often preferred to economic and financial statement data, since firms may adopt varying accounting conventions in areas such as inventory valuation, depreciation and officers' salaries. In addition, our research includes many privately held firms that would not have provided confidential economic and financial information as a matter of policy. However, as test of convergent validity of the economic and financial performance measures, accounting information were obtained for publicly held survey participants for the same past three-year period covered by the subjective survey items In this sub sample some economic performance (net operating income, return on equity and return on investment) and some financial index (liquidity index and debt index) correlated significantly with our subjectively derived competitive advantage measure, suggesting that, although the accounting and subjective measures were not identical, the accounting measures did constitute a key element of the respondents' subjective assessments.\n4. Data collection: Items in the questionnaire measured concepts in the research model. Items were measured on a seven-point Likert scale. A draft instrument was qualitatively and quantitatively pre-tested using a panel of experts to make sure that the final version would be equally valid for use with a large sample. We also used unlabeled sorting to develop the constructs. The pilot study ensured clarity of the questionnaire and ascertained that theory-based items tapped issues of concern in IS sourcing decisions. The research design included, as control variables, the size of the company. The 466 questionnaires were analyzed in two steps. In the first step, a series construct validations using factor analysis was performed in order to validate the scales. In the second step, a series of analysis using linear regression were performed between the two independent variables and the dependent variable to validate the mediator function of the IT organizational assimilation capacity. In the first, construct validation step, we defined seven variables (CPADV, DTINT, APINT, ETORN, CHORN, PRORN and FLORN). In this step, the construct validation was developed in two stages. During the first stage, we used a factor analysis for each of the seven variables to discard the items that would not aggregate well in one factor, since these would not be a reliable tool for measurement of the variable. For each variable, we extracted the items with a higher loading factor (higher than 0.7) and with an inter-items reliability Cronbach's Alpha equal to or higher than 0.7. Upon completion of the first stage, at least three items for each variable were retained, with the exception of flexibility orientation that was operationalized with two items. Table I gives an overview of the items being considered, their factor loadings and their Cronbach's alpha for each variable.In the second stage of variables validation, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis with all the seven variables (Table II) to assess if the items, validated during the first step, would still be reliable and would aggregate together in seven distinct factors (one for each of the variables), when considered together and not separately as in the first stage. The analysis confirmed the expectations and we are confident that all devised items are actually a reliable measure of variables (see Table III).The integration factors are highly significantly correlated amongst themselves, and the organizational factors are highly significantly inter-correlated amongst themselves. The correlations across these two types of factors (integration factors with organizational factors) is comparatively small. Thus, it seems that there are two relatively independent factors reflected in the correlation matrix, one related to integration, the other related to organizational ones. Then, we built a high order factor analysis (or second order factor analysis) to uncover the patterns of relationships among these factors correlation matrix (see Table IV).The analysis confirmed the existence of two latent factors. We called these two factor information systems integration and IT organization assimilation capacity. Following the high order factor analysis, to test for the mediation effect (Baron and Kenny, 1986) of IT organizational assimilation capacity variable, we estimated the three following regression equations: first, regressing the IT organizational assimilation capacity variable on the information system integration variable; second, regressing the organization competitive advantage variable on the information system integration variable; and third, regressing the organizational competitive advantage variable on IT organizational assimilation capacity variable and information system integration ones. In detail, we estimated the following three linear regression models: Equation 1 These three regression equations provide a positive the test of the linkages of our hypotheses and our mediation model. In detail:As shown in Table V (model 1), the independent variable (information systems integration - ISINT) affect the mediator (IT organizational assimilation capacity - ITACP). In detail, in model 1 the ISINT variable is statistically significant with a 99 percent level of confidence, b=0.118. As a consequence, our H1 is supported.As shown in Table VI (model 2), the independent variable (information systems integration) affect the dependent variable (organization competitive advantage). In detail, in model 2 the ISINT variable is statistically significant with a 99 percent level of confidence, b=0.171.As shown in Table VII (model 3), only the mediator variable (IT organizational assimilation capacity - ITACP) affect the dependent variable (organization competitive advantage - COADV). In detail, in model 3 the ISINT variable became statistically insignificant and the ITACP variable is statistically significant with a 99.9 percent level of confidence, b=0.493. As a consequence, H2 is supported. Further, the mediation effect is supported (the coefficient of the independent variable became insignificant when the mediator variable is controlled) (see Table VIII).We can conclude (Figure 2) that the information systems integration effect on organizational competitive advantage is mediated by the IT organizational assimilation capacity.\n5. Discussion and conclusions: In this study, data suggest that most firms have not merged IS integration with the right complementary organizational resources. The presence of investments in training, change, process and flexibility orientation, or in summary in \"IT organizational assimilation capacity\", explained performance differences between firms. From this, we suggest that, although firms have invested sufficiently in IS integration to negate direct IT advantages, some firms gained IT-related advantages by merging IS integration with IT organizational assimilation capacity resource. The findings also support the resource based notion that competitive advantage do not arise from replicable resources, no matter how pervasive or economically valuable they may be, but from complex, firm-specific and intangible resources and capabilities. Furthermore, the empirical findings suggest that IS integration do not merge themselves automatically with human and business resources. We can indicate that the process requires an organizational design that improves the IT organizational assimilation capacity. We agree with the Kettinger et al. (1994) observations that \"the information resources of a firm must be driven by business strategy and integrated into the product and process dimensions of the enterprise\" (Kettinger et al., 1994). Firms that improve \"IT organizational assimilation capacity\" also improve their capacity to integrate or \"embed\" information system integration, and more in general ITs, inside the enterprise. The findings help to explain why some firms struggle while others flourish with the same ITs, and why IT-based advantages tend to dissipate so rapidly; and they suggest a solution based on an integration of IT and organizational complementary resources. We conclude, that information system integration carry enormous competitive power but, like other powerful weapons, misfire in the wrong hand. In the end, we find ourselves supporting the seemingly universal intuition that tells managers \"technology alone is not enough\".Managerial implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper aims to provide robust evidence of the \"IT organizational assimilation capacity\" mediating role and to propose a complementary model.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Based on theoretical proposition that IT business value is generated by the deployment of IT and complementary organizational resources, a research model was developed and two hypotheses were proposed. These are tested with a survey from 466 top managers in Italian companies. The 466 questionnaires were analyzed in two steps. In the first step, a series construct validation using factor analysis was performed in order to validate the scales. In the second step, a series of analyses using linear regression was performed between the two independent variables and the dependent variable to validate the mediator function of the IT organizational assimilation capacity.\nFindings: - Data suggest that most firms have not merged information system (IS) integration with the right complementary organizational resources. The findings also support the notion that competitive advantage does not arise from replicable resources, but from complex, firm-specific and intangible resources and capabilities. The findings help to explain why some firms struggle while others flourish with the same ITs, and why IT-based advantages tend to dissipate so rapidly.\nResearch limitations/implications: - The research suggests that ITs do not merge themselves automatically with human and business resources. Evolving Leavitt's organization diamond and using the paper's data it can be shown that ISs, process, change, flexibility and training are interrelated and mutually adjusting, so when ISs are changed the other components often adjust to dump out the impact of the innovation.\nPractical implications: - The proposed model can be used complementary to the requirements methods offered by the IS development methodologies, to mitigate their inherent defects in addressing social, organizational and other non-technical issues, when developing a new IS.\nOriginality/value: - This paper proposes a model to be used complementary to the requirements methods offered by the IS development methodologies\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Operational risk capital charges (Basel II): factoring in external loss data to the internal datasets	[ "Banking", "Basel II", "Basel IV", "Consortium data", "Loss data", "Operational risk" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Financial services firms are increasingly required by regulators to factor in external loss data to their internal data sets when using a loss distribution approach (LDA) to estimate operational risk exposures. As it transpires, internal data remain insufficient for many firms to be used in the LDA. Usually, there are only several loss events recorded for each Basel II category of operational risk. Given the incompleteness of the internal data, financial services firms are pressurised by regulators to utilise external data consortiums to complement their own data sets. The majority of the Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) banks already use external loss data, but in different ways and to different extent (Saita (2007)). Some AMA banks use external data as a direct input into the loss quantification process, whereas other banks use consortium data to support scenario analysis.\n2. Basel II discussion: Operational risk is one of the three main risk classes addressed by the Basel II Accord that advises on the calculation of minimum capital requirements for operational, credit and market risk. Basel II ensures that a bank holds sufficient capital for these risk classes. A rationale for using this charge has been challenged by Herring (2002) and Saurina (2008). Hereto, under the AMA, Basel II provides financial services firms with a significant degree of flexibility to calculate their operational risk exposures (Jobst (2007)). However, it is the flexibility that makes the application of the AMA difficult. To this end, a bank needs to meet certain qualitative and quantitative criteria to become eligible for the AMA. According to Basel II, a bank's operational risk measurement system should utilise four data elements:\n3. The problem: There is a significant constrain on the availability and completeness of external data for non-bank financial services firms. Hereto, especially problematic remains the ability to fit external loss data for the interdealer brokers business. Therefore, non-bank financial institutions are forced to treat their Group EDPM data as external. However, such institutions can also obtain the data from other non-bank financial services firms to map the data to their own data sets of the EDPM loss events. Nonetheless, the interdealer brokers businesses is regarded as ultra-competitive (Wachman (2010)). Thus, obtaining external business data is difficult. Furthermore, institutions operating as interdealer brokers are exposed to different levels of operational risk that affect their own AMA to capital charges for operational risk under Basel II. For instance, ICAP Plc. has been recently fined PS52 million for rigging LIBOR (Salmon (2014)). Tullett Prebon has won a court case against BCG Partners after accusing the latter of poaching key staff via a series of text messages (Wachman (2010)). All these examples illustrate that relying on external data for operational risk is counterfactual in the interdealer brokers business and may lead to a distorted image of the risk concentrations.\n4. The solution: Two sets of the EDPM data are compared. The first set encompasses EDPM operational risk losses events obtained from an interdealer broker[1]. The second set includes external EDPM loss events obtained from Gold[2]. Table III provides descriptive statistics for the EDPM data.\n5. Findings: One of the most important assumption underpinning the aforementioned method is the fact that the time intervals are artificial. Unlike the longitudinal research methods embarking on the Kaplan-Meier and Cox models, our method of factoring external data into the internal data sets does not model time to an event. Instead of focusing on duration analysis, we rank all observations and assume constant time intervals between the recorded operational loss events. As a result of simplifying the assumptions, we eliminated the probability that multiple events occur at the same time.\n6. Analysis of the findings: In this paper, we attempt to address a very important aspect of operational risk measurement, because internal data have to be enriched by external loss data. However, our findings show that the external data for non-bank financial services firms are inadequate, incomplete and flawed. Therefore, in contrast to the assumptions made by Antonini et al. (2009), the external data as a whole cannot be used to model the tails of severity distributions. In line with arguments made by Aue and Kalkbrenner (2007), we understand that the internal data need to be enriched by additional inputs, because operational risk events are idiosyncratic in nature. However, our findings have shown an alternative way of factoring in the external consortium loss data to the internal data sets that does not require a challenging process of scaling external data. In doing so, we have provided a practical solution to the problem.\n7. Recommended regulatory action: Apart from implementing international standards for the quality and completeness of the consortium data sets, regulators should understand that their definition of operational risk relates to firm-specific processes and governance frameworks. Furthermore, as noted by Galloppo and Previati (2014), no enforcement process exists in feeding the consortium data sets. Against this backdrop, regulators are unable to determine whether the contributors to the data pooling comply with the stated thresholds and truncations. It is increasingly difficult to facilitate an accurate comparison of operational risk exposures across various banks and non-bank financial services firms. At this point, regulators are advised to approve in-house adjustments to the external data sets prior their incorporation into the operational risk analysis by non-bank financial institutions. Nonetheless, as already noted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS, 2009), only 20 per cent of the AMA banks scaled external data in 2008 with the remaining institutions applying external data without any adjustments.\n8. Conclusion: This paper has shown one way of factoring in external loss data into the internal data sets that fit the operational risk exposure of non-bank financial services firms. However, there are various alternatives that can be implemented at this stage. At this point, non-bank financial services should focus on selecting and filtering external data before applying the consortium data set to their operational risk exposures. First, non-bank financial services are advised to identify loss events that are relevant for a specific business. This paper has shown a list of loss examples typical for the interdealer brokers business. Second, non-bank financial services firms should strive to eliminate business line bias. Therefore, it is important to identify loss events that do not apply to the firms profile by filtering the losses based on their nature or the type of operations. Third, non-bank financial services firms can apply descriptive statistics to the consortium data and use box plots to select optimal parts from the data set.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to discuss ideas of factoring in external loss data to the internal loss data sets to obtain a true picture of operational losses for non-bank financial services firms, focusing on a case study of the interdealer brokers business and a specific Basel II category of the operational risk capital charges. As it transpires, financial services firms are increasingly required by regulators to merge external loss data with their internal data sets when using a loss distribution approach. However, there is a significant constrain on the availability and completeness of the external data for non-bank financial services firms.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Embarking on a modified Kaplan-Meier method is a clever way of factoring in external loss data into the internal data set. It allows non-bank financial firms to choose which fragments of the data constitute \"the best fit\". In choosing the external data, this paper posits that such firms need to rely on loss-type events that display similar patterns in probabilities of occurrence. This method eliminates over-reliance on the external data that are specific for a different entity. One of the most important assumption underpinning the method presented in this paper is the fact that constant time intervals between the recorded operational loss events are assumed. Hereto, reaching a certain level of loss is used as the event of interest in both groups. For simplification purposes and to eliminate the noise and capture significant losses, we set this level as a multiplicity of the interdealer broker's loss threshold.\nFindings: Obtaining external loss data is difficult for the non-bank financial services firms. Furthermore, institutions operating as interdealer brokers are exposed to different levels of operational risk that affect their own Advanced Measurement Approach to capital charges under Basel II. The existing consortium data sets are not suitable for non-bank financial institutions. With this in mind, the non-bank firms should select only the parts of the external data that fit their business environment.\nOriginality/value: This paper should be of interest to any financial services firms that is required by regulators to merge its internal loss data sets with external loss data. Furthermore, this paper makes strong recommendations for regulators who should understand that the contemporary operational risk consortium data sets are not suitable for non-bank financial services firms.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
On establishing the core competency identifying model: A value-activity and process oriented approach	[ "Core competences", "Value analysis", "Process analysis", "Computer applications" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1 Introduction: In the past few years, the progression of human resources on training and development gradually portrayed the importance of quickly and objectively establishing its core competency[1]. Numerous studies indicated that the concept of core competency was widely applied in human resource management activities (Rodriquez et al., 2002). Even though the word \"competency\" was more comprehensively investigated by Lado and Wilson (1994), its concept, factors and context that affect learning had been well established and thoroughly discussed ever since 1970s (Knowles, 1970; McClelland, 1973; and Chisholm, 1976). Prahalad and Hamel (1990) indicated that core competence is positively related to competitiveness. Kim (1993) further stratified the linkage of core competence into different levels. Lahti (1999) illustrated that core competency is rooted from individual level and that is well connected to organizational competitiveness, shifting academic attention of core competency from micro- to macro-perspective. The resource-based theory provides a more solid explanation on the linkage between competency and competitiveness from individual as well as organizational level (King, 2001; Wright, et al., 2001).The successful development of resource-based theory diverts the focus of corporate strategy analysis from external context factors to internal resource factors (Grant, 1991). Core competency that is based on intangible human resource therefore becomes one of the key successful factors (KSF) to win the strategic advantages (Khatri, 2000). Lado and Wilson (1994) indicated that corporate could not only strongly implant resource base but also support strategy implementation through successful installations of the concept of core competency into different human management activities.A follow-up problem is how a company with limited resources could accumulate talent pool through a well-established human resource management system. Adler and Ghadar (1990) indicated that enriching talent resource base and strengthening competitive edge are the key factors to win competitive advantage. The first step is to identify core competency and allocate resources accordingly. Lado and Wilson (1994) illustrated that identification of core competency has not only become a focus of materializing corporate strategy intent but also a very important step to trigger all the related management activities to win the competition.Some researches indicated that the main obstacles to establish core competency model include: huge expense, time consuming, disconnection to strategic thinking, and strong subjectivity of competency identification (Mirabile, 1997). In this research we attempt to present a model that is formulated from related theories and focus on value-activity and process analysis. We name it the \"process oriented core competency identifying\" (POCCI) model. An empirical case was illustrated that the POCCI model is more objective, cost saving, and efficient to identify core competency than alternative approaches. Besides a quick and systematic identification, the POCCI model can also serve as the platform for top-down strategy formulation through identifying value activities and for bottom-up development of related competency. It can also guide the allocation of resources to the most valuable and needed competency so as to shape a company's competitive edge. Through the linkage of strategic thinking and human resource management, the POCCI model works as the pivot to connect various management activities and therefore to enhance organizational synergy. The rest of this paper is organized as follows. Section 1 introduces. Section 2 illustrates the rationales for model building. Section 3 builds up the model. Section 4 illustrates the POCCI model via an empirical case. Contributions and managerial implications are given in Section 5. Section 6 concludes.\n2 Rationales for model building: In this section we briefly review the related literatures covered in the POCCI model building, namely core competency, strategic thinking, and identification approaches of core competency.2.1 Core competency\n3 Establishing the model: A model that can quickly identify core competency and link between strategies and human resource management are highly needed. We establish a model that syndicates various theories from strategic thinking and core competency. The nexus of this model is value activity analysis. By decomposing a firm's value activities, we apply the technique of process analysis to identify a firm's core competencies. Moreover, through the stepwise identification processes we are allowed to further explore the competencies that are crucial for competition while were not always consensually agreed in the firm. Importance for each identified competency is then attached by a ranking of the summed frequency. The practicability and validity of this model is further testified via an empirical case.3.1 The structure of the POCCI model\n4 An empirical case: 4.1 Case description\n5 Contributions and managerial implications: In this study we demonstrate that the POCCI model can more quickly and precisely identify the core competencies of a firm at any specific level than the existing approaches. As far as we know, the focus of activity and process analysis that is more objective and stable overtime has never been included in identification models. The process-oriented approach could be standardized and useful for repeated applications and that overcomes the burden for a company to have a universal understanding before launching an identification model. One beauty of this model is that consensus is more easily reached when processes rather than persons are investigated. In this research we also provide a list of competencies derived from the relevant literature and further proved by academics and professionals to be applicable to all kinds of companies subject to minor adjustments. The 22 competencies summarized in this paper could not only serve as the bridge for intra-company communications but also provide the basis for inter-company comparisons. Last but never the least, the POCCI model is useful to guide all the human resource activities since it is conducted through breaking down the crucial elements of human resource management into a series of well-designed processes. The output from the POCCI model is therefore the building blocks for managerial systems.Strategic implementation is attractive to human resource management people who are searching for an effective avenue to locate the invaluable human resources in a company. However, the concept of strategic human resource management could have never been materialized without a proper tool (Schuler, 1992). The traits of core competencies are fully captured by the POCCI model that links strategic thinking in organizational level and competencies in individual level and meets the expectation of strategic human resource management. The POCCI model, a standardized procedure to quickly find the core competencies in a firm, is even more important than ever to echo the ever-changing environment. It shapes the competitiveness of a company in the era of time-based competition.Further, the traditional human resources activities were basically job-based. The training, selection, career development, performance appraisal and compensation system are set up on the basis of the duties and activities a job owns. However, the focus has been changed to competency-based that is more appropriate to adapt to changes (Lawler, 1994). Therefore, the competency with high consensus will be the enabler to restructure the management system. All the details regarding to the structure of the POCCI model merit further explorations to assure its effectiveness. For example, different definitions and understandings of the core competencies might conclude a different picture than what we have gotten from this research. For robustness, further studies might select different groups of professionals or academics with different combinations and compare their results to ours.One more thing needs to be carefully tackled is to define the competency items as precisely as possible. Each competency is not unlikely to be postulated and understood in many different ways, especially at the first use of the POCCI model. Consensus on defining competency items is therefore crucial to dictate the success of implementing the POCCI model. Implementers should be more patient to make sure persons involved in the identification processes reach agreement on the definitions of competencies before entering the next stage. This is why the POCCI model is not the most timesaving approach. As stated in the passage, consensus could be more easily obtained and time could be saved after the model is repeatedly implemented.A weighting system is valuable in that it can truly portray the importance for each competency an entity needs and more precisely direct the company to obtain its strategic intent. However, in this demonstrated case and the cases we have experienced, attaching different weights to different entities has never been an easy job, which is even more tedious than reaching a consensus on defining competency items. A possible leeway is to select persons involved to be representative and of equal importance. Nevertheless, the possible effect of different weighting scheme on the output of the POCCI model is still worthy further explorations.\n6 Conclusion and suggestion: The concept of core competency has long been accepted by people in the discipline of strategy and human resource management. However, its application was somewhat limited due to lacking of a proper framework to link theory and practice. In this research we propose the POCCI model to fulfill the application gap. The rationale of the POCCI model is basically derived from the top-down perspective that shapes corporate strategy and from the bottom-up perspective that concludes core competency from the process analysis technique. The model also examines the strategy fitness of identified competency from resource-based (RBV) and environment-based (ESS) viewpoint. With the POCCI model, the implementation of human resource and that of strategy management can be mutually enacted, which has never been simultaneously included nor systematically structured in a model in previous literature.By the POCCI model, any company can employ the working procedures not only to formulate the strategy with high consensus but also to identify the core competencies in various levels. The versatile outputs of the model mold the advantage of it broad applications in many management systems, namely, recruiting people according to the needed competency, appraising the staffs based on performance in each competency, providing training to fill in the gap of the needed competency, and setting up a system for key performance measurements. Firms can more objectively and validly identify strategic focus via the process-oriented analysis, which greatly contributes to the applications.Though POCCI model is proved to be effective in terms of identifying core competency and a structured procedure for implementation, implementers should be more careful since a trust-worthy output is still highly depended on the participants who might be subjected to personal judgments or misunderstandings of the concept. It indicates that the side effect could be further mitigated suffice more information is provided to the participants before model implementation.Before a concluding remark, we would summarize tips provided by the participants. First, the boundary between individual competency and organizational competency should be clearly defined before launching the investigation even though we have done it successfully in this study. They also mentioned that sufficient training would facilitate the progression and saves much more time and energy in applying the POCCI model. A handbook of standardized procedures might also be needed for a successful and reliable implementation. However, these suggestions are constructive to improve the effectiveness of this POCCI model while are subjected to time and cost constrains. Further studies could make progress on these aspects.The POCCI model has been proved to be effective in clarifying core competency. We have verified its effectiveness in many cases while present only one in this research. The POCCI model is a pioneering concept to integrate strategic thinking and core competency and to serve as a useful tool for interdisciplinary researches and applications. Further studies could longitudinally trace core competencies that reside in a firm and among firms. One merit of so doing is to facilitate a firm to capture the sustainable constituents of core competencies and develop into long-run competitive edge. Factors that affect the change of core competencies as the change of time are also worthy of further explorations.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This research intends to establish a model integrating the related theories in strategy management and competency in the HRM field, and to develop a systematic tool that can help a company quickly and precisely identify its core competency.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - An internal value activity chain is obtained through analyzing customers' needs. The priority of the activities is then determined via examining external factors. The critical competency needed by the activity is abstracted from a process and operation analysis. Standardized procedures and tools for applying the Process Oriented Core Competency Identification (POCCI) model are sequentially deployed.\nFindings: - An empirical case was illustrated that the POCCI model not only helps a company identify the core competency that prevails over alternative approaches but also draws more recognition from the raters. The linkage between individual competency and organizational competitive advantage was solidified by the POCCI model and evidenced by an empirical case.\nResearch limitations/implications: - Misunderstanding over competency items might impede the consensus formation. A handbook of standardized procedures with unified definition is strongly suggested to facilitate the progression of competency identification.\nPractical implications: - The model, procedures and tools proposed in this paper can help most companies quickly and precisely identify their specific core competencies.\nOriginality/value: - The POCCI model that emphasizes interdisciplinary integration and practical usage has never been thoroughly investigated in the previous literature and could serve as a prototype for further explorations.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The assurance of food safety in supply chains via relational networking: A social network perspective	[ "Food safety", "Empirical research", "Supply chain management", "Social network theory", "Business relationships", "Relational networking" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: In his seminal work on the theory of human motivation, the psychologist Abraham Maslow (1943) developed a hierarchy of needs for human motivation that rests on the physiological need for food. Food safety, which can be defined as the characteristic that the food product will not cause any harm to the consumer when it is consumed in the right way, is therefore a basic need whose importance is unquestionable (cf. Marucheck et al., 2011b). On a food product's journey from \"farm to fork\" (Edelstein et al., 2009), food safety is at risk and can be compromised at any time (European Union, 2004). This potential risk of breaches in food safety has been heightened during the last decade (Roth et al., 2008) due to globalization, consolidation and commoditization trends in the food industry, increasing the associated complexity of managing supply chains (Speier et al., 2011). As such, while the food supply chain was primarily local and regional decades ago (Saltmarsh and Wakeman, 2004), modern food supply chains involve many more stages and often span multiple countries and continents. Evidence of the food supply chain's proneness for safety breaches is provided by the increasing number of food product-related incidents that have, in the worst case, even led to fatalities (Wallace et al., 2011); the E. coli outbreaks in Europe provide an example (BBC, 2011). The assurance of product integrity and food safety in the supply chain is therefore vital (Bourlakis and Weightman, 2004), and its advancement should be a key concern for supply chain management.\n2. Background and theoretical foundation: 2.1. The unique context of the food supply chain\n3. Hypothesis development: 3.1. Precursors to relational networking\n4. Research methodology: 4.1. Data collection\n5. Statistical analysis and hypothesis tests: 5.1. Validity and reliability assessment\n6. Discussion: In line with organizational sociologists and social network theorists (Granovetter, 1992; Gulati, 1995; Rowley et al., 2000) we forwarded the idea that the assurance of food safety in supply chains can benefit from relational networking, including both structural (PIN) and relational (RIC) elements. Benefits derived, we argued, depend on their ability to bridge structural holes in social networks, to capture unique insight from communities of practice, and to harness the embedded position achieved through such.\n7. Conclusion: The assurance of food safety is absolutely crucial, as evidenced by the detrimental consequences of breaches (Adac, 2011; BBC, 2011). Within this context, the present research sought to contribute to the literature on food safety in operations and production management by developing and testing a theoretical framework from a supply chain management perspective. Our results established the importance of relational networking for the assurance of food safety in the supply chain, and positioned social network theory as a fundamental theoretical anchor to explicate the findings.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Taking a social network perspective, the purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the assurance of food safety via relational networking.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors consider both informal and formal relational networking, and explore a firm's learning orientation, risk aversion and consumer pressure as potential precursors to such relational networking. It is further hypothesized that relational networking generates both industry and supply chain knowledge, which is suggested to be beneficial for contamination detection. The model is tested with survey data collected among food-producing firms in India, the world's second largest food producer.\nFindings: The authors find a positive influence of consumer pressure on both a firm's learning orientation and risk aversion, which in turn affect both informal and formal relational networking. Informal networking further generated industry knowledge and was beneficial for contamination detection. Formal relational networking influenced supply chain knowledge, which in turn enabled contamination detection.\nOriginality/value: Recent food product-related safety breaches, which have, in the worst case, led to fatalities, illustrate the importance of food safety in supply chains. This study represents the first systematic investigation of relational networking in the context of food safety from the perspective of social network theory.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Risk matrix for factors affecting time delay in road construction projects: owners' perspective	[ "Risk management", "Road construction", "Time delay", "Risk matrix", "Construction management", "Construction operations", "Risk analysis", "Palestine" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The construction industry has changed rapidly over the past ten years; companies are faced with more risk and uncertainty than before. Clients are more likely to engage in litigation when things go wrong. Risk in construction has been the object of attention because of time and cost overruns associated with construction projects. Many projects experience extensive delays and thereby exceed initial time and cost estimates. In addition to imparting the economic feasibility of capital projects, extensive delays provide a fertile ground for costly disputes and claims (Odeh et al., 2002).The construction industry is a key activity in any economy, it influences and is influenced by the gross domestic product of any country (Enshassi et al., 2006). The construction sector in Palestine contributes to 33 percent to the Palestinian GDP. This is a large proportion covered by this sector, thus it strongly affects various economic, social, educational, and vocational sectors, and this is why this study is important.In the West Bank, no studies have investigated time overrun in construction projects, but the general observations indicate that time overrun is a common phenomenon in construction projects. This study presents the findings of a survey aimed for identifying some of the most important delay causes in road construction projects in the West Bank from owners' perspective. It is hoped that these findings will guide efforts to enhance the performance of the construction industry.\n2. Literature review: Cost and time overruns are common in infrastructure and building construction projects. The history of the construction industry worldwide is full of projects that were completed with significant time and cost overruns (Amehl et al., 2010). Researches on construction projects in some developing countries indicate that by the time a project is completed, the actual cost exceeds the original contract price by about 30 percent (Al-Momani, 1996).Battaineh (1999) evaluated the progress reports of 164 building and 28 highway projects constructed during the period 1996-1999 in Jordan. He found that delays are extensive: the average ratio of actual completion time to the planned contract duration is 160 percent for road construction projects and 120 percent for building projects.Assaf and Al-Hejji (2006) found that only 30 percent of construction projects in Saudi Arabia were completed within the scheduled completion dates and that the average time overrun was between 10 percent and 30 percent.A number of studies have been conducted to identify the causes of delay in construction projects. Enshassi and Abu Mosa (2008) concluded that the owners in the Gaza Strip have considered awarding the design to unqualified designer to be the most important risk factor within building construction, followed by defective design and occurrence of accidents because of poor safety procedures.Odeh et al. (2002) found that contractors and consultants agreed that owner interference, inadequate contractor experience, financing and payments, labor productivity, slow decision making, improper planning, and subcontractors are among the top ten most important causes of construction delay in Joran.Assaf and Al-Hejji (2006) discussed the delay in large construction project in Saudi Arabia. A total of 73 causes of delay were identified during the research. They concluded that the most common cause of delay identified by the contractors, the consultants and the owners is \"change orders\".Mezher et al. (1998) conducted a survey of the causes of delays in the construction industry in Lebanon from the viewpoint of owners, contractors and architectural/engineering firms. It was found that owners had more concerns with regard to financial issues; contractors regarded contractual relationships the most important, while consultants considered project management issues to be the most important causes of delays.Koushki et al. (2005) conducted a study in Kuwait to study the causes of time overrun in construction projects. A person-interview survey of 450 randomly selected private residential project owners and developers have been done. They concluded that the main causes of delays are changing orders, owners' financial constraints, and owners' lack of experience.Several researchers have investigated effects of delay in construction projects and concluded that cost overrun is one of the main effects of delay (Sambasivan et al., 2007; Aibinu et al., 2002; Faridi et al., 2006; Kaliba et al., 2009).The delay of any construction project affects the direct cost of the project. In the case where the project is a public building or facility, the complications increase as the client is a government organization. The effects of delay in such cases may include (Al-Kharashi and Skitmore, 2009):* confusion regarding the public development plans;* disturbance of the budget execution plan for the government authority involved; and* public inconvenience resulting from delay of the project.And from the contractor's viewpoint, delay is simply an additional liability as:* the construction period becomes longer;* the longer period results in higher overhead costs and expenses; and* the entire contractor's working capital may become trapped in one project.\n3. Research methodology: A total of 43 factors that might cause delays of road construction projects were defined through a detailed literature review. The similar factors were grouped under one main group; the factors were divided into five groups:1. logic and environment;2. managerial;3. consultant;4. financial,; and5. external.The factors were tabulated in a questionnaire form. Then the draft questionnaire was discussed with some local experts in road construction to evaluate the content of the questionnaire. Modifications and changes have been done. The target population is the public owners in road construction projects in the West Bank.The questionnaire was sent out to a total of 25 public owners asking their contribution in identifying the risk matrix for the identified 43 factors in terms of impact and probability of occurrence. Only a total of 18 completed questionnaires were returned representing a good response rate of 72 percent. Table I shows the scale used to determine the impact of each factor on time delay and its probability of occurrence.The average value for responses to each factor is calculated to find out its impact level and its probability of occurrence.Figure 1 and Table II show the standard risk matrix, which is used to determine the risk zone for each identified factor. The matrix is 5x5 with impact ranging from VL to VH on the horizontal axis and probability (with the same range) on the vertical axis. Three zones are presented in the matrix (The US Federal Highway Administration Office of International Programs, 2007):1. green;2. yellow; and3. red.The zones have the following characteristics:* Green zone: risks in this zone are low level, and can be ignored.* Yellow zone: risks in this zone are of moderate importance; if these things happen, one can cope with them and move on. However, if their probability of occurrence is moderate it should be reduced and if their impact is moderate, it should be controlled and reduced and a contingency plans should be in place just in case they do.* Red zone: risks in this zone are of critical importance. These are the top priorities, and are risks that a close attention should be paid to them.\n4. Results and discussion: 4.1 Logic and environment group\n5. Conclusion: The aim of this study is to identify the risk matrix for factors affecting delays in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from the owners' perspective. The analysis of the identified 43 factors in a questionnaire survey indicates that six factors are located in the green zone, 29 factors are located in the yellow zone, and eight factors are located in the red zone of the risk matrix. The most severe factors that are located in the red zone are:1. poor communication between construction parties;2. poor resource management;3. delay in commencement;4. insufficient inspectors;5. rework from poor material quality;6. rework from poor workmanship;7. payments delay; and8. segmentation of the West BankIt can be seen that the most severe factors are human related factors that can be controlled and reduced by improving the skills of the construction parties (i.e. managerial skills, labors skills, resources management skills, site management skills, etc.).The following points can be recommended by the government and Palestinian Contractors Union in order to reduce and control delays in road construction projects:* The Government should conduct continuous training programs in co-operation with Palestinian Contractors Union to improve managerial skills of construction parties as well as labor skills.* The Palestinian Contractors Union should cooperate with the Government to modify and improve the regulations and laws to meet the impact of closure and segmentation of the West Bank. Such new regulations are supposed to make it more possible for companies to make profits.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The aim of this study is to identify the risk matrix for factors causing time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from owners' viewpoint.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - In total, 43 factors that might cause delays of road construction projects were defined through a detailed literature review. The factors were tabulated in a questionnaire form, which was sent out to a total of 25 public owners asking their contribution in identifying the risk matrix for the 43 factors in terms of impact and probability of occurrence. Three zones were used in the matrix according to the degree of factors' severity on the projects' time delay; they are: green, yellow, and red.\nFindings: - The analysis of 43 factors considered indicates that six factors are located in the green zone, 29 factors are located in the yellow zone, and eight factors are located in the red zone.\nOriginality/value: - The paper identifies the risk matrix for factors affecting time delay in road construction projects in the West Bank in Palestine from the owners' perspective.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The concept of trust in disasters: the Slovenian experience	[ "Disaster", "Trust", "Public", "Disaster and emergency management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Trust between stakeholders is widely regarded as a precondition of successful disaster response. This paper contributes to the recent research in the field by exploring the issue of trust with regard to disaster response in Slovenia, a country frequently affected by disasters, especially floods, storms, drought, fires, and also occasionally earthquakes and ice storms. The main purpose of the analysis is to identify the level of public trust in disaster response actors, i.e. the government, civilian disaster response institutions and the military, based upon their performance during disasters. This paper offers an analysis of Slovenian public opinion data in order to test hypotheses on trust in government both in normal times and in times of disaster, on trust in civilian disaster response institutions, on the role of the military in disaster response, and on authorities' and media communication activities during disasters.\nTheoretical background: The modern concept of trust in institutions dates back to the 1960s when Almond and Verba (1965) examined political culture and made a connection between political culture and democracy. Their work was continued by Inglehart (1990), who claimed that a sense of trust is necessary for the functioning of the democratic rules of the game. Almond and Verba, as well as Inglehart, actually addressed the question of interpersonal trust. When referring to measurements of interpersonal trust in society, they referred to national levels of trust. Today, the concept of trust is commonly understood and applied as a tool for assessing the legitimacy and social position of institutions.\nOverview of recent research of trust related to risk and disasters: A number of researchers have analysed trust in politics, institutions, organisations, and experts, and trust among citizens themselves in relation to risk and disasters. Kervyn et al. (2014), for instance, established that, following a disaster, political trust impacts an organisation's reputation and concurrently affects the public's expectation of the organisation's mitigation and intervention efforts. An institution (e.g. local government) that depends on the cooperation of the population for its disaster response efforts will have difficulties mobilising the public if it is perceived to have a poor reputation and is not well trusted.\nTrust in disaster response actors in Slovenia: Hypotheses\nResults: Evaluation of disaster response actors\nDiscussion: Previous empirical analyses have made contradicting findings as far as trust in government and other institutions is concerned. Some researchers reported that the level of trust in institutions after a disaster decreased (Liang, 2016; Thoresen et al., 2018), whereas Schupp et al. (2017) claimed the opposite. Additionally, Slovic (1997) warned that re-establishment of trust is extremely difficult. The survey results in Slovenia are somewhat peculiar and idiosyncratic. Under normal circumstances, public trust in political authorities, especially in the parliament and government, is low. However, the trust is slightly higher after a disaster, especially in the recently most-affected region of Slovenia. Therefore, there is a positive correlation between the public's perception of the government's performance during a disaster and the level of public trust in the government. Trust in the government to inform the public in a timely and comprehensive manner about the disaster is also relatively high, meaning that the public expects politicians to perform responsibly in challenging times. Other institutions that are responsible for disaster response are highly trusted. Chief among these are firemen and civil protection structures, closely followed by humanitarian and other volunteer organisations. Firemen and civil protection originate from local communities where the social capital is rather developed. They are key actors of social and functional dynamics during disaster, especially firemen who have excellent image, and their response to disaster is often prompt and effective. It can be said that, while Slovenian society is a \"post-trust society\", low levels of trust can be increased in the context of a disaster. As we can see, the population in the recently most-affected region gave high performance ratings to the disaster management system as a whole and to individual actors, and consequently attributed high levels of trust to them. The data clearly showed that the performance of individual actors and the disaster management system as a whole is a key indicator of public trust. This confirms H1.\nConclusion: A number of researchers have examined the level of public trust in politics, institutions, the media and experts in the context of disasters. The present research contributes to this body of literature by examining the Slovenian public's trust in government, civilian disaster response institutions, the military, NGOs and the media, based on their performance during disasters. The key findings about the level of public trust in these disaster response actors are as follows:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the level of public trust in disaster response actors, i.e. the government, civilian disaster response institutions, the military, NGOs and the media.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The data source is the 2015-2016 Slovenian Public Opinion Survey, which used face-to-face interviews (computer-assisted personal interviewing software), and a standardised instrument (questionnaire). A two-stage probability sampling design with stratification at the first stage was applied. The first stage involved a probability proportional to size selection of 150 small areas (statistical areas), where the size measurement was a the number of adult persons in the Central Population Register. The second stage involved the simple random sampling of 12 persons from each of the 150 primary sampling units. A total of 1,024 adult residents participated in the survey.\nFindings: The findings suggest that trust in the government under normal situations is low; however, it becomes slightly higher during disaster conditions. Civilian disaster response institutions (especially firemen and civil protection), the military and NGOs (humanitarian and other volunteer organisations) are highly trusted before and during disasters. Trust in the authorities and media to inform the public in a timely and comprehensive manner about the disaster is also relatively high.\nResearch limitations/implications: Perhaps in another period of research, disaster-related experiences of the population might be different, which could certainly change the survey results about trust. Nevertheless, the main finding that low pre-disaster trust can be recovered during a disaster by adequate performance of the institution is not jeopardised.\nOriginality/value: The survey results are original.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Live, Eat, Love: life equilibrium as a driver of organic food purchase	[ "Organic food", "Purchase intentions", "Health consciousness", "Extrinsic quality attributes", "Intrinsic quality attributes", "Life equilibrium" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Organic food, by definition, contains fewer harmful additives and more primary and secondary nutrients than conventional food, and it should carry no additional risk of food poisoning (Chen, 2009). Together with the evident growth in popularity of healthy and balanced lifestyles, this fact represents one of the potential reasons why the organic food market has grown substantially in recent years across the globe (Padel and Foster, 2005; Hughner et al., 2007; Gifford and Bernard, 2006), thus becoming interesting for both academics and practitioners in a variety of disciplines.\n2. Conceptual framework of the research: Based on the self-concept theory and means-end theory, the authors develop a conceptual framework that encompasses health consciousness, life equilibrium, intrinsic and extrinsic food quality attributes and purchase intentions. Namely, means-end theory assumes that the consumer will focus on the linkages between intrinsic and extrinsic organic food quality attributes (the \"means\") and the purchase intentions that are consequences of those attributes (the \"ends\"), all of which are driven by a specific consumer lifestyle - life equilibrium (Gutman, 1982; Zanoli and Naspetti, 2002; Reynolds and Gutman, 1988). According to the self-concept theory, individuals' behaviour will be directed towards the protection and enhancement of self-concept, e.g. being health conscious (Sirgy, 1982; Fischler, 1988; Bisogni et al., 2002, 2012). Thus, we argue that the behaviour of an individual will reflect and enhance his/her own self-concept, which in the context of our study is organic food purchase and consumption. The conceptual framework (see Figure 1) is elaborated in more detail in subsequent sections.\n3. Methodology: 3.1 Sampling and data collection\n4. Findings and discussion: 4.1 Measurement model analysis\n5. Conclusion: The main theoretical contributions of this paper lie in uncovering the complex relationships that exist among health consciousness, life equilibrium, perceived organic food quality dimensions and purchase intentions, while practical contributions are reflected in the results, which perceived that organic food quality dimensions are relevant in shaping consumers' purchase intentions.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to disentangle the effect of life equilibrium on organic food purchase intentions through a consideration of the evaluation of intrinsic and extrinsic food quality attributes. Furthermore, the study examines the role of health consciousness in achieving life equilibrium.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The conceptual framework was developed based on previous research and tested through a quantitative study with end consumers. The hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modelling.\nFindings: The results obtained from this study show that the perceived quality associated with the intrinsic attributes of organic food mediates a positive influence of life equilibrium on consumers' organic food purchase intentions. The study also confirms that life equilibrium mediates the effects of health consciousness on the evaluation of intrinsic and extrinsic food quality attributes.\nResearch limitations/implications: The theoretical contributions of the paper lie in uncovering the complex relationships that exist among health consciousness, life equilibrium, perceived organic food quality dimensions and purchase intentions and providing new evidence showing which perceived intrinsic organic food quality dimensions are relevant in shaping consumers' purchase intentions.\nPractical implications: The research results suggest that organic food managers should focus on developing stronger value propositions that are based more on intrinsic food quality characteristics and less on extrinsic ones.\nOriginality/value: This study recognizes the relevance of life equilibrium as a specific consumer lifestyle form, which drives organic food consumption through extrinsic and intrinsic food quality attributes.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Questioning clerkship: applying Popper's evolutionary analysis of learning to medical student training	[ "Educational management", "Knowledge building", "Medical reform training practices", "Popper’s evolutionary analysis of learning" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Popper's evolutionary analysis of learning is founded on the notion that theories cannot be proven; they can only be disproven. This notion is commonly illustrated by considering the theory that \"all swans are white,\" and realizing that, although numerous confirmatory observations of white swans do not prove the truth of this theory, a single observation of a black swan would disprove it (Chitpin, 2013). Therefore, Popper argues, knowledge growth occurs when we seek out errors contained in our theories and eliminate these errors through modifying or replacing our theories (Chitpin, 2013). The process of subjecting one's theories to criticism in order to eliminate errors and adopt more acceptable theories demonstrates what Popper (2002) refers to as critical rationalism.\nPopper's evolutionary analysis of learning applied to clerkship: Discussions around learning often assume that some learning takes place outside of the learner, through the receipt of information from another person or the environment. This view is based on a century-old philosophical notion that informational elements act as building blocks of learning, which are absorbed from the environment through the senses and accumulate in a person's mind as sense data (Swann, 2009). In order to illustrate how Popper's approach differs from such a conception of learning, we examine the exchange between a preceptor (Sam) and a medical student (Lisa). The following exchange is based on our observations during a team meeting in a Canadian teaching hospital. We sent the transcript of our observation to Lisa for her comments. The statements in italics represent Lisa's additions. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identity of participants in the exchange:Lisa: In summary, this lady with endocarditis is very sick. Although her fatigue and respiratory status seem to be improving, she might still throw septic emboli into her lungs, but we can't do anything but continue her course of antibiotics. Even though she has a pleural effusion on the left, possibly an empyema, she's not letting us tap the fluid because she doesn't want other people poking her with needles.\nThe nature of learning: an evolutionary view of how organisms learn: From Popper's evolutionary standpoint, an organism learns in the context of experience through the acquisition of new dispositions, dispositions that are neither purely an outcome of genetic inheritance nor of haphazard organic change (Popper, 1979). Popper believes that an organism's dispositions embody its expectations and that it is the disappointment of these expectations that drives learning. Significant changes in expectations are usually accompanied by changes in what the individual is capable of experiencing and in its potential responses to its environment. The ability to learn is a form of adaptability, which is an evolutionary advantage.\nPopper's approach: a schema of trial and error elimination: Popper's (1979) evolutionary analysis of learning embodies a process of trial and error elimination. It differs from other scientific and critical approaches to trial and error in that it emphasizes a constructive attitude toward errors - it views them as essential to the growth of knowledge and actively seeks them out. Popper's process of trial and error elimination follows the schema: P1- TS1-EE1-P2. In this schema, \"P\" stands for \"problem,\" \"TS\" stands for \"tentative solution\" and \"EE\" stands for \"(attempted) error elimination.\" Through criticism and discussion, error elimination gives rise to a new situation and, potentially, to a new problem (P2). In other words, one's expectations and dispositions evolve as one moves through the process of trial and error elimination, which corresponds to a growth of knowledge.\nRole of the environment in learning: Swann (2012) suggests that, for learning to take place, methods that assume one or more of the following fallacious ideas should be avoided:\nHow does learning respond to \"instructive procedures?\": When a teacher teaches, many believe that he or she is imparting knowledge to students and that this is how the students are learning (Burgess, 1975; Swann, 2012). However, a Popperian view of learning asserts that, when students learn in an educational context, it is not because informational elements have been transferred to them, or that their education is being, in some way, \"managed.\" Rather, learning occurs when a teacher challenges students, causing them to put their hypotheses to the test through trial and error elimination. In our example, Sam's method of instruction fails Lisa because it does not allow her to critically examine or test her hypothesis and, instead, employs humiliation and authoritative statements in an attempt to change her approach. Occasionally, through instruction, some students may learn some of what the teacher intends to teach, but it is a hit or miss method of instruction. According to Swann (2009), much of the process will remain unexplained and inexplicable. For example, instead of learning to care differently for her patients, as Sam intends, Lisa might learn how to continue behaving as she sees fit, while not drawing attention to herself. Her thoughts on the second day of her clerkship under Sam demonstrate this:As Sam repeats his speech from yesterday, I make a decision. I will first ensure I'm not crossing any boundaries or being taken advantage of. Once I'm sure of that, I will keep monitoring her for any septic embolic events. I will ask her again if she's willing to have us drain the fluid from her left lung. I will try my best to mitigate her abuse of the nurses. I will continue caring for this lady, as I have previously done, to the best of my ability. Caring for her has nothing to do with my ego, or self-worth. If this lady abuses the nursing staff, and makes poor health decisions, that is her failure, not mine. But I will make an earnest attempt to have her make good decisions, as I believe that is the right thing to do.\nDiscussion: When we want something to be true, we gather information that supports our desires, beliefs or values (Henrion and Fischhoff, 1986; Tweney, 1989). This confirmation bias does not just affect what information we seek; it also affects what we notice in the first place (Heath and Heath, 2013; Popper, 1979; Swann, 2012). In most cases, our assumptions of fact do not have major consequences. However, in some cases, our ignorance or confirmation biases can have major consequences. In a hospital setting, the consequences can even become life or death situations. Sam believes that the way Lisa cares for the patient with endocarditis is undermining the health care system and that, by using humiliation, he can correct her approach. Put in terms of Popper's schema, Sam sees Lisa's behavior as a problem and his tentative solution is to use humiliation through his position of authority to alter her future behavior. Not only does he fail to subject his solution to a process of trial and error elimination, but his solution may also have negative implications for Lisa's professional and personal life. Swann (2003) suggests that there is much to gain from trying \"to (a) avoid solutions to practical problems that embody erroneous assumptions about the effectiveness of the solution, unintended consequences, and the existence of better alternative solutions, and (b) advance our knowledge\" (p. 262). These actions become even more important when the solutions we employ have serious implications for individual and organizational futures.\nConclusion: In this paper, we consider Popper's evolutionary analysis of learning as it applies to medical students' clerkships. Contrary to traditional conceptions of learning as knowledge transmission, Popper's approach asserts that knowledge growth can only occur through a process of trial and error elimination (Chitpin, 2013; Swann, 2009). It is a non-authoritarian approach that advocates critical rationalism and challenges positivist assumptions of fact. Assumptions of fact are not only made by many educators and preceptors, they are also embedded in the design and management of most educational institutions and teaching hospitals worldwide (Ariely, 2008).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Through a series of critical discussions on Karl Popper's evolutionary analysis of learning and the non-authoritarian values it promotes, the purpose of this paper is to advocate a Popperian approach for building medical student knowledge. Specifically, it challenges positivist assumptions that permeate the design and management of many educational institutions, including teaching hospitals, by considering what does and does not happen when learning takes place.\nDesign/methodology/approach: To illustrate how Popper's approach differs from such a conception of learning, the paper examines the exchange between a preceptor (Sam) and a medical student (Lisa). The following exchange is based on the observations during a team meeting in a Canadian teaching hospital. The authors sent the transcript of the observation to Lisa for her comments. The statements in italics represent Lisa's additions. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identity of participants in the exchange.\nFindings: Popper's evolutionary analysis of learning and the Objective Knowledge Growth Framework provide a means of managing specific aspects of one's education through engaging in this learning process. Although this approach to teaching and decision making takes time to master, it does not require reconstituting existing institutional arrangements before it can be implemented in hospitals. Instead, it asks medical students, teachers and practitioners to be open to the theoretical underpinnings of the approach and to view knowledge growth as a process of systematic trial and error elimination.\nOriginality/value: This paper is original in its conceptualisation and may well become a classic in education circles. It draws on Popper's philosophical arguments and enters into a much needed discourse for teaching and learning.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The internal rate of return (IRR): projections, benchmarks and pitfalls	[ "Performance measurement", "Property valuation", "IRR", "Expected rate of return", "Internal rate of return", "Target rate" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In a previous Education Briefing (French and Patrick, 2015), we looked at the plethora of yields and benchmarks that are used in the finance world. This concluded that yields, in all their forms, are simply expressions (normally in percentage terms) of the attractiveness of an investment. They are benchmarks; nothing more, nothing less and different investors use different benchmarks.\nPerformance measurement and the IRR: Any investment will only become a good investment if it achieves, or exceeds, the expected returns that were factored into the pricing of the investment at the time of purchase.\nMathematically, what is the IRR?: The IRR is the discount (interest) rate which equates the sum of the present values of a cash flow to zero. If the NPV of a project is zero at a selected discount rate, that rate is, by definition, the IRR. The IRR is then an algebraic equivalence. No more and no less. Mathematically it is expressed as:\nA cash flow may not have a unique IRR: The cash flow in Table I is typical of those encountered in analysing let (income producing) properties. It starts with a negative cash flow, the purchase, and is followed by a series of positive ones being the rental income and eventual sale proceeds. There has to be at least one change in direction of the cash flow to determine an IRR. But if there are multiple changes in direction of the cash flow then there may be multiple IRRs.\nNegative IRRs can be misleading: Table III shows an investment which is clearly a poor one. In cash flow 1, payments totalling 130 earn a single receipt of 87 at the end of the period. Cash flows 2 and 3 are the same except that the final receipt is delayed a further one then two periods.\nReceiving back less than you invested appears to be good: Table IV shows a cash flow where the cash received is less than the cash paid. It also has more than one change of direction so may have multiple IRR solutions.\nThe IRR may rank projects incorrectly: Table V shows two Projects A and B. It is self-evident that Project B is better than Project A as it involves a smaller outlay for the same cash return. But the two projects have the same IRR.\nThe IRR is not reliable for comparing opportunities with large differences in scale: Consider the following two opportunities. Project A has the better IRR although at the target rate of return, Project B has the greater NPV Table VI.\nThe timing of cash flows, is important in decision making: In Table VII, Projects A and B both have the same initial investment. Project A eventually returns more cash but Project B has a higher NPV at the target rate of return.\nRate of return, in isolation, is not the only decision factor: Suppose an investor is faced with two opportunities. The first is to make 100 into 140 over one year (a 40 per cent return). The second is to make 100 into 300 over four years (a 32 per cent return).\nConclusions: You can see, by reference to some very simple examples, that the IRR is not as robust as many users believe. But, as said before, knowing the pitfalls and how to interpret the results correctly can negate some of these shortcomings and allow the user the benefit of a simple benchmark that is used (if not understood) industry wide.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of the internal rate of return (IRR) as a principal measure of performance of investments and to highlight some of the weaknesses of the IRR in evaluating investments in this way.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This Education Briefing is an overview of the limitations of the IRR in making capital budgeting decisions. It is illustrated with a number of counter-intuitive examples.\nFindings: The advantage of the IRR is that it is, on the surface, a wonderfully simple benchmark. One figure that tells a story. But, the disadvantage is that if used in isolation the IRR can give misleading results when used to assess investment proposals.\nPractical implications: The IRR should be used in conjunction with other analyses to appraise projects, so that the user can determine its veracity in the context of other benchmarks. This context is particularly important when assessing investments with unusual cash flows.\nOriginality/value: This is a review of existing models.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Ethics in college and university admissions: a trilogy of concerns and arguments	[ "Ethics", "Trust", "Organizational behaviour", "Universities", "Admissions", "United States of America" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The admissions process at colleges and universities can pose many ethical dilemmas for admissions officers as well as for prospective students seeking to gain entrance to institutions of higher education. Framed primarily from the perspective of admissions officers, this paper explores a trilogy of ethical concerns and arguments regarding the higher education admissions process in the USA. The first segment of the trilogy explores the admissions profession as a calling, discusses some of the ethical issues currently involved in the admissions field, and makes the argument that most of these ethical issues are rooted in a breakdown of the admissions system in two areas - access and trust. The second part of the trilogy focuses on the ethical pressures that are encountered by various types of post-secondary institutions as the admissions process unfolds. These pressures are examined in the context of an ethical typology that describes the admissions practices of colleges and universities in terms of the congruency between their espoused and enacted values. The degree of congruency between espoused values and enacted values defines whether the admissions process is viewed as immoral, pseudo-moral, or moral - and each view has important implications for the efficacy and fairness of college and university admissions. The third segment of the trilogy examines three categories of dilemmas:1. recruiting;2. personal biases in admissions decisions; and3. conflicts between personal ethical standards and institutional directivesthat confront admissions officers on a daily basis. These dilemmas are considered relative to three general types of schools: ultra selective colleges and universities, non-selective private colleges and universities, and large state-funded public colleges and universities.We now turn our attention to the first part of the trilogy of ethical concerns and arguments.\nTrilogy Part I: the breakdown of ethics in college admissions - access and trust: In the USA today, there seems to be a fascination with the college admissions process. Hundreds of books, papers, articles, and web sites are devoted to examining and describing what happens \"behind the scenes\" in the admissions offices at universities and colleges across the country. Although much attention is paid to the process and how applicants can \"enhance their chances\" in that process, little attention is focused on the people who actually recruit students, read their applications, and vote on their acceptance. Who are these faceless administrators and what guides them in their daily lives? In Part I of our trilogy of concerns and arguments, we plan to discuss admissions as a profession as well as current areas in which the admissions process breaks down. First, we will examine the admissions profession as a calling. Next, we will explore some of the current ethical issues involved in the field. Finally, we will assert that most of these issues are rooted in a breakdown of the admissions system in two areas: access and trust.In exploring these two systemic breakdowns, three important questions must be addressed. The questions include the following: is admissions, as a profession, an ethical calling? What types of ethical dilemmas are encountered during the admissions process? How does the concept of stewardship fit into the admissions process? The answers to these questions are much more critical for our educational system and society than the typical, \"How can my child improve his/her SAT score?\"Admissions as a calling\nTrilogy Part II: a spectrum of institutions in ethical admissions practices: In the preceding section, we discussed the ethical issues of access and trust that are being faced in the college admissions process. The purpose of this section is to examine the ethical pressures that are encountered by various types of post-secondary institutions as the admissions process unfolds. The competitive landscape found in higher education is extremely diverse as reflected in any number of measures: institutional size, reputation, offerings, financial stability, etc. Ethical dilemmas can arise in the admissions process for any type of institution. In this part of our trilogy of concerns and arguments, we will address three important questions:1. How do institutions value their most precious input resources (i.e. the students they select)?2. Why are the stakes so high for admissions and financial awards?3. How do colleges and universities actually behave in the marketplace and where do these behaviors fall within an ethical typology that considers enacted values relative to espoused values?These are issues that affect college admissions behaviors, and it is the inconsistency that occurs in admissions behaviors that is a major cause of the lack of trust in and perceptions of restricted access to the admissions system.Valuing prospective students\nTrilogy Part III: admissions officers - confronting ethical issues on a daily basis: We are responsible for the integrity of our actions and, insofar as we can affect them, the actions of our member institutions and organizations. [...] We believe the effectiveness of our profession, college counseling, admission and enrollment management is enhanced when we work together to promote and protect students and their best interests. [...] We believe our profession, college counseling, admission and enrollment management is based upon trust, mutual respect and honesty, with one another and with students. [...] We believe in and are committed to educating students, their families, the public, fellow education professionals, and ourselves about the transition to and within postsecondary education. [...] We believe our members have a responsibility to treat one another and students in a fundamentally fair and equitable manner. [...] We believe we have a duty to serve students responsibly, by safeguarding their rights and their access to and within postsecondary education - NACAC (2008, p. 2, revised) core values.In the two previous parts our trilogy of concerns and arguments, we discussed:* the ethical issues of access and trust that are being faced in the college admissions process; and* the ethical pressures faced by various types of post-secondary institutions involved in the admissions process.In this third and final segment of our trilogy of ethical concerns and arguments regarding the college admissions process, we look at the ethical issues confronting admissions officers on a daily basis. We have seen in our previous work how a lack of trust in the college admissions system itself and perceived (or real) lack of access to desired schools can put pressure on students, families, and schools to engage in unethical behaviors. The admissions officer is caught in the middle of this storm. The daily work of admissions officers involves meeting with young people (and their families), describing their institution, discussing how their school might be a fit for students, and reading about and evaluating the past achievements of high school students. How can officers act ethically if the school for which they work provides incentives for them to behave otherwise?The NACAC is the professional organization that guides admissions officers in the USA. This organization represents thousands of schools (both secondary and post-secondary) that have a wide variety of resources and missions. From the above NACAC quote, it is clear that students are the top priority and that ethical behavior is expected of NACAC members. While the above statements are clear, additional amplification is needed in order to ensure ethical behavior. This additional amplification is provided in member conventions that provide greater detail regarding the implication of the quoted ethical guidelines. NACAC (2008, p. 2, revised) states that the \"member conventions represent a set of understandings or agreements to frame our code of ethics.\" Yet, each convention (or statement) leaves open many ethical questions. Table II shows a description of each statement and some of the ethical questions that arise from the statement. Admission officers have (and must exercise) a great deal of latitude in following these guidelines. Indeed, these guidelines and the ethical questions they prompt should be viewed as the context within which admissions officers make their decisions and take actions on a daily basis.Admissions officers have a great deal of knowledge that is non-public information and, as a profession, they may have issues that compare closely to the issues of ethics in the finance industry - issues that depart from broad laws and engender a greater need for trust. As Rae and Wong (2004, p. 321) write about the finance industry:[...] professionals with a high degree of technical expertise that the general public does not have, are placed in a position of great power to mislead [...] [and in turn] people are placing a great deal of trust in their expertise and in their integrity.On a daily basis, admissions officers will experience conflicts of interests (whether in recruiting, reading applicant files, or making admission decisions). In recruiting, for example, it would be easy for officers to make misleading claims. Like the weaker positions of less-developed countries, poorly informed (usually lower socio-economically disadvantaged) families would make easy targets for unethical officers. There is even a need in admissions to beware of a parallel to the industrial relativism that is seen in finance wherein the university's marketing \"arms race\" seems to grow worse each year (Rae and Wong, 2004, p. 321). Like finance (which includes very diverse institutions like banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, etc.), the admissions field contains a wide variety of schools that only adds to the potential for questionable ethical behavior.We will now turn our attention to examining three categories of ethical dilemmas that typically confront admissions officers and how these dilemmas may play out differently at different types of schools. The three categories of dilemmas are:1. recruiting;2. personal biases in admissions decisions; and3. conflicts between personal ethical standards and institutional directives.In our analysis, we will refer to three general types of schools: ultra selective colleges and universities (where admission rates are under 20 percent), non-selective private colleges and universities (where admissions rates are over 50 percent), and large state funded public colleges and universities (like Indiana University or the State University of New York). The following cases highlight areas of ethical conflict for many admissions officers, or as expressed by John Keiser, President of Southwest Missouri State University, regarding that institution:What are the ethics of deciding who should be admitted to the limited spaces in our Laboratory School, the only one in the state, and a place where space is coveted by the relatively well-to-do and influential townspeople? The rule of law cannot be explained enough (Keiser, 2006/2007, online).Recruiting\nA concluding observation: The bottom line for admissions officers is that they can be caught between that proverbial \"rock and a hard place.\" The breakdown of trust in the system and access to the system has placed admissions officers in difficult ethical situations on a daily basis. Although the ethical guidelines of NACAC provide admissions officers with guidance, they only go so far in helping officers to resolve the ethical dilemmas confronting them. Indeed, the NACAC conventions raise ethical questions as well as providing ethical guidance. Officers must go beyond these conventions. Officers must balance students, families, their own college's needs and wants, and a host of internal beliefs. It will require a new paradigm for college admissions to allow this profession/calling a place where ethical behavior is reinforced, not strained.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to explore ethical challenges and dilemmas that exist within admissions systems at colleges and universities in the USA.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Although the issues considered herein are examined primarily from the perspective of admissions officers, this paper also considers the viewpoint of prospective students (and their parents) who are seeking to gain entrance to specific institutions of higher education. The ethical concerns of admissions officers and prospective students within the admissions process is explored through conceptual analysis of a trilogy of ethical concerns and arguments regarding the higher education admissions process in the USA.\nFindings: - Part I of the trilogy explores the admissions profession as a calling, discusses some of the ethical issues currently involved in the admissions field, and makes the argument that most of these ethical issues are rooted in a breakdown of the admissions system in two areas - access and trust. Part II of the trilogy focuses on the ethical pressures that are encountered by various types of post-secondary educational institutions as the admissions process unfolds. These pressures are examined in the context of an ethical typology that describes the admissions practices of colleges and universities in terms of the congruency between their espoused and enacted values. The degree of congruency between espoused and enacted values defines whether the admissions process is viewed as immoral, pseudo-moral, or moral - and each view has important implications for the efficacy and fairness of college and university admissions. Part III of the trilogy examines three categories of ethical dilemmas - recruiting, personal biases in admissions decisions, and conflicts between personal ethical standards and institutional directives - that confront admissions officers on a daily basis. The implications of these dilemmas are considered relative to three general types of schools: ultra selective colleges and universities, non-selective private colleges and universities, and large state-funded public colleges and universities.\nOriginality/value: - The admission systems at colleges and universities in the USA provide fertile ground for the development of ethical challenges and dilemmas regarding which prospective students will gain entry into which academic institutions. Recognizing these ethical challenges and dilemmas and effectively dealing with them is a professional imperative for admissions officers and the academic institutions they represent. Conceptualizing the ethical challenges of admissions within the context of access and trust provides an innovative approach guiding admissions professionals toward moral decisions and actions regarding who is admitted to their respective institutions.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Exploring privacy and trust for employee monitoring	[ "Organizational culture", "Compliance", "Trust", "Commitment", "Communication privacy management", "Employee monitoring" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: The world has been transformed by the technologies developed throughout the Industrial Age. New technologies, such as e-mail, global positioning system, wireless communication, and telematic units, have changed the conventional organizational setting and reshaped the relationship between an employee and an employer. Due to the fact that employees have a diverse range of work ethics, knowledge, and intentions, employers are inclined to monitor their employees' activities while providing them access to various communication technologies, such as the internet, e-mail, and computers. There is a wide range of software and hardware solutions to monitor employees in the workplace, such as keystroke logs, application and web site usage, detailed file usage, incoming and outgoing chats and e-mails, packages transmitted over internet connections, windows interacted with internet packet data, desktop screenshots, software installations, and so on (Yerby, 2013). There are numerous reasons why employers believe employee monitoring is necessary for the workplace, and the most advocated three justifications are protecting the organization from liability risks, protecting organizational assets, and ensuring employees' job performance (Smith and Tabak, 2009).\n2. Literature review: 2.1. CPM theory\n3. Research model and hypotheses: Figure 1 shows the research model. Variables comprise organizational culture, CPM, trust, and employee performance in employee monitoring.\n4. Research methods and results: 4.1. Data collection\n5. Discussion: The purpose of this study was to develop a thorough understanding of employees' reactions toward employee monitoring while also exploring organizational culture, CPM, trust, commitment, and compliance.\n6. Implications and limitations: The findings of the study provide several implications for both academic and pragmatic practitioners. For practitioners, the findings help organizations to improve the performance of their employees and to design a more effective environment for employee monitoring. Employees feel limited CPM in control-oriented organizational culture. Organizations could avoid excessive control-oriented organizational culture for better a negotiation of the privacy boundary between employees and employers. Among communication turbulence in negotiating privacy with employees, concern about organizational infringement is the main factor influencing trust relationships. Thus, a good CPM generates trust in work relationships and encourages a strong motivation and intention of employee commitment and compliance. The aforementioned factors can also help organizations achieve higher employee performance.\n7. Conclusions: This study explored how employee monitoring affects employees' attitudes toward their organizations and employee performance under the practice of monitoring. A research model was proposed to study the importance of relationships among organizational culture, CPM, trust, commitment, and compliance. The findings showed that a control-oriented organizational culture raised communication privacy turbulence in CPM; the communication privacy turbulence in CPM mostly had negative effects on trust in employee monitoring policy, but not on trust in employee monitoring members; and both trust in employee monitoring policy and trust in employee monitoring members had positive effects on employee commitment and compliance to employee monitoring. The validated research model and corresponding findings can be referenced by managers and employees for enhancing employee performance through workplace monitoring.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate privacy boundaries and explores employees' reactions in employee monitoring.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research used the metaphor of boundary turbulence in the Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory to demonstrate the psychological effect on employees. The model comprised organizational culture, CPM, trust, and employee performance in employee monitoring to further investigated the influence exerted by organizational culture and how employees viewed their trust within the organization when implementing employee monitoring. Variables were measured empirically by administrating questionnaires to full-time employees in organizations that currently practice employee monitoring.\nFindings: The findings showed that a control-oriented organizational culture raised communication privacy turbulence in CPM. The communication privacy turbulence in CPM mostly had negative effects on trust in employee monitoring policy, but not on trust in employee monitoring members. Both trust in employee monitoring policy and trust in employee monitoring members had positive effects on employee commitment and compliance to employee monitoring.\nResearch limitations/implications: This research applied the CPM theory in workplace privacy to explore the relationship between employees' privacy and trust. The results provide insights of why employees feel psychological resistance when they are forced to accept the practice of employee monitoring. In addition, this study explored the relationship between CPM and trust, and offer support and verification to prior studies.\nPractical implications: For practitioners, the findings help organizations to improve the performance of their employees and to design a more effective environment for employee monitoring.\nOriginality/value: A research model was proposed to study the impacts of CPM on employee monitoring, after a broad survey on related researches. The validated model and its corresponding study results can be referenced by organization managers and decision makers to make favorable tactics for achieving their goals of implementing employee monitoring.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Facility management knowledge development in Malaysia: Added value in hospitality managerial competency	[ "Knowledge", "Facilities management", "Training", "Competencies", "Hospitality management" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Facility Management (FM) encompasses various disciplines to ensure workplace environment functionality by implementing integration between people, place, process and technology (IFMA, 2009). In Malaysia, facility management is an area that is still new in terms of the growth of knowledge and practice according to FM industry needs in Malaysia. As such, knowledge in the FM field needs to be studied to develop a competency model, and to ensure a glorious future in the FM field. There are several important factors that contribute to the success in developing a certification designation for managers in a particular industry such as understanding what knowledge related, skills and attributes (Koenigsfeld et al., 2012).\nBackground of study: Before going deeper to identify the knowledge needed and to develop the conceptual model of training syllabus in FM, the related issues must be first discussed properly. A research carried out by Syed Mustapa and Adnan (2008) has indicated the existence of four main problems in the implementation of FM in Malaysia. The first problem is the lack of participation from any organization due to the lack of understanding in preparing the foundation for a comprehensive FM implementation to achieve the objectives. The second problem is the lack of technical knowledge and specialists in problem solving. The third problem is the lack in preparation of complete guidelines for FM. The fourth problem is the absence of association institutions or statutory bodies which monitor and recognize the FM profession in Malaysia. All four problems are interrelated among each other. However, the second problem relates to knowledge in the FM field that needs to be prioritized and studied in detail.\nThe importance and growth of knowledge: In the past several decades, FM has been a professional integrated approach to support core business for many of business organizations, educational institutions and government departments in managing facility resources effectively and offering a high degree of support services (Gao and Cao, 2011).\nContinuity between knowledge, practice and profession in FM in Malaysia: In Malaysia, FM is an area that is still new in terms of the growth of knowledge and practice according to the FM industry needs in Malaysia. Kamaruzzaman and Zawawi (2010) stated that Malaysia has put great focus toward greater performance of FM in Malaysia using a holistic approach by integrating effort and collective responsibility.\nRelationship between requirements in managerial competencies influence of context on hospitality industry with the facility management's practice: The competencies required in hospitality environment are parts of the perceived need for interpersonal skills followed by the competency which is defined as a skill or personal attribute/ability that is required to be effective on the job that is critical to achieving targeted outcomes (Brownell, 2008). Furthermore, most of the competency models developed in the hospitality and tourism settings seem to provide limited focus on specific categories of behavior which might facilitate customer satisfaction, followed by the suggestion that a context specific model including both management and leadership components will assist hospitality and tourism managers by focusing on service quality and aligning organizational efforts (Testa and Sipe, 2012). Moreover, to increase hotel profit, top managers focus most on generic practice-oriented professional competencies and technical professional competencies (Jeou-Shyan et al., 2011). According to Asree et al. (2010), good leadership competency such as self-managing, strategic positioning knowledge, critical thinking, leadership skill and industry knowledge and experience would improve the level of hotel's responsiveness in Malaysia toward its customer needs.\nResearch method: To achieve the research objectives, this research has used a quantitative approach. A questionnaire form was designed based on nine competency areas that define the practice area of competent facility practitioners (IFMA, 2009). Competency areas will be considered as the basis for the types of knowledge, not including the skills to identify the level of importance among the types of knowledge (Korsten, 2003). A survey instrument was subsequently created that consists of 9 main types of knowledge and 132 sub-parameters of knowledge. Part One of the survey requested demographic information such as age, employment sector, and current areas of work. Part Two of the survey presented all list of main and sub-competencies. Each competency was rated in terms of importance using a 5-point Likert scale where 5 represented critically important and 1 represented not important. By measuring how important a competency is, the managers and supervisors can show how critical these competencies can be within a particular profession.\nFindings: The first stage of the summary has shown that most of the respondents who were involved in this questionnaire study were aged between 30 and 40 years (Table I). The highest percentage was from age 30 to 40 years (50 per cent), followed by age 20-30 years (26.2 per cent) and age 40-50 years (23.8 per cent). Table II presents the respondents profile in terms of employment sector. Private sectors organization comprised more than half of the total number of organizations that participated in this survey. Table III shows that most of the respondents involved in the maintenance management field, followed by facility management and project management.\nDiscussion and implications: Discussion regarding findings obtained with the objective of the research\nConclusion: This study is carried out to determine the types of knowledge required according to FM industry in Malaysia. The determination of the knowledge will be made as a guide to plan a training program that is practical for reducing the gap between knowledge and practice in FM. This study is very important to ensure the quality skill and knowledge within human resource developed together with management of knowledge development facility in Malaysia, especially related to HM and FM.\nLimitation and suggestion for further research: The analysis based on the data gathered from the practitioners led to the possibility of bias. Most of the participants have experience with project management, maintenance and facility management. The results are limited to the nature of statistical analysis that is used in analyzing the data. The statistics derived by exploratory factor analysis could not make any inferences beyond the development of the factors. Future research is recommended to include the conceptual model of the training syllabus for analyzing information related to managers who are directly involved with the orientation of HM.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to clarify recent research on knowledge development in Facility Management (FM); identify types of knowledge and its degree of importance in the FM field within the Malaysian environment; and how does it benefit Hospitality Management (HM) in terms of managerial competency.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The nature of this study is quantitative. Data were gathered through questionnaires distributed to various practitioners in the FM field in the private sector and government sector in Malaysia.\nFindings: The analysis results support that all types of knowledge, which was considered important, are required to develop a conceptual model of training syllabus for an intensive training program. The analysis results will be discussed in the context of hospitality management. In addition, a decision-making tree model was created to facilitate the training program in the future with the aim of developing a competency model.\nResearch limitations/implications: Most of the participants have experience with the FM field. Future research is recommended to include the conceptual model of training syllabus in analysis information relating to managers directly involved with the orientation of HM.\nOriginality/value: This paper presents a quantitative survey regarding the importance of knowledge in the FM industry in Malaysia and generally discusses the link between FM and Hospitality managerial competency. Further, this research delivers useful information for FM and HM managers who intend to further develop the practical training program based on the proposed decision-making tree model.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Understanding counterfeit consumption	[ "Cultural influences", "Perceived risk", "Behavioural psychology", "Brand confusion", "Consumer ethics", "Counterfeit" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Past research on counterfeit consumption has mainly focused on luxury goods (Wilcox et al., 2009; Phau and Teah, 2009; Commuri, 2009) and on pirated counterfeit media and software (Shoham et al., 2008). These studies generally try and evaluate the consumer's ethical versus practical motivations to purchase counterfeit articles through surveys (Davis et al., 2012; Chaudhry and Stumpf, 2011). There are few qualitative studies which look in-depth to accepting or rejecting counterfeit articles, such as Perez et al. (2010) and their study of fake handbag purchases in Mexico. What is missing from the literature is a broad understanding of consumer's motivations to purchase such goods, and more importantly were they aware the goods were counterfeit or did they believe they were purchasing original goods (Fejes and Wilson, 2012).\nSelected literature review: Most consumers do not differentiate among counterfeiting, piracy, and imitation, and use the term counterfeits loosely to label intellectual property infringing products in general (Hoe et al., 2003). The present research adopts this consumer perspective and the term \"counterfeit\" is used in a broad sense that encompasses copyright, patent, or trademark infringing products. Furthermore, since the purpose is to examine motivational issues relating to counterfeit consumption, the research focuses on non-deceptive counterfeit consumption, where consumers are collaborators of the counterfeiters and purchase counterfeit goods knowingly (Prendergast et al., 2002).\nMethod: The research investigation resembles a triangulation approach in an exploratory study, in that two sets of independent coders were used to verify classifications of responses from a large group of individuals. Thirteen focus groups, with six to eight students per session, were conducted in a large university in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a valid context to examine counterfeit consumption because Hong Kong is an international city where counterfeit consumption is pervasive (Special 301 Report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 2010). It is a free-port where most genuine products are widely available; meanwhile, it is not difficult to find counterfeit products. Furthermore, Hong Kong's emerging economics status combines with the influence of both western (due to its colonial past) and oriental (particular Chinese) values makes it a unique location to study the phenomenon.\nFindings: Utility (35 percent)\nDiscussion and implications: While the importance of price in purchasing counterfeits was revealed in the data, the prominent effect of utility was also due to other aspects such as convenience in obtaining counterfeits, or transaction utility, and personalization service provided by the counterfeiters. Utility appeared most with respect to clothing, accessories, software and designer luxury goods and might be the most difficult to change.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to create a framework for broadly understanding categories and motivations behind purchasing different counterfeit products.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Focus groups provided qualitative data from 509 counterfeit purchases incidents by 95 informants.\nFindings: The most frequently mentioned motivation was the utility (35 percent) received from the good over the genuine article. The second, but negative, motivation was the perceived risk involved in the purchase (22 percent), whether it is physical or social risk. Social norms, confusion, and ethical concerns each represented about 10 percent of the motivations toward the purchase of counterfeit items. The least mentioned motivations to purchase, at less than 4 percent each, were culture, habit, and desire to explore. These factors were evident across a variety of 15 product categories, headed by electronics, such as DVDs and computer software.\nPractical implications: Through targeting negative motivations, such as perceived physical and social risks, businesses can devise strategies from a demand side perspective to overcome the problem of counterfeit consumption.\nOriginality/value: Qualitative responses, over many product categories, provide a unique overview to the perception of counterfeit consumption. The finding that consumer ethics may depend on whether the activity benefits the society as a whole is worthy of additional discussion. The authors learn that when consumers thought their counterfeit consumption caused little or no harm, they do not see much ethical concern in their actions.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Emotional and cultural intelligence in diverse workplaces: getting out of the box	[ "Cultural intelligence", "Emotional intelligence", "Workplace diversity" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: The composition of the workforce is changing. Globalization, increased immigration, and technological change has resulted in increased diversity in organizations, placing new demands with respect to the contemporary workplace. These changes require a new skill set (from individuals and organizations) - skills that enable leaders, individuals, and organizations to leverage this increased diversity to establish a competitive advantage by harnessing the talents of diverse individuals toward the achievement of organizational goals. Many scholars and practitioners within the fields of Human Resource Management (HRM) and Human Resource Development (HRD) have written regarding how organizations and their leaders can manage diversity (Shen et al., 2009), leverage diversity as a strength (Carnevale and Stone, 1994; Cassell, 1996), and develop individual and organizational capabilities around diversity in the workplace (Cox, 1994). While such areas of focus are important, our review of the literature suggests that opportunities for a more robust examination regarding diversity exist.\nMethod: The two authors of this research conducted a review of the literature. We used a search tool from the University of Minnesota that offers rich access to the most important databases related to the social sciences fields. The main databases used were Google Scholar, Business Source Premier, and Web of Science. In our initial search for articles, we used the terms \"emotional intelligence\" and \"cultural intelligence\" separately. From a snowballing method of identifying relevant literature, we were able to find the most influential publications on each of these intelligence types.\nLiterature review: This paper focuses on insights gained from the literature related to EI and CQ and its implications for a diverse workforce in business organizations. The literature review covered conceptual and empirical academic studies only; popular press was not considered. Moreover, the review discusses how each type of intelligence might assist organizations in developing workforce competency around issues of equity and diversity.\nImplications for research: Hamlin and Stewart (2011) conducted a literature review of HRD and its boundaries and noted confusion regarding where the boundaries of HRD lie. Further, in their review of the various definitions related to HRD, the authors noted that \"behavioral change\" was contained in all of the post 1970 definitions examined. Our review of the literature suggests that the constructs of EI and CQ are well within the domain of HRD as they often require a shift in behavior by individuals and organizations. Recent studies related to these constructs have examined areas related to expatriate assignments and development (Zhang, 2012), cross-cultural exposure, EI and CQ (Crowne, 2013), and loneliness, supervisor support, and work adjustment (Chen and Lin, 2013). Such areas of inquiry provide evidence that the constructs of EI and CQ are expanding beyond their traditional uses.\nConclusion: Our review of the relevant literature produced mixed findings. While it is clear how the construct of EI can assist with navigating the complexities associated with a diverse workforce, connections related to CQ were less pronounced. Perhaps this is because of the relative newness of the construct. Further, as new CQ dimensions are identified and introduced in the literature, the construct's applications within organizations will require time to be substantiated. What is clear, however, is that elements of both constructs can be applied generally to various organizational challenges around diversity. For example, EI can be of great value in terms of creating positive attitudes toward diversity, assist with interactions between an increasingly diverse organizational membership, and assist in managing conflict. In addition, EI can assist organizations with creating cultures that promote diversity and foster collaboration. CQ can be of great value in terms of not only preparing leaders for expatriate assignments but can also assist all organizational members in dealing and interacting with diverse customer bases - a trend that is all but certain to continue in the long term. In addition, CQ may assist with improving team performance, especially in the context of culturally diverse teams.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how cultural intelligence (CQ) and emotional intelligence (EI) can assist with navigating the complexities associated with diversity in the workplace.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper was developed through a comprehensive literature review related to the constructs of EI and CQ.\nFindings: The authors focused on the conceptualization and evolution of the intelligence types as reflected in the literature, examine research that connects the intelligence types with issues of the workplace, and its contributions when used in a diverse workplace for improving organizational outcomes and access and inclusion of underrepresented cultural and social groups.\nOriginality/value: This paper explores the constructs of EQ and CQ and specifically the value the constructs may provide to individuals and organizations. Further, means of developing CQ and EI are discussed\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Educational reform in Ghana: the leadership challenge	[ "Leadership", "Schools", "Principals", "Training", "Ghana" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: The history of education in Ghana documents reform in the colonial period and post-independence. In the colonial era, Governor Guggisberg (1919-1927) formulated 16 principles, which advocated comprehensive elementary education for children, equal opportunity for boys and girls, character training, and the provision of good secondary and technical schools (Ministry of Education, 2001). However, its principle on teacher development was limited to the proviso that \"the staff of teachers must be of the highest possible quality\" (Ministry of Education, 2001, p. 137). After independence came the Education Act of 1961. This reform initiative:* mandated fee-free and compulsory basic education for all school-age children;* specified terms and conditions of teacher service;* established a teachers' council to preserve high standards in the teaching profession; and* specified training and certification requirements for teachers.In 1987, education was again at the forefront of debate. The intent of the reform was to:* increase access to basic education;* alter the structure of pre-university education from 6:4:5:2 to 6:3:3, i.e. from 17 years to 12 years;* make education cost-effective and achieve cost recovery, and to be able to sustain the reform program after the adjustment period; and* improve the quality of education by making it more relevant to socio-economic conditions (Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports, 2007).Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), perhaps the most comprehensive educational reform in Ghana's history, followed in 1995. FCUBE sought to improve the quality of education via:* in-service training for teachers at all levels to update their knowledge and skills for effective teaching;* the revision of curriculum materials such as syllabi and textbooks;* grants to head teachers to purchase materials for teaching and learning in schools;* training of circuit supervisors to monitor and support teachers for effective teaching;* incentives for teachers who work in difficult areas of the country;* enforcement of the teachers' code of conduct to regulate professional behavior and monitor misuse of instructional time;* an annual best teacher award to motivate teachers;* improving teacher education programs to provide practical training that leads to competent and creative teachers; and* training of district directors, circuit supervisors, regional managers of educational units and head teachers in school management and supervision.Furthermore, the In-Service Unit of the Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Ghana Education Service (GES) developed the Head Teachers' Handbook (Ministry of Education, 1994), the purpose of which was to improve the quality of learning at the basic school level through head teacher behavior. What these reforms have in common is a lack of focus on developing head teachers' leadership proficiencies, which according to the literature are integral to the success or failure of reform. Leadership research informs us that principals (head teachers) have a major effect on virtually every aspect of school life. Their decision-making and influence reverberate throughout the school and the community. Principals can be:* initiators - i.e. they get projects started;* innovators - i.e. they develop new ideas;* motivators - i.e. they exhort others to reach goals and objectives;* calculators - i.e. they plan for programs and activities; and* communicators - i.e. they disseminate information.Principals are indispensable when it comes to the effective implementation of educational reform.\nResearch questions: Ghana has implemented several educational reforms in the past. The reforms were designed to improve the teaching and learning processes occurring in schools. It must be recognized that there is a strong relationship between the implementation of educational reform, effective schools, and the leadership ability of head teachers. Without question, head teachers must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to orchestrate effective school organizations. Because there has not been a focus on head teacher leadership development, Ghana faces a leadership challenge as it seeks the goal of a quality educational system.This research enabled responses to six questions concerning head teachers in Ghana's basic schools. These questions were:1. What educational qualifications do head teachers of basic schools possess?2. What preparation and training did head teachers have prior to their appointment as head?3. What proficiencies do head teachers recognize as being required for effective leadership?4. Is there a difference in gender perception of the proficiencies required for effective head teacher leadership?5. What leadership proficiencies do Ghana's basic school head teachers practice?6. Are there differences between the proficiencies head teachers specify as being required for effective leadership and the proficiencies that heads of schools specify as being practiced?Additionally, the research identified the nature of the leadership challenge to be confronted, which is the preparation of head teachers in order to create effective schools for Ghana.\nHead teacher proficiencies: A number of studies and articles (e.g. Hallinger and Murphy, 1985; Florida Council on Education Management, 1994; Lewis, 1995; Sergiovanni, 1987; Bond, 2002) have documented leadership proficiencies that are applicable to what head teachers should know and be able to do. The National Association of Elementary School Principals (1997) delineated proficiencies into two categories:1. leadership, which is comprised of:* leadership behavior;* communication skills;* group processes;* curriculum and instruction; and* assessment.1. management and administration, which is comprised of:* organizational management;* fiscal management; and* political management.Two sources in the Ghanaian educational context specify the proficiencies required of head teachers of basic schools. The first is the Ministry of Education's (1994) Head Teachers' Handbook, which is used for training head teachers of basic schools. Section 1 of the handbook describes \"Managing your school\", while Section 2 is concerned with \"Improving the quality of learning\". There are five proficiency areas under \"Managing your school\":1. managing people;2. managing instructional time;3. managing co-curricular activities;4. managing learning resources; and5. managing financial matters.Proficiencies in this section of the handbook can be categorized as management and administration. There are five proficiency areas identified in \"Improving the quality of learning\":1. increasing school intake and attendance;2. assessing pupil performance;3. assessing teacher performance;4. staff development; and5. improving relations between school and community.Proficiencies in section two can be categorized as leadership behavior.The second source is the Ghana Education Service (GES) appraisal instrument that specifies the proficiencies required of head teachers of basic schools. Head teachers are appraised on:* management activities;* instructional supervision;* staff development;* record keeping;* relationship with the community; and* communication skills.\nMethod: This study conformed to the quantitative research paradigm. The Competency Survey Instrument (CSI) was used to collect data from head teachers, enabling responses to the research questions. The Greater Accra region of Ghana was the research setting. Head teachers of basic schools (primary and junior secondary) constituted the sample.Sample and sampling procedures\nResponse to research questions: Research question 1: What educational qualifications do heads of basic schools possess?\nConclusion: This study provided information to posit that heads of basic schools in Ghana have not been prepared to perform the leadership role embodied in the head teacher position. Head teachers are engaged in management and administrative tasks. While tasks in these proficiency areas are central to school operation, leadership that is based on a vision, galvanizes the collective capacity of personnel to accomplish goals, recognizes the importance of data in decision-making, and demonstrates concern for professional growth is critical.Business as usual - i.e. the promotion of individuals to the head teacher position - needs to be replaced by processes that prepare individuals for leadership in basic schools. The transformation of head teachers from managers to leaders is a challenge facing Ghana. Past reform initiatives have not considered the head teacher's pivotal role. Consequently, institutionalized provisions for the preparation of individuals aspiring to become and those appointed to the head teacher position are lacking. Excellence in school leadership should be recognized as the most important component of school reform (Tirozzi, 2001).It is important for the Ghana education system (GES) to ensure that those who are promoted to the position of head teacher have the knowledge, skills, and disposition via professional development to enable them to create effective schools and craft educational programs that will enhance student academic achievement. This is the leadership challenge that faces Ghana. When this challenge met, head teachers will be able to exercise leadership that results in effective school organizations and the attainment of a quality educational system.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - Leadership is a key commodity in twenty-first century organizations. This is especially true for school organizations. This paper aims to respond to six questions about head teachers and leadership of basic schools.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Head teachers responded to survey items about proficiencies required for effective leadership and those demonstrated in practice. The Greater Accra region of Ghana was the setting and head teachers constituted the sample. A survey with a unique identifier was distributed to head teachers at their schools. Analysis was conducted using SPSS and output was translated into frequencies and percentages.\nFindings: - A premise of the research was that heads of basic schools lacked leadership proficiencies because of the absence of school leadership preparation programs. Heads of basic schools lack professional preparation in leadership, and practice management and administrative behaviors rather than leadership.\nPractical implications: - Ghana has implemented several reforms with the intent of developing a quality education system; however, there has not been a focus on leadership. The literature is clear about the vital role head teachers have in effective schools and student achievement. This research calls attention to the leadership needs of head teachers in the Ghana education system.\nOriginality/value: - This research reveals that Ghana faces a leadership challenge related to head teachers' professional development. The results are an alert to policy makers to institute educational reform that addresses head teachers' leadership in basic schools.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Learning environment and student effort	[ "Student satisfaction", "Learning environment", "Student effort" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Student effort is assumed to be a vital determinant for successful educational outcomes. It is thus important to study how student effort can be stimulated. Natriello and McDill (1986) find that teachers', parents' and peers' standards on student effort have positive effects on homework effort. Brookhart (1998) extends their work and includes an indicator of student perception of the difficulty of the classwork. Mac Iver et al. (2004) and Balfanz and Byrnes (2006) present teacher support, academic pressure, parental involvement, utility, and intrinsic interest as concepts predicting student effort. Still, more knowledge about particular factors that contribute to increased student effort is critical for both teachers and school managers.\nBackground and related literature: Effort and student achievement\nData and empirical specification: Our data set consists of publicly available survey data where students in seventh and tenth grade answer questions on a 1-5 scale. The survey is compulsory, and is sent out once every year. We have survey data for the five school years 2006/2007-2010/2011[5]. The data set is aggregated to school level averages for each year, pooled and separately for males and females before it is made publicly available, and all variables from the surveys are thus continuous.\nMain results: The results are presented in Table II. Column (1) presents the results when estimating in-class effort for students in seventh grade. All key explanatory variables come out with the expected positive sign, and they are also strongly significant. An increase of one standard deviation in the satisfaction with teacher guidance is associated with an increase in in-class effort by as much as roughly 16 percent. One should note, though, that the standard deviations are quite low compared to the average. As a consequence, the effect seems less powerful if we evaluate it in terms of percentage of the mean. 16 percent of a standard deviation translates into about 0.04 on the in-class effort scale. This again translates to just below 1 percent of the average in-class effort.\nHeterogeneous effects across genders: In Table III we estimate our model for girls and boys separately. In addition, we report the difference in estimates and test if they are statistically significant.\nDiscussion: The results indicate that student satisfaction with their learning environment at school motivates them and stimulates effort. First, the interaction with teachers and fellow students seems to be of importance. The correlation we find between satisfaction with teachers and effort is consistent with findings in, e.g. Wentzel (1994, 1997). That peers/fellow students are of importance is consistent with the conclusions of, e.g. Kinderman (1993) and Ryan (2001). An interesting feature with the data we have available is that we have explicit data for bullying. Several authors have discussed consequences of bullying (see, e.g. Olweus, 1991; Boulton and Smith, 1994; Andreou, 2000; Houbre et al. 2006; Brown and Taylor, 2008; Eriksen et al., 2014), and we find that reduced student effort can also be an adverse consequence of bullying.\nSummary: Student effort is a key factor in achieving successful educational outcomes and more knowledge about its determinants is thus of great interest for teachers as well as school leaders. The results indicate that satisfaction with the learning environment is indeed closely related to student effort. High satisfaction with teacher guidance, classmates, teaching materials as well as low levels of bullying are associated with high effort both in class and with homework. Satisfaction with the physical learning environment seems to be of less importance.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between satisfaction with learning environment and student effort, both in class and with homework assignments.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors use data from a nationwide and compulsory survey to analyze the relationship between learning environment and student effort. The survey covers all students attending the seventh (last year of primary school) and tenth (last year of lower secondary school) grades in Norwegian compulsory education. Since the survey has been conducted every year since 2006/2007, we can apply panel data methods to reduce the potential for omitted variable problems.\nFindings: Student satisfaction with teacher guidance, materials and social environment plays an important role in stimulating effort both in class and with homework. Satisfaction with physical work conditions is of less importance, but does stimulate in-class effort among the younger students. Heterogeneity across the genders for tenth graders is also observed. In particular, bullying and satisfaction with teacher guidance are more important determinants for males' than for females' effort.\nPractical implications: The results indicate that school managers should focus attention on improving not only the quality of teachers and teaching materials, but also the social environment at the school in order to stimulate more student effort.\nOriginality/value: The results contribute to the literature studying student effort and educational outcomes by providing information on how different school factors affect student effort.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Online experiences and virtual goods purchase intention	[ "Virtual goods", "Involvement", "Flow", "Interactivity", "Social identity", "Purchase intention", "Social networks", "Customer behaviour" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Virtual goods are new media elements utilized by members for representation, expression, and communication in online environments (Kim et al., 2011). Virtual goods have no intrinsic value and are intangible. Unlike physical goods, virtual goods primarily satisfy an individual's social needs such as prestige, status, uniqueness, conformity, and self-expression (Jung and Pawlowski, 2009; Kim et al., 2009; Lehdonvirta et al., 2009; Animesh et al., 2011). Because virtual goods include many forms, such as digital gifts and digital clothing for avatars, they may be classified as services rather then goods. Therefore, hedonic and social functions of virtual goods have been identified in previous studies. The hedonic function of virtual goods depends principally on how it looks and the extent to which social networking sites (SNSs) members relate to it and employ it in their communication with other members (Huang et al., 2008). Virtual goods also can help to enhance the representation and articulation of members' online self-image among SNS members (Kim et al., 2011). To be recognized by friends, members create personal pages with attractive virtual goods such as music, color background, and digital identity, etc. (Walker, 2003).Inside Network reported the total US market for virtual goods was over $1 billion in 2009 and grew to $1.6 billion in 2010. Some games in Asia also employ virtual currency model to fund games in lieu of a monthly subscription fee. Worldwide, this market was worth as much as $6 billion in 2010. Further, the cash is spent on add-ons for online games, digital gifts, and other items that exist only as data. For example, the popular social game on Facebook, FarmVille, has 48 million active members; the sales of virtual goods amounted to 0.15 billion in 2009. PlaySpan and Magid reported that approximately 30 percent of online users bought social virtual goods while 29 percent made a purchase on social networking sites (Sherman, 2010). Several social networks have turned to virtual goods, including Facebook, hi5, and myYearbook to encourage participants to use virtual goods as social exchange. Facebook announced an overhaul of its virtual gift shop to expand the range of digital presents (e.g. birthday cake, pint of beer, music tracks), which members can buy and send to friends, family members, and colleagues (BBC News, 2009).Although the market for virtual goods is still in its infancy in some countries, games on SNSs have become a billion dollar business and transformed the way millions of people socialize with friends online. With the proliferation of online social gaming, there is growing evidence for the consumption of virtual goods; however, relatively few studies have discussed this phenomenon. It is important to understand the dynamics that govern and stimulate the purchase of virtual goods (Animesh et al., 2011). To date, extant studies on this topic have focused on consumer and product-specific factors, which consider motivations and decision-making process that influence individuals' purchasing decisions concerning virtual goods (Guo and Barnes, 2007; Lehdonvirta, 2005, 2009; Nojima, 2007); specifically, online games and virtual worlds. Of note, much less research has studied virtual goods used on SNSs.Previous studies have suggested the relationship between environmental stimuli to facilitate social interaction and influence purchase behaviors (Arnett et al., 2003; Simon, 2004; Animesh et al., 2011). The stimuli-organism-response (S-O-R) model from environmental psychology states that emotional responses to the environment mediate the relationship between the environment and an individual's behavior (Mehrabian and Russell, 1980s). The use of the environmental psychology orientation is advantageous for three reasons. First, it provides a parsimonious and theoretically justified way to include different web site characteristics as environment stimuli (Parboteeah et al., 2009). In this study, virtual goods can be found in many different apps and games based on a social networking site. Second, this perspective allows us to examine the role of online experiences to the web environment on a user's likelihood to engage in virtual goods consumption. Third, it provides a theoretical rationale for studying virtual goods consumption as a state of mind that results from exposure to environmental cues (Parboteeah et al., 2009).According to this theory, online stimuli in the environment influence an individual's emotional state. Such stimuli can be as simple as music, color of icons, promotional ads, and event alerts. Therefore, the S-O-R model lays the foundations for our research model. Specifically, interactive platform features and social interactions can act as online stimuli to influence participants' online experiences and consumption intentions to purchase virtual goods. Given both the practical and theoretical relevance of virtual goods consumption, this paper reports an empirical study that examined how interactivity and social identity influence customers' online experiences and purchase intentions.The structure of the paper is as follows. In the next section, prior relevant literature is examined to establish a theoretical foundation to study virtual goods consumption behaviors. This is followed by a presentation of a research model with associated hypotheses. An overview of the methodology and results from an empirical study are then reported. Finally, a discussion and suggestions for future research opportunities as well as implications for practitioners are discussed.\nTheory and hypotheses development: Stimulus-organism-response model\nOnline stimuli: The purchase of virtual goods functions to project and communicate an image through users' avatars (Animesh et al., 2011; Jung and Pawlowski, 2009; Kim et al., 2009; Lehdovirta et al., 2009; Martin, 2008). Specifically, the technological features of the online environment (i.e. in-app and in-game) and social dimensions of online society included in the research model were expected to play an important role in determining the value of investing time and money in participating social games.Interactivity\nOnline experience and purchase intentions: Organism refers to the individual's organic experiences that include flow, involvement, cognitive network, schema, and so forth. Li et al. (2002) argued that consumers learn from experience by interacting with their environment. Keng et al. (2011) classified online experience into two types:1. direct product experience; and2. indirect product experience.The former occurs when the user acquires information by directly interacting with a product. The latter occurs when a user's experience with a product is mediated by advertising. Specifically, direct product experience increases user expectations regarding future purchases (Chiou et al., 2008). Such a response comes in many forms and reactions can range from conscious to unconscious and internal to external (Jacoby, 2002).Online experiences involve a desire or willingness to move through or interact with the web. During exploration, some interactions take places between the user and the web, which might involve the user spending time reading text or looking at graphics, or it could involve the user completing a transaction or querying a database (Huang, 2003). The emotions experienced by users in virtual environments are commonly conceptualized as flow (i.e. intense concentration and enjoyment). In a flow state, users experience feelings of control over human and computer interactions and feel in control of their own actions and choices (Trevino and Webster, 1992). In reference to previous studies, telepresence and social presence do not yield a significant influence on purchase intentions (Animesh et al., 2011), affective involvement, cognitive involvement (Jiang et al., 2010), or flow (Animesh et al., 2011); however, do yield a strong influence on purchase intention (Jiang et al., 2010). Therefore, flow, affective involvement, and cognitive involvement are used to examine users' online experiences toward a SNS.Flow\nMethodology: Data collection and sample characteristics\nAnalysis and results: This study employed the structural equation modeling (SEM) package (i.e. AMOS) as the main data analysis method. SEM facilitates a two step validation approach in which both the measurement model and the structural model are validated (Anderson and Gerbing, 1988).Measurement model\nDiscussion and conclusion: Based on the S-O-R model, our findings provide that both interactive and social stimuli influence users' online experiences with SNSs and, in turn, influence their responses (intention to purchase). More specifically, regarding interactive factors, active control has a significant and positive influence on flow, although no significant influence was observed on affective and cognitive involvement. Moreover, reciprocal communication has significant and positive influences on affective involvement and flow; however, no significant influence on cognitive involvement. Concerning social factors, social identity was found to strongly and significantly influence online experiences (affective involvement, cognitive involvement, and flow).The empirical results show that affective involvement is the strongest significant determinant of purchase intentions. This finding is consistent with previous studies (Jiang et al., 2010; Vakratsas and Ambler, 1999); specifically, the effect of affective involvement on purchase intention is far more important than the effect of cognitive involvement. Users with high affective aspects of platform involvement are also more likely to make purchase decisions of virtual goods. In the context of SNSs, affective involvement showed the highest influence on users' intentions to purchase. Thus, an understanding of how stimuli can influence affective involvement is important. Interestingly, cognitive involvement yielded a negative impact on purchase intentions; participants with higher cognitive aspects of platform involvement were less likely to make purchase decisions of virtual goods. This result may indicate that, as discussed earlier, the effect of affective and cognitive involvement on behavioral intentions are stronger than telepresence and social presence in previous studies (e.g. Jiang et al., 2010). In line with Jiang et al. (2010), users with deeper flow experiences of SNSs are more likely to purchase virtual goods.Stimuli for active control, reciprocal communication, and social identity were included within an online environment to investigate how the features of platform and platform-based applications influence participants' experiences and intentions to buy virtual goods. The results showed that online stimuli positively influences flow, partially in affective and cognitive involvement and indirectly influence intention to buy. In sum, virtual goods providers can expect purchase behaviors when affective involvement, cognitive involvement and flow experiences are improved and enhanced via a high quality of interactive and social features. For instance, increasing affective involvement and flow to positively influence purchase intentions because customers perceive greater relationship investments by the service providers. By increasing reciprocal communication, one can effectively improve the feeling of shorted psychological distance in the virtual world and increase psychological bonds. In other words, service providers can increase reciprocal communication by offering online relational communication stimuli. Further, service providers should provide ideal communications regarding needed service notices, new product announcements, and customer care services to enhance customers' perception of relationship investment by firms. Concurrently, increasing social identity influences participants' affective involvement, cognitive involvement, and flow experiences. As such, improving the features of social identity can effectively reduce the interpersonal distance and enhance the feeling of similarity and familiarity. In other words, service providers can improve social identity by offering online disclosures.Support was found for the influence of social identity and reciprocal communication on affective involvement. However, social identity was found to have a greater effect on affective involvement than on reciprocal communication. Thus, for social games and apps, where users are affective-driven, the provision of social identity is very important to help these users meet their social needs; reciprocal communication will further enhance the games and apps concerning affective involvement. In addition, social identity produced a positive effect on cognitive involvement. Therefore, for social games and apps, where users are goal-driven, the provision of social identity is very important to help users meet their in-group goals. Furthermore, active control, reciprocal communication, social identity, affective involvement, and cognitive involvement were found to influence flow. Among the influential factors, social identity shows the highest influence on flow. Thus, for hedonic games and apps, where users try to maximize their flow experiences, it is important to provide high quality features of social identity; the provision of interactivity further enhances flow derived from interacting with the platform. These findings provide important insights for SNSs development.Finally, although most hypotheses were supported in this study, some proposed relationships were statistically insignificant. Specifically, the active control of a SNS does not yield significant effects on affective and cognitive involvement. Reciprocal communication of a SNS also does not yield significant effects on cognitive involvement. These findings are inconsistent with previous studies (Eroglu et al., 2003; Jiang et al., 2010) that argued that active control and reciprocal communication are based on B2C commercial web sites. Not like online shopping, the effect of active control might be vanished gradually over time because members have already learned how to locate and use needed functions in an intuitive way. While members have invested time and efforts on the two-way communication with friends and service providers through a social networking site for months, the effect of reciprocal communication might be gradually diminished time after time. In general, social networking sites are places for people to meet and interact with friends. This social focus is much more important than the shopping focus; therefore, we suggest further studies examine this issue.Theoretical implications\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of interactive and social features on users' online experiences and their purchase intention of virtual goods from a social network site.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - A banner with a hyperlink that connected to the author's web survey was posted on the homepage of Facebook. Of the 258 responses returned, 176 were fully completed. Measurement items were adapted from previous literature. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the research model and hypotheses testing.\nFindings: - The results of an empirical study supported the use of the stimuli-organism-response (S-O-R) model in a social networking site and showed how environmental features should be incorporated to enhance users' online experiences and purchase intentions. Specifically, social identity showed the strongest influence on involvement and flow. More specifically, affective involvement showed the greatest influence on purchase intention compared to flow and cognitive involvement.\nPractical implications: - The relative importance of both interactivity and social identity in platform features in shaping consumers' online experiences should not be ignored. The author suggests online games or apps. Additionally, platform providers should advance social identity features that show a strong positive impact on users' online experiences.\nOriginality/value: - With the proliferation of online social gaming, there is growing evidence for virtual goods consumption; however, relatively few studies have discussed this phenomenon. This paper draws on hypotheses from environmental psychology; specifically, users' intentions to purchase are modeled on user responses to the online stimuli of a Web platform and the online experience that such an environment elicits.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of globalization on consumer acculturation: A study of urban, educated, middle class Indian consumers	[ "India", "Consumer behaviour", "Globalization", "Acculturation", "Brands", "Indian consumers", "Predisposition towards foreign brands", "Consumer acculturation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Contemporary research works (Cleveland and Loroche, 2007; Steenkemp and de Jong, 2010; Zhang and Khare, 2009) consider globalization as a pivotal force that impacts consumers world over. Such impact is more prominent among the consumers in developing countries like India (Batra et al., 2000; Durvasula and Lysonski, 2008; Mathur et al., 2008). This phenomenon has led Indian consumers to have a favorable disposition towards foreign brands from economically developed countries (Bandyopadhyay, 2001; Batra et al., 2000; Hsieh, 2004; Jin et al., 2006; Kinra, 2006; Ling and Pysarchik, 2004; Maxwell, 2001; Mehta and Belk, 1991; Rahman and Bhattacharya, 2003). Cleveland and Laroche (2007), hypothesize that this phenomenon would ultimately result in consumer acculturation, wherein the local consumers would move towards the global consumer culture.Besides Cleveland and Loroche (2007), many other researchers have also made similar propositions. According to Hsieh (2002), \"cultural shifts occur overtime as market's level of modernity and the exchange of information across boundaries increases\". Usunier and Lee (2005) observe that culture evolves as political, social, economic and technological forces reshape the cultural landscape. Managerial literature assumes the inevitability of cultural change (Witkowski, 2005). Douglas and Craig (1997) and Craig and Douglas (2006) also support this contention and observe that culture is not static, but continually evolving and changing.Although the extant literature overwhelmingly supports the phenomenon wherein global flows (Appadurai, 1990) would lead to cultural change or acculturation, there is an acute dearth of studies which empirically show the existence of this phenomenon. Studies in the domain of acculturation may be segregated into two broad realms. The first realm encompasses the study of level of acculturation among immigrants, e.g. Koreans in the USA (Jun et al., 1993), Asian Indians in the USA (Jain and Belsky, 1997; Mehta and Belk, 1991), Chinese in Australia (Quester and Chong, 2001), Asian Americans in the USA (Xu et al., 2004), etc. The second realm covers acculturation of natives due to the impact of globalization, e.g. studies on Indian youth (Durvasula and Lysonski, 2008; Mathur et al., 2008). The most glaring lacuna in these studies is that antecedents which lead to acculturation have not been operationalized. Hence, these studies do not provide an empirically tested causal relationship highlighting the impact of various factors on acculturation. These gaps are addressed in the present study. In this study, forces of globalization have been operationalized as the predisposition towards foreign brands. These have been considered as the antecedents which would impact the level of consumer acculturation among the native population.Predisposition towards foreign brands is defined in the extant literature (Bandyopadhyay, 2001; Batra et al., 2000; Kinra, 2006) as the positive consumer perception and purchase preference towards brands that have originated from economically developed countries. Consumer acculturation is defined as progress from local consumer culture to global consumer culture, which a consumer undergoes due to the impact of globalization. Unlike Cleveland and Laroche's (2007) acculturation to global consumer culture (AGCC) construct, which provides a holistic view on how consumer acculturation occurs among consumer; in this paper, consumer acculturation construct lays more emphasis on progress from local to global consumer culture with respect to specific cultural components.Many researchers (Nicholls et al., 1996; Ruth and Commuri, 1998; Sarin and Barrows, 2005; Venkatesh and Swamy, 1994) consider the urban, middle class, educated Indian consumers to be most prone to the impact of globalization. Hence, the sample frame in this paper is restricted to that segment.The following sections of the paper cover literature review and development of hypotheses, research methodology, results, discussion and conclusion, managerial implications and limitations.\nLiterature review and development of hypotheses: Brand origin\nResearch method: Sample data\nResults: The Cronbach's a was calculated for the instruments measuring predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation for the total sample as well as for each demographic segment based on age, income, educational qualification level, gender and city of residence. All these values were above 0.70.Results reported in Tables IV-VI indicate that Indian youth (16-25 years) had significantly greater predisposition towards foreign brands vis-a-vis the older age segments (except with respect to 26-35 years age group). Hence H1a, which stated the same, is supported. However, no significant difference with respect to predisposition towards foreign brands was observed among the segments created on the basis of income (H1b), educational qualification level (H1c) and place of residence (H1e). Hence, these three hypotheses were not supported. Male consumers showed significantly higher predisposition towards foreign brands than female consumers. This result strongly supported H1d, according to which there would be significant difference in predisposition towards foreign brands on the basis of gender.Indian youth (16-25 years) showed significantly higher level of consumer acculturation vis-a-vis sample falling within age groups of 36-55 years. But, this age group comprising of youth failed to show any significant difference vis-a-vis 26-35 years' age group as well as 56+ years' age group. These results partially support H2a, which expected Indian youth to show significantly higher consumer acculturation than all the older age segments. Significant differences with respect to consumer acculturation were observed among segments based on income (H2b) (except between lower middle class and middle class segments) and educational qualification level (H2c). Hence, the results supported these two hypotheses. No significant difference with respect to consumer acculturation was observed between males and females. Hence, there was no support for H2d, in which this proposition was stated. Interestingly, sample from Indore showed significantly lower consumer acculturation vis-a-vis the other four cities. This result provided partial support for H2e, which had proposed that respondents residing in different areas would show significant difference in consumer acculturation.To test if predisposition towards foreign brands would lead to consumer acculturation among Indian consumers (H3a) and if this relationship would be significantly affected by demographic variables (H3b), a regression equation was formed. The independent variables in this equation were:* predisposition towards foreign brands;* demographic variables - age, income, educational qualification level and gender; and* interaction between predisposition towards foreign brands and each of the demographic variables under study.Consumer acculturation was the dependent variable. Results given in Table VII indicate that predisposition towards foreign brands, age, income (as independent variables) and educational qualification (as moderating variable, determined on the basis of tests suggested by Sharma et al. (1981) and Baron and Kenny (1986)) explained 72.2 percent variance in consumer acculturation. Educational qualification acting as a moderating variable with a positive coefficient means that high level of educational qualification is significantly intertwined with the predisposition towards foreign brands and both of them together have a significant impact on consumer acculturation. Hence, the results support H3a, which had predicted that predisposition towards foreign brands would lead to consumer acculturation. There is also support for H3b, wherein impact of demographic variables was proposed on the given relationship. While predisposition towards foreign brands, income and educational qualification were positively impacting consumer acculturation, age had negative impact on it.\nDiscussion and conclusion: Existence of predisposition towards foreign brands\nManagerial implications: The present research enables a manager to gain some interesting insights about the Indian consumers. The segment comprising of the middle class and upper middle class, urban, educated Indian consumers falling in the age group of 16-35 were showing significantly higher consumer acculturation vis-a-vis consumers in the other demographic segments. This segment comprises of a substantial chunk of Indian population, estimated to comprise 40 million households encompassing 200 million people (Bharadwaj et al., 2005). This segment is ready to integrate itself with the global consumer culture and should be the ideal target group for the multi-national corporations to device strategies which would have the essence of global consumerism at its core.The empirical evidence which suggests that predisposition towards foreign brands, acting as a potent force of globalization, is leading to consumer acculturation would be of much interest to managers. Existence of such a phenomenon would encourage them to highlight foreign associations of their brands, besides serving the aforementioned segment of Indian consumers with the same consumer orientation as they would follow for their other global customers.\nLimitations and future research prospects: The paper analyzes data from only five cities. A much more widespread and quantitatively large data, collected using probability sampling methods might have given more robust insights with respect to globalization's impact on consumer acculturation. Besides structured questionnaire, a more exhaustive combination of quantitative and qualitative methods can be employed to get in-depth and insightful response from the respondents.Future researchers are suggested that while assessing a consumer segment's predisposition towards foreign brands, other variables like availability of the product, previous experience with the product, etc. could be incorporated to make the given construct more robust. The future researchers might also consider the impact of the construct \"involvement\" on the relationship between forces of globalization and consumer acculturation.Inspite of empirically showing that globalization would lead to consumer acculturation; it is beyond the scope of the current study to take a stance on product standardization versus adaptation strategies. All what may be concluded from the study is that Indian consumers are being acculturated under the impact of forces of globalization. Hence, some degree of product standardization might be possible, but this certainly does not completely nullify the requirement of product adaptation. Probing this aspect could be an interesting future research prospect.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This paper seeks to explore whether predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation would differ across demographic segments in an emerging market (India). Further, the paper aims to investigate if predisposition towards foreign brands (acting as a proxy for forces of globalization) would lead to consumer acculturation among consumers in India.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - Instruments to measure predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation were developed on the basis of extensive literature review. The data comprised of urban, educated, middle-class Indian consumers. The data were collected using structured questionnaire. ANOVA and T-test results were used to determine if extent of predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation would differ across demographic segments. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the impact of predisposition towards foreign brands on consumer acculturation.\nFindings: - The findings indicate that significant difference exists among various demographic segments with respect to predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation. Also, predisposition towards foreign brands does impact consumer acculturation among Indian consumers. Various demographic factors such as age, income and educational qualification level significantly affect this causal relationship.\nPractical implications: - This paper provides interesting insights about the buying behavior of Indian consumers. These insights would enable corporate managers to develop more focused strategies catering to the Indian consumers.\nOriginality/value: - The paper empirically demonstrates that Indian consumers, when segregated into various demographic segments, do show significant differences in their predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation. It also ascertains that predisposition towards foreign brands does lead to consumer acculturation.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Strengths-based leadership assessments miss the target - and the species	[ "Development", "Leadership development", "Team development", "Organization development" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: There has been a decades-long debate in the leadership development field about the validity and efficacy of strengths-based assessment.\nClinical psychology: The \"bible of psychiatry\", the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Revision V (DSM), shows quite clearly that many people have psychological issues and problems that cause significant dysfunction and are in no way \"overused strengths\". About 20 per cent of people have psychiatric disorders, about 20 per cent of people have character disorders and about 20 per cent of people have substance abuse and dependence. That is a lot of people - many in the workforce - who have psychiatric and psychological disorders that interfere with self-management and interpersonal relationships. If you doubt the import of clinical disorders to the workplace, the estimated costs of just three disorders - anxiety disorders, major depression and bipolar disorder - in the USA is tens of billions of dollars annually (Greenberg et al., 1999).\nSub-clinical psychology: Putting aside whatever percentage of full-blown personality and psychiatric disorders there are in the workplace - that number is dwarfed by the prevalence of professionals who have many but not all the required dysfunctional behaviors to fulfill the diagnostic criteria. As a clinician and as a personality psychologist for 30 years, I have met many professionals who fall one or two DSM behavioral criteria short; yet, their behaviors clearly interfere with leadership, teamwork, and communications - this is an example of what we call normal people.\nHuman/crew error: In no other setting are the stakes higher or the relationships between personality, teamwork, and communication more dramatically played out than in the flight deck of a commercial jet. At one extreme, perfectly operable aircraft is literally flown into the ground: in three out of four airline accidents, the leading contributing cause is crew error. Most because of breakdowns in leadership, teamwork, and communications directly linked to crew member's dysfunctional behaviors (weaknesses, derailers, and counterproductive behavioral habits). At the other extreme, we have observed catastrophically damaged aircraft that were saved only by the flight crews' actions in exemplifying the best in leadership, teamwork, and communications behaviors.\nPerformance drivers and derailers: An understanding of leadership effectiveness requires a balanced assessment of behavioral strengths, weaknesses, and the interaction of strengths and weaknesses - and often many other factors. The research on leadership effectiveness convincingly shows that an individual's strengths and weaknesses operate as performance drivers or derailers - and they operate interdependently.\nIn conclusion: Stanford Business School Professor Jeffrey Pfeiffer (2015) drives this point home in his book Leadership BS, a bruising critique of the leadership development industry. Pfeiffer correctly states that the leadership development industry is not driven by the application of peer-reviewed scientific studies - which a century ago transformed the medical model and led to the successful eradication of many diseases. Unfortunately, the leadership development industry is driven instead by marketing and sales imperatives.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: There has been a decades-long debate in the leadership development field about the validity and efficacy of strengths-based assessment. This debate is not about recognizing the value in \"a conversation about what's right with people [...] we were tired of living in a world that revolved around fixing our weaknesses\". Most agree that there is value in building on strengths.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The debate is fueled by psychologists, recognized experts in understanding human performance who dismiss Gallup - and other strengths-based leadership firms - who falsely promote the assertion \"what's more, we had discovered that people had several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing strengths instead of correcting weaknesses\". This is not true - no matter how aggressively strengths-based firms market this notion.\nFindings: Strength-based approaches, especially as an exclusive approach, is overtly blind to the critical fact that most people show a mix of strengths and weaknesses - performance drivers and derailers - and the whole mix interacts. So besides missing the intended mark of increasing a professional's skills in leadership, teamwork and communications, there are significant costs to this approach that vary from missed opportunities to downright dangerous.\nOriginality/value: Stanford Business School Professor Jeffrey Pfeiffer drives this point home in his book Leadership BS, a bruising critique of the leadership development industry. Pfeiffer correctly states that the leadership development industry is driven more by marketing and sales imperatives than the application of peer-reviewed scientific studies - which a century ago transformed the medical model and led to the successful eradication of many diseases. Unfortunately, the leadership development industry is driven by marketing and sales imperatives instead of good science. In fact, this may only accelerate in the future as many top assessment firms have been bought by public companies - often in the staffing industry - that seek ways to increase their earnings, focused more on shareholder returns than the science of performance.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Branding in B2B: the value of consumer goods brands in industrial markets	[ "Brand awareness", "Brands", "Business-to-business marketing", "Brand equity", "Business-to-business branding", "Top of mind" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Following the recent world economic crisis and the associated decrease in demand, some business-to-business (B2B) companies are aiming to leverage the brand image of their products to increase both their market share and profitability. Consequently, brands are increasingly viewed as a crucial point of differentiation for industrial products (Beverland et al., 2007). Indeed, a long-term branding strategy is essential for achieving a high level of business performance and leadership in B2B markets (Kotler and Pfoertsch, 2007).\n2. The importance of branding in business-to-business: Branding is an essential component of the marketing strategies of companies; thus, firms are constantly looking for ways to improve their brand (Gatignon et al., 1990). Branding is a discipline that emerged from the fast-moving consumer goods industry as a way of adding value to a product (Farquhar, 1989). A strong brand is a tool that can help a company differentiate itself from competitors (Silk and Urban, 1978), alleviate barriers to entry (Mitchell et al., 2001), cultivate customer loyalty (Chaudhuri and Holbrook, 2001) and increase profit, as some customers are ready to pay a premium to enjoy their favorite brand (Ailawadi et al., 2003). The importance of a brand is also reflected in the firm's financial valuation; a brand is considered an intangible asset - neither patentable nor copyrightable - whose value in the balance sheet can reach a highly significant amount (McDonald, 2010).\n3. Brand equity in business-to-business markets: The first research models for brand equity were developed by Aaker (1991, 1996) and Keller (1993, 2001, 2003). According to Aaker, there are five main components of brand equity: brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, brand associations and other proprietary assets such as trademarks, patents and channel relationships. For Keller, customer-based brand equity is driven by the brand knowledge of customers along two dimensions: brand awareness and brand image. He argues that brand equity is built as customers become familiar with a brand and make distinct, positive associations with the brand in their mind (Keller, 1993).\n4. Research design: To explore the brand equity of CGBs in industrial markets, I conducted empirical field research in the form of direct customer interviews. I chose the professional detergents market because of its interesting mix of CGBs and EPBs (including some private labels for professionals). Moreover, this research was supported by a market research company investigating whether an existing consumer brand would be well served by expanding into professional markets in France.\n5. Main results and discussion: First, my research finds that CGB professional detergents enjoy a brand awareness far superior to that of EPB professional detergents. Table II presents the brands ranked according to level of TOMA found among professional buyers. These results relate to the question, \"Which brands of detergent manufacturers do you know?\".\n6. Conclusion: The results of my exploratory research provide evidence that CGBs do have brand equity in the B2B market. First, they enjoy a greater TOMA than EPBs do. Second, they have a distinctive brand image. Compared to EPBs, CGBs are perceived as being more efficient and more expensive but not as being designed specifically for professional application. Conversely, EPBs are considered to be less efficient and less expensive than CGBs as well as designed specifically for professional application.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to explore whether consumer goods brands (CGBs) have more brand equity than exclusively professional brands (EPBs) do in the context of the industrial detergents market.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The author conducted direct customer interviews at the outlets of two large wholesale distribution retail chains. The sample included 211 respondents.\nFindings: The study shows that CGBs do have brand equity in business-to-business (B2B) market. First, they enjoy a greater top-of-mind awareness than do EPBs. Second, they have a distinctive brand image, as they are perceived as being more efficient and more expensive than are EPBs.\nResearch limitations/implications: There are three main limitations. First, the results may reflect industry-specific factors that are not representative of all professional markets. Second, the products studied are relatively low in price compared to other categories of professional products. Third, the sample market is a mature market characterized by a modest growth rate and limited development in related markets. However, these limitations do not discredit the results of the study. Conversely, they invite further research on the subject of CGBs extending into professional markets. Future research could examine other product categories as well as the use of an experimental approach to validate and generalize the primary results.\nPractical implications: This research has implications for business-to-consumer marketing professionals looking to leverage the equity of their CGBs in the B2B space. In addition, this work can help B2B marketing professionals better defend their market share in the face of well-known CGB entering their market.\nOriginality/value: This study represents an exploratory analysis, as the author has not any found prior work on this topic. In addition to these original results, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the concept of brand equity in B2B for academics and provides new insights for industrial marketers regarding branding in B2B.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Consumer online purchase behavior of local fashion clothing brands: Information adoption, e-WOM, online brand familiarity and online brand experience	[ "E-WOM", "Consumer’s purchase behaviour", "Fashion clothing", "Information adoption", "Online brand experience", "Online brand familiarity" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Introduction: Fashion clothing houses are no longer expecting profitable growth and expansion by purely focusing on the traditional marketing strategies only; instead, in a favorable market condition, the firms' marketing mix requires the integration of online marketing tools as well (Alfaro et al., 2004; Hye Park and Stoel, 2002; Kim et al., 2006; Rowley, 2009; Tokatli, 2004). According to contemporary views, an individual in the modern society is often judged by their possessions (Dittmar, 1992; Richins, 1994). One such important possession is fashion clothing. Fashion is defined as \"a form of collective behavior, or a wave of social conformity\" (Solomon and Rabolt, 2004, p. 19). The existing literature suggests that fashion is linked to an individual's self-concept and self-actualization (McNeill, 2018; Perry et al., 1983; Peters et al., 2011; Titton, 2015). In the context of fashion, apparels are the most usable products that have both economic and social values in contemporary societies (O'Cass, 2004). Fashion clothing can be viewed as having behavioral and social codes that reflect an individual's self-identity and social image (Davis, 1994; Piamphongsant and Mandhachitara, 2008). The more an individual views fashion clothing as an extension of his/her self-identity and social image, the more involved he/she gets regarding various behavioral aspects related to fashion clothing (Goldsmith et al., 1999; O'Cass, 2001).\n2. Literature review and hypotheses development: Local fashion clothing brands refer to fashion clothing brands local to a specific country, locally designed and produced. Although numerous studies have been conducted on various aspects of fashion clothing brands, very few studies have focused on local fashion clothing brands. Among the notable investigations on local fashion clothing brands, Indian consumers' purchase behavior, brand equity and purchase intention were examined in the context of Indian fashion clothing brands vs US fashion clothing brands (Kumar, Kim and Pelton, 2009; Kumar, Lee and Kim, 2009; Lee et al., 2010). Clothing interest of Indian consumers was found to influence THE emotional value and perceived quality for US fashion clothing brands rather than Indian brands (Kumar, Kim and Pelton, 2009; Kumar, Lee and Kim, 2009), while attitude toward US brands was found to have positive effects on emotional value and perceived quality, whereas it was found to have negative effect in the case of Indian brands (Kumar, Kim and Pelton, 2009; Kumar, Lee and Kim, 2009). Direct and indirect effects of Indian consumers' need for uniqueness, gender and attitudes toward US fashion clothing brands were found on three dimensions of brand equity: perceived quality, brand loyalty and brand associations with brand awareness, while for Indian fashion clothing brands, these effects are found for just one brand equity dimension: perceived quality (Lee et al., 2010). Another study carried out on Chinese young adults revealed that they prefer fashion clothing brands that have western origin over local origin brands (O'Cass and Siahtiri, 2013). These findings are not surprising as numerous studies on country of origin effects have unfolded that consumers in emerging and developing markets prefer foreign brands over local brands as they perceive the quality and status of foreign brands significantly higher than local brands (Batra et al., 2000; Kinra, 2006; O'Cass and Siahtiri, 2013). Nevertheless, none of these studies focused on consumer online purchase behavior of local fashion clothing brands incorporating information adoption, e-WOM, online brand familiarity and online brand experience.\n3. Methodology: The research design was cross-sectional. A pilot survey was carried out to assess the content validity of the survey instrument. Based on the feedback from the pilot survey, the revised questionnaire was used in the main survey. A total of 300 respondents participated in the self-administered survey who have experience of purchasing a local fashion clothing brand online. Only 273 questionnaires were used in final data analysis after discarding incomplete questionnaires. Variables controlled for were gender, income and age following the stratified (proportionate) sampling approach. The majority of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 35 (90.5 percent of respondents), while rest of the respondents were between the ages of 20 and 25 (9.5 percent). This disproportionate predominance of an age range group may also represent a limitation of the study. However, this predominance age cohort is also a reflection of online purchasers of local fashion clothing brand products of Bangladesh. Regarding education, 70 percent of the respondents already have a postgraduate degree, and rest of the 30 percent respondents either possess or pursue an undergraduate degree. The majority of our sample was composed of individuals who are staying in the capital of Bangladesh originating from different parts of Bangladesh: Dhaka (40 percent), Chittagong (30 percent), Rajshahi (10 percent), Barishal (5 percent), Commila (10 percent) and Mymensingh (5 percent). The respondent's average expenditure on local fashion clothing brand products in the past 12 months was approximately BDT 6,000 (around USD72 \"as of currency rate of March 17, 2018\").\n4. Data analysis: To assess the constructs, internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity were examined. To check internal consistency, composite reliability values of the constructs were assessed. All composite reliability values (Table II) were between 0.70 and 0.90, which is the satisfactory range (Nunally and Bernstein, 1994). Average variance extracted (AVE) values of the constructs and outer loadings of the indicators were assessed to check convergent validity. All the AVE values (Table II) were over the suggested threshold 0.5 (Hair et al., 2014). Except for the indicators CPB3, CPB4 and CPB5, outer loadings of all the indicators (Table I) were above the suggested level 0.708 (Hair et al., 2014). The three indicators with outer loading values below 0.708, however, were retained as removing them did not result in any significant improvement of composite reliability or AVE of the consumer purchase behavior construct. Heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratios were investigated to check discriminant validity. Discriminant validity was attained as all the HTMT values (Table III) are below the suggested level 0.85 (Henseler et al., 2015) (Tables I-III).\n5. Discussion and implications: Based on standardized path coefficients and significance levels, under the central route construct, informational understandability was found as the highest contributor to central route followed by information completeness, information relevancy, value-added information (Table II). On the other hand, under the construct of the peripheral route, product ranking contributes more to the construct then information quantity (Table II). In regards to the second-order construct for consumer information adoption process in purchasing local fashion clothing brand products online, the peripheral route has the highest coefficient (b=0.499), followed by the central route (b=0.349). These results infer that online shoppers of fashion clothing products adopt information based on the volume of comments in their respective networks and strongly apply information such as overall brand or a producer ranking that draws evaluations provided by all the online fashion clothing purchasers of local brands. In fact, the overall ranking of the clothes under each online fashion sellers provides an indicator of product quality and product popularity among the fashion clothing purchases when adopting information from online reviews.\n6. Limitation and future directions: This study tested the proposed conceptual model only among the consumers who like to purchase local fashion clothing brand products online. Therefore, a replication of the study among the consumers of all brands (both local and international) in a comparative analysis will be more useful. Future studies may explore the moderation effect of gender in between the relationship of e-WOM and purchase behavior. Furthermore, future researchers may also take other antecedents like the website design and layout as the moderation variable in between brand experience and purchase behavior. Also, the study is cross-sectional, and the sample size is relatively small. A bigger sample size would be helpful in strengthening the findings of the study.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of information adoption, e-WOM, online brand experience and online brand familiarity on consumer online purchase behavior of local fashion clothing brands. The study also examines the influence of central and peripheral route on the consumer information adoption process.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The research design was cross-sectional. A total of 300 respondents from Bangladesh participated in the self-administered survey who have experienced of purchasing local fashion clothing brand online. Only 273 questionnaires were used in final data analysis after discarding incomplete questionnaires. The study applied PLS-SEM to test the proposed model.\nFindings: Central and peripheral route were found to have positive influences on the consumer information adoption process in the context of online purchasing of local fashion clothing brands. Consumer information adoption was found to influence consumer online purchase behavior positively. The information adoption-consumer purchase behavior relationship was found to be partially mediated by e-WOM. Online brand experience was found to influence consumer online purchase behavior positively. The online brand experience-consumer purchase behavior relationship was found to be partially mediated by online brand familiarity.\nOriginality/value: So far, no studies have investigated how information adoption, e-WOM, online brand experience and online brand familiarity influence consumer purchase behavior of local fashion clothing brand, in a virtual environment under the perspective of a developing country like Bangladesh. This study is also a pioneer in exploring which dimensions have more leverage on central and peripheral route in information adoption in the context of local fashion clothing brand of Bangladesh.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The effects of employee behaviours on customer participation in the service encounter: The mediating role of customer emotions	[ "Service encounter", "Customer emotions", "Customer participation", "Employees’ in-role behaviour", "Employees’ organizational citizenship behaviour" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Increasingly, researchers are recognising the significance of incorporating customers as a resource and co-producer in value co-creation (Prahalad and Ramaswamy, 2000; Vargo and Lusch, 2004). This emergent perspective shifts the role of the customer from being a passive recipient to that of a proactive co-creator (Bettencourt, 1997; Lengnick-Hall et al., 2000). Although customer participation can be a double-edged sword (Chan et al., 2010), in general customer participation is perceived to be beneficial, bringing economic, relational and psychological benefits to service employees and customers at the individual level (Chan et al., 2010; Yim et al., 2012), and improving productivity and effectiveness at the organisational level (Bagozzi et al., 2012; Bendapudi and Leone, 2003; Xie et al., 2008).\nTheoretical background and hypotheses: Customer participation and its antecedents\nMethods: Context of the study\nAnalysis and results: Measurement model\nDiscussion: For many service organisations, front-line employees are an important source of differentiation and competitive advantage (Bettencourt and Brown, 1997). The way employees behave towards customers significantly influences organisational outcomes (Hartline et al., 2000; Keh et al., 2013; Liu et al., 2016). In extending the literature, findings from the present research show that front-line employees' in-role behaviour and OCB have differential effects on customer participation. Specifically, employees' in-role behaviour has an indirect effect on customer participation, whereas employees' OCB exerts both direct and indirect effects on customer participation. These results reveal the importance of employees' OCB beyond their in-role behaviour in influencing customer participation.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: There is considerable research examining the consequences and contingency factors of customer participation in the service encounter. In comparison, there is disproportionately less research examining the antecedents of customer participation. This paper aims to propose and test an appraisal-emotive framework of the effects of front-line employees' in-role and extra-role behaviours on customer participation.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A survey on 583 customers of retail banks in China has been conducted to test the framework. Structural equation modelling and dominance analysis have been used for hypotheses testing.\nFindings: Employees' extra-role behaviour (i.e. organisational citizenship behaviour or OCB) has a stronger effect than their in-role behaviour (i.e. role-prescribed behaviour) in inducing customer participation. These effects are mediated by customer emotions. Specifically, the effect of employees' in-role behaviour on customer participation was mediated by customers' positive and negative emotions, whereas the effect of employees' OCB was mediated by customers' positive emotions but not by their negative emotions.\nPractical implications: The findings reveal that strategic management of employee behaviours can influence customer participation. While organisations often provide training to enhance employees' in-role behaviour to deliver service performance, they should also recognise and encourage employees' OCB as a means of increasing customer participation. In particular, employees who display positive emotions tend to evoke positive emotions in customers, which increase customer participation in the service encounter.\nOriginality/value: To the authors' knowledge, this is one of the few studies in marketing to examine the differential effects of employees' in-role and extra-role behaviours on customer participation. Importantly, the findings show that employees' OCB is not only more effective than employees' in-role behaviour in influencing customer participation but also these two behaviours have varying effects on customer emotions. These findings are new and contribute to the literatures on customer participation, value co-creation and human resource management.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Proactive entrepreneurial behaviour, market orientation, and innovation outcomes: A study of small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms in the UK	[ "Innovation", "Market orientation", "Innovation capability", "New product development", "Entrepreneurialism", "Customer orientation", "Proactive entrepreneurial behaviour", "Competitor orientation" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The pursuit of innovation is an important tactic that firms use to compete in an increasingly dynamic and complex global marketplace (Baker and Sinkula, 2009; Hong et al., 2013; Zhou et al., 2005). This is particularly true for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack of resource abundance to compete in mature product markets (Li and Atuahene-Gima, 2001). Thus, researchers have devoted significant attention to identifying the drivers of innovation outcomes (Laforet, 2009; O'Cass and Weerawardena, 2009). A stream of literature focusses specifically on understanding the role of the entrepreneurial behaviour-market orientation interface (E-MO interface) in facilitating innovation outcomes. At the firm level, both entrepreneurial behaviour and market orientation reflect an organisation's deeply rooted beliefs and values in relation to resource allocation to achieve strategic objectives. Entrepreneurial behaviour[1] is manifested through an organisation's strategic posture to pursue business opportunities, whereas market orientation is demonstrated by an organisation's strategic behaviour of identifying and responding to market demands (Atuahene-Gima and Ko, 2001; Rhee et al., 2010; Schindehutte et al., 2008). This research aims to extend this literature stream by addressing three important gaps.\nTheoretical background and hypotheses: Literature review\nResearch method: Measurement and data collection\nAnalysis and results: To assess our hypotheses, we performed multiple regression analysis using SPSS. Table IV presents the results of our analysis.\nDiscussion and concluding remarks: Academic contribution\nLimitations and future research opportunities: First, our research design may restrict us from drawing any definite conclusions about the causation effect among the variables over time. Furthermore, this research design may also raise concerns about common method variance. Researchers in the future might use a longitudinal research design to confirm this causality empirically or use data collected from multiple respondents in each firm to combat this limitation. Second, we limit our investigation to UK-based SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, the generalisability of our findings remains limited to firms within a specific industry, company size and country context. Future studies on different industries, company sizes or countries would help to generalize our findings and expand the boundary conditions. Third, the independent variable chosen for this study - PEB - we adopted and modified the scales from existing studies. While we have gone through the necessary procedures to ensure the face validity and statistical validity and reliability of our scales; however, they may still not capture PEB sufficiently as the nature of (all types of) entrepreneurial behaviours is complex (Boso et al., 2012; Kreiser et al., 2013; Lumpkin and Dess, 1996). Future research should attempt to capture the domain of PEB construct with much richer and more detailed scales. Fourth, although we requested in our cover letter that the general manager (or CEO) of the firm should complete the questionnaire on behalf of his/her organisation, due to the anonymity and confidentiality of the responses, we cannot eliminate the possibility that the respondent is not the general manager (or CEO) of the firm. Future researchers should consider using telephone or in-person surveys to address this research limitation.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Drawing from resource-based theory, the authors aim to study how and under what conditions small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capitalise on their proactive entrepreneurial behaviour (PEB) to achieve new product development (NPD) performance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The authors' data were drawn from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 401 UK-based SMEs in the manufacturing sector.\nFindings: The authors identify an upward curvilinear relationship between PEB and NPD performance. Taking a step further, the authors propose and confirm that this curvilinear association arises from, in part, SMEs' innovation capability, which in turn translates into NPD performance. The authors also find that this upward curvilinear relationship between PEB and innovation capability flips to a downward curvilinear relationship when firms pursue a customer and competitor orientation.\nOriginality/value: This paper looks beyond the linear relationship that exists among entrepreneurial behaviour, market orientation and innovation outcomes.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The performance impact of industrial services and service orientation on manufacturing companies	[ "Performance", "Servitization", "Industrial services", "Service orientation", "Service strategy", "Service structure" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: To overcome the challenges of increasing competition, many traditional manufacturing firms are moving from industrial goods toward the provision of services and solutions (Antioco et al., 2008; Helander and Moller, 2008; Windahl, 2007; Brady et al., 2005). This transformation toward integrated product-service solutions and increased levels of industrial services has been fueled by developments in industry. We have seen some of the most successful manufacturing firms in the world, such as Kone and ThyssenKrupp, develop their service business to the extent that services provide more than half of corporate revenue (Fischer et al., 2010; Jacob and Ulaga, 2008). However, according to prior studies, it is questionable whether industrial services actually create profits for manufacturing companies because \"empirical research aimed at generalizing the research findings in this area is still missing\" (Jacob and Ulaga, 2008, p. 250; Gebauer et al., 2012).\nPrior literature, hypothesis development, and the model: Service offerings and service orientation in manufacturing firms\nMethods: Data collection, response pattern, and respondents\nResults: Table II presents the correlations between the given constructs and the control variables, and shows that when considering the correlations between independent and mediating variables, the highest correlation exists between service offerings and service orientation being 0.36. In addition, we tested multicollinearity by application of a VIF index, which demonstrated lower than 1.2 (threshold\nDiscussion: Product-manufacturing firms are facing increasing competitive pressure. This has driven movement of manufacturing operations to lower-cost countries, but arguably has also sparked the development of service offerings and integrated solutions within manufacturing industry (Davies et al., 2006; Helander and Moller, 2007; Windahl and Lakemond, 2010). Offering and delivering services requires more than just offerings - it requires the ability to co-create value on the customer surface, where customized value is delivered through complex interactions (Davies and Brady, 2000; Storbacka, 2011; Windahl and Lakemond, 2006). Although, recently scholars have directed attention to the mechanisms and capabilities required to develop a strategy for industrial services, the more generic and statistically significant connections among service strategy (reflected in service offerings), structure (service orientation), and performance factors (sales and profit performance) in manufacturing firms has not been well understood (Gebauer et al., 2012). Visnjic Kastalli and Van Looy (2013, p. 170), for instance, state that \"the evidence regarding a manufacturer's ability to appropriate value from servitization is inconclusive.\" Hence, the transition from exclusive product manufacturing to the provision of industrial services and solutions has been often scrutinized in recent years, but its strategic foundation, the effect on performance, has received far less attention (Parida et al., 2014).\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Product-manufacturing firms are increasingly positioning themselves as providers of industrial services and solutions. Despite the increasing conceptual interest in industrial services, empirical evidence about the factors that mediate the relationships between industrial services and firm performance remains limited. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between industrial service offerings, service orientation and firm sales and profit performance.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study uses data from 115 manufacturing firms and adopts a structural equation modeling technique to test a set of hypotheses on service offerings, service orientation and company sales and profit performance.\nFindings: The results underline the importance of implementing service orientation in employees' behavior, recruitment, training, and assessment. Service orientation is demonstrated as an essential mediator for the relationship between service offerings, revenues, and profits. The results therefore suggest that both service offerings and service orientation are important when manufacturing companies attempt to position themselves as industrial service providers.\nResearch limitations/implications: Given the limitations of the sample collected from the Finnish manufacturing industry, future studies could refine the measures and investigate the applicability of the results in other contexts.\nPractical implications: The results suggest that developing a service orientation is vital for manufacturing companies to profit from increased offerings of industrial services. Because nurturing service orientation is a central enabler of the impact of service offerings on sales and profit performance, it is in the interests of manufacturing firms moving towards a servitized business model to develop training, compensation, and recruitment policies.\nOriginality/value: The study establishes a link between service offerings, service orientation, sales, and profit performance in manufacturing firms. This is among the first studies to provide statistical evidence to support claims that even manufacturing firms can benefit from developing integrated product-service solutions.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Unconscious bias: thinking without thinking	[ "Retention", "Unconscious bias", "Workplace diversity", "Brain" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: An individual makes countless decisions in a day without even being aware of them. The solutions to various problems can be influenced by unconscious biases. It refers to a situation which we are unaware of and which happens beyond our control. Interestingly, it happens involuntarily and is triggered by our instinct. These instincts are influenced by our background, societal environment, and personal experiences. These biases are a bundle of feelings and thoughts about others that play a very important role in influencing our judgment toward them. According to Noon (2018), unconscious or implicit biases are learned stereotypes that are natural, automatic, unintentional, and so deeply engrained that they can easily influence one's behavior. In other words, we can say that unconscious bias is a shortcut based on our attitudes and stereotypes that have developed over a period of time (Guynn, 2015). They are reflexively triggered without our knowledge.\nHow unconscious bias is formed?: The universal tendency of unconscious bias exists among human beings. They are often rooted in a human's brain, which is continuously bombarded with information and influences from one's background, values, traditions, beliefs, societies, cultural environment, etc. Our brain has the tendency to group this information in various categories and tag them with general descriptions. Bias occurs when our brain tags these categories with labels of \"good\" or \"bad\" and then applies these generalizations indiscriminately. It can be assumed that unconscious bias can also be caused by conditional learning. An individual's unconscious biases are greatly influenced by their social experiences. Researchers have claimed that repeated exposure to stereotypical associations and prejudices forms the basis for unconscious biases.\nClassification of unconscious bias: From the above literature, it is a known fact that we all have unconscious bias. The problem is we are unable to identify where our unconscious bias lies. It is very important to figure them out so that they can be removed. Few of the unconscious biases which influence our workplace are as follows:\nHow unconscious biases affect workplace: Unconscious biases influence individuals at different levels of management. They act as hidden drivers which can harm business decisions. The detrimental effects can range from messing up with the workplace diversity and turnover rate to promoting an incoherent culture in organization. In addition, they hinder innovativeness, creativity, cohesiveness, and inclusivity in the workplace. Unconscious biases can undermine the recruitment and individual development efforts in an organization, thereby creating a narrow pool of people.\nManaging unconscious bias at workplace: The role of business leaders is important in raising a question mark to the existence of these unconscious biases. All strategies of human resource (HR) leaders will fail if they are unable to locate such biases. If not taken care, strong organizations will be degenerated. The various strategies which HR professionals can use to make people realize their unconscious bias and thus remove its negative effects from an organization are as follows:\nConclusion: Unconscious bias happens when we make incredibly quick opinions and assessments about people and situations. Thus, unconscious bias is unavoidable, but we can always work upon removing its negative effects from our business decisions. HR professionals and other top leaders can always develop strategies for unleashing various types of unconscious biases prevailing in industry and removing them. This way, we can create a workplace where a fair game is played.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: Unconscious biases are often ignored in organizations; thus, it becomes more important to identify them so that we can build strong and competent organizations. In present dynamic and competitive business situations, you need to be well aware about those concerns of the organizations where these biases exist.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper identifies various types of unconscious biases prevailing at workplace. It also identifies different strategies which can be used to avoid them so that we can gain a competitive edge over others in market.\nFindings: Unconscious biases are a fact of life; no one can deny them. Thus, it is important to identify them so that they can be eliminated, and our businesses can avoid their detrimental effects.\nResearch limitations/implications: Unconscious biases narrow down the pool of people in an organization and ultimately destabilize an organization's base.\nPractical implications: Unconscious biases narrow down the pool of people in the organization and ultimately destabilize an organization's base.\nOriginality/value: This paper can help managers and executives to highlight the areas where these biases lie so that they can be removed easily.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
National intellectual capital: comparison of the Nordic countries	[ "Intellectual capital", "Sweden", "Denmark", "Norway", "Finland", "Iceland" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The five Nordic countries are among the world's top 20 most wealthy. Based on 2006 GDP per capita (PPP) in US dollars, Norway (47,800); Denmark (37,000); Finland (34,819); and Sweden (31,600) ranked number 3, 6, 12, and 19, respectively, in world wealth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki). Iceland (35,586) ranked number 5 in 2005; the data for Iceland has not been updated. Located in a cold-climate zone with a combined population of only 24 million people, how did this region achieve such outstanding economic performance and well-being? Does this region possess hidden capabilities that have allowed its citizens to overcome the rough physical environment and excel? Intangible assets is the most likely answer.Despite this historical success, World Bank (2007) predicted in a Global Economic Prospects 2007 press release that economic growth for 2007-2008 in high-income countries is expected to be 2.6 percent compared with a 6 percent increase in developing countries (http://web.worldbank.org.pitt.idm.oclc.org). The challenges that rapid globalization, trade expansion, and technology diffusion present to developing countries may intensify stresses on the \"global commons.\" Are Nordic countries ready to cope with potential economic stagnation? Can the intangible assets they have accumulated sustain the competitiveness of this region? Our longitudinal study, spanning the years of 1994-2005, may provide some answers.Over the past few decades, intangible assets, such as knowledge, patents, and innovation, have been identified as fundamental sources of wealth and progress. These assets represent a major concern for business firms and their stakeholders as well as for policy makers (Garcia-Ayuso, 2003). Drucker (1993) predicts the emergence of a society dominated by knowledge-based resources and a competitive landscape in the allocation of intellectual capital (IC) (Bontis, 2004). But how do we measure and map this new IC landscape?IC is defined as \"intellectual material - knowledge, information, intellectual property, experience - that can be put to use to create wealth\" (Stewart, 1997). It is also described as the basis for future earning capabilities (Edvinsson and Malone, 1997) and as human capital functioning together with elements of structural capital. It is the combination of human capital and the associated factors surrounding IC dimensions that have turned out to be a key source of wealth at both organizational and national levels. Those countries with knowledge-intensive industries will be the winners in terms of future wealth creation (Bounfour and Edvinsson, 2004).The IC of a nation requires the articulation of a comprehensive system of variables that helps uncover and manage that nation's invisible wealth. Past studies, to be elaborated on in the literature review section, either propose models from a limited perspective (e.g. inputs or intellectual property rights) or models containing too many variables to be easily replicated for trend analysis. This study attempts to propose a moderate set of national IC indices that is valid and can be easily replicated for follow-up studies.This study first built a measurement model to capture national IC, then used the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Institute for Management Development (IMD, 1994-2005) World Competitiveness Yearbook database to rank the IC of 40 countries, from 1994 to 2005, focusing on the five Nordic countries. In what follows, the authors will review relevant literature, propose a model for national-level IC mapping and measurement, elaborate research methods, and interpret research findings.\nLiterature review: During the past decade, knowledge assets and IC have been attracting an increasing amount of attention, not only from academics and CEOs, but also from national policy makers. A World Bank (1998) report points out that the adoption of policies to increase a nation's intellectual wealth can improve people's lives, besides giving them higher incomes. Knowledge assets are the intangible assets of a country, and they have significant implications for future national value, as they represent the source of the competencies and capabilities deemed essential for national economic growth, human development, and quality of life (Malhotra, 2003). As a result, countries rich in intangible assets fare better in terms of national wealth than those whose assets are limited to land, tools, and labor (Malhotra, 2003; World Bank, 1998).The measurement of intangible assets assists nations in analyzing and benchmarking their competencies and capabilities. Such assessments can facilitate the adoption of policies and practices to promote holistic national development (Malhotra, 2003). Since most measurements of national IC analyze existing data at the input and output level (Bounfour, 2003), the major problem lies in the lack of a comprehensive reference framework (Pomeda et al., 2002). In addition, comparison among countries is based on the different content and quality criteria of different regional-national statistical systems, which may result in inconsistencies in comparison and analysis (Klein, 2000). Despite these constraints, there have been some initiatives to measure national IC as described hereafter.Framework and main models used to measure and manage the IC of nations\nMethods: Using the variables listed in Table II, the authors collected data for 47 countries from the OECD database and the World Competitiveness Yearbook. Owing to the large number of missing values, the datasets for Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Venezuela were excluded. The data analyzed in this study, therefore, describes 40 countries over a period of 12 years, from 1994 to 2005.In this study, there are two different types of data: data with an absolute rating, such as \"patents per capita\"; and data with a qualitative rating based on a scale of 1-10, such as \"image of country.\" Although subjective, qualitative rating on the degree or magnitude of certain variables is unavoidable, because evaluating intangible assets cannot be fully represented by merely adding up absolute numbers. For a meaningful integration of the quantitative score and qualitative rating, the ratio of the absolute value relative to the highest value of each quantitative variable was calculated and multiplied by 10 to transform the number into a 1-10 score. The data transformation procedures have been repeated for all numerical indicators of human capital, market capital, process capital, and renewal capital. Financial capital is represented by the logarithm of GDP per capita adjusted by the purchasing power parity of each country, calculated its ratio to the highest value and then transformed it into a 1-10 score. The overall index as shown in Table III is the total score of the five types of capital.To assure the validity of the selected variables in measuring the four latent constructs (human capital, market capital, process capital, and renewal capital), the LISREL technique and \"Amos 5\" program were utilized to test the measurement model. Data analyses showed that all the variables are significant at a=0.05, which means the selected variables are sufficient to evaluate the latent constructs. Thus, the measurement model is valid for assessing national IC.\nResults: Based on the data analysis described in the preceding section, Table III displays the score and ranking of the five types of national capital. The overall and individual indices provide valuable information for policy makers. Balance in the number of variables for each of the four types of capital (seven variables each, excluding financial capital) as well as in the number of quantitative and qualitative variables (13 vs 16) was achieved through the literature review, focus group discussion, and database matching.With 12 years of data, the overall results confirm the general perception that the Nordic countries have the highest degree of national IC. The top ten countries in the composite list are, in order, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Denmark, the USA, Norway, Iceland, Singapore, The Netherlands, and Canada. All five Nordic countries are in this list.A comparison of the Nordic countries\nLimitations and future research: The limitations of this research include the following: first, international comparisons are limited by the availability of published data, a consistent problem in studies of national-level intellectual capital. Second, a forced combination of quantitative and qualitative scores on a scale of 1-10 may attenuate the variance. Third, the panel data can describe only national intellectual capital in the past, rather than the current and future status. Finally, the value of the results relies heavily on the quality of the raw data in the OECD database and IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, particularly for the qualitative rating.Suggestions for future research include: first, weighting the variables in each type of capital according to experts' perceptions of their relative importance, as different variables may have different degrees of importance. Second, grouping the data into two or four time periods, such as three- or six-year periods, to more clearly identify important features. Third, employing time-lag analysis to test causal relationships between the four types of capital and financial capital. Fourth, replicating the study annually for a trend analysis. Finally, refining the forecasting importance of some of the IC indicators.\nConclusion: The Nordic countries' intellectual capital has an international reputation for excellence, and this study supports that perception. The intellectual capital of all five Nordic countries' was ranked among the top ten countries of the 40 countries included in this study, and three were in the top five. The various tables presented in this study provide some guidelines for countries that are seeking ways to improve their intellectual capital. For example, Finland may look into ways to convert intellectual capital into financial performance, Iceland needs to enhance their renewal capital, Norway can put more effort into expanding their market capital, and Sweden should examine why its financial capital, which ranked first in the first six years of this study (Figure 10), has begun to lag.Assessing the intellectual capital of a nation reveals the hidden value of the individuals, companies, institutions, and communities that constitute current and potential sources for national wealth creation. Although assessing a nation's intellectual capital is a daunting task, the steady stream of research that has been published in the last few years has drawn the attention of managers and policy makers to the increasing importance of intangible assets issues as the basis for future wealth. The present study provides a platform that a country could use to examine its strengths and weaknesses and identify the areas on which it should focus as it strives for excellence now as well as sustainable wealth creation for future generations.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - This study proposes a model to measure national intellectual capital that can be easily replicated for trend analysis. Key dimensions include human capital, market capital, process capital, renewal capital, and financial capital.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - With longitudinal data spanning the period from 1994 to 2005, this study compares the national intellectual capital of 40 countries based on an IC map of 29 indicators.\nFindings: - The overall intellectual capital ranking of the five Nordic countries is: 1 Sweden, 2 Finland, (3 Switzerland), 4 Denmark, (5 USA), 6 Norway, and 7 Iceland in the 40-country list.\nPractical implications: - The results confirm the general perception that the Nordic countries have a high degree of national intellectual capital. The research findings clarify the status of national intellectual capital of the Nordic countries, thereby providing valuable information for stakeholders and policy makers to formulate effective strategies for building sustainable national competitiveness. In order to do this, it is necessary to elaborate on the proposed IC framework and to gather relevant and valid IC indicators.\nOriginality/value: - The results of this study can provide a map for the Nordic countries - and other countries - as they prepare for future challenges, such as those associated with globalization and its implications on potential wealth creation. A deeper study of why and how might be a part of forthcoming studies.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The impact of leadership coaching in an Australian healthcare setting	[ "Leadership", "Healthcare", "Coaching", "Australian healthcare", "Transfer of coaching" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: In common with public health services in much of the Western world, the Australian public health system operates under considerable stress and pressure. Australian public health services are expected to deliver optimal performance whilst operating in a context of increasing budget pressure and escalating demand for services (AMA, 2016). In addition, public health services are subject to increasing government oversight and monitoring from the media and consumer groups who seek to identify mismanagement, ethical conflicts, clinical errors and anything less than optimal performance.\nOverview of coaching in health settings: Coaching is widely and successfully used in the commercial sphere as a means of improving performance and as a methodology for developing managers, teams, leaders and executives, since at least the mid-1990s. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find a commercial organization of significance that did not use coaching methodologies (Jones et al., 2016).\nCoaching in the USA and UK healthcare systems: In the US healthcare industry there have been reports of the use of coaching in healthcare settings since at least 2003 (McAlearney, 2010). There are a number of practice-based professional articles discussing the use of coaching as a developmental tool in US healthcare settings, but to date anecdotal reports far out weigh peer-reviewed quantitative empirical outcome studies (Schwellnus and Carnahan, 2014). There have been some changes in the area: The Institute of Coaching at Harvard University's McLean Hospital has championed an evidence-based approach to the use of coaching as a leadership development methodology through their annual Coaching in Leadership and Healthcare Conference, which started in 2007, and this has given added impetus to the drive for more empirical outcome research in this area. However, there are still very few peer-reviewed quantitative outcome studies of leadership coaching in US healthcare settings (Throgmorton et al., 2016).\nLeadership coaching in the Australian healthcare system: In Australia there have been a number of reports in the literature as to how to utilize coaching within the healthcare industry. A 2002 inquiry commissioned by the Federal Government to investigate nursing education (Heath, 2002) made recommendations for the use of coaching methodologies for the development of future nurse leaders and managers. Oades et al. (2009) built upon these government recommendations, and described how coaching psychology, positive psychology and positive leadership can be used for both staff and patient development. More recently Oades and Anderson (2012) discussed how coaching should become the style of relationship required for service delivery with consumers and as a cultural value within the service organization. Anecdotal reports from practitioners indicate that coaching is increasingly being used in Australian healthcare settings but this practice has yet to make its way into the peer-reviewed literature.\nOverview of the present coaching program: The present study sought to build on and extend past research in this area. The aim of the program was to develop the leadership capability of executives, senior managers and leading healthcare professionals in the NSW public health system. The NSW public health system operates more than 230 public hospitals, as well as providing community health and other public health services, for the NSW community through a network of local health districts, specialty networks and non-government affiliated health organizations. The agency covers a geographical region of approximately 800,000 square kilometers with over 100,000 employees. The 2016 budget is in the region of AU$22 billion.\nMethod: Recruitment of participants\nMeasures: Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used.\nResults: Quantitative data\nDiscussion: This research explored the hypothesis that participation in the coaching program would be associated with increased goal attainment, solution-focused thinking, leadership self-efficacy, LTS, perspective taking, tolerance of ambiguity, resilience and self-insight. It was further hypothesized that participation would be associated with decreases in depression, anxiety and stress. The results of this research provide broad support for these hypotheses, with a few exceptions: There were no significant changes in depression and LTS.\nSummary: The research on leadership coaching for health professionals and practitioners in healthcare setting is somewhat anecdotal and incomplete (Weinstock, 2011) and a solid evidence-base has not yet been established (Gazelle et al., 2015). The present study contributes to the knowledge base, as it is one of very few that has examined the impact of leadership coaching in the Australia health sector. Both the quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that the coaching program was successful at fostering fresh perspectives and supporting positive change.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: There is limited empirical literature on the effectiveness of leadership coaching in healthcare settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the efficacy of leadership coaching for individuals implementing strategic change in the Australian public health system.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using a within-subjects (pre-post) design, participants (n=31) undertook six one-hour coaching sessions. Coaching was conducted by professional leadership coaches. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected.\nFindings: Participation was associated with significant improvements in goal attainment, solution-focused thinking, leadership self-efficacy, perspective-taking capacity, self-insight and resilience, and ambiguity tolerance. There were significant reductions in stress and anxiety. The benefits of coaching transferred from the workplace to the home. Many participants reported being able to use insights gained in coaching in their personal lives, and reported better work/life balance, less stress and better quality relationships at home.\nOriginality/value: Few studies have provided evaluation of leadership coaching in healthcare setting. Leadership coaching in the public health system may be an important methodology for facilitating goal attainment and fostering resilience in this vital social sector, benefiting workers in the health services, their families and ultimately their patients and the broader community.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
The nature and potential of corporate governance in developing countries: Zambian perceptions	[ "Corporate governance", "Zambia", "Corruption", "Isomorphism" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n1. Overview: This paper provides detailed insights regarding the perceptions of corporate governance in Zambia, a nation with a recent political history that differs from many of its continental neighbours, but which continues to experience the type of economic malaise often attributed to failures in governance mechanisms and standards. Corporate governance has emerged as a leading policy concern not only in the developed world, but also in many emerging nations (Solomon, 2013). However, most of the research in the area continues to be concentrated on the wealthiest economies, ignoring those in transition - like most in Africa - where the de facto importance of strong governance is arguably greatest (Wanyama et al., 2009; Josiah et al., 2010). Prior literature examining the potential role of improved corporate governance in developing countries has explored the theoretical possibilities of US/UK-style codes without engaging those individuals and groups most directly affected; in the absence of meaningful understanding of perceptions on the ground, the practical worth of such investigations is inevitably limited. Given this context, the present study provides empirical evidence about corporate governance in Zambia from the perspective of a wide range of stakeholders, with an emphasis on the issues most common to current debates, including definition, drivers, legal culture, international influences, compliance, benefits and challenges. Unlike most of the developing countries examined to date, Zambia has experienced considerable political stability since gaining independence and retains plentiful natural resources. However, the nation has failed to sustain significant levels of economic growth, and poor governance across the corporate sector has been suggested as a key factor in this regard (Donge, 2008).\n2. Motivation and extant literature: The debate relating to corporate governance has gained momentum in recent years (Allen, 2005; Gillan, 2006), not only in the world's richest nations but also in settings characterised by lower levels of economic development (Solomon et al., 2003; Hussain and Mallin, 2003). Solomon et al. (2003) detected an increase in the pace of change in both legal systems and market listing obligations that reflected renewed focus on best practice in governance. The present study explores the role of corporate governance in Zambia, a country located in the southern part of Africa that gained its independence from Britain in 1964. The attainment of economic performance befitting a peaceful and politically stable nation, well-endowed with rich natural resources, has been elusive (see Andersson et al., 2000). Many of the issues relating to this state of affairs are now being viewed through a corporate governance lens, with commentators increasingly citing the (poor) quality of the nation's governance standards in general - and the absence of good corporate governance practices in particular - as causes of the malaise (Coldough, 1997; Donge, 2008).\n3. Corporate governance in Zambia: 3.1 Overview\n4. Methodology and methods: The present study appropriates ontological assumptions premised on the awareness that reality is created by one's consciousness (Burrell and Morgan, 1979; Siau and Rossi, 2011). Interviews have increasingly been used as a research method in social sciences in this context (Kvale, 1996), including in enquiries related to corporate governance matters (Solomon, 2013). In the context of the current study, interviews were used to capture detailed views regarding corporate governance, as contextualised by individuals' own experiences. Lofland and Lofland (1996) suggest that in order to acquire social knowledge (i.e. knowledge relating to human activities, concepts and ways of \"being\" social), the inquirer must get as far inside the mind of other human beings as possible. In this sense, the research is not viewed as an abstract notion, but instead involves interactions with others and understanding of the way in which actors make the world meaningful in their own terms (see Krauss, 2005).\n5. Empirical evidence: 5.1 Experience and definition\n6. Discussion and conclusion: Corporate governance reform has become a major policy issue not only in the running of companies but also in the management of national economies. However, little is known about the extent of understanding or views concerning the concept and its potential outside the world's richest countries. Without such awareness, it is unclear how relevant authorities in the nations concerned will be able to convince the public of the need for reform. This becomes a critical issue given earlier contentions that without pervasive comprehension developing, de facto change is extremely unlikely, particularly in Africa. While the hallmark of the modern corporation and the separation of ownership and control rights marked the genesis of corporate governance reform in most developed nations, in Zambia - where ownership structures, cultural, political and economic environments are very different to those in the world's richest countries - good governance appears to be viewed as an economic advancement mechanism. However, the evidence presented here suggests that in the Zambian context corporate governance's propensity to minimise corruption is seen as equally important, provided that extant levels of the latter do not themselves prevent the emergence of meaningful enforcement mechanisms.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed findings regarding the perceived role of corporate governance in Zambia. There have been no detailed studies of opinions in a setting such as Zambia, i.e. a nation which has experienced relative political calm and which has an abundance of natural resources - but where corporate governance failures have been blamed directly for economic difficulties.\nDesign/methodology/approach: The study reports the results of a series of 24 in-depth interviews with Zambians, including politicians, regulators, senior business executives, transnational organisation representatives, academics and governance consultants. The discussions were conducted face-to-face and recorded in all cases.\nFindings: Understanding of corporate governance is at an embryonic stage in Zambia, but embedded corruption is likely to require addressing before any meaningful change is likely. A range of isomorphic forces appear to be prevalent and the study argues that root and branch change in structures and attitudes is a necessity if improvements are to be forthcoming. The paper concludes with a call for unity in purpose and recognition of current malignancies.\nOriginality/value: Despite Zambia's idiosyncrasies, the evidence suggests that a pan-African picture is emerging, with growing awareness of the potential benefits of improved corporate behaviour - but deep cynicism exists about the likelihood of these arising given corruption in reward structures. Such is the extent of embeddedness in power amongst those who benefit from current arrangements that both mimetic and coercive forces are argued to be ranged against any shift in extant systems and processes.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
How understanding workforce data can invigorate your organization: An interview with Tim Ringo, co-author of Calculating Success	[ "Big data", "Workplace analytics", "Workplace performance", "Strategy", "Human capital management", "Workplace", "Human capital" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\n__NO_TITLE__: In recent years, the quantity of data generated by organizations has increased dramatically, and this trend shows no sign of abating. While this abundance of information poses an analytical challenge, it may also hold the key to increased organizational effectiveness.\nHow did you, Carl Hoffman and Eric Lesser come to collaborate on this project? What was the motivation behind Calculating Success?: As Global Leader for IBM's Human Capital Management practice, I spent most of my time meeting senior executives in the US, Europe, Asia, South America, and wherever I visited, I found one subject that came up repeatedly - developing and gaining insights into people data. Eric and Carl were part of my team, and had noticed this trend as well. Carl led my workforce analytics practice and Eric was our head of research. They suggested we write a book that focused not on the theory of workforce analytics, but on how successful companies actually design and implement workforce analytics programs and gain valuable insights to take action on people data.\nYour approach to workforce analytics poses four key questions central to the success of an organization. Would you mind talking us through them, and how best to go about answering them?: The new approach to workforce analytics is the \"the intersection of science and business\" where it is understood that the value of the contribution of your people can be accurately predicted and quantified to help organizations create better business outcomes. Organizations that can routinely define the return on investment of workforce interventions, as is done for building new manufacturing plants, or opening new offices in far flung markets, are the ones that thrive in tough market conditions. The key is to create an organization that runs on more than intuition and guess work.The new approach to workforce analytics answers the following key questions:Based on the organization's strategy, what is the work that needs to be done, and are the processes, structures, and roles designed to efficiently and effectively accomplish it?Is the human capital supply chain filling those roles with people capable of doing the work at the quantity, quality, and cost required of the business model?Once in place, is the workforce fully engaged and motivated to meet or exceed performance standards?Finally, since change is ubiquitous, how can we detect the need for change, test innovations in the organization and workforce, and disseminate those throughout the organization?Answering these questions is the first step to putting in place a robust and sustainable approach to the new workforce analytics. It also describes what is different about our approach: namely that it is not just science (and numbers) for science sake - it is addressing real business problems in a holistic and integrated manner. From strategy to execution, workforce analytics is the \"connective tissue\" running through the organization.\nCalculating Success positions the workforce - often considered a cost - as an organization's key asset. How can workforce data be translated into action that has a tangible ROI?: This is the key question! To this end, we studied a set of seven different companies to understand what was the key success factors and structured approach they took to solve thorny people performance issues that had a direct impact costs, revenue and profit. Take Sprint. Once the shining example of call-center customer service, they dropped to nearly last in the industry in customer satisfaction in 2007. But by following a simple, six-step process, they were able to make a turnaround:Step 1: frame the central problem. Sprint's call volume rose to twice as high as their competitors. The urgency of the issue was clear: Sprint had to improve their customer service - fast.Step 2: apply a conceptual model to guide the analysis. Sprint quickly discovered the core of the issue. Each month, managers had been focusing on a new performance metric - first-call resolution, average call-time - so the phone staff was confused as a result. Sprint also discovered that its existing metrics were rewarding the wrong behaviors. No wonder customer satisfaction plummeted.Step 3: capture relevant data. Sprint faced a common problem: they were awash in data. But like many companies, they didn't know how to act on it. So early on, Finance and HR collaborated to simplify the process, reducing the number of data metrics. From there, they were able to isolate the most relevant data across the key business units.Step 4: apply analytical methods. I could go into basic frequency distributions and cross-tabulations, etc., but I'll save that for another day. Essentially, Sprint simplified their methods in order to find out what separated top performers from low performers.Step 5: present statistical findings to stakeholders. The analytics team focused on three questions. First, how can we improve the performance of our agents and teams? Second, how can we simplify our processes? Third, how can we improve call-volume? To answer these questions, the analytics team created focus groups of senior Sprint executives and managers, who reviewed the feedback and made informed decisions based on the data.Step 6: define action steps to implement the solution. Sprint reduced the number of metrics from 80 to 20. They also eliminated the \"whack-a-mole\" changes to product offers. Finally, they put a plan in place to improve the skills of supervisors and to provide coaching for low and average performers. This improved customer satisfaction by 43 percent. It also improved first-call resolution 42 percent after one year, and ultimately allowed them to reduce the number of call centers while improving the volume and quality of calls handled by this smaller workforce - a success.\nYour book offers a number of compelling, high-profile case studies, showing how existing workforce-related issues have been addressed though analytics. Is it possible to create an analytic system that can help to pre-empt such issues before they arise?: The ultimate destination point for implementing the approach we designed is creating \"predictive analytics\" - one where organizations can model what the future will look like based on the people insights developed today. This is what we hope people take from the book, as the key lessons learned. Answering the Four Key Questions, using our Six Step Framework, is the template for building a sustainable approach to predictive workforce analytics.\nWhat trends do you see emerging in HCM? Will analytics be at the heart of future developments?: Unfortunately, over many decades, the vast majority of organizations have got into a vicious cycle of hiring and firing binges. Bring in large amounts of people in the good times and fire a large amount of people in the bad times. This approach is proven to be a destroyer of organization effectiveness and ultimately, shareholder value, and has a highly demoralizing effect on society. When you look at the top performing companies during the Great Recession - even those in recession-sensitive industries, like high tech - you find these organizations keep a steady profile of hiring and performance managing out the right people. They use predictive workforce analytics to understand what their workforce should look like one, two even five years out, and model different economic scenarios to define the right numbers of people with the right skills deployed to the right work. They are constantly - virtually every day - right-sizing their company. This is the future of high-performing companies, and, indeed, high-performing societies.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: - The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Tim Ringo.\nDesign/methodology/approach: - The paper interviews Tim Ringo, co-author of Calculating Success: How the New Workplace Analytics will Revitalize your Organization.\nFindings: - The paper tells how Ringo came to co-author the book, outlines the four key questions companies must ask themselves in order to be successful, and discusses future trends.\nOriginality/value: - The paper discusses the six-step framework that will allow for a meaningful evaluation and application of workforce data.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Unveiling the legal effect of collective agreements in China	[ "Substitution effect", "Chinese labour law", "Collective agreement", "Implementation of law", "Labour Contract Law", "Labour disputes" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: In recent decades, a number of regulations have been issued to frame collective bargaining and collective agreements in China[1]. In accordance with Chinese labour laws, at the industrial sector and enterprise level, branches of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) represent workers to negotiate collective agreements with employers regarding remuneration, labour protections or special instruments for vulnerable groups, e.g. female or youth workers. In theory, as the safeguard of the fruit of collective bargaining, collective agreements enjoy both contractual and normative legal recognition in most jurisdictions in the world. In a similar vein, Chinese labour laws allow trade unions to file lawsuits when employers violate collective agreements, from which the contractual legal effect of collective agreements emanates. Also, labour laws in China enable individual workers to make normative claims of the rights and interests protected by collective agreements (Rice, 1930; Shen, 2018; Wang, 2016).\nMethodology: This study applied a hybrid method to identify the legal effect of collective agreements in China. First, the labour cases relating to collective agreements adjudicated by the people's courts nationwide were compiled, which served as the study's primary data for analysis. Second, the official collective agreement templates issued by various local labour authorities were gathered to carry out further study. The third method was to interview a dozen labour law professionals, workers, scholars and trade union officials to verify the results of this study.\nFindings: Based on the gathered judgments, this study has arrived at three observations in general and one in particular. The volume of collective agreement disputes, together with the cases involving contractual and normative claims, were small, representing 44 per cent of the total. In contrast, there is a relatively larger percentage of claims - around 56 per cent - within the category of \"other\", namely substitution claims, which have been little explored by any other studies.\nConclusions: This review of collective agreement cases over a five-year period shows that collective agreements are being implemented in China. Only a very small number of disputes regarding collective agreements were brought to the courts when compared to the millions of labour disputes and officially filed collective agreements nationwide. In particular, trade unions have never exercised the right to bring a lawsuit based on an employer's alleged violation of a collective agreement. Although the normative effect has been deployed by individual workers in Chinese courtrooms, the number of cases claiming the protection of collective agreements remains insignificant.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the actual legal effect of collective agreements by focusing on the litigation regarding the implementation of collective agreements in China where current literature on the topic is scarce.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This paper deploys both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the features of litigation regarding collective agreements. The judgments on collective agreement by people's courts nationwide from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018 provide the primary empirical data. The intrinsic features of collective agreement disputes are investigated to delineate different sorts of theoretically presumed legal effect, namely contractual, normative and other (if any). A number of collective agreement templates and texts have been gathered and analysed to further explore the factors leading to collective agreement disputes. A dozen of labour law professionals, workers, scholars and trade union officials, were interviewed to verify the findings.\nFindings: The number of collective agreement disputes is relatively small compared to the number of valid collective agreements or the volume of other labour disputes. This study found no litigation initiated by trade unions to claim a remedy against a violation of a collective agreement by an employer. However, a growing number of cases were filed by individual workers to complain about the terms and conditions of their individual employment agreements in contradiction to the existing collective agreement. These data do not mean that collective agreements lack problems or have no significance in action. A novel effect - a \"substitution effect\" - is evident in the existing labour litigations and relatively popular amongst employers, as they often refer to the collective agreement when a written individual agreement, as the mandatory document, is absent. The advent of substitution effect reflects a pragmatic view amongst Chinese labour law professionals, employers and workers.\nResearch limitations/implications: Due to the recent establishment of the online judgments database, this study has focused on collective agreement litigation in people's courts from 2014 to 2018, which is representative of the national trend of such disputes and thus provides valuable insights. Future studies should cover a wider time span and extend to the collective agreement disputes subject to labour arbitration to provide a fuller picture of the challenges and potential solutions.\nPractical implications: By understanding the legal effect of collective agreements in reality, the legislature, workers and employers can act accordingly to enhance or empower it. The insignificant volume of both contractual and normative claims on collective agreements indicates the pressing need to inject something concrete into both substantive rights and the implementation mechanisms of collective agreements. The existence of substitution claims illustrates the room for further implementation of written individual agreements to reduce the need to borrow from collective agreements to fill the void left by the absence of individual agreements.\nOriginality/value: This study uniquely evaluates collective agreement disputes in China to seek their true legal effect, finding the substitution effect of collective agreements that was absent from the prior literature. The features of collective agreements are reflected in this work, together with public policy and theoretical implications.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Native American cultural influences on career self-schemas and MBA fit	[ "Native Americans", "MBA", "Career theory", "Career locus", "Career self-schema", "Cultural influences" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: Native Americans[1], also called American-Indians, are the indigenous people of the USA. Approximately 1.7 million American-Indians and Alaska Natives are enrolled in 566 tribes recognized as sovereign nations by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Native Americans have higher poverty rates and lower income and employment rates than non-minorities (Aud et al., 2010). Tribal economic development requires educated managers, thus increasing graduate business education will help to reverse such rates. However, the number of Native Americans pursuing graduate education is small (LaFromboise and Low, 1989). Unlike other minority groups, where there has been an increase in the number of MBA students, Native American enrollment remains flat (Ogunwole et al., 2012). In 2011, just 750 self-identified Native American students took the GMAT(r), a number which represents approximately 1 percent of all GMAT(r) examinees and only 5 percent of all minority examinees. Of that group 72 percent planned on earning an MBA (Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), 2011). Using a social cognitive lens, we develop a conceptual model as to why these numbers are not higher and recommend ways to increase Native American interest in earning an MBA.\nBackground and literature review: To understand why more Native Americans are not seeking an MBA, we focus on the social cognitions that provide an internal impetus for pursing the degree. The Graduate Management Admission Council(r) (GMAC(r)) identified four relevant cognitions contributing to a decision to apply to MBA programs:\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop two new constructs (career self-schemas and career locus) and present a conceptual model of the influence of Native American culture on MBA fit.\nDesign/methodology/approach: Using a social cognitive lens on career theory, the authors examine the possible effects of cultural influences on the fit between Native Americans' career goals and an MBA. Specifically, the authors propose that cultural factors contribute to career self-schemas inconsistent with Native American perceptions of business graduate education. Career self-schemas are an individual's cognitive map of the self in his or her career.\nFindings: The conceptual model proposes that aspects of career self-schemas may explain lagging Native Americans' MBA fit: the MBA is culturally inconsistent, and a community career locus.\nResearch limitations/implications: The model needs to be tested empirically. This research has implications that extend beyond Native Americans to help explain the career aspirations of other diverse groups.\nSocial implications: Native Americans are, in recent years, engaging in economic development that would benefit from Native Americans with MBAs. The authors make recommendations for increasing Native American interest in MBA programs.\nOriginality/value: This paper introduces the constructs of career self-schemas and career locus to explain lagging MBA fit for Native Americans. The constructs may also be applied in other cultures and with other ethnic groups to explain differences in career choice. It may be particularly helpful in an international context.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
NCSS notable trade book lesson plan: the girl who buried her dreams in a can	[ "Women's rights", "Lesson plan", "Critical social studies" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nBook Title: The Girl Buried Dreams in a Can (2015) by Tererai Trent.New York, NY: Viking Books for YoungReaders.Recommended for ages 4-8ISBN: 978-0-6700-1654-9.Recommended for grades preK-3.This plan has been adapted for upper grades 4-6.This lesson plan will require 30-45 min per day over the span of 2-3 days.\nBook summary: The girl, as she was called, was an incessant dreamer. Living in a country, where education for women was virtually nonexistent, Terarai Trent recounts how she exchanged chores for primary schooling while pursuing her dream of attending a formal school. Based on the concept of moving from batigone (impossible) to tinogona (possible), The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can, is a story of culture, family tradition, love and hope. Based upon actual events, this story still empowers countless around the globe.\nNCSS standards: I. CultureIV. Individual Development and IdentityIX. Global Connections\nMaterials: The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a CanAnchor Chart PaperSharpies/MarkersOld MagazinesGlueScissorsLarge Pieces of Cardstock or Construction PaperVideo of Dr Trent speakingIndex Cards\nObjectives: Students will use the text to determine the value of dreaming and analyze whether people's dreams matter.Students will discuss the pros and cons of developing a dream.Students will analyze how dreams may be connected to future success.\nProcedures: Exploration/Introduction\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can, written by Dr Tererai, profiles a cultural, yet global experience of the power of believing in one's dream. Through this study of the similarities and differences of how children in the United States and abroad live and dream of a better life, this lesson seeks to enhance students' understandings of the power and authority they possess to effect change not only within their own lives but also in the lives of countless others in world. After reading the text, students will work to create vision boards illustrating their plans to effect change within their homes, schools, communities, states or countries. They will present their plans to their peers. To culminate the lesson, the students will bury their dreams in can and collectively decide on a future date to revisit the can to determine how far they have progressed in accomplishing their goals.\nDesign/methodology/approach: This is an elementary grades 3-6 lesson plan. There was no research design/methodology/approach included.\nFindings: As this is a lesson plan and no actual research was represented, there are no findings.\nOriginality/value: This is an original lesson plan completed by the first author Takisha Durm.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]
Building information modelling to support maintenance management of healthcare built assets	[ "Organisational performance", "Healthcare", "Information integration", "Built asset management", "Building information modelling", "Asset maintenance" ]	[ { "content": "Summarize the following paper into structured abstract.\n\nIntroduction: The way we look at our buildings and other physical assets, such as plant and equipment, has changed gradually. Built asset management (BAM) professionals and scholars increasingly recognise that built assets should add value to the core business of the organisation, which goes beyond just maintaining a building's physical condition (Store-Valen and Lohne, 2016). For example, RICS (2008) defines public sector BAM as 'a structured process that seeks to ensure best value for money from property assets in serving the strategic needs of public sector organisations'. Within the context of health-care buildings, Store-Valen and Lohne (2016) define value as the hospital buildings ability to create optimal conditions for effective delivery of health-care services. Conveying a similar approach, RICS emphasises that public sector BAM should entail a strategically driven process to ensure that the optimisation of an organisation's assets supports its key business goals and objectives (RICS, 2012). Similarly, organisations increasingly recognise buildings as a critical asset to fulfil organisational strategic objectives, and not just as envelopes providing shelters for people and activities (Steinke et al., 2010). BAM should entail strategically driven processes throughout the whole building life cycle: planning and acquisition, maintenance and disposal or replacement. Asset planning, acquisition and replacement involve large capital investments, often supported by external capital investment grants. Conversely, built asset maintenance BAM activities need to be funded through internal organisational revenue. Even though organisations recognise buildings as a critical asset to fulfil organisational strategic objectives, their views on investments on BAM is somewhat arbitrary, with priorities generally reflecting available organisational budget rather than strategic need. Chalifoux and Baird (1999, cited in Njuangang et al., 2016) claimed that, because of the lack of understanding of the science of maintenance, organisations rely on the old tenet \"if it isn't broken, don't fix it\". In a relatively recent study, Jones and Sharp (2007) claimed that many organisations see maintenance of built assets as a cost burden, rather than a value addition to the organisation. One reason for this could be associated with a lack of evidence and business tools (when compared to those available for major BAM decisions related to acquisition, disposal or replacement of built assets) to align BAM activities with organisational performance. For example, capital investments within NHS organisations in England are well supported by best practice guidance, such as the NHS England business case approvals process (Department of Health, 2013) and the Capital Investment Manual (Department of Health, 1994), which facilitate strategic considerations including the development of the business case and wider stakeholder consultations. Conversely, there is very little national-level guidance to optimise strategies for day-to-day maintenance activities within estates and facilities divisions, which are primarily developed based on past experience. Whilst this approach might be reasonable whilst annual budgets are growing, during financially difficult times, organisations tend to compromise the priorities given to BAM activities over other clinical activities within hospitals (National Health Executive, 2016) and the maintenance backlog begins to build. To defend maintenance budgets, built asset managers need a range of decision support tools to prioritise BAM activities and investigate maintenance patterns of specific elements, components and systems within buildings. This paper presents a conceptual framework for how building information modelling (BIM) can integrate a wide range of interdepartmental information streams in a way that aligns BAM decisions to organisational performanceand details a pilot study showing how the proposed framework could be implemented within health-care organisations via a cloud-based BIM application developed for a selected health-care organisation.\nBuilding information modelling and existing use of information and communications technology: Information and communications technology (ICT) is not new to the construction sector. Communicating building related information electronically via computer-aided design (CAD) systems has existed since the 1980s (Day, 2002). Since the early 1990s, object oriented CAD was used to simplify building section drawings by linking building graphics with non-graphical data on common building elements (ibid). Facilities management substantially uses ICT for different purposes. A variety of tools such as spreadsheets, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMSs), computer-aided facility management (CAFM) systems, document management systems, building management systems (BMSs) and building automation systems (BASs) are used to manage facilities (Parsanezhad and Dimyadi, 2014). In particular, CMMSs are used for asset maintenance activities. Basic functionalities of CMMSs include scheduling, recording and control of maintenance activities, generation of service requests, managing work orders, calculating and tracking resource requirements for executed maintenance activities, as well as allowing for the tracking of past maintenance activities (Sapp, 2013 cited in Parsanezhad and Dimyadi, 2014; Duran, 2011). In addition, these systems can also store information such as asset records, stock records, condition of assets, etc. CAFM systems are used for functionalities such as space management, maintenance and operation planning, facility budgeting and accounting, construction and project management, space inventory and management, architectural and interior planning, space forecasting, telecommunications and cable management, lease and property management, and furniture and equipment management (Keller and Keller, 2005; Elmualim and Pelumi-Johnson,2009). The use of these ICT systems for asset management help organisations to improve the efficiency of their AM and FM activities by reducing administration related processing times and errors (Elmualim and Pelumi-Johnson, 2009). However, many organisations are not satisfied with the capabilities of their implemented asset management systems (Duran, 2011). Literature suggests that these systems could be further improved through the integration of a variety of hardware and software components (Elmualim and Pelumi-Johnson, 2009) to provide more advanced applications (Duran, 2011), which would be capable of system diagnostics, decision reasoning, and seamless data collection and transfer from and between other systems (Duran, 2011; Elmualim and Pelumi-Johnson, 2009).\nBuilding information modelling and health-care built asset maintenance: The National Health Service (NHS) is one of the UK's largest public sector organisations, operating over 1,200 hospitals and nearly 3,000 other treatment facilities. The NHS occupies a floor area of 24.3million m2; the equivalent to nearly 3,500 football pitches; and in 2016, the total cost of running the NHS Estate was approximately PS8.3 billion (Department of Health, 2016). This includes costs associated with estates and facilities finance (such as PFI leases), hard FM (maintenance of buildings, land and assets) and soft FM (hotel services). As hospital buildings are critical infrastructure built to provide care, much of the maintenance in the health-care estate needs to be properly planned. However, changing care needs and statutory requirements mean that a mix of planned and reactive maintenance is a more feasible maintenance management strategy (Chanter and Swallow, 2008).\nBuilt asset maintenance: Maintenance of built assets is traditionally viewed as works necessary to keep, restore or improve the performance of building structure, fabric and components and basic engineering installations to acceptable standards, and sustain the utility and value of built assets (Seeley, 1976). Literature (BIFM, 2018; BSI, 1993) reveals two key approaches to BAM:\nValue addition through BAM: Store-Valen and Lohne (2016) identified that considerations into life cycle costs and adaptability, and strategic involvement of facilities management could contribute to added value for health-care organisations. However, strategically aligning BAM activities with overall organisational performance is challenging and requires an understanding of the relationships between the organisation's key performance indicators and its BAM plans. A good performance measurement system should be multi-dimensional and be able to measure performance of the overall business across both organisational functions and hierarchies (Neely, 2002). There are many performance measurement frameworks available for organisations to measure their success. For example, performance measurement approach developed by Keegan, et al. (1989) emphasised the importance of integrating cost and non-cost dimensions as well as internal and external dimensions into an organisation's performance model. The widely accepted balanced scorecard framework developed by Kaplan and Norton (1992) identified four different ways of looking at performance: financial; customer; internal business; and innovation and learning perspectives. Brown (1996) in his Macro Process Model of the organisation suggested that the performance of an organisation should be measured through five stages leading to the core business: inputs; processing systems; outputs; outcomes; and goals. Brown's (1996) model is probably the most appropriate performance model for health-care organisations, since health-care organisations are complex and the services they provide are diverse (Store-Valen and Lohne, 2016). In such systems, performance should not be measured solely against ultimate outcomes but also against business processes where each stage of the overall system is the driver of performance for the next stage (Brown, 1996). Brown (ibid) also proposed that benchmarking input and processing dimensions could result in better outputs and outcomes. Raleigh (2010) also stated that outcome performance indicators are best for monitoring progress on performance goals, but input and process indicators are best to control and drive improvements.\nResearch methods: A participatory case study was undertaken with a regional NHS hospital to: review the type of information that can be used to better inform BAM decision making; to test how the conceptual framework can be applied within a BAM division of a health-care organisation; and to develop a cloud-based BIM application. The selected hospital had a varied building portfolio and it was purposefully selected to provide easy access to a rich set of data. The selected hospital managed most of its BAM activities with in-house operatives, supervisory and management staff.\nResults: Current practice of information gathering and sharing and building information modelling potential\nDiscussions and implications: Dilemma of tenure and sponsorship\nConclusions: This research contributed to the knowledge of BAM by proposing and piloting a framework on how BIM can facilitate modelling and analysis of a wide range of interdepartmental data to provide evidence to make BAM decisions to improve health-care organisational performance. A good BAM strategy needs to align BAM activities to support overall organisational performance and its key business goals and objectives. This requires built asset managers to use constant feedback of performance related information from divisions outside of asset management. Health-care organisations currently gather a wide range of such information that could be integrated through enhanced digital capabilities. These include information related to physical performance of built assets, BAM resource data, and built assets' impact on quality of care. Some data gathered within clinical departments contain specific remarks related to how built assets contributes to the overall organisational performance.\n", "role": "user" }, { "content": "Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how digital capabilities associated with building information modelling (BIM) can integrate a wide range of information to improve built asset management (BAM) decision-making during the in-use phase of hospital buildings.\nDesign/methodology/approach: A comprehensive document analysis and a participatory case study was undertaken with a regional NHS hospital to review the type of information that can be used to better inform BAM decision-making to develop a conceptual framework to improve information use during the health-care BAM process, test how the conceptual framework can be applied within a BAM division of a health-care organisation and develop a cloud-based BIM application.\nFindings: BIM has the potential to facilitate better informed BAM decision-making by integrating a wide range of information related to the physical condition of built assets, resources available for BAM and the built asset's contribution to health-care provision within an organisation. However, interdepartmental information sharing requires a significant level of time and cost investment and changes to information gathering and storing practices within the whole organisation.\nOriginality/value: This research demonstrated that the implementation of BIM during the in-use phase of hospital buildings is different to that in the design and construction phases. At the in-use phase, BIM needs to integrate and communicate information within and between the estates, facilities division and other departments of the organisation. This poses a significant change management task for the organisation's information management systems. Thus, a strategically driven top-down organisational approach is needed to implement BIM for the in-use phase of hospital buildings.\n", "role": "assistant" } ]

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.